Islam Rediscovered
14. Spirituality in Islam
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14. SPIRITUALITY IN ISLAM
What is spirituality?—or
rabbaniyat
, to use the
Qur’anic term. It is the elevation of the human
condition to a plane on which the mind is focused
on the higher, non-material realities of a godly
existence. The opposite of spirituality is
materialism, a course followed all too often in this
world. One who takes this course, giving all his
attention to worldly things, or to put it another way,
who centres his attention on mere appearances, is
regarded as being materialistic. Conversely, one
who rises above material things or appearances,
who finds his focus of interest in non-material
things, is regarded as being spiritual or godly. The
latter is one who obeys the injunction of the Qur’an:
“Be devoted servants of God” (3:79) or,
alternatively, “O people, be godly servants of
Allah.”
To understand what constitutes materialism,
imagine that you come across a palatial house, or
see an attractive car being driven along the street. If
a strong desire is kindled within you to have such
things in your possession, that is a clear indication
