The Tenets of the Muslim Path
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1. How does one learn the teachings of your tradition?
Through sacred texts, mentors and meditation
2. Does your tradition accept an authoritative body or council? If so, how active are they in the every day life of the practitioner?
Not exactly an authoritative body but there are scholars who have studied the A'Quran and understand its meanings and interpretations as to the right way to accomplish salat (prayer) for example. The second authority for Muslims is the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). A Hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, did, or approved. Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.'
'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
(This is from the Hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Baihaqi.)
3. Does your spiritual tradition acknowledge a higher power? If so, what is the nature of this higher power? Is it a personal divine being or a non-personal energy or state. How do you refer to this higher power?
Yes, Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God, in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist and Jesus, (peace be upon them). But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Gabriel.
4. What is the relationship between Divinity and humanity?
Allah is over all, the most merciful.
5. What is the relationship between humans, animals, plants and elements?
To coexist peacefully.
6. In your tradition, is there a conception of matter and of spirit, and if so, what is the relationship between the two?
Yes, Allah is the all knowing, supreme
7. Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.
Many people still think that Muslims are not to be trusted, that we are against the government and sympathetic to terrorists. These are the farthest thing from the truth. People can misuse and abuse a teaching regardless of which way they are looking - whether on the inside looking out or the outside looking in. There are deviants and fanatics in every tradition, but these people to not reflect the hearts of the masses or the intended teachings.
Through sacred texts, mentors and meditation
2. Does your tradition accept an authoritative body or council? If so, how active are they in the every day life of the practitioner?
Not exactly an authoritative body but there are scholars who have studied the A'Quran and understand its meanings and interpretations as to the right way to accomplish salat (prayer) for example. The second authority for Muslims is the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). A Hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, did, or approved. Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.'
'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
(This is from the Hadith collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Baihaqi.)
3. Does your spiritual tradition acknowledge a higher power? If so, what is the nature of this higher power? Is it a personal divine being or a non-personal energy or state. How do you refer to this higher power?
Yes, Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God, in the Angels created by Him, in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist and Jesus, (peace be upon them). But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Gabriel.
4. What is the relationship between Divinity and humanity?
Allah is over all, the most merciful.
5. What is the relationship between humans, animals, plants and elements?
To coexist peacefully.
6. In your tradition, is there a conception of matter and of spirit, and if so, what is the relationship between the two?
Yes, Allah is the all knowing, supreme
7. Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.
Many people still think that Muslims are not to be trusted, that we are against the government and sympathetic to terrorists. These are the farthest thing from the truth. People can misuse and abuse a teaching regardless of which way they are looking - whether on the inside looking out or the outside looking in. There are deviants and fanatics in every tradition, but these people to not reflect the hearts of the masses or the intended teachings.
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