Reading the therapeutic contract in the Quran

Day # 13

The mind as an object, can science be our religion?

The verses below drew my attention to another form of defence which is taking the mind as an object and another phenomenon which developing object constancy.

Today I will focus on the former.

Winnicott says that “in one extreme case an intellectual overgrowth that is successful in accounting for adaptation to need becomes of itself so important in the child’s economy that it (the mind) becomes the nursemaid that acts as mother-substitute and cares for the baby in the child self.” (Winnicott, 1988)

It made me think of the call for science to be our god and the limitations of a descriptive tool to grasp the Devine but also it being a defence against submission to God.

In the example given in the verses we see how despite the concrete examples given, submission to the Truth is met with resistance. It suggests a superego based stance rather than a conscience based stance.

Donald carveth suggested expanding the structural theory of Id, ego and superego to include ego ideal and conscience. And it is this state of conscientious being that is constantly evoked in remaining mindful of God.

This may suggest that a superego driven personality cannot submit to God and is rooted in the narcissistic wound of separation and inability to accept the vertical relationship of creator and subject.

A conscience driven personality is rooted in the return to the source of goodness and love, which engenders the capacity for concern for others. Thus people who develop a conscience are seen as a threat to the unhealthy organisation which cultivates individualistic or narcissistic tendencies.

Interestingly the Quran maintains that those who are most mindful of God are scientists:

Have you [Prophet] not considered how God sends water down from the sky and that We produce with it fruits of varied colours; that there are in the mountains layers of white and red of various hues, and jet black;

Fatir, Ayah 27

that there are various colours among human beings, wild animals, and livestock too? It is those of His servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of God. God is almighty, most forgiving.

Fatir, Ayah 28

Thus there is a firm belief in the islamic faith that science and the intellect point to God and make faith easy.

Thus I am inclined to think that science is a secular tool. However it does lead those who awaken their hearts to God. Science or knowledge without mindfulness of God, is a narcissistic project because it ignores the link of subjectivity.

2:44  How can you tell people to do what is right and forget to do it yourselves, even though you recite the Scripture? Have you no sense

2:45  Seek help with steadfastness and prayer- though this is hard indeed for anyone but the humble

2:46  who know that they will meet their Lord and that it is to Him they will return

2:47  Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favoured you over other people

2:48  Guard yourselves against a Day when no soul will stand in place of another, no intercession will be accepted for it, nor any ransom; nor will they be helped

2:49  Remember when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who subjected you to terrible torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women- this was a great trial from your Lord

2:50  and when We parted the sea for you, so saving you and drowning Pharaoh’s people right before your eyes

2:51  We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf- a terrible wrong

2:52  Even then We forgave you, so that you might be thankful

2:53  Remember when We gave Moses the Scripture, and the means to distinguish [right and wrong], so that you might be guided

2:54  Moses said to his people, ‘My people, you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf, so repent to your Maker and kill [the guilty among] you. That is the best you can do in the eyes of your Maker.’ He accepted your repentance: He is the Ever Relenting and the Most Merciful

2:55  Remember when you said, ‘Moses, we will not believe you until we see God face to face.’ At that, thunderbolts struck you as you looked on

2:56  Then We revived you after your death, so that you might be thankful

2:57  We made the clouds cover you with shade, and sent manna and quails down to you, saying, ‘Eat the good things We have provided for you.’ It was not Us they wronged; they wronged themselves

2:58  Remember when We said, ‘Enter this town and eat freely there as you will, but enter its gate humbly and say, “Relieve us!” Then We shall forgive you your sins and increase the rewards of those who do good.’

2:59 But the wrongdoers substituted a different word from the one they had been given. So, because they persistently disobeyed, We sent a plague down from the heavens upon the wrongdoers

Next reflection

Ramadan Reflections, psychoanalytic perspectives

Previous reflection

https://psychobableblog.wordpress.com/2023/04/03/ramadan-reflections-psychoanalytic-perspectives-4/