World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 445

SUFI SPIRITUALITY AND UNIVERSAL HARMONY: A RATIONAL APPROACH IN SOCIO-CULTURAL VIEWPOINT
- Dr. Md. Sirajul Islam
It is generally believe that the present age is an age of science. But I am not at one in this view. In my opinion, the present age is an age of science and humanism both. It seems to me that the later one is much more important in this ultra modern society because it is related to our existence. The former one is related to our progress where as the later is keenly entangled with our existence and our existence are much more rudimentary than our progress because our progress presupposes our existence. It is also true that without progress the development of this world seems nullification and futile. Therefore, now there is an enormous debate between the two terms, i.e. science and human harmony and people are thinking deliberately, which one is much more radical? Some say science and human harmony are antagonistic to each other and one is pole apart from another. Hence, one is entirely different from the other. I think it is not correct, rather both are complementary to each other. Although human harmony has diversified forms, however, religious humanism becomes popular day by day due to its harmonious appeal. In my viewpoint it is the last hope to save the humanity. Religious humanism does not mean a prayer in the lonely cell or embracing monastic life. Religious humanism stresses upon the inner abysses of religion that is the cream of religious harmony which is deeply associated with human harmony. There is a tremendous crisis of human harmony in our present society. People are much more fascinated to the superficial strueture of religion and generally the inner propensities of religion are eluded. This inner abyss signifies trans-empirical outlook of religion which is purely transcendental and spiritual too. Spirituality in not the monopoly of religion only rather it is continuous movement of human heart. Many scientists discarded spirituality as a subject of dogmatism and claim that it indulges pessimism. But the world famous scientist Albert Einstein says: there are many dazzling instances in the universe which are not easily apprehend able those are highly mystical, hence their interpretation need specific understanding which can be treated as spiritual for their specific understanding. Some others say spirituality is inevitable because materialism and spiritualism are the two sides of the same coin. Every element of the universe has two sides, i.e. external and internal. Science deals the external side of this element associated with the matter, where as spirituality is mainly conscious for internal aspect of that element which is basically related with the spirit. Therefore, they believe, spirituality possesses a universal character like science. There is no basic difference between these two, both are interrelated and the quest for knowledge and truth. However, their approaches are different.
Scientist is mainly concerned for worldly satiation and aspiration,
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