Our Essential Nature

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is the Religion of the Primordial Nature (‘Fitrah’). Every newborn baby is born according to ‘Fitrah’, then the parents give him a name of a religious affiliation (Christianity, Judaism, Magus, etc.)”.

‘Fitrah’ in Arabic, means someone’s ‘innate or primordial nature’.  The root verb ‘f-t-r’ means to ‘split’ or ‘cleave’, implying ‘opening up’ and ‘coming out’. The words ‘Iftar’ and ‘Eid al-Fitr’ are also derived from this verb. This is why converts to Islam are often called ‘reverts’, as they are returning to their pure state.

‘Fitrah’ is the state of purity and innocence in which Sufis and Muslims believe all humans are born.