Jesus’ promise of the paraclete that was to come was fulfilled by the coming of Muhammad. (cf for all the above ‘The shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam ed. A.j. Wensinck & J.H. Kramers). This was to be the focus of centuries of Christian/Muslim debate.
HOWEVER, many Muslim critics of Christianity seem unaware of modern Christian scriptural studies – these are theologians who would hold to the truth of Christianity and yet recognise the textual difficulties in the Gospels.
Jesus will come back before the end of time – but he is only a prophet and the writings of his followers are corrected by the Qur'an.
Jesus will come back before the end of time – but he is only a prophet and the writings of his followers are corrected by the Qur'an.
Muslims are directed not to make friends amongst Jews and Christians. However both Christians and Jews can be tolerated in Islamic society AND Jesus is highly respected.
THE SUFIS
THE SUFIS
Sufi mystics may well predate Islam – they have been traced back to Hindu sources or possibly to Christian gnostics and neo-platonism. However, in spite of speculation, there is no clear evidence for their existence prior to 800ce.
Sufi mystics may well predate Islam – they have been traced back to Hindu sources or possibly to Christian gnostics and neo-platonism. However, in spite of speculation, there is no clear evidence for their existence prior to 800ce.
The Sufis may also have been influenced by Christian monasticsm – althogh Islam itself rejects Monasticism completely. Muhammad, after all, had several wives and the Qu’ran praises marriage.
The aims of Sufis varied, but the objective of union with God in this life was central. Sufis are widely regarded as the great mystics of Islam, but they are also more than that.
The aims of Sufis varied, but the objective of union with God in this life was central. Sufis are widely regarded as the great mystics of Islam, but they are also more than that.
The core of the Sufi position is a rejection of ordinary life in the world in order to get closer to God and, thereby, closer to truth and knowledge. The soul is seen as being able to stretch out from the body and approach God.
Through leaders such as Ibn Arabi (1165 – 1240) they developed knowledge and practices to try to bring the person closer to God. Their concentration on the individual and not on community led them away from Islamic legalism and they have often been considered to be heretical because of this.
Sufis seek no reward other than to know God. God loves the world and Sufis seek to love and worship God in return. The following passages express this:
Sufis seek no reward other than to know God. God loves the world and Sufis seek to love and worship God in return. The following passages express this:
RABIA – a female mystic from Basra (1207 – 1273)
“O God. If I worship Thee in fear of Hell, burn me in Hell; and if I worship Thee in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise; but if I worship thee for thine own sake, withhold not thy everlasting Beauty”
“Lovers, lovers, whoever sees His face, his reason becomes distraught, his habit confounded. He becomes a seeker of the Beloved, his shop is ruined, he runs headlong like water in a river.”
The Sufi way to seeking wisdom involves mysticism, poetry and dance rather than with philosophy. The knowledge given in mystical experiences is held to transcend the knowledge of philosophy as the knowledge of an adult does that of a child.
The Sufi way to seeking wisdom involves mysticism, poetry and dance rather than with philosophy. The knowledge given in mystical experiences is held to transcend the knowledge of philosophy as the knowledge of an adult does that of a child.
Sufi Masters often communicate using stories (akin to Aesop fables) to try to convey truths. They also recognise that the mystical path is long and hard and utter devotion is required in order to follow it.
A divide opened up between orthodox Muslims and Sufis which resulted in the Sufi’s being treated with great suspicion. AL-GHAZALI did most to overcome this rift – but it was never entirely overcome. The rift still exists today in tension between radical Muslims and traditional Sufis and between emphasis on Islamic Law and mysticism.
ISLAM
ISLAM
Al-Ghazali was a brilliant young Professor but, after 20 years, he had studied every kind of law, dogma and belief and, although he was held in very high regard and had a high income, he was dissatisfied. He did not believe in anything at all – neither religion nor the possibility of knowing anything.
Al-Ghazali was a brilliant young Professor but, after 20 years, he had studied every kind of law, dogma and belief and, although he was held in very high regard and had a high income, he was dissatisfied. He did not believe in anything at all – neither religion nor the possibility of knowing anything.
