The Islamic Golden Age (mid 8th to 13th C.) was influenced by such Quranic injunctions and hadith as "the ink of scientists is equal to the blood of martyr's" stressing the value of ADVANCING knowledge and individual contribution to Allah (the whole). The resulting outpouring of knowledge from scholars in the fields of science, the arts, literature, philosophy, and engineering technology - both through preserving the world's past body of knowledge and new, unique innovations - CAUSED the European Renaissance & its ideal- individual creativity as a RESPONSIBILITY which still infuses western society today.
In Islam -as in Judaism- there is no higher level of achievement than 'prophet' - WHATEVER unique gifts one receives from God/Allah, they should contribute to the whole through the process of unselfing/internal jihad/altruism. In light of CURRENT tribalism/jihadism, can Muhammad's original vision - uniting warring tribes into a movement for the greater good, EVER be reestablished?
2007-09-08
05:15:30
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14 answers
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asked by
MysticMaze
6
in
Religion & Spirituality