Among the many teachings a murīd receives from their Shaykh is the vision of the universe as a “tangible Qur'an,” mirroring what is read in the written Qur'an. This occurs when a murīd meditates sincerely on a verse (āya) or a divine word that resonates in their heart, accompanied by a state of visualization of the divine light, and subsequently witnesses its “echo” within the universe. They savor the sweetness of this subtlety, delight in the fragrance of its meaning, until their skin tingles and their entire being trembles before the majesty of the divine word. It is then that they perceive the power and grandeur of Allah the Almighty.

The true challenge is not realizing our inability to comprehend completely Allah's omnipotence, but rather the Shaykh’s unwavering dedication, both physically and spiritually, to impart not only “practical knowledge” (savoir-faire) but also “knowledge of being” (savoir-être) to the seekers—expecting nothing in return except the ultimate quest: “To know oneself in order to know the Lord.”

This journey of self-knowledge is deeply connected to the broader vision of divine unity, which is reflected in a complementary way in the teachings of the Shaykh and the very structure of the cosmos. The Qur'an emphasizes this unity, as demonstrated in a verse from Sūrat al-Anbiyā’ (The Prophets), where the Lord of Majesty declares:

If there were other gods besides Allah in the heavens and the earth, both would certainly be in disarray. Exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, beyond what they ascribe to Him. (Qur’an, 21:22)

Since the creation of the universe and throughout humankind's evolution, whether aware of it or not, chaos has never overtaken the cosmos. In this context, “chaos” refers to any deviation from the balance and divine harmony that permeate creation—an enduring imprint of divine perfection. If creation could speak, it would bear witness that there is no god but Allah.

One might wonder if this āya has a practical application. If a person believes in the plurality of deities, sincerely reflecting upon these words from the divine speech will lead them to realize that the word of the Lord of Majesty is true. He alone has no partner in creation and sovereignty. Indeed, in His mercy, Allah, the Almighty, says: “al-Raḥmān has taught the Qur’an, created humankind, and taught them bayān.” (Qur’an, 55:1-4). al-Raḥmān has granted humans the gift of bayān (recognition or realization), enabling them to comprehend the impossibility of multiple gods. Intuitively, they would understand that if this were the case, the heavens and the earth would be corrupted and chaotic. 

However, if you, O human, are unable to reflect on this, then observe your own body, and you will grasp the meaning of this verse. Let us together unlock a doorway to the mysteries of the universe, where you (the human) are the key, and explore cancer—how it forms and its consequences—as a means to understand this āya.

CANCER’S PROCESS IN BRIEF: FROM NORMAL CELLS TO TUMORS

Every cell in our body follows a programmed life cycle: birth, growth, and death. The process of programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, is vital for the body’s ability to remove damaged or unnecessary cells, maintaining its integrity and preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful cells. [1][2]

However, errors known as mutations can occur in DNA, disrupting the normal functioning of cells. These mutations can interfere with cell growth regulation or deactivate apoptosis. As a result, mutated cells evade programmed cell death, divide and multiply uncontrollably, and form tumors. [3]

Reflecting the destructive potential of the idea of multiple deities within the universe, this unrestrained proliferation of cells marks the onset of cancer, where cells exploit biological properties and laws to disrupt order, shatter harmony, and rebel against the very essence of life.

SPIRITUAL ANALOGY: CELLULAR AND COSMIC DISORDER

This cellular disorder echoes the previously mentioned āya from Sūrat al-Anbiyā’. Just as a plurality of gods would cause cosmic destruction, cancer—with its many “egoistic,” undisciplined, self-deifying degenerate cells that do not belong to the whole—disrupts cellular harmony within the body. This analogy highlights the importance of order and unity at both cosmic and biological levels, as the human being is a true microcosm, encompassing all forms of life within a single unified entity.

Cancer thus conveys a divine message, for the day will come when humankind discovers the right remedy. This message is divine, for the universe, though far greater than any individual, is reflected within each person and the interplay between the two points toward the divine, as taught in the verse:

[They are] those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and who reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire—you have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (Qur’an, 3:191-192)

In reality, Allah, the Almighty, wants us to remember through this calamity His true tawḥīd (oneness and uniqueness). He calls us to abandon both external and internal false gods and return to Him, to know Him, and to realize His unity both outwardly and inwardly within the self.

In His infinite mercy, Allah continuously sends us messages, even within ourselves. Every day, through the process of cancer, He shows us that disorder and disunity lead to the body’s ruin and death. Similarly, if there were other gods besides Allah the Almighty, it would undoubtedly lead to the same end. Allah, the Almighty, is raḥīm (especially merciful). Through this message, He does not dismiss the possibility of healing, for, as reported by al-Bukhārī: “Allah has never sent down an ailment without also sending a cure for it.” This destructive disease serves in reality as a reminder of the natural order of things. Thus, when you see someone afflicted by cancer, pray for their healing, and remember that if there were multiple deities, the universe too would suffer the same fate. Likewise, if there are many false deities within yourself, you will ultimately face spiritual destruction in this world and the hereafter.

References:

[1] Elmore, Susan. “Apoptosis: A Review of Programmed Cell Death.” Toxicologic Pathology 35, no. 4 (2007): 495-516.

[2] Tanel, Anthony. Mécanismes moléculaires et cellulaires de l'apoptose induite par l'acroléine : implication sur la santé humaine. Doctoral thesis, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2007. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada, 2008.

Hanahan, Douglas, and Robert A. Weinberg. “Hallmarks of Cancer: The Next Generation.” Cell 144, no. 5 (2011): 646-674.

[3] Su, Yanhua, Ying Sai, Lihua Zhou, Zhizhong Liu, Peipei Du, and Jianhua Zhang. “Current Insights into the Regulation of Programmed Cell Death by TP53 Mutation in Cancer.” Frontiers in Oncology 12 (2022): 1023427.