J.C.M.
As asocio-political institutionIslam is, in the middle of its fourteenth century (1340 A.H.), in the same vicissitudes of development, as Christianity was in the middle ofitsfourteenth century (1350 A.D.)—an institution weakened by contending sects and rendered stagnant by rigid formalism. "It is a dispensation of providence", says Syed Ameer Ali, "that whenever a religion becomes reduced to formalism cross-currents set in to restore spiritual vitality." As in Christianity in its fourteenth century, so in Islam of our own times, the vitalising cross-currents have set in and we are now witnessing a Muslim Renaissance all over the world. Its pioneers in India were Sir Syed Ahmad, Mowlana Shibli, and the poet Hali. The Rt. Hon. Ameer Ali, Dr. Iqbal and a host of others bear aloft the New Light. The Muslim Reformation is coming on as surely as the Christian Reformation came in the wake of Patristicism and Formalism. It need not necessarily mean Political Revolutions as in Europe.
A.H.
OUR PRAYER.
1.
All praise is due to Thee, O God!None other than Thee we adore.Thou art the Master of the Worlds,Thine aid alone do we implore.
All praise is due to Thee, O God!None other than Thee we adore.Thou art the Master of the Worlds,Thine aid alone do we implore.
2.
Thou art Compassion; lead Thou onTo Thy right path our human race.Thy Mercy floweth evermore,Do guide us to the path of Grace.
Thou art Compassion; lead Thou onTo Thy right path our human race.Thy Mercy floweth evermore,Do guide us to the path of Grace.
3.
Thou art the Lord of Judgment-day,For sure shall all be judged by Thee,O keep us off the path of SinAnd Error's way. So mote it be!
Thou art the Lord of Judgment-day,For sure shall all be judged by Thee,O keep us off the path of SinAnd Error's way. So mote it be!
Abdur Rahim.
FOOTNOTES
1Translated by Mushtari Begum of Bejnor and published in theIslamic ReviewApril 1916.
1Translated by Mushtari Begum of Bejnor and published in theIslamic ReviewApril 1916.
2This was written in 1917.
2This was written in 1917.
3By the word "best" I mean "the most suitable for both the spiritual and material needs of man." I do not wish to cast any reflection on any other religion. SeeNote 7.
3By the word "best" I mean "the most suitable for both the spiritual and material needs of man." I do not wish to cast any reflection on any other religion. SeeNote 7.
4I make a difference between Islam and Muhammadanism. The latter is not pure Islam. It has forgotten thespiritof Islam and remembers only theletterof its law. "The dry bones of a religion are nothing; the spirit that quickens the bones is all." See Note 5.
4I make a difference between Islam and Muhammadanism. The latter is not pure Islam. It has forgotten thespiritof Islam and remembers only theletterof its law. "The dry bones of a religion are nothing; the spirit that quickens the bones is all." See Note 5.
5There is no place in Islam for either priests or monks. Yet the Muhammadanism of to-day has both. There are Tartuffes and Pecksniffs in this religion as well as in any other religion.
5There is no place in Islam for either priests or monks. Yet the Muhammadanism of to-day has both. There are Tartuffes and Pecksniffs in this religion as well as in any other religion.
6This is the real reason of the political and social weakness of most Islamic countries of our own times.
6This is the real reason of the political and social weakness of most Islamic countries of our own times.
7The teaching of Muhammad has been admirably summarised by a Christian writer as follows:—"There is no deity but God. He created the Universe and rules it with love and mercy. He alone is to be worshipped; in Him confidence is to be placed in time of adversity. There must be no murmurings at His decrees; life—your own and others dearer than your own—must be placed in His hands in trust and love."I do not believe that there is any monotheistic religion in the world which will dissent from this teaching. The writer (in theHarmsworth Encyclopedia) goes on to say:—"The fatalism which has come to be regarded as part of the Moslem creed had no place in the system established by Muhammad who again and again distinctly and emphatically repudiated the idea. Muhammad taughtreform, notrevolution."In these days of political unrest I cannot impress on you too strongly the meaning of the last sentence in which I have italicised two words.
7The teaching of Muhammad has been admirably summarised by a Christian writer as follows:—
"There is no deity but God. He created the Universe and rules it with love and mercy. He alone is to be worshipped; in Him confidence is to be placed in time of adversity. There must be no murmurings at His decrees; life—your own and others dearer than your own—must be placed in His hands in trust and love."
