On Being Muslim: Wisdom from The Risale-i Nur

Who is a Muslim?

September 09, 2022 Zeyneb Sayilgan Season 1 Episode 2
On Being Muslim: Wisdom from The Risale-i Nur
Who is a Muslim?
Show Notes Transcript Chapter Markers

For an excellent introduction read Exploring Islam: Theology and Spiritual Practice in America by Salih Sayilgan

I would be grateful if you make this work more accessible to others by leaving a ***rating or submitting a quick review

The German version of this podcast is HERE

For an excellent introduction read Exploring Islam: Theology and Spiritual Practice in America by Salih Sayilgan

Who is a Muslim?

Every Human Being is muslim

The Islamic tradition teaches that every human being is born pure, sinless and that their default position is one of innocence and goodness. Every human being is born with a clean slate. Every human being is born as a muslim - meaning that they are born with an inclination towards faith. An inclination, a propensity to believe, rely and seek help from something or someone. The choice where to direct this inclination belongs to the human being however. The potential is there if one makes good use of it. This is also called fitra - that pure original or primordial human nature. As a human being grows up, external temptations, negative distractions, outer influences kick in and can change that disposition. Surely, context and upbringing are significant and Islam acknowledges that nature and nurture both play a complicated role. Fundamentally, though, it is the decision and choice of every human being whether to surrender to God or something else: do you submit to God or your lower ego, do you rely on God or on yourself, or on other beings, do you seek help from science and causes or understand that ultimately all beings and causes are created by God and therefore seek God alone? Do you turn to creatures or to your Creator? This is the question that Islam constantly issues. Creatures are fallible, flawed, unstable, imperfect, limited and weak just like every human being - or does one believe, rely and seek help from someone ever present, absolutely Compassionate, Wise and Powerful? Again, it is an individual choice.

Muslim - A Witness to God’s Oneness

The avoidance of associating anything, including the own ego, or any other being with God is thus a central part of the Islamic message. Islam declares “There is no god but God.” Nothing can be worshiped except God. In the process of freely and consciously surrendering to God one attains peace within oneself and outside - just like the universe. How does free surrender and free submission look practically? In any given situation throughout the day one is given two choices: either to feel, think and do in a way that is pleasing to God and be mindful of Him or feel, think and act in a way that is disconnected from God. One of the meanings of the term tawhid which is translated often as monotheism or as a declaration of “the Oneness of God,”  is also to “connect” to that Oneness. It is to be a witness of God in any circumstance, to bring the Divine voice into the center of one’s being and act in accordance with it. The tradition is full of divine guidance on how to live a life most fulfilling by being in constant connection with God. It is to ask the question: How do you live a life that is fully dedicated to God and be most pleasing to Him? The domain of thinking, feeling and doing - all are ideally directed towards God. It is a three-dimensional enterprise.

The Whole Muslim

If someone is in love, they are constantly concerned with expressing that overwhelming love in every situation of their lives. That love is permeating all aspects of their being. On the journey of Islam one is freed and liberated from inner and outer pressures or the concern to please anything or anyone. This effort really cultivates peace, which is to reiterate the other meaning of Islam besides surrender and submission. At the end, everyone aims for true liberation and for true freedom. However, if the person seeks attention from someone other than God, begs for applause or praise, and demands constant appreciation, their self-worth becomes defined by others or by worldly or societal expectations. As a result, one is never truly free but chained by all kinds of influences and forces. If a human being constantly chases their inner desires or is obsessed with consuming material things could this be called absolute freedom? The person might think they are in full control, but in fact they have given control of themselves to others. Free surrender to creatures or to the Creator - the choice belongs to the human being. At the end, everyone has to answer only to the One - the Creator of all. This understanding leads to full liberation because one is only concerned with God alone. 

Being Muslim: True Liberation

A human being who freely decides to follow God’s guidance and makes an effort to consciously surrender to God is called a Muslim. This is why Muslims begin every action with the sacred formula Bismillahir Rahman ar-Rahim - In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. It is a prayer, an attempt to align one’s thinking, feeling and acting with God’s name and to seek His love, attention, praise and pleasure alone. What does a Muslim hope for in the process? A Muslim strives for wholeness, completeness, tranquility, balance and harmony within their heart and outside by following the will of God - knowing that their Creator has the best interests at heart for humankind and all creation. Becoming Muslim is a life-long journey, it is a process. It is not always easy to surrender the whole self - body, mind and heart included. To surrender one’s thinking, emotions, and actions to the One God is no easy task. Human beings are complex and have so many facets to their being. To completely surrender every aspect of human existence is a life-long task. That might never be accomplished fully - but the way is the goal. Progress and not perfection, sincerity and the intention - that’s what the tradition highlights the most. A Prophetic tradition notes that the greatest struggle in life is the struggle against one’s own lower self, the struggle against one’s negative inclinations and feelings and pressures. 

Becoming Muslim: A Lifelong Journey

The Islamic tradition is one that places great importance on the intention: Actions are judged by intentions, states one Prophetic tradition. Perfection might never be achieved in a short human life but the sincere effort, the sincere intention that is expressed for positive change counts the most. In a culture that tends to be result-oriented and focused on the visible, tangible material outcome this is a hopeful and comforting message. Islam is a process oriented religion, placing emphasis on effort and intention. God is perfect, humans are not. Human vulnerability and weakness can be embraced. While being ambitious for change, humility is cultivated as well. It is a message of compassion, the central tenet of Islam. Let’s imagine someone who is working in the office all day long but has not reached the desired task the supervisor had assigned. If this occurs frequently, the employee will most likely face some consequences. Islam, however, presents a Creator who is Absolutely Compassionate and One who always gives people another chance to return. God looks at sincere intentions even though one might fall short in producing a positive outcome. As long as God is witness to the effort and inner struggle for positive change nothing is in vain.

After the end of every ritual prayer, Muslims recite the famous supplication: “Oh our Lord, You are Peace and from You comes all Peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor.” The other day I was reading a beautiful quote that pretty much summed up to me the whole Islamic enterprise and I would like to share it with you and end on that note: And then it happens...One day you wake up and you’re in this place. You are in this place where everything feels right. Your heart is calm. Your soul is lit. Your thoughts are positive. Your vision is clear. You are at peace, at peace with where you have been, at peace with what you have been through and at peace with where you are headed.



Every Human Being is muslim
Muslim - A Witness to God’s Oneness
The Whole Muslim
Being Muslim: True Liberation
Becoming Muslim: A Lifelong Journey