mmirza@grumpy.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/10/90)
MOHAMMED'S MISSION WAS FOR THE WHOLE UNIVERSE It is the Muslims' belief that Mohammed's (pbuh) mission was for the world as a whole, and for all times and it is clear that: Islam's universality has been clearly confirmed by the Quran. It is a logical consequence of the finality of the prohethood. A prophet, afterwhom there was to be no other, had to be a guide and leader for all men and for all ages. Allah has provided through him a complete code which man needs to follow the right path, abd this in itself, supports the concept of finality, because without completeness the need for other prophets would remain, and finally It is a fact that during the last 1400 years no man has arisen whose life and work bears even the slightest resemblance to that of a prophet. Nor has anyone presented a book which could be remotely considered as divine communication. Still less has there been a man to claim legitimate authority as a law-giver for mankind. WHY PROPHETS' ARE NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE WITH MAN? It must, at this point, be understood why the need arose for ALLAH to communicate with man through His prophets. This has to be examined in the context of the sources of human knowledge. At the preliminary stage we gain knowledge through empirical observation. At higher levels comes deductive reasoning accompanied by scientific investigation. Man is sufficiently well equipped in these fields not to require direct divine assistance. Though, no doubt, there is an ever present divine will helping man in his research and innovative endeavors and revealing to him progressively the mysteries of His creation. Some gifted individuals achieve, in moments of rare inspiration, new insights or discover new laws of nature. But there is another type of knowledge which is beyond the reach of our senses or scientific study. This sphere of knowledge does not submit to any instrument of scientific examination. Philosophy and science can speculate about it. Human theories about ultimate realities, based on reason, never achieve the level of certainty and their authors conscious of their limitations do not present them conclusively proved. In respect of these realities man is dependent on whatever knowledge is communicated to him by ALLAH. How is this knowledge conveyed? Not through the operations of some publishing house, where books are printed and handed over to each man, with instructions to read them, and to discover the truth about himself, about the universe, and about the manner in which he should organize his life. To convey this knowledge to mankind, ALLAH chooses prophets as His messengers. He reveals the truth to them and they communicate it to the people. -- Me The Ohio State University Electrical Engineering Dept. Room 204 Dreese Labs
mmirza@grumpy.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/12/90)
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROPHETS The work of a prophet is not limited to communication of the knowledge alone. He has to explain, according to what is revealed to him, the relationship between the Creator and man as it factually is, and as it actually should be. He has to prescribe a moral code, enunciate the principles of culture and civilization, lay down the mode of worship, establish a frame-work of belief, and define the moral imperatives, which must govern our life. The Prophet has been given the authority by ALLAH to determine the rules which should form the basis of social and cultural relationship, economic, judicial, and political dealing, matters of war and peace, and international affairs. The Prophet does not transmit merely a code of rituals commonly regarded as 'religion.' He brings with him a whole system of thought and action which is called Al-Deen (a complete way of life) in Islamic terminology. PROPHETS AS ROLE MODELS The mission of a prophet does not end with the announcement of this way of life to the world at large. He has to guide the people who follow him, explaining to them the implications of the Islamic creed, the moral code, the divine injunctions and commandments, and the form of worship that sustains the whole system. He has to demonstrate, by practice, the faith he preaches, and his life should be a model which people may be able to follow to organize their own lives. He must give training to the individuals and the Muslim society as a whole to prepare them for practical participation in the evolution of Islamic culture and civilization. The believers must grow under his guidance into an organized community engaged in establishing the Islamic system of life so that ALLAH's words should prevail upon all other words. SUCCESS AND FAILURE Not all the Prophets completely succeeded in this mission. There were many who failed not because