An Islamic PerspectiveWe sat comfortably around his book-laden desk. I began my questions about higher levels of consciousness. Dr. Siddiqi readily understood. "Islam is a way of peace and perfection, and a Muslim is a person striving toward that way. A Muslim is working toward peace in the full sense of the word — not just absence of war — peace, meaning wholeness, completeness, being without any defect, without any inadequacy, being perfect, being full. A Muslim is not claiming that he is perfect, but he is striving, struggling within himself and with the society around him, to reach to that goal, to that aim that he has before himself. Islam is a continuous struggle, a continuous work." ... I stopped, then went on. "This furthers my question. How should a Muslim look upon people of a different faith?" "Islam gives a sense of great commitment to God. The Muslim knows that Islam is a way that is shown by God — the way of truth, the way of kindness," Dr. Siddiqi emphasized. "A Muslim’s duty is to live according to that commitment, truth and kindness. Also, the Muslim is to show other people this path of goodness and guidance, without judging the other people. A Muslim is not supposed to say that all these other people are going to hell." "That’s what I was wondering," I commented, as my mind filled with images of political Christian, Jewish, and Muslim devastation from the Mideast. "Yes, a Muslim is not supposed to say other people are going to hell. But a Muslim should always say that ‘This is the truth that I am shown through Prophet Mohammed. This is the message of truth that has come in the Koran, and it is my duty to live according to this message myself and to tell other people—because this message has to be proclaimed."’ Dr. Siddiqi leaned forward. "I have to declare this message to people. I have to tell the people, and then it’s up to the people to accept the message or not to accept it." |
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