"There is no deity but God. He created the Universe and rules it with love and mercy. He alone is to be worshipped; in Him confidence is to be placed in time of adversity. There must be no murmurings at His decrees; life—your own and others dearer than your own—must be placed in His hands in trust and love."
I do not believe that there is any monotheistic religion in the world which will dissent from this teaching. The writer (in theHarmsworth Encyclopedia) goes on to say:—
"The fatalism which has come to be regarded as part of the Moslem creed had no place in the system established by Muhammad who again and again distinctly and emphatically repudiated the idea. Muhammad taughtreform, notrevolution."
"The fatalism which has come to be regarded as part of the Moslem creed had no place in the system established by Muhammad who again and again distinctly and emphatically repudiated the idea. Muhammad taughtreform, notrevolution."
In these days of political unrest I cannot impress on you too strongly the meaning of the last sentence in which I have italicised two words.
8Seep. 33 para. 6.
8Seep. 33 para. 6.
9The Author has not kept copies of these letters.—Ed.
9The Author has not kept copies of these letters.—Ed.
10The Qur'an speaks very highly of Jesus:—اسمه مسيح عيسى بن مريم وجيهاً فى الدنيا و الا خره و من المقربين"His name is Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious both in this and in the next world. He is one of those who have near access to God."—iii. 40.
10The Qur'an speaks very highly of Jesus:—
اسمه مسيح عيسى بن مريم وجيهاً فى الدنيا و الا خره و من المقربين
"His name is Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious both in this and in the next world. He is one of those who have near access to God."—iii. 40.
11Published and sold by the Rationalistic Press, London for 6d.
11Published and sold by the Rationalistic Press, London for 6d.
12The translation of the Sura in this analysis is slightly different from that given in the succeeding page.—Ed.
12The translation of the Sura in this analysis is slightly different from that given in the succeeding page.—Ed.
13"It is strange": says Havelock Ellis, "men seek to be, or to seem, atheists, agnostics, cynics, pessimists; at the core of all these things lurks religion.... The men who have most finely felt the pulse of the world and have, in their turn, most effectively stirred its pulse, are religious men."—New Spirit, 228.
13"It is strange": says Havelock Ellis, "men seek to be, or to seem, atheists, agnostics, cynics, pessimists; at the core of all these things lurks religion.... The men who have most finely felt the pulse of the world and have, in their turn, most effectively stirred its pulse, are religious men."—New Spirit, 228.
14The word "religion" also means a system of beliefs and rites pertaining to them. I do not use the word in that sense here.
14The word "religion" also means a system of beliefs and rites pertaining to them. I do not use the word in that sense here.
15i.e., the world such as we perceive and conceive it.
15i.e., the world such as we perceive and conceive it.
16"I know that even the unaided reason, when correctly exercised, leads to a belief in God, in the immortality of the soul, and in a future retribution"—Cardinal Newman.
16"I know that even the unaided reason, when correctly exercised, leads to a belief in God, in the immortality of the soul, and in a future retribution"—Cardinal Newman.
17Prof. Scott Elliot at the end of his book,Prehistoric Man(p. 381) writes thus: "It seems true that almost every race of man is not only capable of believing in a Supreme God but, so far as the evidence goes, did reverence one God who was often also thought of as the Creator of the Sky or of the World.... There is a very strong body of evidence showing that every race of mankind possessed quite early in its development a feeling of awe and reverence towards an Unknown God."
17Prof. Scott Elliot at the end of his book,Prehistoric Man(p. 381) writes thus: "It seems true that almost every race of man is not only capable of believing in a Supreme God but, so far as the evidence goes, did reverence one God who was often also thought of as the Creator of the Sky or of the World.... There is a very strong body of evidence showing that every race of mankind possessed quite early in its development a feeling of awe and reverence towards an Unknown God."
18There are at present three missionary religions in the world—religions which were intended and designed by their respective founders to unite all men without any distinction into a Universal Brotherhood.(1) Buddhism asserts that God is Law or Wisdom.(2) Islam teaches that God is Energy or Power.(3) Christianity says that God is Father or Love.But all these religions inculcate in fact one and the same Truth in its three aspects, as Muslim Sufis would say. I believe the gist of doctrines held by them is that God is OmnipotentEnergymanifesting itself uniformly asLawand operating benevolently asLove.Wisdom = Power = Love.You should try to solve the equation for yourself. You will not fail to understand it if you think hard.