of any personal fault or inadequacy, but because of the prejudice and intolerance of the people they presented the message or because of the circumstances were not favorable. But every prophet had the same mission, and it is a fact of history that Mohammad (pbuh) succeeded in establishing the Kingdom of ALLAH on earth, as it is in the heavens. THE AUDIENCE OF THIS MISSION The audience of the Quran and the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was the whole of mankind from the very outset, and those who accepted the Word acquired the status of believers without any distinction. At no time was the invitation of the Quran addressed to the people of any particular area, race tribe, color, or language. The Quran always calls upon the "progeny of Adam" or "the mankind" to accept Islam. The specific instructions and injunctions are meant for those who have come to believe in Islam, and they are always addressed as "those who believe." That the message of Islam was universal in character is proved by the fact that those who accepted the message acquired equal rights and status as believers, regardless of all differences of origin. The Quran says, "the believers are all like brothers." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "those who subscribe to our beliefs and adopt the Islamic way of life, have the same rights and the same obligations as we have. The Prophet (pbuh) announced, "Listen! you have on ALLAH as you have one father (Adam). There is no distinction between an Arab and a non-Arab. There is no preference for the black over the fair, or the fair over the black. There is distinction only in submission to ALLAH. The most virtuous among you is the most honorable in the eyes of ALLAH. (to be continued ..........) Muhammad Javed Mirza -- Me The Ohio State University Electrical Engineering Dept. Room 204 Dreese Labs
mmirza@grumpy.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/12/90)
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ISLAM
1. Unity of ALMIGHTY ALLAH
Among the fundamentals of Islam, the most important is belief in one
ALLAH, --not just the conviction that He exists of that He is one--but
that He alone is THE CREATOR, THE MASTER, THE RULER, and THE
ADMINISTRATOR of all that exists. The universe exists because ALLAH
wills it to exist, it functions because ALLAH wills it to function,
and ALLAH provides the sustenance and the energy which everything of
the universe requires for its existence and growth. All the
attributes of Sovereignty reside in ALLAH alone, and no one else has a
share in them in the slightest degree. He alone possesses all the
attributes of Divinity, and no one other than ALLAH possesses any of
those attributes. He views the whole universe, and all that it
contains, in a single instantaneous glance. He has direct knowledge
of the universe, and all that is there in the universe and beyond. He
knows not only its present, but its past and its future as well. This
omnipresence and omniscience is an attribute of ALLAH alone and of no
other. There was no 'before' him and there is no 'after' him. He has
been there always and will be there always--eternal and abiding. All
else is transient. He alone is eternally living and present. He is
no one's progeny and He has no progeny. Whatever exists, besides His
self, is His own creation, and no other can identify himself in any
manner with the Lord of the universe, or claim to be his son or
daughter. He is man's single Deity. To associate anyone in His
worship is as great a sin as it is an act of infidelity. He responds
to man's prayers and He alone has the power to accept to reject them.
Not to ask of Him is senseless, arrogance, and to turn to others is
sheer ignorance. To seek of Him and also of others, is to associate
equals with Him.
THE CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGNTY OF ALLAH IN ISLAM
The sovereignty of ALLAH in Islam is not just a supernatural
phenomenon. It covers all aspects of political and legal sovereignty
also and in these too no one other than ALLAH has any share. In ALLAH
alone vests the rightful authority to exercise power on this earth,
and over those whom ALLAH has created in it. No monarch, no royal
family, no elite class, no leader of any religious group, no democracy
established on the basis of the sovereignty of the people, can
participate in ALLAH's sovereignty. Whoever claims such a position is
a rebel, as are those who leave ALLAH and turn to other people in
obedience. Similarly, any institution or individual attempting to
assume political and legal sovereignty and restrict the jurisdiction
of ALLAH to spheres of personal law or religious duties, is really a
usurper and a rebel. The truth is that no one can claim to be a
law-giver on ALLAH's earth, and no one can challenge the supreme
authority of ALLAH ALMIGHTY in any sphere.
