Sunday 27 May 2012

The Day of Judgment and Collective Consciousness


In the Islamic tradition the ending of times is attributed as QAIMAT the literal meaning of this word is standing. When we stand during the prayers while reciting from Holy Quran it is also called Qayam, on the Day of judgment when the whole humanity would be gathered and standing witness to Allah's command of مالک یوم الدین(the owner of the day of judgment) this would be the time when collective consciousness of humanity would be at work. This is not the Day of Judgment for individuals because if individual efforts would have mattered they would have been sorted out instantly on death of each individual; there would have been no need for resurrection of the whole humanity at once. The Day of Judgment is the day of reckoning for collective efforts, on this day one multitude would find themselves facing the bliss of the Beloved and the other group being denied of that and hence would be in anguish.

The aim of nature was to see how humanity finds its way collectively and what picture it depicts when it works collectively. The world was the place to exhibit this as all short comings of individual efforts were given power of equilibrium and power to propel when bunched together, because the word adam means the potential of living and striving together that's why man had prayed fervently and passionately ایاک نعبد و ایاک نستعین
(We only pray to You in submission and from You only do we seek help) this was a collective prayer and can only bring benifits and change when men work collectively.


12 comments:

  1. Greetings,

    Thank you for this. Again, your posts have such depth, and yet you do it so adroitly, with such rich sparsity.

    I love your line: "...all short comings of individual efforts were given power of equilibrium and power to propel when bunched together..."

    The togetherness which you convey caused me to think of Attar's "Conference of the Birds." There's a line in one translation, in the part about a toy (made of wax) given to a boy, the form and colors of which disappear when the wax is kneaded, that is:

    "And what seemed many things is only one.
    All things are one - there isn't any two;
    It isn't me who speaks; it isn't you."

    Thank you very much.

    All good wishes,

    robert

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  2. Wow, what a rich rich post with such an evocative picture of collective work that reminds me of the best of my Menninite history and tradition. I love your reminder of the beauties of such faithfulness and such prayers.

    I also am loving Robert's comment -- Robert points out with such truth and art certain central lines so often and this is a keen example. I love your line: "...all short comings of individual efforts were given power of equilibrium and power to propel when bunched together..."

    And of course I love this line of Attar's as well -- so rich and worth such deep reflection.

    Thanx to both of you,

    Connie

    PS So often, despite our distance geographically & our backgrounds, time & again, I sense this deep oneness with you and others who are part of this beautiful family, "The Republic of Rumi" and miss the course which I intend to return to soon.

    'All things are one - there isn't any two; It isn't me who speaks; it isn't you"

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  3. robert thanks for commenting and sharing beautiful lines from Attar.

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  4. Connie thanks for your encouraging comments as usual :)

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  5. I've been looking for some nice blogs lately and this one just caught my eyes. Have a good day ahead. Such interesting content you have.

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  6. I have not think like that before, thanks for sharing,.

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  7. Amazing piece of writing and very nice perspective of the Day of Judgment. You always give us a different and better point of view, thanks a lot.

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  8. Something to think about...we do selfishly live our lives at an individual level forgetting how we are all inter-connected....no matter what our beliefs.

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    1. Yes, we so mush need each other in everything but unfortunately don't take stock. Thanks for coming and commenting :)

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