================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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Friday, December 14, 2012

Islamic Concept of Religion

The Concept of Religion   Throughout history religion has been abused and misunderstood. Some people use it  as a means of exploitation and suppression, as a pretext for prejudiceTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... » and persecution.  Some other people use it as a source of power and domination over the elite and the  masses alike. In the name of religion unjustifiable wars have been launched, freedom  of thought and conscienceAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » has been oppressed, science has been persecuted, the right  of the individual to maturity has been denied, and man’ s dignityWhy Islam?. Read more ... » and honor have been  flagrantly debased. And in the name of religion an injustice has been inflicted upon  humanity with the result that religion itself has suffered many losses.

These are historical facts which no one can deny. But is this the proper function of  religion or the right approach to religion? Could this be the purpose of religion? The  indisputable answer is an emphatic no. There are many religions in the world, and  each one claims to be the one and only true religion. Each religion is supposed to have  come from AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » for the right guidance of man. But these claims contradict each other  and have caused dissensions among people and vehement reactions to religion –  instead of welding mankindConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... » into one universal brotherhoodWhy Islam?. Read more ... » under the One Universal  Benevolent AllahThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » – Almighty GodMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... ». This situation makes any neutral observer confused and perhaps  averse to all kinds of religion.

The Islamic conceptAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » of religion is unique in the broadest sense of the word. It is true  that genuine religion must come from Allah – Almighty God for the right guidance of man. And it is  equally true that human nature and major human needs are basically the same at all  times. This conception leads to one conclusion, and that is: There is only one true  religion coming from the One and the Same Allah – Almighty God, to deal with the outstanding human  problems of all times. This religion is ISLAMQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... ». But it should be borne in mind that  IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » was taught by ProphetThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... » MuhammadMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... » alone. On the contrary, Islam had been  taught by all the prophetsTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS WORLD. Read more ... » before MuhammadMuslim believes in the Last Day of Judgement. Read more ... », and the true followers of AbrahamTHE LOVE OF GOD. Read more ... » and  Moses as well as those of JesusProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... » and the rest were all called MUSLIMSMuslims never worshipped Muhammad. Read more ... ». So Islam has  been, and will continue to be, the true universal religion of Allah – Almighty God, because Allah – Almighty God is One  and Changeless, and because human nature and major human needs are fundamentally  the same, irrespective of time and place, of race and age, and of any other  considerations.   Bearing this in mind, the Islamic conceptAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » maintains that religion is not only a spiritual  and intellectual necessity but also a social and universal need. It is not to bewilder  man but to guide him. It is not to debase him but to elevate his moral nature. It is not  to deprive him of anything useful, or to burden him, or to oppress his qualities but to  open for him inexhaustible treasures of sound thinking and right action. It is not  confine him to narrow limits but to launch him into wide horizons of truth and  goodnessWhy Islam?. Read more ... ». In short, true religion is to acquaint man with Allah – Almighty God as well as with himself  and the rest of the universe.

This is by no means an oversimplificationHow Islam Sees LIfe. Read more ... » of the function  of religion. Here is what it means.   When the purpose of true religion is carefully examined, it will be found that religion  satisfies the spiritual and moderate material needs of man. It unties his psychological  knots and complexes, sublimates his instincts and aspirations, and disciplines his  desires and the whole course of life. It improves his knowledge of Allah – Almighty God – the Highest  Truth in the universe, and of his own self. It teaches him about the secrets of life and  the nature of manTHE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD. Read more ... » and how to treat them, about good and evil, about right and wrong.  It purifies the soul from evil, clears the mind from doubts, strengthens the character  and corrects the thinking and convictions of man. All this can be achieved only when  man faithfully observes the spiritual duties and physical regulations introduced by  religion.

On the other hand, true religion educates man and trains him in hope and patience, in  truthfulnessConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... » and honesty, in love for the right and good, in courage and endurance, all  of which are required for the mastery of the great art of living. Moreover, true religion  insures man against fears and spiritual losses, and assures him of Allah – Almighty God’ s aid and  unbreakable alliance. It provides man with peace and security and makes his life  meaningful.   That is what true religion can do for humanity, and that is the concept of religion in  Islam.

Any religion which fails to bear these fruits is not Islam or rather, is not  religion at all, and any man who fails to draw these benefits from religion is not  religious or Allah – Almighty God-minded. Allah – Almighty God is absolutely true when He says in the Holy QurProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... »’ an:  Verily the religion with Allah – Almighty God is Islam. Nor did the People of the Book dissent  therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But  if any deny the Signs of Allah – Almighty God, Allah – Almighty God is swift in calling to account (Qur’ an, 3:19). And if  anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the  Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good) (Qur’ an,  3:85).

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

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