18There are at present three missionary religions in the world—religions which were intended and designed by their respective founders to unite all men without any distinction into a Universal Brotherhood.
(1) Buddhism asserts that God is Law or Wisdom.(2) Islam teaches that God is Energy or Power.(3) Christianity says that God is Father or Love.
(1) Buddhism asserts that God is Law or Wisdom.(2) Islam teaches that God is Energy or Power.(3) Christianity says that God is Father or Love.
But all these religions inculcate in fact one and the same Truth in its three aspects, as Muslim Sufis would say. I believe the gist of doctrines held by them is that God is OmnipotentEnergymanifesting itself uniformly asLawand operating benevolently asLove.
Wisdom = Power = Love.
You should try to solve the equation for yourself. You will not fail to understand it if you think hard.
19Here again taking the three missionary religions mentioned above, the Identity is:—Creator = Preserver = Adjuster.God said unto Moses,I am that I am—Exodus, iii, 14.
19Here again taking the three missionary religions mentioned above, the Identity is:—
Creator = Preserver = Adjuster.
God said unto Moses,I am that I am—Exodus, iii, 14.
20Some Sufis define Nature as Individualplushis Environment. Byindividualthey mean any one capable of thinking of himself as "I" or "Me" and every thing else as "not I" or "not me" which is hisenvironment.
20Some Sufis define Nature as Individualplushis Environment. Byindividualthey mean any one capable of thinking of himself as "I" or "Me" and every thing else as "not I" or "not me" which is hisenvironment.
21It may be said that all the three ideas of God's relation with Nature (the three "isms" I have mentioned in brackets) are but differentdegreesof a man's desire for communion with his God. Says Rumi in his celebratedMasnavi: "All religions are in substance one and the same"—Bk. iii, story 12 (St. Daqúqi).
21It may be said that all the three ideas of God's relation with Nature (the three "isms" I have mentioned in brackets) are but differentdegreesof a man's desire for communion with his God. Says Rumi in his celebratedMasnavi: "All religions are in substance one and the same"—Bk. iii, story 12 (St. Daqúqi).
22See last para. ofNote 4and alsoNote 10.الطرق الى الله بحسب الانفس There are as many ways leading to God as thereThere are as many ways leading to God as there are minds.
22See last para. ofNote 4and alsoNote 10.الطرق الى الله بحسب الانفس There are as many ways leading to God as thereThere are as many ways leading to God as there are minds.
23"Religion places the human soul in the presence of its highest ideal (=God), it lifts it above the level of ordinary goodness, and produces at least a yearning after a higher and better life in the light of God."—Max Muller.
23"Religion places the human soul in the presence of its highest ideal (=God), it lifts it above the level of ordinary goodness, and produces at least a yearning after a higher and better life in the light of God."—Max Muller.
24Sura = Chapter.
24Sura = Chapter.
25Absolute = not conditioned by place time measure or circumstances. Infinite = without beginning or end.
25Absolute = not conditioned by place time measure or circumstances. Infinite = without beginning or end.
26"The proper name of the religion preached by Muhammad is Islam."--Sale
"The proper name of the religion preached by Muhammad is Islam."--Sale
27The word "Islam" means literally (1) resignation (2) preservation and (3) peace. Lord Tennyson has most admirably expressed the Islamic ideal of self-surrender to the will of God and has incidentally decided the vexed question of free-will in a single line:—"Our wills are ours to make them Thine."
The word "Islam" means literally (1) resignation (2) preservation and (3) peace. Lord Tennyson has most admirably expressed the Islamic ideal of self-surrender to the will of God and has incidentally decided the vexed question of free-will in a single line:—
"Our wills are ours to make them Thine."
28By Christians in European countries.
By Christians in European countries.
29"The proper name of the religion preached by Muhammad is Islam"—Sale. See p. 37.
"The proper name of the religion preached by Muhammad is Islam"—Sale. See p. 37.
30I use the word in the restricted sense of "Islam as taught by Muhammad." If you take Islam to mean belief in one God and virtuous conduct in life, you may say that there has not been and will never be any true religion besides Islam. In this sense Islam is the only true religion. See p. 27, last para. of Note 2 p. 19, and of this Note pp. 33, 34.
