Muslim World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Muslim World - Essay Example In other words, Muslims are not at liberty to re-interpret the meaning of the Quran in order to support a religious reformation which embraces the modernization dictated by the twenty-first century. Indeed, as Schuon stresses, the Quran is eternal and its meaning transcends time and space (45). Its meaning does not change subject to our lifestyles or trends but, is unchanged throughout time. The implication, therefore, is that the methodology for interpreting the Quran is consistent, irrespective of the century for which and in which it is being interpreted. Consequently, Muslims today, as in the past and the future, should not question the method by which they can interpret the Quran for greater consistency with a particular century but, the correct methodology for uncovering both the esoteric and exoteric meaning of the Quran, irrespective of any particular century. Moslems should not try to delude themselves into believing that the meaning of the Quran can be adapted to suit the d emands of any specific time but should have faith in God and abide by the timelessness and eternity of His Message through an acceptance of the interpretations of religious scholars. The Quran is the basis of Islam and, as Schuon explicitly states, it is the Furqan (39). The implication here is, and as may be inferred from Schuon's discussion, the Quran is a book of Divine Laws and, as such establishes the difference between the moral and the immoral, the correct and the incorrect paths and, more so, differentiates between believers and non-believers. Indeed, as the Furqan, the Islamic laws and principles which it clearly communicates, and fully explicates, cannot be regarded as subject to flexible interpretations which are dictated by the lifestyles of a particular century. They are timeless and applicable to all ages. For greater emphasis on the virtual impossibility of justifying the modernization of Quranic interpretations for the establishment of greater harmony between the principles, lifestyles and believes particular to the Muslim and the Western worlds, Schuon emphasizes three points. Firstly, the Quran is eternal, written for all times and equally applicable to the past as it is to the present, and shall continue to be in the future. Secondly, the Quran is not subject to modernization, implying the imposition of new trends upon the Quran. Thirdly, given the first two, it is incumbent upon Moslems not to adopt practices that are un-Islamic and subsequently seek their religious legitimization through their supposed Islamicization. Such Islamicization efforts are dependant upon the re-interpretation of Islam in light of modernism and its demands (Schuon). The point that Schuon is making here is that the eternal and Divine nature of the Quran effectively de-legitimize any efforts to argue its irrelevancy to the twenty-first century or to re-interpret it in light of the values and practices that the Muslim world is constantly borrowing and adopting from the West. Largely agreeing with Schoen, Corbin adds his voice to the strictures against Quranic interpretations according to the whims and desires of a people and a particular time. It is, as Corbin emphasizes, the Word of God and, therefore, by the very nature of its Being, Eternal and timeless. It is the basis, the very heart and core of Islam and, more so, is the foundation upon which the unity of the Muslim people is built upon. Attempts to

Guilds Contribution in the Feudal Society Research Paper

Guilds Contribution in the Feudal Society - Research Paper Example In general, a feudal society incorporated the obligations of the clergy, the nobility, and the peasantry who were governed by manorialism system. Various discussions have revolved around historians based on the role it played in the formation of the medieval society (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). This paper will explore the functions, roles, and rationale for the guild in the feudal society to determine whether it can be considered a precursor to industrial manufacturing and as a basis for capital accumulation. In the feudal society, some of the greatest contributors in the system were the guilds. The guilds played a vital role in the political and social structure of the feudal society. They were considered a vital element during the middle ages. The feudal system encouraged individuals to become members of the guild since membership to the group would help them acquire a higher social position in the society. Individuals who became guild members realized several benefits unlike in the case of those who were not. Every guild either served as a type of merchant or crafts guild. The term guild originated from the word ‘gilden,’ which meant ‘paying.’ The guild members subscribed to their particular guilds in order to be considered active in the groups (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012). The feudal society became dominant in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed. The knights, barons as well as other nobility members taxed and took rent from peasants and serfs in their jurisdiction. To help them avoid excessive taxation, as well as avoid the various forms of tyrannical situations they were subjected to, ordinary men deemed it necessary to gather and give their opinions together since no individual had sufficient power to oppose the feudalistic system (Heilbroner & Milberg, 2012).