Further natural consequences of the concept of SOVEREIGNTY OF ALLAH are:
a. ALLAH alone is the real Deity and no one other than ALLAH has any
right to be worshiped by man.
b. ALLAH alone has authority over the forces of the universe, and He
alone can fulfill or frustrate man's hopes. Man should turn to Him
alone in prayer. He should never imagine that prayers can be
addressed to anyone but ALLAH.
c. ALLAH is the Master of man's destiny and no one else can interfere
with the fate of others or with his own fate. Man's hope and fears
must, therefore, be directed only to ALLAH. No one else can
interfere with the fate of others or with his own fate. Man's
hopes and fears must, therefore, be directed only to ALLAH. No
one else should be an object of fear or source of favor.
d. ALLAH is the Creator of the world and He alone ahs complete and
direct knowledge of the reality of man and and of the world. Only
He can guide man through the complicated course of life and
instruct him regarding good and evil. Since ALLAH alone is the
Creator and the Master, He has exclusive authority over the universe
and man. It is an act of blasphemy for man to become independent or
claim authority over other men. For man to become his own lawgiver
to accept the authority of any other individual or institution as
such is equally blasphemous. The ultimate Law-giver and the Master
of His creation on this earth is no other than ALLAH, and His law
has the status of the supreme law. Man can legislate subject to his
Supreme law. Beyond that he has no legislative authority.
( to be continued .......)
Muhammad Javed Mirza
--
Me
The Ohio State University
Electrical Engineering Dept.
Room 204 Dreese Labsmmirza@grumpy.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/13/90)
FUNDAMENTALS OF ISLAM (continued)
2. THE PROPHETHOOD OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)
ALLAH conveyed His message to man through Mohammed (pbuh). This
took two forms:
1. ALLAH revealed the Quran to the Prophet (pbuh) in his own
language.
2. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) which is an unerring guide to man
in respect of all that is permissible and all that is prohibited in
the eyes of ALLAH. Without this belief in the Prophet (pbuh), belief
in ALLAH would become a mere theoretical proposition. It is the
example of practical leadership, and the ideological guidance provided
by the Prophet (pbuh) which transforms belief in ALLAH into a culture
and a civilization, and enables man to evolve a way of life. We get
through the Prophet (pbuh) not only the rules of guidance, but also a
complete scheme of values and a practical code of conduct. No one can
be a practicing Muslim unless he believes in the Prophet (pbuh) as He
believes in ALLAH.
THE POSITION OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH) IN ISLAM
The position of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) has been clearly defined in
Islam that we can know what Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was and what Prophet
Mohammed (pbuh) was not. The Prophet is no more than a servant of
ALLAH. He was to make people servants of ALLAH and not servants of
himself. At least seventeen times a day Muslims recite in their
prayers.
"I bear witness that Mohammad is a servant of ALLAH
and is His prophet."
The Quran leaves no doubt that the Prophet (pbuh) is but a human
being and has no share whatever in Divinity. The Prophet (pbuh) is
neither superhuman nor is He free of human weaknesses. He owns no
treasure of ALLAH, not does He possess knowledge of the unknown that
He should become all-knowing like AllAH Almighty. Leave alone being
able to benefit others or cause them harm, the Prophet cannot do so
even in respect of himself. The precise task of the Prophet is to
communicate the message of ALLAH. He has no powers to make people
righteous and faithful. Nor can he call to account those who refuse
to believe, and he certainly has no power to punish them for their
disbelief. Should the Prophet himself choose to defy ALLAH or
fabricate things on behalf ALLAH or make any change in the message
revealed to him, he will incur divine displeasure and punishment.
Mohammed (pbuh) is one of the Prophets of ALLAH, and above that he has
no status. He cannot by himself prohibit or permit anything. Without
a mandate of ALLAH he cannot legislate for the people. He has to
strictly conform to Divine commandments. Islam ensured that the
believers should not turn Prophet into a demi-god. Some of the
earlier prophets suffered this fate at the hands of their followers.