I use the word in the restricted sense of "Islam as taught by Muhammad." If you take Islam to mean belief in one God and virtuous conduct in life, you may say that there has not been and will never be any true religion besides Islam. In this sense Islam is the only true religion. See p. 27, last para. of Note 2 p. 19, and of this Note pp. 33, 34.
31"A man must not do reverence to his own sect or disparage that of another man without reason. Deprecation should be for specific reasons only, because the sects of other people all deserve reverence for one reason or other. By thus acting, a man exalts his own sect, and at the same time does service to the sects of other people. By acting contrariwise, a man hurts his own sect and does disservice to the sects of other people."—King Asoka'sEdict XII."Every sect favourably regards him who is faithful to its precepts, and, in truth, he is to be commended."—Akbar, (Ain Akbari III).
"A man must not do reverence to his own sect or disparage that of another man without reason. Deprecation should be for specific reasons only, because the sects of other people all deserve reverence for one reason or other. By thus acting, a man exalts his own sect, and at the same time does service to the sects of other people. By acting contrariwise, a man hurts his own sect and does disservice to the sects of other people."—King Asoka'sEdict XII.
"Every sect favourably regards him who is faithful to its precepts, and, in truth, he is to be commended."—Akbar, (Ain Akbari III).
32See p. 55.
See p. 55.
33Muslim = resigned and submissive, therefore,peaceful.
Muslim = resigned and submissive, therefore,peaceful.
34See Foot note(30)p. 30.
See Foot note(30)p. 30.
35Comparethe Bhagvat Gita, iv. 7-8:—"Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata, and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, thenI myself come forth;For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness,I am bornfrom age to age."The wordsitalicisedsuggest the Hindu doctrine of Incarnation and Metempsychosis. Orthodox Muslims do not believe in any such doctrine (حلول و اتحاد) but would substitute for the italics the words:I send a messenger or reformer.See,e.g., Quran, xvi. 36.
Comparethe Bhagvat Gita, iv. 7-8:—
"Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata, and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, thenI myself come forth;For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness,I am bornfrom age to age."
"Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata, and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, thenI myself come forth;
For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness,I am bornfrom age to age."
The wordsitalicisedsuggest the Hindu doctrine of Incarnation and Metempsychosis. Orthodox Muslims do not believe in any such doctrine (حلول و اتحاد) but would substitute for the italics the words:I send a messenger or reformer.See,e.g., Quran, xvi. 36.
36To students of Islam and its history I cannot recommend better and more useful books than the Rt. Hon. Dr. Syed Ameer Ali'sSpirit of IslamandHistory of the Saracens. New and revised editions have been recently published. They present the various aspects of Islam in their proper perspective. They are classics for English readers.
To students of Islam and its history I cannot recommend better and more useful books than the Rt. Hon. Dr. Syed Ameer Ali'sSpirit of IslamandHistory of the Saracens. New and revised editions have been recently published. They present the various aspects of Islam in their proper perspective. They are classics for English readers.
37"Grant the existence of God and it is impossible to deny that Muhammad was His Messenger. A man does not change the belief of half the world by chance." So wrote a Christian friend of mine.
"Grant the existence of God and it is impossible to deny that Muhammad was His Messenger. A man does not change the belief of half the world by chance." So wrote a Christian friend of mine.
38Muslim = resigned or submissive, therefore, peaceful.
Muslim = resigned or submissive, therefore, peaceful.
39I mean "goodness and greatness" as ahuman being, for Muhammad never said or did anything to show that he was not a human being. The Qur'an commanded him, "Say I am a man like yourself." قل انا بشر مثلكم He therefore insisted that men should attach greater importance to the nature of the message than to the character of the messenger himself. "I am," said he "no more than a man: when I order you anything with respect to religion, receive it, and when I order you about the affairs of the world then I am nothing more than a man."
I mean "goodness and greatness" as ahuman being, for Muhammad never said or did anything to show that he was not a human being. The Qur'an commanded him, "Say I am a man like yourself." قل انا بشر مثلكم He therefore insisted that men should attach greater importance to the nature of the message than to the character of the messenger himself. "I am," said he "no more than a man: when I order you anything with respect to religion, receive it, and when I order you about the affairs of the world then I am nothing more than a man."
40"Ahmad" is another name of Muhammad. I have nothing to say to those mystics, who, by a reasoning peculiar to their doctrines, identify the Messenger (Prophet) with the Master (God).
