Idol worship: They have simply put their idols and images in His place.

[Guest guest]

" If we consider the most ancient evidence left by homo sapiens, we

can see that man has always been aware of the existence of a Supreme

Being, who is Lord of all things and of all living creatures.

 

Using every conceivable means, human beings of every era have always

tried to show their feelings of deep respect (and reverence) towards

God and to perform what is due to their Creator.

 

This is why Islam has always stressed the possibility of direct

communication with God. Even those who have fallen into idolatry have

never denied the existence of the Creator, but have simply put their

idols and images in His place. And this is still happening today.

This being the case, how can we recognise a true prophet and what is

his or her mission?

 

The mission of the prophets is to reveal the will of God, that is, to

provide a logical and tangible explanantion of religion as it is

experienced in our daily lives.

 

Genuine monotheism - the belief in a Supreme Being - means (or

implies) the unshakeable oneness of the whole creation between man

and God. Monotheism proves then, the pointlessness of idols and of

images that come between man and God. The mission of the prophets is

thus to set human beings on the right track, and in order to do this,

the prophets have used two parrallel and complementary paths:

 

- the way of learning, based on theology and philosophy

- and the way of Self-Knowledge or Self-Realisation

 

This is why we find in our Holy Book, the Koran, both scholastic

discourse and phrases which hint at the " way in " to knowledge of the

Highest Self. The concrete means of putting this message into

practise is what is offered to us in this age by Shri Mataji Nirmala

Devi.

 

To back up this Truth, if you will allow me. I will quote these words

of the Prophet Mahomet, who tells us: " God is closer to man than his

own veins. " And the Prophet says: " With the knowledge of the Spirit,

man will begin to know himself, so as to finally achieve knowledge of

God. " " With the purification of his inner being, man becomes

conscious that he is the Spirit. "

 

It is thus the experience of spontaneous Self Realisation - which is

revealed by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - and Sahaja Yoga - which is the

practise which she teaches - both spontaneous Self Realisation and

Sahaja Yoga are in perfect harmony with the teachings of Islam. It is

because of this revelation by Shri Mataji that I have wanted to speak

to you tonight.

 

In similar vein, I should like to end my talk by referring to the

condition of women in Islamic countries today. As you know, the

position of woman as mother is glorified in the Islamic tradition.

The Prophet Mahomet went as far as to say: " We experienced Paradise

at our mother's feet. "

 

As a wife, Islam not only acknowledges her complete right to choose

her own husband, but pays homage to her in the famous words of the

Prophet, who says: " The best amongst you is the one who behaves best

towards his wife. " Or again: " Women are sent to us by God and men are

responsible for keeping them safe. " Women are thus considerd to be

equal to men in both their responsibilities and in their legal and

civic rights.

 

Today, unfortunately, we have seen that this great insight of the

Koran is not always understood and therefore not respected in the

varous Muslim countries.

 

You, Shri Mataji, by virtue of your courage, and your sincerity and

your purity, by virtue of your untiring travels through the five

continents, you are today justly considered to be the Messenger of

Peace in the world.

 

Your exemplary life makes you the perfect symbol and model for Muslim

women. May their quest for Justice, their desire to be able to enjoy

a true spiritual life in their own dignity, may their quest find an

echo in the spiritual approach of the real Islam. This will make it

possible to put a stop to all kinds of injustices which are still

being committed against women in the name of religion.

 

It is with this vision and with the aim of defending the rights of

women in Muslim countries throughout the world and in particular

Afghanistan, in Iran and Turkey, that I address this brief talk to

you Shri Mataji, and to all the people assembled here tonight. "        

                                                                      

Ayatollah Dr. Mehdi Rouhani

(Address delivered by Ayatollah Dr. Mehdi Rouhani at the Royal Albert

Hall on Thursday 3rd July 1997)