They attributed all kinds of supernatural powers to their leaders and
made them into ALLAH'S equals or progeny or incarnation. By
discouraging such exaggeration Islam has established the true position
of the Prophet as follows:
No one can claim to be a believer without believing in the Prophet
(pbuh). He who obeys the Prophet (pbuh), in fact, obeys ALLAH. ALLAH
has not designated any Prophet except to be obeyed according to His
will. The path of the Prophet (pbuh) is the path of the Divine
guidance. Whatever the Prophet (pbuh) ordains must be accepted, and
whatever He instructs to avoid, must be avoided. The Prophet (pbuh)
clarified this when He said: I am mortal like you. In matters
revealed to me by ALLAH, you must obey my instructions. But you know
more about the worldly affairs than I do. So my advice in these
matters is not bindings. The Sunnah of Mohammad (pbuh) is, in fact,
an exposition of the purpose of the Quran, and this exposition too
was conveyed to the Prophet (pbuh) by ALLAH himself, as the author of
Quran. The explanation of Prophet (pbuh) of the Quran enjoys divine
sanction, and no one else can interpret Quran which may be in conflict
with or repugnant to the explanation given by the Prophet (pbuh).
ALLAH declared the life of Mohammad (pbuh) as a model life. No one
can be a true believer unless he accepts the decision of the Prophet
(pbuh). Muslims do have not an independent position in a matter
determined by the Prophet (pbuh). Before deciding any matter Muslims
must first ascertain whether any analogous matter was decided earlier
by ALLAH and His Prophet (pbuh), and if a precedent exists they must
follow it.
I hope I have clarified that ALLAH conveyed, through the Prophet
(pbuh), to mankind not only a supreme law, but also a permanent scheme
of values. That which is good, according to the Quran and the Sunnah,
is good for all times, and that which is evil, shall remain evil
forever. That which is enjoyed as duty, in the Quran and the Sunnah,
shall always be a duty. What is declared permissible is permissible
forever, and what is prohibited is prohibited for all times. In this
law no amendment, deletion, addition, or abrogation, is possible
unless some person of community decides to renounce Islam. So long as
Muslims remain Muslims, it is impossible in their social and legal
system that something which was evil yesterday turn into good today,
and revert to evil tomorrow.
(to be continued ......)
Muhammad Javed Mirza
--
Me
The Ohio State University
Electrical Engineering Dept.
Room 204 Dreese Labsmmirza@grumpy.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/19/90)
THE BELIEF IN THE HEREAFTER (AKHIRA)
The third fundamental creed of Islam is belief in the hereafter
(AKHIRA). Denial of the hereafter is the denial of Islam even though
one may have belief in ALLAH, in the Prophet (pbuh), and in the Quran.
In its detailed form, this belief is composed of the following
essential elements:
(i) Man has not been unleashed on the earth as an irresponsible
savage. He is accountable to ALLAH for his actions. Today's life is
only a test and an examination. At the end we will all be called upon
to render a complete account of our acts of commision and ommision to
ALLAH.
(ii) The time for accountability is fixed by ALLAH. The tenure
alloted to mankind, on this earth, shall terminate on the doomsday,
when the present order will be annihilated and replaced bny another.
The whole human race will rise once again in the new world.
(iii) That will be the time when they will appear before ALLAH
Almighty, and every one will face the consequences of his personal
acts in his individual capacity.
(iv) The jundgement will rest not on ALLAH's own knowledge alone. The
requirements of the due process of justice will be fully observed. A
complete record of the actions of every individual, without the
slightest alternation, will be put in the open Court, and evidence, of
different categories, will be presented to prove what was done by man
in private or in public, and the motives which inspired his conduct.
(v) There will be no undue intercession. Neither bribery, nore
advocacy against the truth will be tolerated. No one will be able to
shift his burden to another. Even the closest relations, friends,
leaders, religious guides, or self-styled deities, will not be able to
offer any help to anyone--man will stand by himself--helpless and
alone and render his account, and await the pronouncement of the
judgement which shall be in the power of ALLAH alone.
(vi) The judgement will rest on one question: Did man conduct himself,
in submission to ALLAH, in strict conformity with the truth revealed
to the Prophets, and with the conviction that he will be held
responsible for his conduct in life on the Day of Judgement? If the
answer is in the affirmative, the reward will be Paradise, and if in
the negative, Hell will be the punishment.