"Ahmad" is another name of Muhammad. I have nothing to say to those mystics, who, by a reasoning peculiar to their doctrines, identify the Messenger (Prophet) with the Master (God).
41Nor indeed is Jesus answerable for the Inquisition andautos-da-fe.
Nor indeed is Jesus answerable for the Inquisition andautos-da-fe.
42"These are parables which we have set forth for men—Q. xxix. 43.
"These are parables which we have set forth for men—Q. xxix. 43.
43يوم الدين = the day of the Faith = the time of Dissolution predicted by Islam as well as by Science. Sir Syed Ahmad fully explains the meaning of يوم الدين = Universal Destruction and of قيامت صغرى = individual destruction, (i.e., death) from the viewpoint of modern Science.
يوم الدين = the day of the Faith = the time of Dissolution predicted by Islam as well as by Science. Sir Syed Ahmad fully explains the meaning of يوم الدين = Universal Destruction and of قيامت صغرى = individual destruction, (i.e., death) from the viewpoint of modern Science.
44As regards miracles, the beliefs that are held do not matter so much as the spirit in which they are held. If the spirit is right and leads to virtuous conduct in life, any reasonable belief will quite do. Here comes in the Pragmatism of Islam. It does not object to anything which has apractical valueunless it is unreasonable, immoral, or inconsistent with the Islamic ideas of the unity of God and the brotherhood of man.
As regards miracles, the beliefs that are held do not matter so much as the spirit in which they are held. If the spirit is right and leads to virtuous conduct in life, any reasonable belief will quite do. Here comes in the Pragmatism of Islam. It does not object to anything which has apractical valueunless it is unreasonable, immoral, or inconsistent with the Islamic ideas of the unity of God and the brotherhood of man.
45"We will soon show them our sign in all horizons (= regions) and in their own souls, until it shall become quite clear to them that it is the Truth—Qur'an xli 53. سنريهم آيا تنا فى الا فاق و فى انفسهم حتىا يتبين لهم انه الحق
"We will soon show them our sign in all horizons (= regions) and in their own souls, until it shall become quite clear to them that it is the Truth—Qur'an xli 53. سنريهم آيا تنا فى الا فاق و فى انفسهم حتىا يتبين لهم انه الحق
46God's is the East and the West, therefore whichever side you turn, you will see the face (= presence) of God—Qur'an i. 115.ولله المشر و المغرب فا ينما تولو فثم و جه الله
God's is the East and the West, therefore whichever side you turn, you will see the face (= presence) of God—Qur'an i. 115.ولله المشر و المغرب فا ينما تولو فثم و جه الله
47And He is within you (= in your mind), why don't you see Him?—Qur'an li. 21. و فى انفسهم افلا تبصرون
And He is within you (= in your mind), why don't you see Him?—Qur'an li. 21. و فى انفسهم افلا تبصرون
48Islam must not be confounded with what is called "Muhammadanism" which is but an ossified form of Islam, clothed in Mediæval beliefs and disfigured by pagan practices. See Mr. J.C. Molony's admirable report of the Census of the Madras Presidency for 1911, where, quoting from the poet Hali's famousMusaddas, he describes how far Muhammadanism in Southern India has been influenced by Hinduism. Read also Hali's excellent pamphlet called الدين يسر "the Simplest Religion" which describes how Islam has been "ossified,"i.e., rendered rigid and unprogressive.
Islam must not be confounded with what is called "Muhammadanism" which is but an ossified form of Islam, clothed in Mediæval beliefs and disfigured by pagan practices. See Mr. J.C. Molony's admirable report of the Census of the Madras Presidency for 1911, where, quoting from the poet Hali's famousMusaddas, he describes how far Muhammadanism in Southern India has been influenced by Hinduism. Read also Hali's excellent pamphlet called الدين يسر "the Simplest Religion" which describes how Islam has been "ossified,"i.e., rendered rigid and unprogressive.
49I know of no religion which does not say, "Do good and avoid evil" and I consider it no religion which does not say, "Live well and happily."
I know of no religion which does not say, "Do good and avoid evil" and I consider it no religion which does not say, "Live well and happily."
50Ghalib:*همكو معلوم هے جنت كى حقيقت ليكن*دلكے خوش ر كهنے كو غالب ۑ خنال اچها هے
51See p. 24 above.
See p. 24 above.
