Ma’rifat is contemplation of the creation of God. Supporting data is always required for contemplation. Before the developments of science, very limited data was available on this subject. Now science has provided a huge library of unlimited data for the seekers of Ma’rifat. It has become possible for such seekers to pursue their journey endlessly. At every moment they may receive the spiritual food of Ma’rifat. The process of spiritual development can go on within them continuously and never stop even for a single moment until the day they die.
There is a lot of freedom allowed in Islam. I will give an example.
There was a lady called Barirah in Madinah. She was married to a man named Mughis. The husband's name was Mughis and the wife's name was Barirah. Barirah came to the Prophet seeking separation from her husband. Islam doesn’t encourage breaking the marriage bond.
The Prophet has said: Copy Arabic text (Sunan Abu Dawud 2178)
Divorce is lawful in Islam, but it is considered bad. Divorce is indeed bad. But if it becomes necessary or if the situation takes a wrong turn, then divorce is allowed. The Prophet counselled Barirah to not get divorced and to live harmoniously with her husband. She asked the Prophet: Is this your advice or is it a direction from God?
Here an ordinary woman is asking the Prophet if his opinion is his own advice or received as a command from God.
The Prophet replied: This isn't from God. This is my own opinion.
Barirah then said: Copy Arabic text (Sahih al-Bukhari 5238)
She said: Then I don’t need your advice.
This shows the immense freedom present in the Prophet's time. The Prophet agreed to Barirah and separated the couple. There is a principle which explains that Islam is a religion of nature. Islam is entirely based on common sense. A person came to the Prophet. He asked a question to which the Prophet replied: Copy Arabic text (Musnad Ahmad 18006) Ask your heart, or ask your common sense.
There is a principle to know Islam. To understand Islam, utilize your common sense. If your common sense tells you that something is proper, then that will be part of Islam. But if your common sense tells you that something is not right, then that is not part of Islam. Your common sense is the yardstick, according to the Hadith. Islam is not a mysterious religion. Islam is not a collection of rituals. Islam is not mythology. Islam is a religion of nature and it is based on common sense.
