Duality In Islam

     Most of the topic I wrote is either my experience or my observation on obvious things or common daily things that are not taken seriously enough or digested enough to have its true meaning understood. This past few months I've been observing and noticed that there is a repeating pattern in Islamic teaching and in the universe itself. I think hard and deep about it and realized the pattern is the concept of duality, sort of the concept of Ying Yang.

    There are many example to this and I will break it down in a better digestible bits both general pairs and then I will dive deeper to the spiritual or religious side.

    Duality hrough general lens

  • Day vs Night
  • Man vs Woman
  • Alive vs Dead
  • Light vs Dark
  • Male vs Female
  • Sea vs Land
  • etc
    Duality through religion lens ( I will explain a little more 
  • Nafsu vs. Roh ( Human Nature )
    - Nafsu (ego/self-desire) often pulls toward base desires and worldly temptations.
    - Roh (soul/spirit) longs for closeness to Allah and higher purpose.

    This is the duality of ourself: The believer is in constant inner struggle (jihad an-nafsu) between these forces, striving for balance through discipline and worship. Bear in mind that Jihad is mostly associated with negative connotation when in fact it's more of internal battle in oneself.

    To note that this duality is always there and it's our duty to learn the discipline of religion teaching to be able to keep the nafsu within control. I personally have been on the side of nafsu and repented, started practicing more diligently and I can tell that the battle within own self is winnable suing the discipline of the teachings. I believe this is due to the restraint by certain restriction train our self control and the deeper our believes (Iman) in our faith (Deen), the harder it is for us to follow our desire and nafsu.
     
  • Light vs Darkness as Metaphors
    - The Qur'an frequently uses light (nūr) to represent guidance and truth, and darkness (ẓulumāt) to signify ignorance, disbelief, or confusion.

    “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth…”
    (Surah An-Nur 24:35)

    The light and dark is used interchangeably but we often read or heard Nur rather than Zulumat as there is more calling to the creator through His guidance(Nur). To side track a little, if you're Malaysian or understand Malay language, there's a drama about a young muslim preacher who tried to save a prostitute on the street who wanted to repent. It's a good series and if you haven't watched it, you may want to pick it up as there's a lot of Islamic value that is incorporated.

  • Dunia vs Akhirat (This Life and the Afterlife)
    - Islam also emphasizes that this life is temporary, and the hereafter is eternal.

    “But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring.”
    (Surah Al-A'la 87:16–17)

    This duality is emphasized on Muslim as a reminder that life on earth is temporary and that we are to focus on our deed and responsibilities to ensure our wellbeing in the afterlife. Life is not either/or but a test where how we live in the dunia shapes our akhirat. We need to work towards ensuring the forever rather than the focusing on the temporary. 

  • Reward vs Punishment
    -     Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell) are the ultimate destinations based on the belief and deeds of a Muslim.
    - Allah is both Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Al-Adl (The Just).

    Islam teaches both mercy and justice and the duality that can be observed here reminds believers to hope in Allah’s mercy but also to fear His justic, ultimately leading to a balanced spiritual mindset. You have to fear of the wrath of Allah but also embrace the warmth of His mercy, try to please Him as much as you can but if you sin and fear Him not, punishment awaits. So balance it and you will live a peaceful fufilling life.

  • Creation in Pairs
    - I saved this for the last because it's beautiful. The Qur'an indeed have states that Allah created everything in pairs.

    “And of everything We have created pairs, that you may remember (the grace of Allah).”
    (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:49)

    This duality reminds us of the interconnectedness and balance in the univers and that nothing exists in isolation.

    I have come to realization that Allah loves discipline and order (Fitrah) thus He creates this as a predictable patterns. Allah the All Knowing and the All Merciful, created Hawa(Eve) to complete the pair with Adam as He knows that His creations will crave for companionship. He makes it Syariat and also makes it that is counted as we have done half of our Deen if we find a companion and settle down with them. If we slow down and start to see all the order that is in place, it shows His love for us and how beautiful all of His plannings and creations. Indeed Allah is great.

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