52It supplies the best motive for overcoming the perversity of human nature to which St. Paul directs our attention in these beautiful words: "The good that I would, I do not: and the evil which I would not, I do."—Rom. vii. 19.
It supplies the best motive for overcoming the perversity of human nature to which St. Paul directs our attention in these beautiful words: "The good that I would, I do not: and the evil which I would not, I do."—Rom. vii. 19.
53Read Draper's "Conflict between Science and Religion" which is a historical account of how some scientific ideas had to contend with religious prejudices—a book which, by the way, disproves the charge that Caliph Omar destroyed the great Library at Alexandria.
Read Draper's "Conflict between Science and Religion" which is a historical account of how some scientific ideas had to contend with religious prejudices—a book which, by the way, disproves the charge that Caliph Omar destroyed the great Library at Alexandria.
54God reveals Himself to everybody at every instant of his life. It depends entirely on the spirituality or spiritual capacity of each individual to what extent he knows God and God's ways. The "spiritual capacity" is partly inherited from one's ancestors and partly acquired by faith and devotion, as well as by right conduct and good works.
God reveals Himself to everybody at every instant of his life. It depends entirely on the spirituality or spiritual capacity of each individual to what extent he knows God and God's ways. The "spiritual capacity" is partly inherited from one's ancestors and partly acquired by faith and devotion, as well as by right conduct and good works.
55نيست برلوح دلم جز الف قا متيار * چكنم حرف دگرياد نداد استادمTheAlifof the Loved One's form is engraven on my heart,No other letter did my Shaikh ever to me impart—Hafiz.
نيست برلوح دلم جز الف قا متيار * چكنم حرف دگرياد نداد استادمTheAlifof the Loved One's form is engraven on my heart,No other letter did my Shaikh ever to me impart—Hafiz.
نيست برلوح دلم جز الف قا متيار * چكنم حرف دگرياد نداد استادمTheAlifof the Loved One's form is engraven on my heart,No other letter did my Shaikh ever to me impart—Hafiz.
56See Note 2.
See Note 2.
57I have neither time nor space to explain the full significance of the Qur'anic verses I have quoted here.
I have neither time nor space to explain the full significance of the Qur'anic verses I have quoted here.
58Some would call this Reality, God; but others would say that God is greater and higher than the Reality which manifests itself in different forms. He is above all that any man can think of or imagine. اے برتراز خيل وقياس وگمان ووهم
Some would call this Reality, God; but others would say that God is greater and higher than the Reality which manifests itself in different forms. He is above all that any man can think of or imagine. اے برتراز خيل وقياس وگمان ووهم
59Vol. ii. 748. You have to read the book itself to understand this. I cannot explain it in a short note.
Vol. ii. 748. You have to read the book itself to understand this. I cannot explain it in a short note.
60I have neither time nor space to explain the full significance of the Qur'anic phrases I have mentioned here.
I have neither time nor space to explain the full significance of the Qur'anic phrases I have mentioned here.
61"In the world there is nothing so great as man. In man there is nothing so great as mind"—Sir William Hamilton."In the mind of man there is nothing so great as the idea of God"—Islam.
"In the world there is nothing so great as man. In man there is nothing so great as mind"—Sir William Hamilton.
"In the mind of man there is nothing so great as the idea of God"—Islam.
62This is quite different from the Christian doctrine of Atonement.
This is quite different from the Christian doctrine of Atonement.
63It was the spirit of co-operation which Islam engendered among wild and unruly Arabs, that enabled them to put aside their tribal feuds, to unite and conquer more than half the known world in the first century of the Hijri era (= the 7th century of the Christian era). It was the lack of that spirit in the next two centuries that dismembered the Muslim Empire.
It was the spirit of co-operation which Islam engendered among wild and unruly Arabs, that enabled them to put aside their tribal feuds, to unite and conquer more than half the known world in the first century of the Hijri era (= the 7th century of the Christian era). It was the lack of that spirit in the next two centuries that dismembered the Muslim Empire.
64I say "theIslam of our ancestors", because the Islam ofsomeof our contemporaries, called Muhammadanism, is not quite the same.Read Prof. Gregory'sDiscovery or the Spirit and Service of Science.
I say "theIslam of our ancestors", because the Islam ofsomeof our contemporaries, called Muhammadanism, is not quite the same.
Read Prof. Gregory'sDiscovery or the Spirit and Service of Science.
