Salvation of the Soul and Islamic Devotion

By Muhammad Abul Quasem

Book Series: Routledge Revivals

Publisher: Routledge

Publication Date: June 15, 2023

ISBN: 9781032514628

First Published in 1983, Salvation of the Soul and Islamic Devotion demonstrates that salvation is a central concept of the religion of Islam, even though its meaning, causes and results according to Islam may differ from what is taught by Christianity and other world religions. The first chapter of the book presents the Islamic doctrine of salvation as set forth in the Quran and prophetic tradition. The meaning of salvation is explored, and the means to it on both human and divine sides are considered with special emphasis upon Islamic devotions. The remaining eight chapters deal with both obligatory and supererogatory devotions prescribed by Islam, concentrating on the methods of their correct performance, on which salvation is largely dependent.

The material used in this book has been derived entirely from the original Islamic sources written in Arabic. Efforts are made to make the book useful to both Muslim and non-Muslim readers of English interested in the Islamic theory of salvation and acts of devotion.

Table of Contents

• Preface
• Transliteration
• Abbreviations
• 1. Salvation
• 2. Cleanliness
• 3. Ritual Prayer
• 4. Fasting
• 5. Divine Tax
• 6. Pilgrimage
• 7. The Creation of the Quran
• 8. Remembrance of God
• 9. Supplication to God
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index

Source: Routledge

At his first public appearance, just a few days after the Manchester terror attack, Cdl. Bassetti officiated at an “interreligious prayer” in a school of his diocese. He said there:

“Religions are not the cause of violence and terrorism. … It’s been like that for us as well, because in the past the Red terrorists would also come from our Catholic universities. … Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the same Creator, and the mixing of the races is inevitable. Whoever denies that denies man, and therefore, any principle of humanism.”

Another prelate is offering his blessing to Muslims during “the holy month of Ramadan.” Bishop Ambrogio Sperafico, president of the Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue, wrote a message to Muslims on behalf of the Italian bishops conference: “To the only God, clement and merciful, we entrust the holy month of Ramadan, your and our communities, the journey we have done and the one we can and would like to do together. Ramadan mubarak, a blessed Ramadan, everybody.”

In an interview with AgenSIR, Bp. Sperafico went on to defend Islam. “It’s evident that anyone who identifies Islam with terrorism, doesn’t know Islam,” he insisted. “And this is the problem: The ignorance around us is such that it’s too easy to take advantage of it.” He went on to blame “ignorance” as the source of violence: “Ignorance is a herald of great violence in words and actions.”

The bishop also mentioned the Islamic explanatory documents prepared by the Italian bishops conference, published in 2015 with the intent “to create a dialogue mentality.” One document declares that Islam plays a role “in the history of salvation”:

“The settling of Muslims in our country, the rise of new generations of Muslims (Italians in all aspects), the increase of mixed marriages … These factors have posed the problem of cohabitation with those of a different religion. … It’s possible to recognize a role for Islam in the history of salvation. … This hypothesis presents arguments on which the current formulations of the magisterium may find significant convergences: the unity of the human family … along with the common origin and destiny of all men — God.”

Source: churchmilitant.com