Belief in the hereafter divides people into three distinct categories.
First, there are those who do not believe in the hereafter and regard
life on this earth as the only life. Naturally, they judge good and
evil by the results which manifest themselves in this world. If an
action produces beneficial results it is good, and if it brings about
harmful results it is evil. Quite often the same action is regarded
as good when the results are good, adn bad when its results are bad.
Second, those people who do not deny the hereafter, but who depend on
the intercession or atonement of some one to absolve them of their
sins. Among them there are some, who regard themselves as ALLAH's
chosen people, who will receive only nominal punishment however grave
their sins. This deprives them of the moral advantage which they
could have derived from their belief in the hereafter. As a result
they have also become very much like the people who deny the
hereafter.
Third, are those people who believe in the hereafter in the form in
which Islam presents it. They do not delude themselves that they have
any special relationship with ALLAH, or that anyone can intercede on
their behalf. They know that they alone are responsible for their
actions. For them the belief in the hereafter becomes a great moral
force. A person who has the conviction that he is fully accountable
for all his actions finds a permanent guard, stationed within himself,
who cautions him and admonished him whenever he deviates from the
right path. There may be no court to summon him, no policeman to
apprehend him, no witnesses to accuse him, and no public opinion to
press him, but guard within him is ever in alert, ready to seize him
whenever he transgresses. The conciousness of this inner presence
makes man fear ALLAH even when he is all by himself. He discharges
his duties honestly, and refrains from doing anything which is
prohibited. Should he succumb to temptation, and violate the law of
ALLAH, he is ever ready to offer sincere regrets, and to enter into a
firm contract with the future that he will not repeat the mistake.
There can be no greater instrumentof moral reformation nor any better
method to help man to develop a sound and stable character. It is the
hereafter which helps men, under all circumstances, to conform to
ALLAH's scheme of permanent values. It is for this reason that Islam
attaches great importance to the belief in the hereafter, and without
it even the belief in ALLAH and the Prophet (pbuh) is not sufficient
for man's guidance.
(to be continued ......)
Muhammad Javed Mirza
--
Me
The Ohio State University
Electrical Engineering Dept.
Room 204 Dreese Labsmmirza@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) (12/21/90)
ISLAM: A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE
A little earlier, I mentioned that Islam represents a whole
civilization, a complete culture, and a comprehensive world order. It
provides moral guidance in all walks of life. That is why Islamic
values are not for the ascetic who renounces the world, but for him
who actively participates in different spheres of life, and works
within them. The moral values which people look for in convents,
monasteries, and cloisters are presented by Islam right in the current
of life. Heads of government, governors of states, judges, members of
the armed forces and police services, elected representatives of the
people in parliaments, leaders of finance, trade and industry, college
and university teachers, and students alike receive guidance to
organize their lives according to the principles of Islam. There is
no distinction in Islam between private and public conduct. The same
moral code which one observes at home applies to one's conduct in
public. Every institution of society and every department of
Government must conform to the laws of Islam. Politics must be based
on truth and justice. Nations should deal with one another on the
basis of mutual recognition of rights and due discharge of
obligations. Even if there has to be war, those engaged in it should
conduct themselves not as barbarians but as civilized human beings.
When man decides to submit to the will of ALLAH and accepts His law as
the supreme law, and organizes his life in accordance with the
revealed moral code, on the principle of accountability to ALLAH, the
quality and character of his life cannot be limited to the precincts
of prayer halls. It must extend itself to every sphere of his work as
a man of ALLAH.
This is in brief, what Islam stands for. This is
no dream or utopia. For the benefit of mankind, the
Prophet, (peace be upon him), and his companions
developed and established it in the past, and it can
be established again by its true believers.
Note : The original speech of Maulana Abul A'ala Maudoodi, entitled
" What Islam Stands for"
is available from `The Muslim Students' Association of the U.S.
and Canada' with detailed footnotes and references. If any one needs
a copy, and cannot get it from MSA, please send me the mailing address
and I will do my best to send a copy.
