From: Khoo Hock Aun (hockaun@pc.jaring.my)
Date: Tue Feb 17 2004 - 13:05:55 GMT
Hello Khalil,
Before we go further with the discussion on Islam and how it might relate
to the MOQ, I would like to find out how "mainstream" Islam views Sufism.
I understand the Sufi tradition still has a following in the West,
especially in the UK and in certain countries such as Turkey where the
secular environment has allow this particular branch of Islam to exist if
not to flourish without persecution. My readings and understanding of
Sufism all stem from the underlying premise that unstructured dynamic
appreciation of the universe leads to a level of insight which allows
reality to be perceived without the distinctions that ordinarily come
with "things".
Historically, Islamic tradition and Buddhism converged in Central Asia
immediately after the 7th Century following the expansion of the
Caliphates eastward. The Buddhist influences on Sufism is unmistakable to
an outside observer - and even to the traditionalist muslim, bith Sunni
and Shia - to the extent that they would regard Sufism as the Devil's
Work and those engaging in it would be commiting shirik - the worshipping
of another other than Allah. The Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan were
destroyed by the Taliban to eradicate the alien cultural past which could
have very well been accommodated by Sufism.
I understand that mainstream Islam is very literal and dogmatic, even
within the Hadith and Quran-only camps, and allows room for spiritual
experience only within the prescriptions of the literal Quran. Sufism on
the other hand represents the experiential side of Islam, the
non-rational, non-logical path that correlates with the Zen approach. The
perception of emotionalism and rationalisation for violence in mainstream
Islam has been the result of the deadly work of the zealous few but as
long as the majority are cowed by the dogmatic imams and their brethren,
there is no room for a moderate and erudite Sufism to emerge.
Islam is in the throes of a practical real world struggle with its own
dogmas. Do you think there is a chance for Sufism to emerge once again,
finding common ground with the other religions of the world ?
Rgds
Khoo Hock Aun
Khalil wrote:
I'm new to the group so forgive me if this is a subject that has already
had an airing on MD but I was surprised after reading Lila that apart
from a couple of almost disparaging remarks about Moslems and mullahs no
other connection was made.
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