In a world driven by technology, logic, and scientific discovery, there remains one question that has echoed through the corridors of human history since time immemorial: What is the purpose of our existence, and what does God expect from us? For Muslims, and indeed for seekers of truth across all faiths, the phrase “Bi-Idhni Rabbihim” — meaning “By the Permission of their Lord” — serves as a profound reminder that everything in existence operates under the divine will and permission of the Creator.

This blog post invites you — regardless of your background, profession, or current beliefs — to embark on a journey of intellectual and spiritual exploration. We will examine how the Quran repeatedly encourages human beings to think, observe, question, and research. We will also discover that this call to seek truth is not unique to Islam; the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita (Geeta) echo the same divine invitation.

What is God’s Permission and Why Does It Matter?

The Arabic phrase “Bi-Idhni Rabbihim” (بِإذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ) translates to “By the Permission of their Lord.” It appears in the Quran to emphasize that no action, no event, and no revelation occurs except by God’s will and permission.

Understanding divine permission is essential because it anchors human beings in humility. In an age where humanity has mastered artificial intelligence, space exploration, and genetic engineering, it is easy to fall into the illusion of self-sufficiency. Yet the Quran reminds us that our intellect itself is a gift — granted “Bi-Idhni Rabbihim” — and its proper use is not to replace God but to discover Him.

When we recognize that our ability to think, reason, and explore is itself dependent on God’s permission, we approach the search for truth with both confidence and humility. We become seekers who use our God-given faculties for their intended purpose: to recognize the signs of the Creator in the universe, in our own souls, and in the revelations He has sent.

The Quran’s Repeated Call: Do You Not See? Do You Not Think?

One of the most striking features of the Quran is its relentless appeal to human intellect and observation. Unlike a text that demands blind acceptance, the Quran repeatedly challenges its readers to look, think, reflect, and research.

“Do They Not Look?” — The Call to Observation

The Quran asks:

“Do they not look at the camels, how they are created? And at the sky, how it is raised? And at the mountains, how they are firmly fixed? And at the earth, how it is spread out?”
— Quran 88:17-20 (Surah Al-Ghashiyah)

This passage does not ask for blind faith. It directs attention to observable phenomena — the camel’s remarkable biology, the sky’s vast architecture, the mountains’ geological stability, and the earth’s suitability for life. The invitation is clear: look, observe, and draw conclusions.

“Do They Not Reflect?” — The Call to Contemplation

The Quran repeatedly uses the phrase “Afala ya’tafikoon” (أَفَلا يَتَفَكَّرُونَ) — “Do they not reflect?” or “Do they not think?”

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding — who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides and 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.’”
— Quran 3:190-191 (Surah Aal-E-Imran)

Notice that reflection on creation leads directly to recognition of the Creator’s purpose. The Quran links intellectual engagement with the natural world to spiritual awakening.

“Do They Not Reason?” — The Call to Logic

“And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reason.”
— Quran 16:12 (Surah An-Nahl)

The Arabic word used here is “Ya’qiloon” (يَعْقِلُونَ) — from the root “aql” meaning intellect or reason. God explicitly states that the order of the cosmos is evidence for “people who use their reason.”

“Do They Not Research?” — The Call to Investigation

“Say, ‘Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.’”
— Quran 29:20 (Surah Al-Ankabut)

This verse is remarkable. It commands active travel and observation (research) as a means to understand creation. The Quran does not discourage exploration — it commands it.

A Universal Message: Other Scriptures Also Call Us to Seek

The call to seek God through research, observation, and reason is not exclusive to the Quran. When we examine other revered religious texts, we find the same divine encouragement.

The Bible: “Seek and You Will Find”

The Bible contains powerful exhortations to actively seek truth and understanding. One of the most direct invitations comes from Jesus Christ:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
— Matthew 7:7-8 (New International Version)

This passage emphasizes active effort in seeking truth. It is not passive inheritance but active seeking, knocking, and asking. The Bible elsewhere praises the Bereans for their investigative approach:

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
— Acts 17:11 (New International Version)

Here, the Bible itself commends those who verify teachings through daily examination and research — a model of intellectual diligence applied to spiritual truth.

