In a thought-provoking conversation with Tyler, Reza Aslan, a religious scholar, explores the intricacies of religious beliefs, focusing on martyrdom, Islam, and revolution.
Aslan shares his insights on the differences between Christianity and Shia Islam’s notions of martyrdom, the story of an American martyr in Persia, the distinctions between Sunni and Shia Islam, and the mystical branch of Islam, Sufism.
He also discusses his personal spiritual journey and his pantheistic beliefs.
Sufism: A Mystical Approach
Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, bridges the divide between Sunni and Shia Islam.
Sufis believe that religion is just an external shell, and to truly know God, one must break through this shell.
This belief aligns with the Sufi notion that religion is a signpost to God, but to truly know God, one must rid oneself of the ego and become one with God.
The Tale of Howard Baskerville
Howard Baskerville, an American missionary in Iran during the early 20th century, embodies the Shia concept of martyrdom.
His sacrifice was not for the absolution of sins but to alleviate suffering and injustice, making his story resonate more with Shia Islam than Christianity.
Diversity within Islam
Aslan emphasizes the importance of understanding the diversity within Islam and other religions.
He argues that it is not accurate or fair to make sweeping generalizations about a religion based on the beliefs or practices of a subset of its followers.
The Eclectic Nature of Sufism
Sufism’s eclectic nature means it can take many forms, from traditionalist practices that closely resemble Sunni Islam to more radical displays that most Muslims would not recognize as Islam.
Sufism, like all mystical movements, absorbs itself into local cultures and practices, often arising from the culture rather than being introduced from the outside.
Sufism’s Cultural Influence
Sufism, like all mystical movements, is deeply influenced by local cultures and practices.
This results in a wide variety of Sufi practices around the world, some of which may even resemble paganism.
Interpretations of Martyrdom
Martyrdom carries different connotations in Christianity and Shia Islam.
Christianity spiritualizes martyrdom, drawing from Jesus’s sacrifice to absolve humanity of their sins.
In contrast, Shia Islam perceives martyrdom as a tangible act of resistance against oppression and injustice, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein.
Sunni and Shia Islam: A Comparison
Sunni Islam, the majority sect, emphasizes text and interpretation, with authority vested in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Conversely, Shia Islam underscores a series of infallible Imams who possess divine authority and access to knowledge from a divine source.
This focus on charismatic personalities can lead to figures like Ayatollah Khomeini gaining significant influence.
Innovation in Shia Islam
Shia Islam’s structure allows for more innovation and reinterpretation than Sunni Islam.
This is because Shia Islam is not solely about interpreting static text but also includes different sources of emulation and authority, allowing for new ways of thinking about the religion.
Aslan’s Spiritual Journey
Aslan shares his personal spiritual journey, which led him to Sufi Islam.
He was drawn to Sufism because it gave him the words for beliefs and feelings he already had.
He also appreciates Sufism’s view of religion as a starting point and its concept of divine unity, the idea that all things are one and that one thing is God.
Aslan’s Pantheistic Beliefs
Aslan identifies himself as a pantheist, believing that all things are united and are one.
He distinguishes this belief from monism, the belief that all things are made of the same thing, by explaining that pantheism posits that all things are one thing, and that one thing is God.
Sufism is like all mystical Traditions incredibly eclectic… Sufism is what a Sufi says it is basically. – Reza Aslan
Cultural Context of Religious Practices
The conversation underscores the importance of understanding the cultural context of religious practices and beliefs.
Aslan’s insights highlight the diversity within religious traditions and the ways in which these traditions adapt and evolve within different cultural contexts.
Islam and Democracy
Aslan disagrees with the notion that Islam is not conducive to having a stable democracy.
He argues that there are examples of Muslim-majority countries that are democracies, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, although he acknowledges that these democracies may be somewhat weak.
Martyrdom in Shia Islam isn’t spiritualized in the same way that martyrdom in Christianity tends to be. – Reza Aslan
