Unity, as taught by Islam
"It became clear to him that every [species], although apparently a multiplicity - if one considered all its separate organs, senses and movements - was really a unity if seen in terms of that spirit which emanated from [the heart] and spread from there to all other organs.
He concluded that the spirit indwelling [all] species is a unity but divided among many hearts.
Considered in this way, [all] species [is] a single entity and its many members were as the many organs in one individual: thus, not a multiplicity but a unity."
- Ibn Tufail, "The Journey of the Soul" (a short 62 page story that may be one of the most important I've yet to read. A strong recommendation for you to order, read and reflect upon.)
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Philosopher Ibn Tufail is better known in the West as Abubacer, teacher of Averros, teacher of Avicenna. For those of you interested in philosophy, you already know that these are among the Greats. This short story is worth your time as it is considered a part of the foundation on which stood many of the later philosophers.
He concluded that the spirit indwelling [all] species is a unity but divided among many hearts.
Considered in this way, [all] species [is] a single entity and its many members were as the many organs in one individual: thus, not a multiplicity but a unity."
- Ibn Tufail, "The Journey of the Soul" (a short 62 page story that may be one of the most important I've yet to read. A strong recommendation for you to order, read and reflect upon.)
********************
Philosopher Ibn Tufail is better known in the West as Abubacer, teacher of Averros, teacher of Avicenna. For those of you interested in philosophy, you already know that these are among the Greats. This short story is worth your time as it is considered a part of the foundation on which stood many of the later philosophers.
Labels: Books / Reading, Faith, Quote Unquote
posted by just a girl at 12:35 PM
6 Comments:
Is this the basis for the Muslim idea that we are all equal where race, color and class structure created by man has made a hierarchy?
Thomas
hi Thomas - I've never really thought about that...but it seems like a very natural linking back and forth. So, I'm going to go with 'yes' :)
It's nice to see you commenting regularly,
Maha
I'm writing this down and keeping it with me. It's so much that I feel lonely and alone.
Thank you.
Maha.. Your quote reminded me of a verse from the Quran I have come to memorize and use a lot to remind people, all people, that we are all indeed part of a whole, an entity with the spirit of "God" whatever it is you think of who "God" is, at its core:
“O humankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is the most pious of you. And God has full knowledge and is well-acquainted with all things. [Chapter 49:Verse 13]
It's really such a shame that Islam is seen as so intolerant, when the more I learn and study it the more I understand that it may be the only 'religion' that accepts all other faiths and prophets.
I was raised Christian and I was not taught tolerance toward Muslims. It's only as an adult and by my own searching that I have learned that it's Islam that's the most tolerant of the three greatest religions.
Thomas
What a crazy cover on that book! I didn't know those dudes were Arab (or were they Muslim?), I always thought they were Greek.
That's a nice thought, though, that makes sense in the bigger plan. If the Germans had believed this, that we were all from the same "Being" (that's what it means yah?) then the Holocaust would have never happened. -lily
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