I will, Insha Allah, start mailing another important speech by the
same author " The Message of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) seerah"
in near future.
Muhammad Javed Mirza
--
Me
The Ohio State University
Electrical Engineering Dept.
Room 204 Dreese Labsksand@apple.com (Kent Sandvik) (01/05/91)
In article <1990Dec21.144253.16587@wpi.WPI.EDU> mmirza@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) writes: > > ISLAM: A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE > > A little earlier, I mentioned that Islam represents a whole >civilization, a complete culture, and a comprehensive world order. It >provides moral guidance in all walks of life. That is why Islamic >values are not for the ascetic who renounces the world, but for him >who actively participates in different spheres of life, and works >within them. The moral values which people look for in convents, >monasteries, and cloisters are presented by Islam right in the current >of life. Heads of government, governors of states, judges, members of Sorry to say, but it's very naive to assume that you could establish a world order based on *one* single religion. If we look at Islam today, how many different sects do we have? Why does Islam brothers and sisters fight against each other - even if they belong to the same tribe, same religion (Iran-Iraq war, Beirut)? It is the nature of the human being to question an official dogma, and start a movement against the common doctrine. This happen in all areas, religion, politics, computers, fashion, music. We could even create a future picture, where Islam is the main binding force in the civilization of the Earth. Well, for how long? Maybe 40-60 years, and a splinter group in Mid-Europe starts a separatist movement with a different idea about the central role of the spiritual leader. Does it sound familiar (like Christianity)? Personally I think that we will have a lot of old and new religions, it's just the nature of a human being to question everything and build new world models. This are my private thoughts. Regards, Kent Sandvik -- Kent Sandvik, Apple Computer Inc, Developer Technical Support NET:ksand@apple.com, AppleLink: KSAND DISCLAIMER: Private mumbo-jumbo Zippy++ says: "C++, anything less is BCPL..."
svinson@dcsc.dla.mil (Sondra L. Vinson) (01/08/91)
Is it possible that I can have parts I - VI of Message of Islam I just received part 7 through my system. Thank you in advance. My computer address is dcscg1!dlag1!svinson if this one doesn't work just try svinson or respond to this email to you thanks again svm
JMK5%lehigh.BITNET@hamlet.caltech.edu (01/11/91)
In article <1991Jan5.104338.18096@nntp-server.caltech.edu> (Kent Sandvik) writes: >In article <1990Dec21.144253.16587@wpi.WPI.EDU> mmirza@ee.eng.ohio- state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) writes: >> >> ISLAM: A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE >> >> A little earlier, I mentioned that Islam represents a whole >>civilization, a complete culture, and a comprehensive world order. It >>provides moral guidance in all walks of life. That is why Islamic >>values are not for the ascetic who renounces the world, but for him >>who actively participates in different spheres of life, and works >>within them. The moral values which people look for in convents, >>monasteries, and cloisters are presented by Islam right in the current >>of life. Heads of government, governors of states, judges, members of >Sorry to say, but it's very naive to assume that you could establish >a world order based on *one* single religion. If we look at Islam >today, how many different sects do we have? Why does Islam brothers and >sisters fight against each other - even if they belong to the same >tribe, same religion (Iran-Iraq war, Beirut)? >It is the nature of the human being to question an official dogma, and >start a movement against the common doctrine. This happen in all areas, >religion, politics, computers, fashion, music. >We could even create a future picture, where Islam is the main binding >force in the civilization of the Earth. Well, for how long? Maybe 40-60 >years, and a splinter group in Mid-Europe starts a separatist movement >with a different idea about the central role of the spiritual leader. >Does it sound familiar (like Christianity)? >Personally I think that we will have a lot of old and new religions, >it's just the nature of a human being to question everything and build >new world models. >This are my private thoughts. >Regards, >Kent Sandvik This is a most interesting dialogue, particularly because, in the mid- 19th century, a new religious movement sprouted in the heart of the Islamic middle eastern countries. Shi'ih Muslims had expected the return of the 12th Imam, the Promised Qa'im (who disappeared in A.H. 260) in A.H. 1260, which is 1844 A.D. Surely enough, in 1844, this Qa'im, the Bab ("Gate") was independently sought out and found by 19 seekers, the 19th being the Imam Husayn (Mirza Husayn-`Ali, later known as Baha'u'llah, "The Glory (Light) of God") prophesied by Shi'ih Islam. The Qa'im (the Bab) was to herald, and did herald, the coming of the Imam Husayn (Baha'u'llah). The Sunni Muslims on the other hand were expecting the Mihdi and the return of Jesus Christ. Incidentally, a book I read about biblical prophecy by William Sears, called _Thief in the Night_, revealed that many scholars of the Bible had predicted Christ's return in 1843-45 A.D.) A new, independent world religion was born: The Baha'i ("followers of the glory", or "followers of Baha'u'llah", pronounced Bah-high, with the accent on the second syllable) Faith. To requote what Kevin Sandvik stated earlier: >Sorry to say, but it's very naive to assume that you could establish >a world order based on *one* single religion. If we look at Islam >today, how many different sects do we have? Given 2 sects of Islam, both seemed to prophecy the Baha'i Faith. The next issue is that the Baha'i Faith also seeks to establish a new world order. What's remarkable is that after 147 years, the Baha'i Faith has spread to virtually every country around the world, has attracted over 5 million believers, and most remarkably, throughout this whole process the Baha'i Faith has remained an undivided religion! This is attributable to Baha'u'llah's Covenant with God, to ensure the protection of the unity of the Baha'i Faith, for if the Baha'i Faith is to fulfill its mission of bringing about world unity, Universal Peace, or the Kingdom of God on Earth, the Baha'i Faith must be itself united. The Baha'i Scriptures state: "The purpose of the Blessed Beauty [Baha'u'llah] in entering into this Covenant and Testament was to gather all existent beings around one point so that the thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have been the cause of dissension, may not undermine the Cause [of God]." In His will Baha'u'llah appointed his son, `Abdu'l-Baha, the sole interpreter of His teachings, in other words, "The Center of His Covenant." By this appointment and provision Baha'u'llah safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief. `Abdu'l-Baha, in His will, appointed his grandson as the "Center of the Covenant", and after his grandson's death, the Universal House of Justice was formed, the supreme governing body of the Baha'i Faith, located on Mount Carmel in Israel. The Baha'is were promised in the Covenant that they would never be left unguided by God, and so has it transpired. Concerning a new world order, Baha'u'llah laid out a more specific and encompassing framework for humankind to follow than any previous Messenger of God in history. His framework was interpreted, elucidated and initiated (yes, put into action) by his son and great-grandson. That is the reason why the Baha'i Faith has permeated the world so quickly. The Universal House of Justice and its subordinate structures is a living model as to how the Kingdom of God can function on earth. Describing this structure would take several bulletin boards, so instead I'll just mention the core principles of the Baha'i Faith, and then briefly describe each one: The oneness of humankind Unity in diversity Universal peace upheld by a world government Independent investigation of truth The common foundation of all religions The essential harmony of science and religion Equality of men and women Elimination of prejudice of all kinds Universal compulsory education A spiritual solution to the economic problem A universal auxiliary language THE ONENESS OF HUMANKIND: the pivotal Baha'i principle; all the other principles seek to bring about the oneness of humankind. "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." It is the "pivot round which all the teachings of Baha'u'llah revolve." Its appeal is not to be merely identified with a reawakening of the spirit of brotherhood and good-will among men, nor does it aim solely at the fostering of harmonious cooperation among individual peoples and nations...It implies and organic change in the structure of present-day society...It calls for the reconstruction and demilitarization of the whole civilized world--a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life, its political machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and finance, its script and language, and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units. It represents the consummation of human evolution. UNITY IN DIVERSITY: "Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty. Thus when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas, opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity. "How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when diverse shades of thought, temperament and character are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of God...is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the children of men." (_Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, 290-92) The Baha'i Faith takes on the culture of the people in each part of the world. In fact, a many Baha'is devote a significant amount of their life to visiting other Baha'is around the world. It is an enriching experience, and they bring these experiences back with them to their home communities. The world is richer as a result. UNIVERSAL PEACE UPHELD BY A WORLD GOVERNMENT: A world community of nations governed by a world federation to which all national governments will be accountable: "The unity of the human race, as envisaged by Baha'u'llah, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded." (Shoghi Effendi [great-grandson of Baha'u'llah], _World Order of Baha'u'llah_, 203) INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF TRUTH: of God."