65"Sufis" are those Muslims who claim with Mowlana Rumiماز قرآن مغزرابرد اشتيم * استخوان پيش سگان انادا ختيم"We have taken the marrow out of the Qur'an and thrown the bones to dogs," meaning by "dogs" those who quarrel over words (متكلمين) of the sacred texts.
"Sufis" are those Muslims who claim with Mowlana Rumi
ماز قرآن مغزرابرد اشتيم * استخوان پيش سگان انادا ختيم
"We have taken the marrow out of the Qur'an and thrown the bones to dogs," meaning by "dogs" those who quarrel over words (متكلمين) of the sacred texts.
66"Man" says Carlyle, "is a symbol of Eternity imprisoned into Time."
"Man" says Carlyle, "is a symbol of Eternity imprisoned into Time."
67This proviso defines also the Liberty of Subjects in a State. Every man should be free to do whatever he wishes provided that he does not thereby prevent others from enjoying thelikeliberty of action. It is the basis of all good Laws which should provideequal opportunitiesto all subjects without distinction.
This proviso defines also the Liberty of Subjects in a State. Every man should be free to do whatever he wishes provided that he does not thereby prevent others from enjoying thelikeliberty of action. It is the basis of all good Laws which should provideequal opportunitiesto all subjects without distinction.
68Muhammadans generally misunderstand and misapply the doctrine of "Qismat" or Fate. The Prophet distinctly taught that we should first of all do whatever lies in our power and then leave the rest to God. We are apt to forget the first part of his precept and cling to its second part only which accords with our tropical laziness. See footnote7on page 12.
Muhammadans generally misunderstand and misapply the doctrine of "Qismat" or Fate. The Prophet distinctly taught that we should first of all do whatever lies in our power and then leave the rest to God. We are apt to forget the first part of his precept and cling to its second part only which accords with our tropical laziness. See footnote7on page 12.
69ذا لك الدين القيم = It (Islam) is the standard religion.—Q. xii. 41.
ذا لك الدين القيم = It (Islam) is the standard religion.—Q. xii. 41.
70Islam rejects some "previous revelations" not because they are untrue but because their records that have come down to us are not quite genuine and trustworthy.
Islam rejects some "previous revelations" not because they are untrue but because their records that have come down to us are not quite genuine and trustworthy.
71The heading of all chapters except one of the Qur'an.
The heading of all chapters except one of the Qur'an.
72"Mankind comes to Me along many roads; and on whatever road a man approaches Me on that road do I welcome him, for all roads are Mine."—Bhagawat Gita. الطرق الى الله بحسب الانفس See p. 24.
"Mankind comes to Me along many roads; and on whatever road a man approaches Me on that road do I welcome him, for all roads are Mine."—Bhagawat Gita. الطرق الى الله بحسب الانفس See p. 24.
73See Note 2 (concluding part) which mentions three common factors in all religious systems of the world."The city of the Hindu God is Benares and the city of the Muslim God is Mecca. But search your hearts and there you will find the God both of Hindus and Muslims. If the Creator dwells in tabernacles only, whose dwelling is the Universe?"—Kabir.
See Note 2 (concluding part) which mentions three common factors in all religious systems of the world.
"The city of the Hindu God is Benares and the city of the Muslim God is Mecca. But search your hearts and there you will find the God both of Hindus and Muslims. If the Creator dwells in tabernacles only, whose dwelling is the Universe?"—Kabir.
74Some Muslims believe that Zoraster, Krishna, Buddha, and Confucius were also prophets or messengers of God but that they were no more than good and great men. They do not attribute any divinity to them."Religion", said Hitchcock, "implies Revelation". By "Revelation" is meant a set of sublime (and therefore, divine) truths revealed,i.e.communicated from time to time to chosen men (= Prophets) who had the necessary spirituality to comprehend them and to convey them, as God's messages, to their fellow-men in thehumanlanguage of themselves. The defects (if any) found in the authoritative records (= Scriptures صحف) are the defects in the human language and not certainly in the sacred and sublime truths revealed to the chosen men, the Messengers of God. It is the defect ofhumanunderstanding, no less than the poverty ofhumanlanguage, that has often prevented the full comprehension of the divine dispensation and the sublime truths in the messages of Prophets. It isourcomprehension of the truth itself that has given rise to diversity in religious beliefs and practices.
