Eman Sakina

Among the profound teachings of Islam is the belief that every human being is born upon fitrah—a pure, innate disposition that inclines a person towards truth, goodness, and recognition of the Creator. This concept, deeply rooted in the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, forms the foundation of Islamic understanding of human nature, moral responsibility, and spiritual growth.

Friday Musings

In Islamic theology, fitrah refers to the essential nature with which every human being is created. It is the inner compass that naturally gravitates towards Tawḥid (belief in one God), moral uprightness, purity of heart, and an instinctive recognition of right and wrong.

The Prophet said: “Every child is born upon the fitrah…”

This hadith highlights that purity is the starting point of human life. Corruption, disbelief, and immorality are not innate; they enter a person’s life through external influences, environment, upbringing, and personal choices.

The Qur’an describes fitrah in a way that emphasises its universality: “So set your face towards the religion, upright— the fitrah of Allah upon which He created mankind.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:30)

In this verse, Allah reminds humanity that He has placed within every soul a natural inclination towards belief and righteousness. This divine gift ensures that no human being is inherently predisposed to evil. Even those who stray retain within their hearts a spark of goodness that can be rekindled.

Islam views the soul as being created in a state of purity. Fitrah is not merely a theological concept; it is a living reality experienced within a person’s conscience. When people commit injustice, deceit, or cruelty, they often feel an inner discomfort. That uneasiness stems from the fitrah resisting actions that contradict its nature.

Similarly, acts of kindness, charity, honesty, and worship feel fulfilling and uplifting because they align with the soul’s natural state. In this way, fitrah serves as an internal moral compass, guiding a person even before religious instruction reaches them.

Although every child is born pure, their surroundings significantly shape their growth. Family, culture, societal norms, and personal experiences influence whether one’s fitrah flourishes or becomes veiled. When the Prophet said that parents “make the child a Jew, Christian, or Magian,” he was emphasising the powerful impact of upbringing on one’s path.

Islam does not deny the influence of the environment, but it also does not strip humans of responsibility. While external factors may cloud the fitrah, they cannot completely extinguish it. People retain the capacity to recognise truth when exposed to it, and their hearts can rediscover their original purity through sincere reflection and repentance.

The central element of fitrah is the natural inclination toward belief in one God. Islam teaches that awareness of a Creator is embedded in the soul. Even societies that have never received prophetic guidance often exhibit beliefs in a higher power, reflecting the universality of the human longing for the Divine.

This understanding also forms the basis of accountability in Islam: humans are held responsible because they are created with the ability to recognise the existence of Allah and distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Moral values in Islam are not arbitrary rules imposed externally. They are in harmony with the fitrah. Concepts such as justice, compassion, modesty, trustworthiness, and respect resonate deeply within the human heart. When people live in accordance with these values, they feel inner peace; when they violate them, they experience guilt and restlessness.

This explains why Islam places great emphasis on cleansing the heart, nurturing spirituality, and protecting the soul from corruption. A heart that is constantly exposed to sin or heedlessness becomes covered by layers of spiritual rust, making it harder to hear the voice of the fitrah.

Though life’s challenges, temptations, and distractions can distance a person from their natural state, Islam provides many ways to return to the fitrah:

Repentance softens the heart and removes spiritual burdens.

Prayer and remembrance of Allah reconnect one with the divine purpose.

Acts of charity revive compassion within the soul. Seeking knowledge opens the mind to clarity and guidance.

Reflection on nature, creation, and blessings reawakens awareness of the Creator.

The process of spiritual development in Islam is essentially a journey back to one’s original purity. It is a return to the state in which Allah created the soul—honest, sincere, humble, and inclined to goodness.

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In everyday life, the concept of fitrah plays an essential role in shaping a believer’s character. It teaches Muslims to value sincerity, natural simplicity, and honesty. It reminds them that faith is not a burden but a return to their true nature. It also fosters optimism, for it assures that no matter how far someone drifts, the door to purity remains open.