In this episode, we lay the grounds for our podcast series for this month of Ramadan, ‘God in His Own Words’. Every human being is born with an inner recognition of God. Deep inside we all know that we have a Creator. Yet as we grow, voices, experiences, and assumptions often cover that knowing. We begin to see God through what others say rather than through what He says. We want to return to the source. Across this month of Ramadan, we will allow God to introduce Himself to us.
Hello and welcome to “God in His Own Words”, where we will try to get better acquainted with God through the Holy Qur’an rather than the words of others.
Knowledge, awareness, and true insight (Ma'rifah) are esteemed by everyone. Even a person who lacks knowledge and insight will likely take pleasure in being addressed as "learned" or "wise." In contrast, ignorance is highly condemned. Lack of awareness and knowledge is considered a weakness. Nobody likes to be called "ignorant". But false knowledge and cognition — that is, knowledge which is fundamentally flawed — is far worse and much more harmful.
A person who simply lacks knowledge is just unaware, and does not claim otherwise. However, a person who does have knowledge, but whose knowledge or understanding is wrong, would make mistakes with assertion and audacity. And if a person bases their life actions and their judgments on incorrect knowledge, it will lead them to error and sin.
Among all forms of knowledge, the most important, and the most impactful, is knowing the Almighty God. This familiarity with God is the very foundation of creation. Creation began with God introducing Himself.
In the Quran, in Sūrah Ar-Rūm, verse 30, God Almighty indicates that Monotheism (Tawhid) is engraved in the very nature of the original creation of humanity – this is called Fitra, the primordial nature of human beings. This means that everyone both knows and recognizes God in their deep inner selves. Furthermore, this Divine introduction cannot be tampered with: «لا تبدیل لخلق الله» "There is no altering God’s creation".
In Sūrah Al-A’rāf, verse 172, God Almighty says: «أَشهَدَهُم عَلی أَنفُسِهِم أَلَستُ بِرَبِّکُم قالوا بَلی» "And [He] took themselves as witness, [saying], 'Am I not your Lord?' They said, 'Yes, we testify!'"
This means that at the beginning of creation, all souls affirmed God’s Lordship. But why, despite this inherent cognition, is there so much misguidance? Why do so many people pretend that they do not know God, let alone believe in Him?Perhaps one of the most important reasons for many of us human beings is that we let others obscure our understanding of God. We seldom go directly to God and ask Him: "My Lord, grant me deeper knowledge of You." «اللهُمَّ عَرِّفنی نَفسَکَ» .
God Almighty introduces Himself in creation, nature, life, and in occurrences. But unfortunately, the basis of knowledge for many people has become the sayings, judgments and analyses of others.
If you listen to what children say when they speak about their parents, they often construct a distorted image of a parent who restricts them, sets limits, and doesn't allow them to enjoy life.
Furthermore, human beings often look for someone to blame for their problems — problems that they themselves have created, crises that they have put themselves into. And who more convenient than God to blame?!When there is a right path for knowing God, why do we go astray? Why do we not dedicate time to get reacquainted with God? Why do we not create the opportunity to know God through His own self-introduction?
God’s word is among us — He has sent the Quran, in which He has introduced Himself. So it seems unreasonable to rely on the words of others, especially when there is a Qur’an to read and contemplate.Inshā'Allāh, this month of Ramadan in 2026, we want to approach God’s word patiently, to see how God Almighty has introduced Himself in the Holy Quran. We pray that God will grant us the privilege of reciting the Qur’an with our entire being.