The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

By Mohamed Miah

In the world of mathematics, there exists a simple yet perplexing problem known as the Collatz conjecture. On the surface, it appears as a straightforward sequence, but for decades, it has defied solution, leaving even the brightest minds scratching their heads. However, what if the Collatz conjecture was never meant to be solved? What if its true purpose was not to yield to our calculations, but rather to guide us towards something far greater—towards the oneness of God?

The Collatz conjecture, proposed by the German mathematician Lothar Collatz in 1937, can be described in a few simple steps: take any positive integer, if it’s even, divide it by two; if it’s odd, multiply it by three and add one. Repeat the process with the new number. The conjecture posits that no matter which number you start with, you will eventually end up at one. It’s an easy process to understand, yet proving it mathematically for every possible number remains an elusive challenge.

In the realm of mathematical research, unsolved problems like the Collatz conjecture are often seen as puzzles waiting to be cracked, their solutions representing milestones of human intellect. But perhaps the Collatz conjecture is not just a riddle to be solved, but a subtle reminder from God—a clue left in the fabric of mathematics to lead us to a deeper truth about existence itself.

Consider the journey each number takes in the Collatz sequence, sometimes rising, sometimes falling, but ultimately converging to one. This convergence, this inevitable return to unity, could be viewed as a metaphor for a fundamental concept in many religious traditions: the oneness of God. In Islam, this concept is known as Tawhid, the belief in the absolute unity and singularity of God. Everything in the universe, despite its apparent diversity and complexity, ultimately points back to this oneness.

The Quran, particularly in Surah Ar-Rahman, emphasizes the balance and harmony that pervade creation, repeatedly asking, “So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” These verses invite us to reflect on the signs of divine wisdom all around us. The Collatz conjecture, with its universal process leading back to one, is another of these signs. It is a mathematical reminder that no matter where we start, no matter how complex our journey, everything eventually leads back to the One God.

From this perspective, the nature of the Collatz conjecture is not a frustration but a divine feature. It is as if God, in His infinite wisdom, embedded this riddle into the very structure of mathematics—not to be solved, but to inspire awe and contemplation. The more we try to unravel its mystery, the more we are reminded of the limits of human knowledge and the boundless nature of God.

Science and mathematics are often perceived as purely secular pursuits, detached from the spiritual. Yet, in Islamic thought, there is a deep connection between the study of the natural world and the understanding of God. The pursuit of knowledge, whether through science, mathematics, or philosophy, is seen as a way to uncover the signs of God in creation. The Collatz conjecture, then, is not just a curiosity; it is a doorway to greater spiritual insight.

As we grapple with the mysteries of the universe, let us not forget that some mysteries are meant to lead us beyond the material and into the realm of the divine. The Collatz conjecture, with its simple steps and profound implications, may be one such mystery—a mathematical whisper of the oneness of God. It reminds us that all things, when deeply understood, point back to the Creator, reinforcing the idea that the pursuit of knowledge, in all its forms, ultimately leads us back to the One.

In the end, perhaps the Collatz conjecture was never meant to be solved in the traditional sense. Instead, it was meant to lead us on a different kind of journey—a journey not of the mind alone, but of the soul. A journey that, like the numbers in the Collatz sequence, ultimately brings us back to the One God.