An Introduction to Spiritual Determinism Essential Knowledge for Today Omar Zaid, M.D.

1. An Introduction toSpiritual Determinism Essential Knowledge for Today Omar Zaid, M.D. Insight III Kuala Lumpur Sep 2012

2. Premise: Islam Is Not A ReligionIt is Revealed Divine Guidance for Beneficial & Successful Living.As such, there are absolute rules that govern both effort and outcome over which man has no say whatsoever. These laws pre-determine the consequences of man’s success or failure.

3. The results of failure

4. Inverse Components opposites

5. IbnKhaldun on the importance of Divine Laws

6. divine laws affectingmenare all for their good. Bad laws, on the other hand [inverse] all result from [a] stupidity [ignorance]; and [b] from Satan [suggestion], in opposition to the predestination [pre-determination] and power of God. Divine Laws governthe actions of all responsible Muslims. - IbnKhaldun THE MUQADDIMAHThe Introduction and Book One of the World History, Kitabal-Ibar, p. 132; Vol. 2. P. 212, IbnKhadun,

7. Key Words: Divine Law : rules that govern(guide) by God’s Power Good: Man’s Benefit (here & Hereafter) = positive effect Inverse : Bad Law or leadership (governance) invites negative or opposite (inverse) effects Allah’s Predestination : outcome is predetermined;meaning divine laws are determinants -- as are their negative or inverse consequences. Allah’s Power : Implication is that man’s choice has no effect on the outcomes of these determinants.

8. IbnKhaldun on Leadership & The loss of Dominion • man is a natural leader by virtue of the fact that he has been made a representative (of God on earth). • when a leader is deprived of his leadership and prevented from exercising all his powers, he becomes apathetic • apathy comes over a people when they lose control of their own affairs and become instruments of others and dependent upon them. • Hope diminishes and weakens the institution

9. Consequences • through apathy - when group feelingdisappears under the impact of defeat: • Civilization decreases • Business and other activities stop. • Strength dwindles • People become victims of anyone who tries to dominate them • and prey to anyone who has the appetite. • The group that has lost control (leadership) of its own affairs continues to weaken and disintegrate until it perishes (decays).

10. Key Words & Concepts: Representative(of God on Earth): Leaders Exercise of Powercontrol Dominioncontrol Apathycarelessness Dependent(defeat) enslavement Instruments of Othersenslavement Hope Diminishesno jihad Weakhelpless Group Feeling (unity)identity lost or confused Victimsblame others / pity Disintegrate/Perish/decaydestruction

11. Key Words & Concepts: Representative Leaders Exercise of Power control Dominionovercome all challengers Apathycarelessness Dependent(defeat) enslavement Instruments of Others enslavement Hope Diminishes no jihad Weak helpless Group Feeling identity lost or confuse Victims blame others / pity Disintegrate/Perish/decay destruction Divine Law Good Inverse = Harm Predestination Determinants Allah’s Power Loss of which is therefore Allah’s judgment

12. Spiritual Determinism Life is Limited by Divine Laws for man’s benefit Divine Law’s have InverseEffects For Man’s Harm When not Obeyed Peace & Security Are Forfeit This is an autonomous result LEADERS LEADERSLEADERS

13. “Where is the God of Mohammad?”

14. Answer (in truth): Those claiming to be His representatives are defeated because they neglect the reality of Spiritual Law and God has abandoned them (i.e. judged them) as promised. Why? Because the sunnah of Allah swt never changes. IbnKhaldun’s Observation The defeated party is impressed by the respect it has for the victor. They erroneously assume that their subservience is due to the to the perfection of the victor rather than their own misdeeds. The vanquished can always be observed to assimilate themselves to the victor in the use and style of dress, mounts, and weapons; indeed, in everything… it is a sign of their defeat and the dominion of others.

15. The premise for Muslim defeat and consequent assimilation is what I call • Spiritual Determinism • What are Spiritual Determinants ? • Metaphysical forcesDivine Power • That establish Spiritual Laws • WhichabsolutelyOverride Mankind’s Will • Determineresults of man’s actions benefit or harm •  They actually fix predetermined consequences •  [fate] this is to say: the direct result of our actions

16. Hence, Muslim Leaders are best advised to understand these principles & laws before administering their duties.

17. There are Three Principles or Pillars of Spiritual Determinism These principles Establish all Spiritual Law These principles were defined by the Prophet(pbh) on the day he entered Medina They encompass and describe the entire Medina Experience, Constitution & ‘Group Feeling’

19. Spiritual Determinism First Principle • Fear of God (Medina Speech) • … ”My words cannot be changed nor am I indeed unjust to the slaves.” (Q 50:29) Therefore fear him in this world and the world to come -- in the seen and the unseen -- • since who fears Him, God grants him redemption for his sins and favors him with great reward. This person alone is highly successful. • Fear of Allah saves man from His wrath, His punishment and anger. • This will brighten the faces of people and elevate them on the Day of Judgment. • Fear Allah, walk on the path of virtue and piety.

