The Validity of All Faiths
- Continuing this thought from the "Introduction to Traditional Islam" article, and the point made about the inner states of all faiths being inherently the same. -
...In fact, this argument can be applied to all faiths that preceded Islam, stating that their inner states were all identical.
Now, some may find the above to be ludicrous or even blasphemous. But let’s take some quotes from our own scholars and see what they have said on this matter.
...In fact, this argument can be applied to all faiths that preceded Islam, stating that their inner states were all identical.
Now, some may find the above to be ludicrous or even blasphemous. But let’s take some quotes from our own scholars and see what they have said on this matter.
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“If the believer understood the meaning of the saying 'the color of the water is the color of the receptacle', he would admit the validity of all beliefs and he would recognize God in every form and every object of faith.” -Ibn Arabi
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It’s very clear from what Shaikh al Akbar, Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi, is saying that the variety of faiths is not an impediment to truth.
The following is a poem by Mawlana Jalalluddin Rumi
The following is a poem by Mawlana Jalalluddin Rumi
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Not Christian, Jew or Muslim,
Not Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi or Zen. Not any religion, or cultural system. I am not from the East or the West, Nor out of the ocean or up from the ground, Not natural or ethereal, Not composed of elements at all. I do not exist, am not an entity in this world or the next, Did not descend from Adam or Eve Or any origin story. My place is placeless, A trace of the traceless. Neither body nor soul. I belong to the beloved Have seen the two worlds as one And that one call to and know, First, last, outer, inner, Only that breath breathing human being. |
This too makes it clear that one who loves God is not necessarily bound to the human understanding of a faith. Before I lose you, let’s keep going, put this out of your mind for now if it proves troublesome.
That is not to say one should abandon faith or organized religion and do their own thing. Actually, it’s encouraging the opposite. One cannot get to the maqam (station) of either Ibn ‘Arabi or Rumi without following the trajectory of one’s own faith. They both makes these claims about religion, yet both remained and died Muslims, loving the Prophet (S) and Allah (SWT).
God, in His infinite wisdom created a multitude of peoples with a multitude of faiths for a reason. Each faith has its right and truths. To tell someone they are going to hell because they don’t accept what you believe is ignorance. I will say that there are ideas out there that are proving more harmful to the world than beneficial and these are the ideas and faiths that are either being misconstrued or are innately evil.
Evangelical outreach, to me, seems in vain. God’s plan is God’s plan. I honestly don’t believe that the efforts of a human being will keep someone from becoming Muslim or keep them from leaving Islam. It’s in God’s hands. He may act through us, but that still doesn’t change what He wills to happen. Don’t start thinking now that you shouldn’t do anything since God is in control. It is just something to think about and help you realize your own smallness. You must always tie your camel, and then trust in God.
That is not to say one should abandon faith or organized religion and do their own thing. Actually, it’s encouraging the opposite. One cannot get to the maqam (station) of either Ibn ‘Arabi or Rumi without following the trajectory of one’s own faith. They both makes these claims about religion, yet both remained and died Muslims, loving the Prophet (S) and Allah (SWT).
God, in His infinite wisdom created a multitude of peoples with a multitude of faiths for a reason. Each faith has its right and truths. To tell someone they are going to hell because they don’t accept what you believe is ignorance. I will say that there are ideas out there that are proving more harmful to the world than beneficial and these are the ideas and faiths that are either being misconstrued or are innately evil.
Evangelical outreach, to me, seems in vain. God’s plan is God’s plan. I honestly don’t believe that the efforts of a human being will keep someone from becoming Muslim or keep them from leaving Islam. It’s in God’s hands. He may act through us, but that still doesn’t change what He wills to happen. Don’t start thinking now that you shouldn’t do anything since God is in control. It is just something to think about and help you realize your own smallness. You must always tie your camel, and then trust in God.