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A contemporary mystical Islamic philosopher offers clarification about common misconceptions of the Islamic concept of God.

Hulusi is an Islamic scholar whose writings mirror the mystical dimension of Islam known as Sufism, made well known in the U.S. through translations of the Sufi poet-theologian Rumi. But many who read the English translations of Rumi fail to realize the complexity of the system of spiritual thinking that Sufism represents. Hulusi explicates one of the most difficult concepts in mystical Islam--the notion that "Allah," commonly misunderstood in the West and even in parts of the Muslim world as "God," encompasses more than the word "God" can illuminate. Drawing upon his interpretations of the Quran, Islam's most sacred scripture, Hulusi claims that nowhere in Muhammad's transmission of the Quran is there the assertion that Allah is a god. Instead, Hulusi writes that Allah is "an infinite, unlimited, whole One, in which case...there is nothing in existence other than Him." The consequences of this assertion are that individual lives are fated by Allah, predestined to heaven or hell after physical death. The point of religion, writes the author, is to gain nondualistic awareness of Allah, which is realized through essential self-knowledge and the rejection of illusionary dualities in daily life. The author relies on short paragraphs to frame his beliefs and uses abstract language to describe consciousness, but the gist of these abstruse ideas is helpfully noted in bold throughout the book. One can only imagine the difficulty translator Atalay faced in converting the author's esoteric Turkish style into readable English. Yet it does read clearly as a kind of Sufi manifesto of faith. Get the Book NOW

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Concept of Faith (Iman) in Islam

The Concept of Faith (Iman)   Some people may think that man becomes a MuslimIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » when he confesses belief in the  OnenessConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » of the True AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » and in MuhammadIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » as His Last Messenger. But this is far  from the full meaning of FaithConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... ». The full meaning of FaithConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » in IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » is not, by any  means, something nominal or mere formalityConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... ». Faith in IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » is a state of happinessConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... »  acquired by virtueAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » of positive action and constructive conceptionsConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » as well as dynamic  and effective measures.   The Holy QurConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... »’ an and the TraditionsTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... » of MuhammadIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » define these required measures  and establish the standards which build up a meaningful Faith. Thus, the true  believers are:

1.   Those who believe in AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... », His angels, His Books as completed by the Qur’ an,  His messengersIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » with Muhammad being the Last of them all, the Day of Final  Judgement, the absolute knowledgeConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » and wisdom of Allah – Almighty God.

2.  Those who trustConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » Allah – Almighty God always and enjoy unshakable confidenceConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » in Him.

3.  Those who spend in the way of Allah – Almighty God of what He has given them in the form of  wealth, life, health, knowledge, experience, and so on

4.  Those who observe their daily prayersConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » regularly as well as the weekly and annual  congregationsConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... »

5.  Those who pay their religious taxes (alms or ZakahConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... ») to the rightful beneficiaries  (individuals or institutions), the minimum of which is two and half percent of the  annual “ net”  income, or of the total valueConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » of stocks if in business – after discounting  all expenses and credits

6.  Those who enjoin the right and good, and combat the wrong and evil by all lawful  means at their disposal

7.  Those who obey Allah – Almighty God and His Messenger MuhammadConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... »; and feel increasing strength  of faith when the Qur’ an is recited, and humility of heart when Allah – Almighty God’ s name is  mentioned

8.  Those who love Allah – Almighty God and His Messenger most, and love their fellow menIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » sincerely  for the sake of Allah – Almighty God alone

9.  Those who love their near and distant neighbors and show genuine kindnessWhy Islam?. Read more ... » to  their guests, especially the strangers

10. Those who say the truth and engage in good talk, or else abstain.

It is clear that the very meaning of Faith makes Islam penetrate deeply and  constructively into every aspect of life. According to Islam, true Faith has decisive  effect on the spiritual and material lot of man, and also on his personal and social  behavior as well as his political conduct and financial life. To show how the Qur’ an  describes the true believers, here are some examples

The Qur’an contains numerous  references like these:   They only are the true believers whose heartsMYSTIC LIFE OF BAYAZID BASTAMI. Read more ... » feel submissive (and humble) when Allah – Almighty God  is mentioned; and when the revelations of Allah – Almighty God are recited unto them, they (the  revelations) increase and strengthen their Faith; and who trust in their Lord, establish  the prayerMYSTIC LIFE OF BAYAZID BASTAMI. Read more ... » (as enjoined on them) and spend of what We have bestowed on them (in  the cause of Allah – Almighty God). Those are they who are in truth believers. For them are (high)  grades (of honor) with their Lord, and a bountiful provision (Qur’ an, 8:2-4).

And the believers, men and women, are protecting (and allied) friends of one another;  they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay  the poor-due, and they obey Allah – Almighty God and His Messenger. As for these, Allah – Almighty God will have  mercy on them; verily Allah – Almighty God is Mighty, and Wise. Allah – Almighty God promises the believers, men and  women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in  Gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah – Almighty God. That  is the supreme felicity (Qur’ an, 9:71-72).

The true believers are those only who believe in Allah – Almighty God and His Messenger  (Muhammad) and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for  the cause of Allah – Almighty God. Such are the sincere (Qur’ an, 49:15).

Besides these Qur’ anic references, there are many relevant TraditionsTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... » of Muhammad.  For example, he says:    None of you can be a true believer unless, he loves for his fellow believer what he  loves for himself.   Three qualities are the sign of sound faith, and he who acquires them can really feel  the sweet taste of Faith. They are (1) to love Allah – Almighty God and his Messenger most of all, (2) to  love his fellow man for the sake of Allah – Almighty God alone, and (3) to resent and resist returning to  disbelief as much as he does being cast into fire.   He who believe in Allah – Almighty God and Last Day of Judgement is forbidden to cause any harm to  his neighbor, is to be kind to his guests – especially the strangers, and is to say the  truth or else abstain.

There are many verses and traditions like the ones cited above. But it should be borne  in mind, however, that the given quotations are not and cannot be the exact words of  the Qur’ an and Muhammad as they sound in the Arabic Text. The reason for that is  simple. No interpreter, however learned and masterful he may be, can ever convey the  spiritual power and charming appeal of the Qur’ an through any language. The Qur’ an  is – and so Allah – Almighty God made it – inimitable, and it is beyond human imagination and power  to produce anything like it. What is true of the Qur’an in this respect is also true of the  Traditions of Muhammad to a certain extent, because, after the Qur’ an, his words are  the most conclusive and eloquent.

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