The Bhagavad Gita: “Seek Me with a Sincere Heart”

In Hinduism’s most revered scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna similarly encourages the sincere seeker. In Chapter 7, Verse 16, Krishna describes four types of noble people who turn toward the divine:

“O Arjuna, foremost among the Bharatas, four kinds of pious people engage in My devotional service: the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.”
— Bhagavad Gita 7.16 (Translation by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

Notice that two of the four categories — “the inquisitive” (jijnasu) and “the one searching for knowledge of the Absolute” (jnanarthi) — are active seekers. The Gita honors those who question, inquire, and seek knowledge of ultimate reality.

Furthermore, in Bhagavad Gita 18.63, after presenting the entire philosophical discourse, Krishna tells Arjuna:

“I have explained to you this knowledge which is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish to do.”
— Bhagavad Gita 18.63

Krishna does not demand conformity. He presents knowledge and instructs Arjuna to “ponder over it deeply” — to think, reflect, and then make an independent decision. This is the essence of spiritual research.

Stop Selecting What Your Parents Selected — Research for Yourself

Perhaps the most uncomfortable yet liberating truth in the Quran is its direct challenge to inherited religion:

“And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?”
— Quran 2:170 (Surah Al-Baqarah)

This verse does not disrespect parents — honoring parents is repeatedly commanded in the Quran — but it draws a clear line between cultural inheritance and conscious conviction. Blind following of ancestral tradition, when it contradicts reason and revelation, is portrayed as a deficiency of understanding.

The message is radical: you are not responsible for continuing your parents’ choices unless you have verified those choices yourself. Your relationship with God cannot be outsourced. It must be personal, researched, and heartfelt.

Your Major Doesn’t Matter — Your Motive Does

Whether you are a software engineer, a doctor, a business student, a biologist, or an artist, your field of study is not a barrier to seeking God — it is a pathway. The universe is God’s book of signs, and every discipline reveals different pages.

A physicist studies the laws that govern existence — the very “Bi-Idhni Rabbihim” that holds atoms together. A biologist observes the intricate design of life. A psychologist studies the human soul — the seat of consciousness and moral choice. A historian traces the rise and fall of civilizations that ignored or embraced truth.

Your motive should be alignment with truth. The Quran beautifully states:

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”
— Quran 39:9 (Surah Az-Zumar)

Knowledge elevates. And the highest knowledge is knowledge of the Creator.

How Do You Find God?

Finding God is not a matter of geography or luck. It is a deliberate, systematic, and sincere search. Here are practical steps derived from the Quran and universal spiritual wisdom:

1.Observe the Universe —Look at the stars, the oceans, the DNA in your cells, and the ecosystem that sustains life. Ask yourself: Could this be an accident?

2.Read the Revelations —Engage with the Quran, the Bible, the Gita, and other scriptures not as inherited books but as texts to be studied, compared, and understood.

3.Use Your Intellect —Do not suppress your questions. Ask: Why am I here? What happens after death? Is there a moral order to the universe?

4.Seek Sincerely —Approach your search with humility and sincerity. A genuine seeker is not looking to confirm pre-existing biases but to discover truth.

5.Reflect on Life —Consider the miracles of birth, consciousness, love, and moral intuition. These are not merely biological processes — they are signposts.

Conclusion: The Permission to Seek is the Permission to Find

Bi-Idhni Rabbihim — by the permission of God — everything happens. But God’s permission is not a barrier to human effort; it is the enabling framework within which human effort operates. God has given you eyes to see, a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a conscience to discern. These are not random evolutionary accidents but divine gifts.

The Quran, the Bible, and the Bhagavad Gita all converge on one truth: God wants to be found. He has left His signatures in the cosmos, His messages in the scriptures, and His echo in the human soul. But He will not force belief. He invites, and it is up to us to accept the invitation.

So stop selecting what your parents selected unless you have verified it yourself. Do not inherit your faith — earn it. Let your major be your mission. Let your research be your worship. And let your conclusion be your own.

The signs are everywhere. The question is: Will you see them?

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Written for BRCS Solutions | www.brcssolutions.com