Islam In The Third Millennium

Islam, after many centuries, in the world’s most open, intellectually developed, and creative civilization has lost its way for a long time. Muslims are now engaged in sectarian rivalries and mutually destructive activities, simultaneously developing a narrow view of the broader world—failing to make much progress for a long time and acting aimlessly they seem to be a misfit with other people. Along with the usual ideas of reformation of Islam, this book incorporates many lateral and radical thoughts. These may inspire Muslims to regain vitality, make progress, and live in harmony with other people for a peaceful world.

Collected in entirety for the very first time, this study reflects more than 25 years of close contact with the Sufi Masters of Central Anatolia, with much of that time spent in the presence of the peerless Sufi teacher Mr. Ahmet Kayhan. Out of the author's association with this personality has emerged this in-depth look at the famous and mysterious Oral Tradition of Sufism. Topics covered include the concepts of compassion and mercy, universality, ethics, faith, charity, destiny, death and the afterlife, and more. Combining the rigor of anthropology with the devotion of a disciple, this book faithfully lays bare the comprehensive teachings of the man who may be the Sufi Saint of the Age.

Everywhere we turn we see miracles. Humans, animals, water -- everything is a miracle. Muslims know the Miracle of Allah to be the Holy Qur'an, a book, but no ordinary book. True, it may be on paper and written in ink like millions of other books, but this book is the Final Revelation of Allah. Within it is contained the guidance to being a better person, a Muslim, the person who worships Allah, the Creator of the Worlds. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her for being one of the beloved wives of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said of him after his death: "He was the Qur'an in action". The first word revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) by the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) was 'Iqra' which means 'Read!' The future is not about wars, it is about information, and the best information is knowledge. Muslim scholars through the ages have written volumes on every aspect of life using this word, 'Read!' as the basis for their inspiration. Islam is a force which cannot be hijacked -- its Message is universal and the more people that know The Truth, the more can embrace it. Thus, a book recommending the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) is to be the foundation on which to spread Islam in the Millennium. This book is addressed to all of Mankind, but its true value lies in the Message to those who are the Best of Mankind, the Ummah of Muslims. It is intended to provide hope and guidance to Muslims, those who submit to Allah, but it also acts as a warning. It is a warning to those who fear Islam becoming the dominant force. Have no fear -- Islam will become the dominant force of the future. This book is also for non-Muslims who are disillusioned with the greed, corruption, moral decay, poverty, evil and hatred that surrounds them. You know that there is a better world out there, where life is better, where people are nice and decent to each other, where the right laws are enforced in the right way, where the rich give to the poor, where man regards his fellow man like his own brother. This book will hopefully show you that better world. The best weapons of any battle are not the latest in technology -- it is always knowledge. The ideas, notions and values that are contained here are those that nobody can ever criticise as a whole -- the concept is too strong and the earliest intention is the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in the history of humanity, the only book to neither be changed nor contain any error is the Holy Qur'an. The simpleton and the intellectual will both be convinced if Allah wills. However, like any other book, it is not what we have read, but what we have learned. The moment we learn, the world will change. This book is dedicated to Allah, the Provider of Guidance, the Professor of Majesty and Beauty, and His Messenger, the Best Example of Mankind, and to all Muslims, the Best of Mankind (HQ, 3.110).

As the world becomes increasingly globalised Islam faces some important choices. Does it seek to "modernise" in line with the cultures in which it is practised, or does it retain its traditions even if they are at odds with the surrounding society? This book utilizes a critical rationalist viewpoint to illuminate many of the hotly contended issues in modern Islam, and to offer a fresh analysis. A variety of issues within Islam are discussed in this book including, Muslims and modernity; Islam, Christianity and Judaism; approaches to the understanding of the Quran; Muslim identity and civil society; doctrinal certainty and violent radicalism. In each case, the author makes use of Karl Popper’s theory of critical rationalism to uncover new aspects of these issues and to challenge post-modern, relativist, literalist and justificationist readings of Islam. This is a unique perspective on contemporary Islam and as such will be of significant interest to scholars of Religious Studies, Islamic Studies and the Philosophy of Religion.