Is there Islam*** in the real sense?

If there is, then what is it and which one?

I have somethings to tell  those who are looking for answers to such questions, whose minds have not been conditioned by a rather distorted kind of logic, who believe and trust that they’ll find the right solutions by means of religion.

Islam gives the first place to the contemporary sciences.

It accepts that ‘’technology has developed in this manner and the age of  information has come in the same way’’ (by means of science).  Also, it emphasizes the fact that the universal messages/codes can be solved only by means of science (by being scientific).

There is only one religion at Allah’s sight. The Quran, refers to this point and says ‘’The religion at Allah’s sight is Islam’’.

All the  heavenly, divine,  religions have been gathered together in a single one under the name of Islam.

They have been named separately  not because of  the understanding that they’ve put forth, but due to the perceptive capacity of the people (whom they address)…

If , we do not look through a narrow perspective, then  it would be noticed that  the Jewish religion and Christianity are also telling about Islam.

As a result of  the divine ordainement, there are only dimensional differences between the religions. This difference should be considered as the whole / the one reflecting upon the visible.  In the essence the same things are being shared.  The duty of  the Rasul(s) and the Nabi(s) have been to bridge the gap between the ordinary people and Haqq and increase the dialogue between the individuals as well as the communities.  There are differences that have been brought along by each of  them, this is related to the evolution of  the human being, who in the ancient times was walking on four feet like an animal and  who had become erect on his two feet much later.

This quality which seems unacceptable in the absolute creator can only be accepted for the human being.

Mysticism takes into consideration the different ages in human history. This is very important from the point of showing that it approaches humanity in a very mature way.

While the mysticism is arranging the relations of the individuals with the absolute creator, it warns those who take full advantage of  the blessings of this world, who are well educated, who know how to live well and who have been enslaved by the material values. It tells such people  about the existence of  life beyond (death). In this manner it puts forth its trustable aspect********

In none of the heavenly, divine religons, including Muslim and Christianity there isn’t any class of  clergy.

For example in the Muslim religion, (while performing the salaat in groups) it is possible for  any grown up believer  to be the imam at the front and lead the group during the salaat.

Actually, in the mosques  there isn’t a religious man for this purpose. Among those who are present anyone who knows Arabic well performs the duty of the imam.

The row right behind him is there in order to correct the mistakes that he may make.

These are the visible  manners in performing the salaat.  Every believer can do his prayers and his dhikr wherever he likes; in the mountains , in the fields, in the shops and so on.  There isn’t any choice of   place or  sanctuary for doing such practices. The narrow minded people are mistaken when they are defending that the prayers (such as salaat) should be performed in sanctuaries.

All of  the practices named as prayers are not a kind of  worshipping made in front of a god, but they are concerned only with the man himself.  One makes these practices in order to protect himself  from  the relentless wheels of  the system. The Quran gives the best examples for such actions  in the dimension where the pious men are living.

 It is possible to base everything on logic and logical thinking, excluding  violence and terror.  Mysticism encourages all the logical/conscious points of view and it doesn’t try to stop them.  Mysticism can never be a tool for violence, terror and for the destructive questionnaires which are a complete nonsense.    The understanding of  jihad in the philosophy of  Islam is not cleaning the world from the disbelievers by using violence.    Those who are claiming that jihad is war  should not miss the point how the real war should be. I am saying briefly that those who are accepting this fight as ‘’a fight made  with bayonettes’’ or a ‘’chest to chest fight’’ should not forget that the real fight is the fight that the human being makes for  knowing himself.

It would be very irrational to think that Islam would rule all over the world.

Islam is a concept whose essence is ‘’nothingness’’, then is it possible for it to boast with multiplicity? Of course not.

It wouldn’t be reasonable and realistic to get inspired from the wars that have taken place at the time of Hz.Mohammad. Also, it would be totally wrong to consider his approach towards the disbelievers with a sword in his hand as trying to expand Islam world wide .   The wars that have been made by Hz.Mohammad were for defending a philosophy against the powers who were trying to stop them.

Therefore, it is impossible to fix acts of  terror/violance into words such as jihad.

Jihad is the name given to the fight that one makes with himself, his nafs/ego (all his passions, desires, feelings such as envy, hatred etc)  

 If the human being overcomes (becomes victorious) in this fight, then he’ll know himself and his origin.

This is what should be understood from the word Jihad.

As we have stated above there isn’t a class of  monks/clergy within the essence of Islam. 

The existing ones have been created after the period of  the  four caliphs (Hulafay-I Raþidin).

The decree of Hz.Rasul of Allah in this subject is very clear:

‘’The caliphate after me (my death) will last for 30 years!’’

As can be understood from his holy/sacred/blessed words the caliphate (used for naming a leader over the community of Islam) has come to an end after Hz. Abubekr, Hz.Omar, Hz. Ottman and Hz. Ali. 

Later on, the rules that have been imposed upon the muslims by ignorant and parasitic people can never be considered among the religious rules and conditions (among the rules and conditions of the deen-I Islam).  The deen accepts the beings such as the angels and jinn which cannot be perceived by the sensory organs, it also accepts that the position of the stars within the universal system determine the future which is in short the science of  Astrology. Along with these, it accepts  the concept of evil eye and magic, but it  rejects the beings named as UFO’s (we do not know how and from where they’ve come to the world). In the deen there isn’t any place for the stories of  extraterrestrial visitors coming  and  landing on our ground in their flying saucers.

The Reincarnation myth (the coming back of  the spirit after death to this world in another body) prevailing in the east and which is a mere deception cannot find any place in mysticism.  

The Islamic movements cannot be accepted as the reflexive reactions of  ignorant communities.

The images such as ‘’ the enemy of  the scoiety’’  ‘’a psychopath’’ cannot find any place in the Islamic culture.

It is necessary for the indiviudal who believes in Islam to know himself and the society as well and he has to do his duty.

Islam encourages one to change and take challenges.  The people who are fanatic (bigot) and ignorant cannot represent Islam.

Islam does not accept any fanatic points of view.

The practices of Islam should be made till death and they arrange the relations of  the individuals with the absolute creator who is within their essence.

The ones who have deep belief and faith should not care for the useless rules that are named as  legends. They should approach mysticism without a conservative point of view with a contemporary and civilised evaluation.

On the other hand some groups should approach mysticism by keeping in  mind their responsibilities and instead of violent attacks they should use their  common sense and take  into consideration the civilisation and the humanity. They should avoid going to the extremes,  but make deep down analysis. This would be the most logical thing to do.

As the Deen is a source of  light and hope for the society whose respect has started to be questioned, who is loosing its culture, its art  and science.

The way to make the son of  man live the hope is to keep this path open.

Istanbul- october 13th 2001
http://sufizmveinsan.com

This article was published in Akþam Newspaper
In November-16
th-17th 2001


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