20. Key Words Fear Seen Unseen Success Walk Phrase: ‘ This person alone ’

21. Conclusions regarding Principle One: Fear of God • When established in the heart, it is the ground or basis for all sober contemplations [taffakur] leading to truth. • a) Result  BENEFIT -- Activates Positive Aspects of Spiritual Laws: Humility & Health Rule = leads to right decision making & right action: Wholistic / Tawhidic, sustainable, far-sighted, eco-socio-friendly. • B) It is the metaphysical ground upon which all responsible decisionsare made. • When not established in the Heart: • a) Result HARM -- Activates Negative Aspects **of Spiritual Law : Pride & corruption Rule= Wrong decision Wrong action irresponsible, non-tawhidic purview (myopic), e.g., materialist, consumerism, reductionist  enemy of Allah. • **inverse corollary of Spiritual Law  opposite force that causes harm

22. Spiritual Determinism:SecondPrinciple • Obedience to God (medina Speech) • Do not show anyslacknessin obedience to God. • Allah has revealed the Book for your teaching and has made the right path clear for your Guidance so that truth • can be distinguished fromfalsehood. [ i.e., discerned ] • Just as Allah has shown you His favor (grace), likewise, you should obey Him in right earnest. • Look upon His enemy as yoursand exert your best for winning His favor (Grace). • God has ordained that those who are to be destroyed will be swept away and those who are to survive, after the clear signs have come to them, • would live with insightand on the Strength of Evidence.

23. Key Words Slackness  Due Diligence truth distinguished  Discernment Falsehood Favor  Grace His enemy  Jihad live with  correct choice Insight

24. This passage defines the right path for correct decision making: • the attentive and firm application of man’s will towards choosing what is good by means of correct moral discernment. • The faculty of discernment actively segregatesbenefitfrom harm • This faculty is only acquired as the result of obedience to GodObedience to God is the direct result of Fearing God • Obedience demands assiduous (‘do not be slack’) attention to the acquisition of knowledge; • Acquisition of knowledge requires due diligence & study ; • Which leads to knowing & avoiding God’s Enemies

25. Conclusion: Slackness (laziness) in gaining knowledge & skill (no due diligence) causes a lack of Discernment  one cannot tell right from wrong Because one is ignorant ( incompetent )  cannot be guided because they have not improved faculties of insight and skill  cannot be obedient  cannot be on the ‘right path’ because they cannot effectively serve the Truth. If you do not serve the Truth ( have ability to be obedient ), the result is ??  HARM WILL SURELY COME

26. Harm

27. Spiritual Determinism:ThirdPrinciple • Remembrance of God (medina Speech) • No power is of any avail except the Power of Allah. Therefore, remember God as much as you can and live for the Hereafter. • The man whose relation with God is based on sincerity, Allah will help Him against evil. None will be able to harm him [protection]. • Allah’s command is supreme over the people [Authentic Authority]. But people cannot command God. • Allah alone is Master of all men and men have no share in His lordship. Therefore, keep your relation with Allah on the right footing.

28. Key Words & Phrases PowerGrace (Favor) RememberSeen & Unseen (Tawhid / Wholism) SincerityNo Slackness  Diligence (work) Master of all Humility (Fear & Sense of Shame) Right Footing Walk  Discernment / Insight / (Right Choice  Thought & Action) HereafterUnseen Command is Supreme Law  cannot be circumvented (No Escape : cat seeks opportunity)

29. Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash’arira relates that the Holy Prophet said, “The comparison between a person who remembers his Lord and the one who does not do so, is like that of the living and the dead.” “It is the remembrance of Allah which encourages you to undertake the striving.” Once, the Holy Prophet saw came out of his house. He saw some people engaged in Prayer in the Mosque. Some others were sitting in a circle talking of faith. He joined the latter group and said, “What these people are doing is better.” This shows that public proclamation is sometimes superior to remembrance in private.

30. Conclusions Regarding Principle Three The establishment of this ‘right footing’ of remembrance in a person’s life leads the spiritually sober person to choose treasures in heaven rather than the ‘goods and chattels of deception’ (materialism, consumerism). They humbly ‘remember’ the ‘Power’ of Allah and seek His favor (grace), initially out of fear, and later out of both fear & love (i.e., out of the experience of guidance which brings conviction and greater sincerity). Those who sincerely remember Allah live their lives for the Hereafter and in so doing they discipline themselves to diligently choose (discern) what is ultimately and absolutely beneficial: i.e., what is ethical and moral in the ‘here and now’.

31. Three Principles Fear, Obedience, Remembrance Avoid InverseEffects Maintain Peace & Security Spiritual Determinism LEADERS LEADERSLEADERS

32. Thank You Peace & Security in Palestine, circa 1900