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Presented at “Paths to the Heart: Sufism and the Christian East” Conference, October 18-20, 2001, University of South Carolina, USA.
Abstract
This article presents the Qur’an as a source of dialogue amongst different belief systems. Through deft exegesis of various Qur’anic verses, in Sufi tradition, the claim is made that the Qur’an not only supports, but also wholeheartedly encourages the pluralism of faiths in today’s world while vehemently opposing religious nationalism and fanaticism. In an effort to achieve understanding, appreciation and harmony, it is imperative that Muslims bring to light that which unites all peoples in their various belief systems so as to enter into constructive and inspired dialogue with others. The Qur’an enjoins upon Muslim the understanding of other faiths and peoples as a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment: knowing oneself, knowing others and knowing God are inextricably linked.
Download Full Article , PDF version of article (160 KB)
Table of contents
Introduction
* Part I
o Unity, Identity and the Self
o Binding a Cloth
o The Metaphysics of Oneness
o The I-ness of God
o The Ephemeral
o God is Transcendent
o Grasping Relativity
o God is Immanent
o God Knows Himself
o The Necessity of Human Diversity
o The Imperative of Dialogue
o True Tawhid
o The Face of God
o Spiritual Foundations for Tolerance, Courtesy
* Part II
o The Universal Meaning of ‘Islam’
o The Absolute Religion
o Fitra – Primordial Purity
o Moses and al-Khidr – Exoteric and Esoteric Knowledge
o Islam Ecompasses all Revelations
o Diversity of Ways is Divinely Willed
o Salvation is Promised to the Faithful
o Refuting Religious Exclusivism and Nationalism
o Beware of Restricting God to One’s Own Beliefs
o The Doctrine of Abrogation
o Universal versus Contextual
o Places Where God is Invoked
o The Universal Scent of the Beloved
o Spiritual Dialogue Despite Theological Differences
o Addressing Polemical Verses in the Qur’an
o Emphasising That Which Unites
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Worth taking print-outs of this article as it deals with the fundamental problem facing the Islamic world today, which put simply is this – Should we Muslims be inward-looking or outword-looking? That really is the question underlying recent developments in Beruwela. I find some parts of the text particularly illuminating – for instance the comments on the polemical parts of the Koran and the way they can be reconciled with the universalist vision of Islam