Islamic Intellectualism and the Philosophy of Unity of Being(<Special Issue>Islam and Religious Studies)

Abstract

The philosophy of Unity of Being has its roots in the Islamic doctrine of the Unity of God. Throughout their history, Muslims have attempted to understand the true meaning of the declaration of faith, that "there is only one God, and Muhammad is the apostle of God." Many Muslim thinkers have left us the fruits of their intellectual activities, which were centered around the doctrine of the Unity of God. In the works of the philosophers of Unity of Being, the key-concept is usually understood as having three meanings, namely, ordinary meaning, spiritual meaning and ultimate meaning. The doctrine of the Unity of God is also regarded to have these three meanings. Wayfarers on spiritual journeys start from the ordinary meaning of the key-concept, and then go on to understand the spiritual meaning, and finally, the ultimate meaning. Other keywords such as "one, " "being, " and others, are also regarded to have these three meanings. This analytic method was united with the theory of Heart Purification in the philosophy of Unity of Being. Wayfarers are believed to attain the ultimate meaning of the key-concept in the state of a most purified heart. Therefore, the philosophy of Unity of Being can be regarded as a device to induce human intellect to attain the deepest insights into utmost reality. When the philosophy of Unity of Being was introduced into China, its analytic method exerted great influence on Sino-Muslim philosophers, and a Chinese version of the philosophy of Unity of Being blossomed in China. The philosophy of Unity of Being is a philosophical tradition in Islam which is able to grow in various cultures.