An Impeccable Framework for The Fellowship Between Faiths

By T.O. Shanavas, New Age Islam 19 August 2024 “Faith Is Mysterious And Ineffable. It Is An Emotional, Not Necessarily A Rational, Experience. Religion, On The Other Hand, Is The Language We Use To Express Faith. It Is A Language Made Up Of Symbols And Metaphors That Allows People To Express To Each Other (And To Themselves) What Is, Almost By Definition, Inexpressible. ------ The wise words of renowned religious scholar Reza Aslan have deeply resonated with me, especially as I struggle to find the right words to express my faith and religious beliefs. Aslan's framework, which highlights the shared essence of faith across various religious traditions, offers a meaningful perspective. His wisely staid, “Faith is mysterious and ineffable. It is an emotional, not necessarily a rational, experience. Religion, on the other hand, is the language we use to express faith. It is a language made up of symbols and metaphors that allows people to express to each other (and to themselves) what is, almost by definition, inexpressible. I am Muslim not because I think Islam is "truer" than other religions (it isn't), but because Islam provides me with the "language" I feel most comfortable with in expressing my faith. It provides me with certain symbols and metaphors for thinking about God that I find useful in making sense of the universe and my place in it…while my personal well may be different and unique, the water I draw from it is the same water drawn from everyone else's wells. Indeed, having drunk from many wells in my spiritual journey, I consider it my mission in life to inform the world that, no matter the well, the water tastes just as sweet.”1 Then he quotes from Jalaluddin Rumi the following parable: A Persian, a Turk, an Arab and a Greek are traveling to a distant land when they begin arguing over how to spend the single coin they share in common. The Persian wants to spend the coin on Angur; the Turk, on Uzum; the Arab, on Inab; and the Greek, on Stafil. A linguist passing by overhears the argument. "Give the coin to me," he says. Taking the coin, the linguist goes to a nearby shop and buys the travellers four small bunches of grapes. "This is my Angur!" cries the Persian. "But this is what I call Uzum," replies the Turk. "You have brought me my Inab," the Arab says. "No! This in my language is Stafil," says the Greek. The travellers suddenly realize that they were all asking for the same thing, but in different languages. If people of all faiths approached their beliefs as Reza Aslan describes, the world would become a more peaceful and harmonious place to live. As a Muslim, I find no inherent contradiction between my faith, Islam, and the framework described by Reza Aslan. The Qur'an supports this perspective in many verses, including the following: “It is neither dependent on your (Muslim’s) whims nor the whims of the People of the Books (Jews and Christians), but whosever does misdeeds shall be punished for it, and will find no protector or friend apart from God; whoever, whether man or woman, does righteous deeds and is a believer of God will surely enter Paradise. None shall be deprived even an iota of his/her reward.” (Quran 4:123-124); "Every soul will receive its reward by measure of its endeavour." (Quran 20:15); "And to all are assigned degree according to the deeds which they have done, and in order that God may recompense the deeds, and no injustice be done to them." (Quran 46:19); “Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, - any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:62); “We sent down the Torah which contains guidance and light…Later, in the train of Prophets We send Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah which has been send down before him, and gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light. …Unto to you [O Muhammad] this writ (Qur’an) and a way and a pattern of life, confirming what were revealed before…Unto every one of you have We appointed a different law and way of life. And if God had so willed He could surely have you all made one single community professing one faith. But He wished to try you and test you. So try to excel in good deeds” (Quran: 5:44-48).; “…Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure…” (Quran 22:40); "Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists.” (Qur’an 3:67); “When his Lord said to him, Be a Muslim (أَسْلِمْ), he said: I submit myself (أَسْلَمْتُ) to the Lord of the worlds. And the same did Ibrahim enjoin on his sons and (so did) Jacob. O my sons! surely Allah has chosen for you (this) faith (الدِّينَ), therefore die not unless you are Muslims (مُسْلِمُونَ), Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac - one God. And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him (مُسْلِمُونَ)." (Quran 3:131-133); Here Jacob's instruction to his sons to die only as Muslims, aligning with the worship of one God, a testament to their submission. “When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples: "We are Allah's helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims (مُسْلِمِينَ).” (Qur’an 3:52). Ref: Reza Aslan: Why I am a Muslim ----- T.O. Shanavas is a native of Kerala, but is now based in the USA. He is the author of “Islamic Theory of Evolution The Missing Link Between Darwin and The Origin of Species.” Co-author of the book, And God Said, "Let There Be Evolution!": Reconciling The Book Of Genesis, The Qur'an, And The Theory Of Evolution. Edited by Prof. Charles M. Wynn and Prof. Arthur W. Wiggins. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/framework-fellowship-faiths/d/132979 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism