================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 Sin

The Concept of Sin   One of the major troublesome areasIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » of human existenceIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » is the problem of sin or evil  in the world. It is commonly believed that sin started with Adam and EveIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » during their  life in the Garden of EdenIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ». That event led to the Fall and has ever since branded the  human race with guiltIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... », stigmaIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... », and bewildermentIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ».   IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... » has taken a unique position on the whole issue, a position which is not shared  by any other religion we know. The Qur’ an states that Adam and EveIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » were directed  by AllahProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... » – Almighty GodConcept of Righteousness (Birr) in Islam. Read more ... » to reside in the Garden of EdenIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » and enjoy its produce as they pleased, assured  of bountiful supplies and comfort. But they were warned not to approach a particular  tree so that they would not run into harm and injusticeIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ». Then SatanIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » intrigued them to  temptation and caused them to lose their joyful state. They were expelled from the  Garden and brought down to earth to live, die, and taken out again at last for the Final  Judgment. Having realized what they had done, they felt shame, guiltIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... », and remorseIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ».  They prayed for AllahProphet Isa (Jesus Christ) in the Qur'an. Read more ... » – Almighty GodConcept of Righteousness (Birr) in Islam. Read more ... »’ s mercy and were forgiven (Qur’ an, 2:35-38; 7:19-25; 20:117-  123).

This symbolic eventIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... » is significantly revealing. It tells that the human being is  imperfect and ever wanting even if he were to live in paradise. But committing a sin  or making a mistake, as Adam and Eve did, does not necessarily deaden the human  heart, prevent spiritual reform or stop moral growthIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ». On the contrary, the human being  has enough sensibility to recognize his sins and shortcomingsIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ». More importantly, he is  capable of knowing where to turn and to whom he should turn for guidance. Much  more important is the fact that Allah – Almighty God is ever prepared to respond to the sincere calls of  those who seek His aid. He is so Gracious and Compassionate that His ForgivenessAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... » is  Encompassing and His Mercy all – Inclusive (Qur’ an, 7:156). One last revealing  reading of the event is that discriminationIslam - the best safeguard of peace and harmony. Read more ... » on the basis of sex and hereditary guilt or  sin are alien to the spirit of IslamQuranic Verses on Nikah Marriage. Read more ... ».

The idea of Original Sin or hereditary criminality has no room in the teachings of  Islam. Man, according to the Qur’ an (30:30) and to the ProphetThe Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names. Read more ... », is born in natural  state of purity or fitrah, that is, Islam or submission to the will and law of Allah – Almighty God.  Whatever becomes of man after birth is the result of external influence and intruding  factors. To put the matter in terms of modern thought, human nature is malleable; it is  the socialization process, particularly the home environment, that is crucial. It plays a  decisive role in the formation of human personality and the development of moral  character.

This does not deny to the individual the freedom of choice or exempt him  from responsibility. Rather, it is a relief from that heavy burden of hereditary  criminality or instinctual sin.   Allah – Almighty God, by definition, is Just, Wise, Merciful, Compassionate, and Perfect. He has  created man by breathing into him of His own Spirit (Qur’ an, 15:29; 32:9; 66:12).  Since Allah – Almighty God is the absolute infinite good and His Spirit the absolute perfect one; since  man, through creation, received of the Spirit of Allah – Almighty God, then man was bound to retain at  least some portion of this good Spirit of the Creator. This may account for the good  dispositions of man and his spiritual longings. But, on the other hand, Allah – Almighty God created  man to worship Him, not to be His equal, rival, the perfect incarnation or absolute  embodiment of His goodnessWhy Islam?. Read more ... ». This means that no matter how much good and perfect  man may be, by the grace of creation, he is still far short of the goodnessWhy Islam?. Read more ... » and  perfection of the Creator. Man is not without such qualities, to be sure. But they are  limited and proportionate to man’ s finite natureBelief in destiny. Read more ... », capacity, and responsibility. This  may explain the imperfection and fallibility of man.

However, imperfection and fallibility are not the equivalent of sin or synonymous  with criminality – at least not in Islam. If man is imperfect he is not left helpless or  deserted by Allah – Almighty God to fall victim to his shortcomingsIslamic Concept of Sin. Read more ... ». He is empowered by revelationsMuslim Believes in All Messengers of Allah. Read more ... »,  supported by reason, fortified by the freedom of choice, and guided by various social  and psychological dispositions to seek and achieve relative perfection. The constant  gravitation between the forces of good and evil is the struggle of life. It gives man  something to look forward to, ideals to seek, work to do, and roles to play. It makes  his life interesting and meaningful, not monotonous and stagnant.

On the other hand,  it pleases Allah – Almighty God to see His servantsMYSTIC LIFE OF FUDHAYL BEN AYAZ, THE HIGHWAYMAN . Read more ... » in a state of spiritual and moral victory.   According to the moral scale of Islam, it is not a sin that man is imperfect or fallible.  This is part of his nature as a finite limited creature. But it is a sin if he has the ways  and means of relative perfection and chooses not to seek it. A sin is any act, thought,  or will that (1) is deliberate, (2) defies the unequivocal law of Allah – Almighty God, (3) violates the  right of Allah – Almighty God or the right of man, (4) is harmful to the soul or body, (5) is committed  repeatedly, and (6) is normally avoidable. These are the components of sin which is  not innate or hereditary. It is true, however, that man has the potential capacity of sin  latent in him; but this is not greater than his capacity of pietyMYSTIC LIFE OF BAYAZID BASTAMI. Read more ... » and goodness. If he  chooses to actualize the potential of sin instead of the potential of goodness, he will be  adding a new external element to his pure nature. For this added external element man  alone is responsible.

In Islam, there are major and minor sins as there are sins against Allah – Almighty God and sins against  both Allah – Almighty God and manConcept of Prophethood. Read more ... ». All sins against Allah – Almighty God, except one, are forgivable if the sinner  sincerely seeks forgivenessAre We Muslims born Sinners?. Read more ... ». The Qur’ an has stated that truly Allah – Almighty God does not forgive the  sin of shirk (polytheism, pantheism, trinity, etc.). But He forgives sins other than this  and pardons whom He wills. Yet if the polytheist or atheist comes back to Allah – Almighty God, his  sin will be forgiven. Sins against men are forgivable only if the offended pardon the  offender or if the proper compensations and / or punishments are applied.

In conclusion, sin is acquired not inborn, emergent not built-in, avoidable not  inevitable. It is a deliberate conscious violation of the unequivocal law of Allah – Almighty God. If man  does something that is truly caused by natural instincts or absolutely irresistible drives  and uncontrollable urges, then such an act is not a sin in Islam. Otherwise, Allah – Almighty God’ s  purpose will be pointless and man’ s responsibility will be in vain. Allah – Almighty God demands of  man what lies within the human possibilities and reaches.

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

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