Umar Faruq Abd-Allah - Primordial Nature of Human Beings

About this lecture

In this lecture delivered at Zaytuna College, Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah explores the Islamic concept of the *fitra* — the primordial and perfect nature with which every human being is created — drawing on Quranic verses, authentic Hadith, and the insights of classical scholars such as Ibn Arabi, Al-Qushayri, and Najm al-Din al-Razi. He examines the primordial covenant (*mithaq*) between God and all of humanity, the dignity conferred upon Adam through God's creation of him "with two hands," and the Islamic tradition of transcendent humanism, culminating in the concept of *Al-Insan al-Kamil* — the perfect human being. Listeners will come away with a profound appreciation for Islam's deeply optimistic view of human nature and the spiritual aspiration toward balance, beauty, and nearness to God.