The muslim generation today is viewing and experiencing entirely different version and description of Islam. It is all about external code of conduct, use of extreme perception (mostly out-of-context) to interpret the Holy manuscript and it is less about intrinsic connectivity with God.
The later thought deals with mysticism which enriches a person with spiritual ecstasy.
On individual level, it emphasizes that human life experiences (pain, suffering, contentment and anger) are crucial in life to break ones heart from the chain of desires and self-love in order to receive the message of eternity. It is a widely held belief in Sufism that pain brings one closer to God and fills the person with serenity; cleanse the heart from lust, greed and envy. The prime aim of Sufi thought is to transform an individual into an active ambassador of peace and love on earth which reveals the behavioral aspect of Islam, humanity.
On collective scale, it enlightens the society with compassion, tolerance and kindness for one another. It broaden up the horizon of humankind that there are as many ways to approach God as there are souls.
How many paths are there to God? There are as many paths to God as there are souls on the Earth. – Rumi
This approach inevitably reduces the attitude of judging others. instead; it gives rise to a thought that in whatever state we are
We all are striving to get back to our Original Source.
There is no existence save His existence. ... This means that the existence of the beggar is His existence and the existence of the sick is His existence. Now, when this is admitted, it is acknowledged that all existence is His existence; and that the existence of all created things, both accidents and substances, is His existence; and when the secret of one particle of the atoms is clear, the secret of all created things, both outward and inward, is clear; and you do not see in this world or the next, anything except God.
Ibn 'Arabi
“…who know with certainty that they shall meet their Sustainer and that unto Him they shall return.”
Quran- 2:46
During this time of fanaticism and radicalism, one should view the marvelous work of Nacer Khemir, a Tunisian filmmaker who tried to showcase the mystical (much forgotten) side of Islam to the world. The film is pictured in the deserts of Iran and Tunisia. It depicts the tranquility and peace present in the dessert life. The film heavily relies in the roots of faith, joy and love of a believer. Indeed, the film is a nice re-visit of the quotes and work of major mystics in Islam.
This is a ripe time to fill the mainstream with the nurturing aspects of islamic teaching which stress upon harmony and brotherhood. The mainstream media is completely oblivion from this aspect (knowingly or unknowingly) which is causing great distress and anarchy in the process of peace-building across the globe.
"I believe in the religion of Love, whatever direction its caravans may take, for Love is my religion and my faith."
Ibn 'Arabi
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