The Truth Or The Religious Element (2)

THE TRUTH OR THE RELIGIOUS ELEMENT (2)

The Qur’an calls for a return to the primitive unity. The union which all the good-natured souls cherish and desire. It suffices to pronounce its name for opening the hearts of excellent disposition. Doubtless, this a primary step, but the whole thing resides in the importance of the programme and the method in Islam.

We believe that the point of departure, the nucleus around which the system of the Qur’anic argumentation is organized, consists of a central idea of a transcendent artisan who created all things in the world and on whom they all depend. What makes this idea successful is that it corresponds with the religious unity, which the Qur’an had intended to re-establish because schism cannot spring up without pluralism,

“Say (O Muhammad) “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians); come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords besides Allâh. Then if they turn away, say. “Bear witness that we are Muslim”. (III, 64);

“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to (hem); “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you: our Ilah (God) and your Ilah (God) is One (i.e. Allâh), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims )”. (XXIX, 46).

On the other hand, being so elevated above all the religious narrow particularities, this idea reminds mankind of the eternal truth which has never ceased to be known or easily recognized by all.

In fact, even the pagan Arabs, who had fallen into idolatry, had recognized a Supreme God, Creator of the Universe and Administrator of the celestial world,

“And if you were to ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?” They will surely reply: “Allâh”. How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?” (XXIX, 61).

This belief is due to traces of Patriarchs religion (Abraham and Ishmael) and also to a germ in human minds and souls,

“And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): “Am I not your Lord?” They said: “Yes We testify, “lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: “Verily, we have been unaware of this.” (VII, 172).