acsghgk@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Hanif Khalak) (01/11/91)
In article <1991Jan5.104338.18096@nntp-server.caltech.edu>, ksand@apple.com (Kent Sandvik) writes... > >In article <1990Dec21.144253.16587@wpi.WPI.EDU> mmirza@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu (Muhammad Mirza) writes: >> >> ISLAM: A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE >> >> A little earlier, I mentioned that Islam represents a whole >>civilization, a complete culture, and a comprehensive world order. It >>provides moral guidance in all walks of life. That is why Islamic >>values are not for the ascetic who renounces the world, but for him >>who actively participates in different spheres of life, and works >>within them. The moral values which people look for in convents, >>monasteries, and cloisters are presented by Islam right in the current >>of life. Heads of government, governors of states, judges, members of > >Sorry to say, but it's very naive to assume that you could establish >a world order based on *one* single religion. If we look at Islam today, >how many different sects do we have? Why does Islam brothers and sisters >fight against each other - even if they belong to the same tribe, same >religion (Iran-Iraq war, Beirut)? > What sorts of 'multiple-order systems' run the universe? If there were more than one truth in THIS universe -- e.g. 2+2=4 AND 2+2=3 -- then maybe I'd agree with you in a small sense. You suggest a look-see at the status of contemporary Islam... this is a meaningless statement in the context from which you began. When you talk about Islam, you talk about a value system.. not the implementation/corruption/wholesale hypocrisy of the humanity thereof. This value system is (religiously) not a product of humans, therefore not dependent upon or subject to their inherent weakness. In Islam, there is no such thing as a SECT. There are different schools of scholarship which arrive at conclusions with small discrepancy. It is Haram [* unlawful *] for Muslims to kill each other. Disregarding these principles does not eliminate them, it merely leads to the problems which obviously arise when humans take it upon themselves to be as stupid as they possible can be. >It is the nature of the human being to question an official dogma, and >start a movement against the common doctrine. This happen in all areas, >religion, politics, computers, fashion, music. > It is the nature of the human being to be selfish, to be irresponsible, to be violent, to indulge. I'm not sure what this type of statement leads.. in a meaningful way. >We could even create a future picture, where Islam is the main binding >force in the civilization of the Earth. Well, for how long? Maybe 40-60 >years, and a splinter group in Mid-Europe starts a separatist movement >with a different idea about the central role of the spiritual leader. >Does it sound familiar (like Christianity)? > Actually, I doubt that Mid-Europe will be the place.. most likely in Asia (East). West is WE're STatus quo. :) Again, humans are undoubtedly due to make mistakes.. all kinds. Does this mean that what is right can be rejected/disregarded? >Personally I think that we will have a lot of old and new religions, it's >just the nature of a human being to question everything and build >new world models. > In my understanding of human history, all peoples have thought they have done something great/new/wonderful/unprecedented/etc. Ego is an interesting thing. Learning from history hasn't stopped people from plagiarizing one bit. Freedom, spirituality, beauty, science, philosophy, art, intellectualism, progress, materialism, economics, power, brutality, crime, subjugation, corruption, mindlessness, arrogance, pride, conceit and evil. All are as old as humanity. 'New world models' is a euphemism of 'my two bits'. >This are my private thoughts. > Responded to with my own (not really private), with due respect, hopefully. >Regards, >Kent Sandvik Peace be unto you, Hanif