Contents:
- Experiences beyond the normal and the need for Heavenly Guidance
- The Source of Heavenly Messages, Who is God?
- Accepting or Rejecting Heavenly Messages
- Prophets and Messengers Did not force "Faith" on anyone
- Force in incompatible with the true essence of Faith
- Signs for the Believers
Experiences beyond the normal and the need for Heavenly Guidance
Throughout the history of man until this age, people have been reporting various experiences beyond the normal. What is it that distinguishes a true Religious experience?
It appears that experiences beyond the normal are not all the same. In Islam and in Sufi literature in particular, a great attention is paid to how to know what is right from false regarding spiritual matters. It seems that starting to sense aspects beyond the normal is not the final goal or an important achievement in itself. Rather it is just the start of exploring a new level of experiences and arguments.
As I understand, according to several religions, at that level, there can be negative aspects to beware of. There are false delusions and there are concrete visions. Sufis for instance distinguish between stable experiences and wavering experiences, ones that have a whole wide range of positive effects in one's life and beyond, and others that can be harmful.
According to Sufis, the only way to be on the right track is through following the guidance of the Quran, the Heavenly Message, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of God. Because they represent the thread coming from heaven to help mankind, in an area a human being has no way to find out about, by himself without that special help.
The importance of such guidance is emphasized frequently. The prophet once said: I am leaving you on a clear path, easily recognizable day or night. Follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the righteous (or knowledgeable /wise/"guided") followers (of the Prophet). Another Hadith says: There is nothing that brings you closer to God that I did not tell you about, and there nothing that gets you away from God that I did not warn you about. Sufi shiekh Al-Junaid said: Our knowledge (Sufism) is based upon, and supported by the Book of God and the Sunnah. Abu Yazeed Al-Bastami said: If you saw someone flying or walking on water, unless that person is following the Book of God and the Sunnah, stay away from him. Yet another Sufi said: Thoughts might occur to me, but unless they are in agreement with the Book of God and the Sunnah I disregard them.
It is not rushing to know and understand deeper aspects of existence that is the first priority, it is how any knowledge relates to being on the right path and in accordance to God's will and his messenger's guidance that is important, regardless of how much one might know or experience. It is fixing one's sight on the path and not to be distracted that is needed. The path is full of distractions and pitfalls, but the goal remains simple and clear: to reach the ultimate shore of safety which is Knowing God. And to avoid distractions and pitfalls, Heaven's Guidance is needed.
As I have understood from Sufi texts, an attempt starting from the ground of normal human experience (including logical arguments based on selected assumptions), without seeking help from above cannot lead too far. In an extreme case, the Quran says [40:36-37]: "Pharaoh said: 'O Haman! build me a lofty palace, that I may attain the ways and means. The way and means of (reaching) the heavens, and that I may mount up to the God of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!'. Thus was made alluring, in Pharaoh's eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the Path; and the plot of Pharaoh led to nothing but perdition (for him)."
Approaching finer realization about existence through means starting from man's end only, or trying to force one's way to find it, will prove futile. Thinking that one can know much about existence without having to know the Creator, will not take one too far.
It looks like treading the path needs to be associated with certain basic beliefs (realizable assertions rather than testable assumptions), certain manners, a certain attitude, genuine sincerity and purity of heart. One of the most important manners is humility that stems from acknowledgement of one's limits; from acceptance of the natural human weakness of constant imperfect knowledge. Acceptance that one can never take into account every single detail that might affect his decisions and his total wellbeing (physical and beyond), hence the need for some guidance. And what better guidance to seek than that of the Creator of all things.
In every single prayer throughout the day, a Muslim recites several times the verses: "Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray".
A point, regarding the Quran (a better elaboration later), is that Revealed texts are very unusually worded phrases that are unlike human phrases. According to religious scholars, Texts of Holy Books have outward and inner meanings, multiple meanings, ageless meanings as well as age-bound meanings that people of a certain age and place would see in light of what they can relate to. In other words, the Holy Text can be studied literally, but there could be aspects, once taken into account, far more than what immediately appears or literally interpreted might be realized. However to determine such fine meanings is not for everyone. The Quran says (3:7-8):
"He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book; In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meanings); they are the foundation of the Book; others are not of well-established meaning. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is not of well-established meaning. Seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its true meanings except Allah, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: 'We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:' and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding."
The Source of Heavenly Messages, Who is God?
There are certain qualities that are very basic, like that God is the Creator of all things, there cannot be more than one, anything else is part of creation, and no created being can have that quality. To assert that one submits only to God who has that quality, solves the problem of the source. In Islam and in the Quran, that quality is clearly emphasized over and over. The source is unmistakable.
Followers of Messages sent to mankind from God, continue to exist for long periods of time regardless of what odds facing them, and the Message actually is one and from the same unique source throughout the history of man.
(3:3) "It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it".
About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other Prophets: (35:24) "Verily We have sent thee in truth, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner: and there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them."
(16:36) "For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the command), 'Serve God and eschew Evil'".
(22:67) "To each nation have We given rites which they are to perform".
There are similarities in core concepts in different religions, and the source of the similarity is that the source is the same. In certain concepts there are clear inter-religion corroboration. Yet, there are also differences in rites for each religion.
(5:48) "If God had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you."
Differences between people should be a reason to understand and know each other:
(49:13) "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other."
Accepting or Rejecting Heavenly Messages - Nothing new about either
(35:25) "And if they reject thee, so did their predecessors, to whom came their messengers with Clear Signs, Scriptures and the Book of Enlightenment."