Some Muslims believe that Zoraster, Krishna, Buddha, and Confucius were also prophets or messengers of God but that they were no more than good and great men. They do not attribute any divinity to them.
"Religion", said Hitchcock, "implies Revelation". By "Revelation" is meant a set of sublime (and therefore, divine) truths revealed,i.e.communicated from time to time to chosen men (= Prophets) who had the necessary spirituality to comprehend them and to convey them, as God's messages, to their fellow-men in thehumanlanguage of themselves. The defects (if any) found in the authoritative records (= Scriptures صحف) are the defects in the human language and not certainly in the sacred and sublime truths revealed to the chosen men, the Messengers of God. It is the defect ofhumanunderstanding, no less than the poverty ofhumanlanguage, that has often prevented the full comprehension of the divine dispensation and the sublime truths in the messages of Prophets. It isourcomprehension of the truth itself that has given rise to diversity in religious beliefs and practices.
75Provided they are authentic and genuine and not altered by interpolations and omissions.
Provided they are authentic and genuine and not altered by interpolations and omissions.
76Neither the Bible nor the Qur'an is responsible for the cruel excesses committed by Christians or Muhammadans in the name of Religion.
Neither the Bible nor the Qur'an is responsible for the cruel excesses committed by Christians or Muhammadans in the name of Religion.
77"The best of things is the medium thing"—Muhammad.
"The best of things is the medium thing"—Muhammad.
78Charles R. Gibson.
Charles R. Gibson.
79VideNote 12 para. marked (a)p. 79.
VideNote 12 para. marked (a)p. 79.
80For the purpose of this Note it will be enough if you understand the first four propositions. I am afraid you will find some difficulty in understanding the remaining two propositions without illustrative examples, for which I have no space here.
For the purpose of this Note it will be enough if you understand the first four propositions. I am afraid you will find some difficulty in understanding the remaining two propositions without illustrative examples, for which I have no space here.
81"Forsuch as beblessed of him shall inherit the earth, andthey that becursed of him shall be cut off."—Psalm 37th, 22.
"Forsuch as beblessed of him shall inherit the earth, andthey that becursed of him shall be cut off."—Psalm 37th, 22.
82Qur'an, xxi. 105. Following the late Mr. Justice Karamat Hussain of Allahabad, I take the word صا لح to mean "fit" in the evolutionary sense. See his book عام الاخلاق.
Qur'an, xxi. 105. Following the late Mr. Justice Karamat Hussain of Allahabad, I take the word صا لح to mean "fit" in the evolutionary sense. See his book عام الاخلاق.
83He edits a journal called "Biometrika" which is devoted to the statistical study of biological problems.
He edits a journal called "Biometrika" which is devoted to the statistical study of biological problems.
84Prof. Muirhead of the University of Burmingham, in his kind letter to the author on these "Notes."
Prof. Muirhead of the University of Burmingham, in his kind letter to the author on these "Notes."
85Hence Formalism creeps into every Religion and renders it lifeless when its doctrines fail to adjust themselves to new facts or to changes in old facts. SeeAppendix.
Hence Formalism creeps into every Religion and renders it lifeless when its doctrines fail to adjust themselves to new facts or to changes in old facts. SeeAppendix.
86It should be construed and applied to new ideas and changed circumstances of each age in quite the same manner as Judges in a Court of Law construe and apply old Statutes to facts of cases that come before them. See Hali's الدين يسر
It should be construed and applied to new ideas and changed circumstances of each age in quite the same manner as Judges in a Court of Law construe and apply old Statutes to facts of cases that come before them. See Hali's الدين يسر
87See the verse of the Qur'an quoted onp. 33.
See the verse of the Qur'an quoted onp. 33.
88Or say: True Christianity is but true Islam writ large. "On the whole this religion of Mahomet's is a kind of Christianity."—Thomas Carlyle.
Or say: True Christianity is but true Islam writ large. "On the whole this religion of Mahomet's is a kind of Christianity."—Thomas Carlyle.
89See hints:—Para 3 of Note 5 pp.31, 32;Footnote(48)p. 43; Footnotes(4)and(5)page 12; Footnote(85)p. 81.
See hints:—Para 3 of Note 5 pp.31, 32;Footnote(48)p. 43; Footnotes(4)and(5)page 12; Footnote(85)p. 81.
90Written in 1917.
Written in 1917.
91Cp. Note 7.
Cp. Note 7.