I. Truth by Authority (taqlid).
But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects,
each
group rejoicing in its tenets.
Sura 23:53
In his book, Deliverance from Error, he responded to questions
about his intellectual journey from blind belief in a religious authority (taqlid)
to Sufism. Perceptively, Al-Ghazali thought that
authority-based opinions (taqlid) did not lead to infallible truth.
You have begged me to relate to the difficulties I encountered in my attempt
to extricate the truth from the confusion of contending sects and to distinguish
the different ways and methods, and the venture I made in climbing from the
plain of naive and second-hand belief (taqlid) to the peak of vision. You
want me to describe, firstly what profit I derived from the science of theology
(kalam), secondly, what I disapproved of in the methods of the party of
ta'lim (authoritative instruction), who restrict that apprehension of truth
to the blind following (taqlid) of the Imam, thirdly, what I rejected of
the methods of philosophy, and lastly what I approved in the Sufi way of life. -
p.19
Al-Ghazali noted that all religions of the world claim that they alone have
the right way.
You must know—and may God most high perfect you in the right way and soften
your hearts to receive the truth—that the different religious observances and
religious communities of the human race and likewise the different theological
systems of the religious leaders, with all the multiplicity of sects and variety
of practices, constitute ocean depths in which the majority drown and only a
minority reach safely. Each separate group thinks that it alone is saved, and
'each party is rejoicing in what they have' (Q. 23,55[53]; 30,31[32]) - p. 20
But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each
group rejoicing in its tenets. Sura 23:53 Pickthal's translation
Those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,- each party
rejoicing in that which is with itself! Sura 30:32 Yusuf Ali's translation
Al-Ghazali wrote, "I saw that Christian youths always grew up to be Christians, Jewish youths
to be Jews and Muslim youths to be Muslims." In other words,
Christians, Jews, and Muslims all think they have the true religion. Al-Ghazali's
observation is true.
To thirst after a comprehension of things as they really are was my habit and
custom from a very early age. It was instinctive with me, a part of my God-given
nature, a matter of temperament and not of my choice or contriving.
Consequently, as I drew near the age of adolescence the bonds of mere authority
(taqlid) ceased to hold me and inherited beliefs lost their grip upon me,
for I saw that Christian youths always grew up to be Christians, Jewish youths
to be Jews and Muslim youths to be Muslims. I heard, too, the Tradition related
of the Prophet of God according to which he said: 'Everyone who is born is born
with a sound nature;1 it is his parents who make him a Jew or a
Christian or a Magian'. My inmost being was moved to discover what this original
nature really was and what the beliefs derived from the authority of parents and
teachers really were. The attempt to distinguish between these authority-based
opinions and their principles developed the mind, for in distinguishing the true
in them from the false differences appeared. - p.21 (emphasis added)
Hence, it is vital there is intellectual and religious freedom to
investigate the claims of the different religions without fear of intimidation,
persecution, or execution. As Al-Ghazali noted, religion should not be based upon a blind
authoritarian faith. Al-Ghazali is an inspiring example of a person who freely
sought the truth in spite of pronouncements by religious authorities and powers.
Al-Ghazali argued that religious
authority is not an adequate standard of truth. We fully agree with Al-Ghazali's
logical and rational claim. Tragically, many are prevented from seeking
sincerely the truth by Islamic governmental authorities, who are fearful of an
objective and open search for the truth. Even though Al-Ghazali is praised as a
great scholar by today's Muslims, they have no use for his open search for
truth.
Last edited 08/12/2001
Top of Page.
|