(18:29) "Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve"
Prophets and Messengers Did not force "Faith" on anyone
(16:35) "Are the Messengers charged with anything except plain conveyance (of the message)?"
(24:54) "Say: 'Obey God, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message)."
(42:48) "If then they turn away, We have not sent thee as a guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (The Message)."
Yusuf Ali's comment: "If the warning [to repent and do good] is not heeded or is rejected, the man of God is not responsible for bringing about the Penalty or for forcing people to come to the right Path. He is not a guard set over them to free them from the need of exercising their limited free-will."
Force in incompatible with the true essence of Faith
"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error" (2:256)
The translation above appears to be following the understanding of some scholars who understood that "لا" here makes the sentence a Divine Command saying "Do not force anyone in matters of religion". But, Al-Bouti (in his book يغالطونك إذ يقولون which is about common misunderstood points about Islam) mentioned another understanding by other scholars who say that "لا" in the verse actually makes the sentence an informative statement saying: It is not possible for religion to be forcefully accepted. Since it is about Faith and an inner Conviction that no one can force on any one or for anyone to feel he or she can be, sort of, fed forcefully. Linguistically, both meanings are possible.
Yusuf Ali's comment on verse (2:256): "Compulsion is incompatible with religion; because (1) religion depends upon faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force; (2) Truth and Error have been so clearly shown up by the mercy of God that there should be no doubt in the minds of any persons of good-will as to the fundamentals of faith"
(10:99) "If it had been the Lord's Will, they would all have believed- all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe?"
Yusuf Ali's comment: "If it had been God's Plan or Will not to grant the limited Free-will that He has granted to man, His omnipotence could have made all mankind alike: all would then have had Faith, but that Faith would have reflected no merits on them. In the actual world as it is, man has been endowed with various faculties and capacities, so that he should strive and explore, and bring himself into harmony with God's Will. Hence Faith becomes a moral achievement, and to resist Faith becomes a sin. As a complementary proposition, men of Faith must not be impatient or angry if the have to contend against Unfaith, and most important of all, they must guard against the temptation of forcing Faith, i.e., imposing it on others by physical compulsion, or any other forms of compulsion such as social pressure, or inducements held out by wealth or position, or other adventitious advantages, Forced faith is no faith. They should strive spiritually and let God's Plan work as He wills."
Signs for the Believers
In many places in the Quran, it is mentioned that the Signs are for those who believe. Because they can feel and sense spiritual matters, as for those who do not, one can only point to the direction of faith and try to help them as much as possible, but cannot make them feel or sense. They have to have the will to find what realizing that feeling is all about:
(2:118) "We have indeed made clear the Signs unto any people who hold firmly to Faith (in their hearts)."
(30:53) "You can make none hear except those who believe in Our revelations"
(50:45) "We know best what they say; and thou art not one to overawe them by force. So admonish with the Quran such as fear My Warning".
Yusuf Ali's comment on (50:45): People may throw all sorts of doubts about the Judgment and the Hereafter. The Prophet's task is not to force them to accept anything. His task is to deliver the Message of the Quran, and admonish those who are spiritually fit and ready to receive admonition and to prepare themselves for the new and higher life destined for man.
"Those who believe not in the Signs of God, God will not guide them" Quran (16:104).
"Those who believe, and work righteousness, their Lord will guide them because of their Faith." (10:9).
Believing is the start, one needs to believe first then strive so that the doors are opened and the truth is realized:
"And those who strive in Our (Cause)- We will certainly guide them to Our Paths" Quran (29:69)
Yusuf Ali's comment on the verse: "Strive in Our Cause. All that man can do is to strive in God's Cause. As soon as he strives with might and main, with constancy and determination, the Light and Mercy of God come to meet him. They cure his defects and shortcomings. They provide him with the means by which he can raise himself above himself. They point out the Way, and all the Paths leading up to it."
"But those who receive guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint (From evil)" (47:17)
Yusuf Ali's comment on the verse: "Spiritual advancement is progressive: each step makes the next ones easier and more complete."
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The Holy Book is an extraordinary source of guidance for a believer who is serious about spiritual maturity:
(10:57-58) "O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts- and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy. Say: 'In the Bounty of Allah and in His Mercy- in that let them rejoice': that is better than the (wealth) they hoard."
(50:37) "Verily in this is a Message for any that has a heart and understanding or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses (the truth)."
Heavenly Messages were revealed to trustworthy and fine human beings, otherwise known as Messengers of God, to inform the rest of mankind. Revealed from the Creator of all things, making it abundantly clear to anyone willing to listen, that there is a Creator, not like anything created, free from confinements that created things are subjected to (dimensions of space, time, etc.), who is living, who sent Messages through Messengers, who sees all things, hears all things, knows about everything, has absolute power over everything, who intended the universe to be created. That He did not create the universe in vain. Heavenly Messages use words of mankind but they are unusual when the scope, the depth and the context of subjects are considered.
Note: The use of the word 'Heaven' is based on conventional usage, since Angels descend from Heavens with messages and commands. However, it should be mentioned that according to the majority of Muslim scholars (there are opponents) God is not in any particular place (including Heaven) or in any particular direction (including up). Since Heavens are part of creation, and created things need some conception of space, and space is an aspect of Creation that emerged with created things. And unlike created things, God is not subjected to confinements of space and time (and physical directions are only relevant within dimensions). Please refer to Al-Gazali's list of Elements of Faith for details.
