================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 Freedom and Equality

Freedom, both as a concept and as a value, has been denied to many individuals,  groups, and nations. It has been often misunderstood and abused. The fact is that in no  human society can man be free in the absolute sense of the word. There must be some  limitations of one sort or another, if the society is to function at all.   Apart from this general idea, IslamMYSTIC LIFE OF BAYAZID BASTAMI. Read more ... » teaches freedom, cherishes it, and guarantees it for  the MuslimIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » as well as for the non-MuslimIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... ». The Islamic conceptIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » of freedom applies to  all voluntary activities of man in all walks of life. As already stated, every man is born  free on the fitrah or in a pure state of nature. This means that man is born free from  subjugation, sin, inherited inferiority, and ancestral hindranceMARRIAGE AS A HELP OR HINDRANCE TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. Read more ... » His  right of freedom  is sacred as long as he does not deliberately violate the Law of AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » or desecrate the  rights of others.

One of the main objectives of IslamMYSTIC LIFE OF BAYAZID BASTAMI. Read more ... » is to emancipate the mind from superstitionsWhy Islam?. Read more ... »  and uncertainties, the soul from sin and corruption, the conscienceAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » from oppression  and fear, and even the body from disorder and degeneration.   The course which Islam has enjoyed on man to realize this goal includes profound  intellectual endeavors, constant spiritual observances, binding moral principles, and  even dietary regulations. When man follows this course, religiously, he cannot fail to  reach his ultimate goal of freedom and emancipation.   The question of freedom with regard to beliefMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... », worship, and conscienceAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » is also of  paramount importance in Islam. Every man is entitled to exercise his freedom of  beliefMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... », conscience, and worship. In the words of the Qur’ an, AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » says: Let there be no  compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from Error. Whoever rejects Evil and  believes in Allah – Almighty God has grasped the strongest bond that never breaks. And Allah – Almighty Gods knows all  and hears all things (Qur’ an, 2:256).

Islam takes this attitude because religion depends upon faithProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... », will, and commitment  These would be meaningless if induced by force. Furthermore, Islam presents the  Truth of Allah – Almighty God in the form of an opportunity and leaves the choice for man to decide  his own course. The Qur’ an says: The Truth is from your Lord. Let him who will,  believe, and let him who will, disbelieve (Qur’ an, 18:29).

The Islamic conceptIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » of freedom is an article of faithProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... », a solemn command from the  Supreme Creator. It is built on the following fundamental principles. First, man’ s  conscience is subject to Allah – Almighty God only, to Whom every man is directly responsible.  Secondly, every human being is personally responsible for his deeds and he alone is  entitled to reap the fruits of his work. Thirdly, Allah – Almighty God has delegated to man the  responsibility to decide for himself. Fourthly, man is sufficiently provided with  spiritual guidance and endowed with rational qualities that enable him to make  responsible, sound choicesBelief in destiny. Read more ... ». Such is the foundation of the Islamic concept of freedom  and such is the value of freedom in Islam.

It is a natural right of man, a spiritual  privilege, a moral prerogative, and, above all, a religious duty. Within the framework  of this Islamic concept of freedom, there is no room for religious persecutions, class  conflict, or racial prejudiceTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... ». The individual’ s right of freedom is as sacred as his right  of Life; freedom is the equivalent of Life itself   The Concept of Equality   One basic element in the value system of Islam is the principle of equality or, better  yet, equity. This value of equality is not to be mistaken for or confused with  identification or stereotype. Islam teaches that, in the sight of Allah – Almighty God, all men are equal,  but they are not necessarily identical. There are differences of abilities, potentials,  ambitions, wealth and so on. Yet none of these differences can by itself establish a  status of superiority of one man or race to another.

The stock of man, the color of his  skin, the amount of wealth he has, and the degree of prestige he enjoys have no  bearing on the character and personality of the individual as far as Allah – Almighty God is concerned.  The only distinction which Allah – Almighty God recognizes is the distinction in pietyMYSTIC LIFE OF ZU'N NUN OF EGYPT. Read more ... », and the only  criterion which Allah – Almighty God applies is the criterion of goodnessWhy Islam?. Read more ... » and spiritual excellence. In  the Qur’ an, Allah – Almighty God says:   O mankindConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... », verily We have created you from a single (Pair) of a male and a female,  and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the  most honored of you in the sight of Allah – Almighty God is the most righteous (49:13).

The difference of race, color, or social status are only accidental. They do not affect  the true stature of man in the sight of Allah – Almighty God. Again, the value of equality is not simply a  matter of constitutional rights or gentlemen’ s agreement or condescending charity. It  is an article of faith which the Muslim takes seriously and to which he must adhere  sincerely. The foundations of this Islamic value of equality are deeply rooted in the  structure of Islam. It stems from basic principles such as the following:
(1) All men  are created by One and the Same Eternal Allah – Almighty God, the Supreme Lord of all.
(2) All  mankindConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... » belong to the human race and share equally in the common parentage of  Adam and EveIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ».
(3) Allah – Almighty God is just and kind to all his creaturesHow Islam Sees LIfe. Read more ... ». He is not partial to any  race, age, or religion. The whole universe is His dominion and all people are His  creaturesHow Islam Sees LIfe. Read more ... ».
(4) All people are born equal in the sense that none brings any possession  with him, and they die equal in the sense that none brings any possession with him,  and they die equal in the sense that they take back nothing of their worldly  belongings.
(5) Allah – Almighty God judges every person on the basis of his own merits and according   to his own deeds.
(6) Allah – Almighty God has conferred on man, man as such, a title of honor and  dignityWhy Islam?. Read more ... ».

Such are some of the principles behind the value of equality in Islam. When this  concept is fully utilized, it will leave no place for prejudiceTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... » or persecutions. And when  this Divine ordinance is fully implemented, there will be no room for oppression or  suppression. Concepts of chosen and gentile peoples, words such as privileged and  condemned races, expressions such as social castes and second – class citizens will all  become meaningless and obsolete

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

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