بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ
There are some
things in our faith which cannot be explained through reason and logic. In other words we cannot rationalize some of
the things we do. For example we are
supposed to make wudu before salaat. However
if there is no water available or we can’t use water we are supposed to make
Tayammum. Tayammum is in no way
comparable to wudu because you are not cleansing all the parts that you
normally do when you’re performing wudu.
Then why do it? This is something
that cannot be explained rationally. We
believe and accept because that is what Allah has ordained for us.
So too, there
are so many things that we cannot explain through scientific reasoning and
logic; and, unfortunately some people, because they cannot find a suitable explanation,
reject it totally or condemn it.
For example according
to our school of theology we have an understanding concerning the night of the
15th of Shabaan. There are
many traditions concerning the sacredness and benefits associated with this
night. One such belief is that a person’s
sustenance is written on this night, another is that those who are to be born
and those who will die for the following year is also written etc. How can we explain these things
rationally? We cannot, and that is why
we have faith in Allah.
To become a
Muslim the first thing a person says is I testify that there is no God but
Allah. Imagine those pagan Arabs who
were idolaters; those who believed that Jesus (as) was God; others who believed
that God somehow manifested Himself in an earthly form; and now you’re taught
to say no God but Allah; that is something that comes only through faith
because you cannot rationally prove the existence of God.
There is this philosophical
problem termed ‘cause and effect’. Every
cause has an effect. So we were created by
God but then the problem arises, i.e. who created God? Concerning this Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is
reported to have said “Satan comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created
so-and-so’; till he says, ‘Who has created your Lord?' So, when he inspires such a question one
should seek refuge with Allah and give up such thoughts”. (Bukhari)
We need to
understand that belief is something outside the realm of reason and logic. Some people try to prove the unseen
rationally. For example have you ever
seen an angel? How can we prove the
existence of angels rationally? It’s
difficult, that is why Allah begins the chapter of Baqarah with;
Who believe in the Ghaib (unseen); (2:3)
Another example;
how can you prove human beings possess a soul?
Has anyone seen it? Many things
we have to accept whether we can rationally prove it or not.
According to the
teachings of Islamic spirituality these matters are outside the realm of reason
and logic. It is called religious
experience and this can only be experienced. It cannot be described. You cannot tell me how sweet honey is; I have
to taste it to really know. When we say the
term ‘I believe’ we are really implying that whether or not we can understand/prove
we believe unconditionally.
Islamic spirituality
is that realm of knowledge which is outside the references of reason and
logic. It is something that has to be
experienced. That is why a lot of Masha’ikhs
do not disclose religious experiences; because of the potential backlash from those
who cannot forgo rational thought.
On the night of
the Mir’aj Allah says that Prophet Muhammad (pboh) ascended higher and higher
and then He revealed what He wanted to reveal.
What did Allah revealed? No one
knows. How can the blessed Prophet
(pboh) rationally describe such an experience?
The people doubted whether he travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem; what
about his experiences in the heavens?
As we go along
the path of Islamic spirituality always remember that it is not really
permissible to discuss your religious experiences with any person. You need to discuss it with your teacher or
someone who he may refer you to.
For example
there was once a great Masha’ikh called Mansur al-Hallaj. During his time many of the Sufi masters felt
that it was inappropriate to share religious experience with the masses, yet
Al-Hallaj openly did so in his writings and through his teachings. He thus
began to make enemies. This was
exacerbated by occasions when he would fall into trances which he attributed to
being in the presence of God. During one
of these trances, he uttered Ana l-Ḥaqq - “I am The Truth”. The masses could not understand what he truly
meant and subsequently murdered him by severing limb from limb. And when his blood flowed into a nearby river
the words Ana l-Ḥaqq were formed.
How can we understand this rationally?
In the battle of
Badr when the Muslim army were grossly outnumbered Allah through His Grace and
Mercy send the angels to fight with the Muslims; and Companions reported that
even before they could strike their blow the enemy was killed. How can you explain this using scientific
reason and logic.
As we go along this
path you will hear people levelling the claim ‘bidah and shirk’. In situations like these always remember the Qur’anic
ayat;
And the servants of (Allah) Most gracious are those who walk on the
earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace”! (25:63)
You will not be
able to make an impression on these persons.
In the very beginning of the mission of man Satan confronted God with
reason and logic. He could not have seen
that Adam (as) was endued with knowledge which he and the angels did not have. That is an eye opener for all of us.
We need to go along
with faith in Allah and in His Prophet (pboh) and whether we can understand it
or not we do what we are expected to do.
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) demonstrated this in every way. Do you think he knew that reasons for
everything that was to happen? For
example when he was given the news that his grandson was to be martyred did he
question? He simply requested that he be
brought the soil where his blessed grandson’s blood was to fall.
In Islamic spiritually
you can get knowledge from Allah and He can take you closer to Him as He so
desires.
A lot of things
people take for granted and they really do not know. However, never condemn them. They may be honest and sincere but were never
exposed to these teaching and understandings and will thus have
reservations. When you experience this don’t
get upset. Instead be sympathetic and
show love because all success lies through love.
If you show
overflowing love for your Lord what do you think will happen? Pursue this path with humility and sincerity and
because we are touching on areas that are sensitive you will get comments and
remarks; but just carry on with your own mission for success in this life and
the next and let Allah take care of the rest.
May Allah bless
us, enlighten us and protect us all insha Allah.
Transcript
of discourse delivered by
Maulana
Dr. Waffie Mohammed
The
video presentation of this discourse can be accessed at
