The Hidden Treasures of Islam February 4, 2008

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The Hidden Treasures of Islam - Introduction

Part One - History of Islam February 4, 2008

History of Islam

Once the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal-lahu Alaihe Wa Sallam, Peace be on him) said, “The Qur’an was sent down in seven dialects, and in every one of it’s sentences there is an external and internal meaning.” (6, p. 50) Thus the Holy Qur’an is the message of Allah, sent to mankind in seven dialects and every verse has an external and internal meaning. If every verse has “external and internal meaning” that explains why today there are so many explanations and interpretations of the Holy Qur’an. At present in Islam there are many sects and schools which present their own interpretations. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) himself predicted that very soon his community will divide into 73 sects. (77, p. 24) But presently the Muslim community is divided into many more sects. In this way we can see that the proper understanding of the Holy Qur’an is not an easy task and is not something gained cheaply. But the ultimate goal of human life must be the proper understanding, following the will of God which is revealed in the bona fide scriptures. Thus the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) gave much importance on acquiring divine knowledge. Once he said, “Excessive knowledge is better than excessive praying. It is better to teach knowledge one hour in the night, than to pray the whole night.” (6, p. 49)

Bibliography February 4, 2008

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Abd al-Rahman Azzam. The life of the Prophet Muhammad. Delhi, 1984

2. Abdul Jalil. Concept of unity. Dacca, 1980

3. Abul Kalam Azad. The quintessence of Islam. Bombay, 1960

Epilogue February 4, 2008

We can understand from the ancient history of the Arab peninsula how degraded the ancient Arabs were. They had terrible customs and rituals. They lost their real spiritual knowledge and had became idolaters (those who worship idols, or false gods). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal-lahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) started to preach in this environment. He preached according to time, place, circumstances and the level of people’s spiritual understanding.

Once, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) said, “Speak to people according to the level of their intellectual capacities. For if you speak all things to all men, some cannot understand you, and so fall into errors.” (6, p. 31)

Allah has the beautiful names February 4, 2008

Allah has the beautiful names

Qulid-’ullaha ‘awid-’ur-Rahman ‘ayyama tad-’u fala-hul-’asma-’ul-husna:
“Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman (Beneficent), by whatever name you call upon Him (it is well). For to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.”
(The Qur’an 17.110)

Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said: “Some scholars of the Qur’an are not very advanced in philosophical knowledge. Although there are many methods prescribed to reach perfection, they do not know the ultimate conclusion of the Qur’an, which should be considered the most powerful. Studying your own Qur’an and deliberating over what is written there, what is your conclusion?”
(Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya-lila, 18.197-19

The saintly Muslim replied, “All that you have revealed is true. This has certainly been written in the Qur’an, but some of our scholars can neither understand nor accept this side.

D e v o t i o n a l - s e r v i c e February 4, 2008

D e v o t i o n a l - s e r v i c e

Different processes of self-realization such as fruitive activity, speculative knowledge; mystic power and union with the Supreme can gradually lead one to the ultimate perfection of life, which is devotional service to the Supreme Lord. If one, sincerely and without selfish motives, sacrifices some fruits of his activity to God or cultivates knowledge to understand God or acquires mystic power to perceive God or tries to unite with God, then he can gradually become eligible to perform pure devotional service to God. One can serve God in numerous ways; however, pure devotional service with love and affection through complete surrender to the will of God is the highest perfection of human life.

Ultimately therefore, in the Holy Qur’an, everything else is refuted and devotional service to the Supreme Lord is established:

U n i o n - w i t h - t h e - L o r d February 4, 2008

U n i o n - w i t h - t h e - L o r d

There are some kind of spiritualists like the Sufis who try to become one with the Supreme. They proclaim, “An al-Haqq” - “I am Truth”. The Sufis accept impersonalism, believing in the oneness of the living entity with the Absolute Truth. Their supreme slogan is “An Al-Haqq”, which philosophically means “I am one with Allah” or “I am Allah”. The union with the Supreme of the impersonalists and the union with the Supreme of the devotees are not on a par.

M y s t i c - p o w e r February 4, 2008

M y s t i c - p o w e r

Some people try to attain mystic power for becoming perfect. Such mystic power might militate against one’s progress towards God-realization. For one who acquire mystic power, there is the danger of becoming proud of his achievements, as a result of which he would be compelled to gradually neglect God. Mystic power is not at all required for progression on the devotional path. However, Allah can award mystic power to His dear devotees for the execution of their particular service to Him, though they themselves care little for mystic power. When the devotees are endowed with mystic power for discharging devotional service to God, such endowment is beneficial for devotees and people alike. If it is required, Allah Himself will award mystic power to the deserving person.

S p e c u l a t i v e - k n o w l e d g e February 4, 2008

S p e c u l a t i v e - k n o w l e d g e

Some people are trying to understand God through speculative knowledge. By the strength of their mind and intelligence, they are trying to approach God and thereby achieve perfection. They are using the speculative power of their mind to acquire knowledge of God. But the Holy Qur’an says that understanding God through such process is impossible. One must understand God by careful study of the scriptures and devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Only by the causeless mercy of Allah, will the hidden treasure of Al-Qur’an be revealed to the sincere seeker.

F r u i t i v e - a c t i v i t y February 4, 2008

F r u i t i v e - a c t i v i t y

Generally, in this material world people are engaged in fruitive activity, which is earning money for one’s own sense gratification. Among such people there are two categories:

1) Those who remember Allah and sacrifice part of their money for Allah’s pleasure.

2) Those who neglect Allah and use all their money for their own pleasure.

Those who belong to the first category are pious and they use some fruits of their activity in Allah’s service. If such people are righteous and strictly follow the rules and regulations of Islam, then they will be promoted to the heavens, where they will be able to enjoy the heavenly happiness. The heavens is the destination of those who are righteously engaged in fruitive activity.