Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
11. The Concept of Spirituality in Islam
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spirituality. This concept has been explained by Acharya Rajneesh
in his book,
“Kundalini Andar Base.”
However this concept of
man-oriented spirituality called “indwelling God” by Pandu Rang
Shashtri, founder of the Swadhyaye Movement, is not corroborated
by Islam. According to Islam man has no such spiritual treasure
house existing independently. For man is a taker-creature. He
receives everything from his Creator.
The concept of spirituality in Islam is based on the principle of
God-realisation. God is the treasure house of all virtues. And when
man’s contact with God is established, in the world of his feelings,
at the psychological level, an unseen, inner revolution is brought
about which is called spirituality. In this matter the relationship
between God and man can be likened to an electric wire and the
power house. When the wire is connected to the power house,
electricity is produced, and the place is lit up. In this way, light is
the result of the wire’s connection to the power house of God.
Human nature is like an inflammable element. When an
inflammable element like petrol comes near fire, it is ignited.
Similarly, human nature is awakened when it comes in contact with
God.
This finds expression in the Quran in these words:
Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. The
metaphor of His light is that of a niche in which there is
a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant
star, lit by a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east
