================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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Monday, February 10, 2014

Principle of Limitation (Tawqif)

Peoples’ sayings and actions are of two kinds: acts of worship by which their religion is established, and customary practices which are required for day to day living. From the principles of the shari’ah we know that acts of worship are those acts which have been prescribed by Allah or approved by Him; nothing is to be affirmed here except through the shari’ah. However, as far as the worldly activities of the people are concerned they are necessary for everyday life. Here the principle is freedom of action; nothing may be restricted in this regards except what Allah, the Most High, has restricted. This is the case because commanding and prohibiting are both in the Hands of Allah. As far as worship is concerned there has to be a command from Him concerning it. Thus, when it requires a command (from Allah) to establish something, how can we say that something is restricted without His command?


That is why Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, and other jurists (fuqaha) who base their judgements on ahadith say, “In relation to acts of worship, the principle is tawqif“; that is to say, nothing can be legislated in thiPrinciple of Limitation (Tawqif)s regards except what Allah Himself has legislated. To do otherwise is to incur the risk of being included in the ayah:-


“Do they have partners (with Allah) who have prescribed for them in religion that concerning which Allah has given no permission?” [Al-Qur'an 42:21]


But as far as living habits are concerned, the principle is freedom because nothing can be restricted in this regards except what Allah Himself has prohibited. Here, to do otherwise is to be included in the meaning of His saying:-


“Say: Do you see what Allah has sent down to you for your sustenance? Yet you have made some part of it halal and some part haram.” [Al-Qur'an 12:59]











Principle of Limitation (Tawqif)
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