================Our Recommendation================

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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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Islamic Concept of Community

The Concept of Community   The word community has acquired certain connotations, some of which are romantic  and nostalgic, some derogatory and reactionist. But since we intend to deal with the  basics, we shall confine our discussion to the most fundamental meanings of the word  community.   In one basic sense, the concept community means “ all forms of relationship that are  characterized by a high degree of personal intimacy, emotional depth, moral is  commitment, social cohesion, and continuity in time ….. It may be found in …..  locality, religion, nation, race, occupation, or (common cause). Its archetype ….. is  the family”  (Robert Nisbet, The Sociological Tradition – New York: Basic Books,  1996, pp. 47-48)

In another basic sense, a community is a comprehensive group with two chief  characteristics: (1) it is a group within which the individual can have most of the  activities and experiences that are important to him. (2) The group is bound together  by a shared sense of belonging and a feeling of identity (L. Broom & P. Selznick,  Sociology: A Text with Adapted Readings New York: Harper & Rowe, 1968, p.31).   The Historical master trend has been a movement from those intimate, deep, moral  relationships of community to those impersonal, formal utilitarian relationships of  mass society. The movement has been designated by different phases and marked by  far-reaching consequences.

From this historical trend, one can infer certain conclusions. First, this historical  evolution has not been totally negative or completely positive and constructive. Both  negative and positive consequences have affected different people in different  degrees. Secondly, modern society is far from perfect, there is a great task yet to be  performed. Thirdly, the human condition is not a lost cause or a hopeless case. True,  there are crises and travail, but the situation is not entirely out of control. Finally,  mankindConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... » has grown more interdependent and human societies more intertwined.  Whatever happens in one segment of society is bound to affect the rest. We should  keep this in mind when we discuss the Islamic conceptIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » of community    It should be generally correct to state that the Islamic conceptIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » of community has  certain unique characteristics. Such unique characteristics relate to the foundation or  basis of the community, its historic mission and purpose, its status among other  communities, its identity, and its continuity.   The community in IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » is not founded on race, nationality, locality, occupation,  kinship, or special interests. It does not take its name after the name of a leader or a  founder or an event. It transcends national borders and political boundaries.

The  foundation of the community in IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » is the principle which designates submission to  the will of AllahProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... », obedienceTHE LOVE OF GOD. Read more ... » to His law and commitment to His cause. In short, an  Islamic community is present only when it is nourished and fostered by Islam.   The Islamic community has a historic mission far beyond mere survival, sheer power,  breeding, or physiological continuity. Such a mission is described in the Holy QurProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... »’ an  as follows:   Let there be a community (or ummah) among you, advocating what is good,  demanding what is right, and eradicating what is wrong. Theses are indeed the  successful (3:104). You are the best community ever raised, you enforce what is right,  fight what is wrong, and believe in AllahProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... » (3:110).   The historic role of the Islamic Community is to be the true embodiment of the  virtuous, the wholesome, and the noble.

A truly Islamic community is the alert  guardian of virtueAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » and the bitter enemy of vice. What is required of the community at  large is likewise required of every individual member. This is because the whole  community is an organic entity and every individual is accountable to Allah. The role  of the individual MuslimIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » is best described by the statement of the prophetThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... »:   Whoever of you sees something wrong must seek to rectify it by action or deed; if he  cannot, let him try to change it by word; if he cannot, let his feelings of disapproval  and condemnation intensify and this is the minimal degree of faithProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... ».   As we can see, this description is very significant and comprehensive. In this age of  revolutionary media, no one in his right mind can underestimate the power of  concerted actions, or the power of communicable words, or the power of feelings.

The historic role of the Islamic community is further restated in the Qur’anic verse:   We have made you middle nation, a well-integrated community, a balanced ummah,  so that you may be witnesses over other people and the Messenger a witness over you  (2:143).   Such a role of witnessing is both highly significant and extremely demanding. It  means that the community of Islam must be exemplary. It must set the highest  standards of performance and be the reference point for others. It must avoid excesses  and extravagances, static rigidity and instant evaporation. To strike a middle course of  action, to be steadfast and consistent, to know what to accept and what to reject, to  have principles and at the same time remain adaptable is probably the hardest test of  the human character and social viability. But this is the role of the Islamic community  and the historic mission of MuslimsMuslims never worshipped Muhammad. Read more ... ». And it is this very criterion that qualifies the  MuslimIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » as the best human community ever to evolve.   The identity of the community centers upon the principles of consistent balance,  exemplary conduct, unity of purpose, reciprocity of feelings, solidarity, and equity.  Numerous are the statements of the Qur’an and Sunnah to this effect (for example  4:135, 21:92, 23:52).

With regard to the continuity of the Islamic community, certain points are noteworthy.  It is the duty of MuslimsMuslims never worshipped Muhammad. Read more ... » to do everything within their means to insure that continuity.  The rules of marriageQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » and inheritance, the duties of ZakahConcept of Faith (Iman) in Islam. Read more ... » and Hajj, the mutual rights  and obligations of kin, the individual conscientiousness and social belonging – all  these are oriented to the healthy continuity of the community of Islam. On the other  hand, Allah has pledged to prophetThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » this continuity in several ways. First, He has  pledged to preserve the Qur’ an and protect it purity (15:9).   This means that there shall always be a community to follow the Qur’ an; the Qur’ an  shall not be without followers even though there may be followers of other books.  Secondly, Islam itself is a continuity. Whenever a nation deviated from the path of  Allah, He restated His word, reaffirmed His truth, and commissioned new prophetsTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS WORLD. Read more ... » or  reformers to carry on. Thirdly, Allah has issued a strong warning to the effect that if  Muslims turned away from the right path, they would be the losers; Allah would  replace them by other people unlike the failing Muslims (47:38).

Again, the believers are warned that if any of them turns back from his FaithProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... », soon  will Allah – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » produce people whom He will love and they will love Him, – humble toward  the believers and mighty against the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » and  never afraid of reproaches (Qur’an, 5:57).

 extract from ISLAM   IN  FOCUS  by HAMMUDAH ABDALATI  www.islamicbulletin.com

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