Jiva

MIND, MATTER AND GOD : JIVA, JADA AND ISVARA
M.M.NINAN
Islam began as a legalistic religion in the early 6 th century. It is considered as a reaction
to the deterioration of Christian culture in Arabia. The usual date of beginning of Islam
is given as 622 AD when Mohemed fled from Mecca to Medina.
The visions of
Mohamed and his revelations form the basis of Quran. The Islam placed little more
than a code of ethics combined with a set of rituals. The faithful who observed
observance of these was deemed sufficient to satisfy every man's religious quest and
ensure him a place in heaven.
God is considered as the totally other being who
demanded worship and absolute obedience. In that it is dvaitic dualistic theology.
During the Ummayad period, Islam made direct contact with Eastern Christianity and
other oriental religions, a deeply mystical movement arose within its realm. The
movement is known as Sufism (tasawwuf) and its followers are known as Sufis. In
India it resonated with the Bhakthi movement and falls at the same period. he Bhakti
Movement took place in south India between the 7th and 12th centuries. It moved to
North India under the scholars like Namdeva (14th centuries) and Ramananda (14th
century). The ideas were taken up by Kabir and Nanak, who made a strong plea for
Hindu-Muslim unity.
12 orders or silsilahs existed at that time which falls under two groups: Ba-shara
(those who followed the Islamic law) and Be-shara (those who were not bound by
Islamic law). The two orders which acquired importance in India were the Chisti and
Surhawardi silsilahs. The most famous of the Chisti saints were Nizam- ud-Din Auliya
and Nasir-ud-Din Chirag-i-Delhi.
Ali is considered to be the "Father of Sufism" in Islamic tradition.
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