September 10, 2015
The ways may vary, but the goal is one. Don’t you see that there are many roads to the Ka’bah? For some the road is from Rum [Rome], for some from Syria, others come from Persia or China or by sea from India and Yemen. So if you consider the roads, they are beyond counting, with infinite differences. But when you consider the goal they are all in accord with one desire [aim].
The hearts of all are upon the Ka’bah. The hearts are one in their longing and love for the Ka’bah, and in that there is no room for separation. That love is neither belief nor non-belief, for it has nothing to do with the various roads. Once we arrive, this argument and war and those differences in the roads—this woman saying to that man, “You are false, you are an infidel,” and that man saying the same about her—once we arrive at the Ka’bah, we realize that such fighting is over the roads only, and that the goal of all is the same.
(adapted from Fihi Ma Fihi,
translated by A.J. Arberry, p. 175)
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The ways may vary, but the goal is one. This declaration is accepted in many spiritual circles -- at least in theory, not always in practice and application. For those who genuinely uphold and live this declaration, it may be encouraging to see that Jalaal ud-Diin Rumi shares this position. There may be things to be learned from how he embraced this declaration through the context of traditional Islam, lessons we can utilize to embrace, sustain, and deepen our own living of this.
Don’t you see that there are many roads to the Ka’bah? We’ll get into the significance of the Ka’bah below, but the reference of many roads is an acknowledgment of the many spiritual traditions. Although there may be similarities and a common goal among many them, there are also significant distinctions and differences. In fact, the Qur’aan states:
For each We [the Beloved] have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allaah willed It could have made you one community. But that It may try you by that which It hath given you (It hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allaah you will all return, and It will then inform you of that wherein you differ. (Surah 5, Verse 48)
The verse indicates that the Beloved makes a clear choice to not make humanity a single “community” -- the term is also translated as “people” and, in this context, speaks to a collective of people who share (or, as we shall see later, “inherit”) a spiritual tradition. This intentional diversity is further validated by the Beloved giving to each community “a divine law and a traced-out way [road].” These are many. And there will be differences, sometimes differences that are in direct contrast with each other. In such situations it is totally acceptable to “vie one with another in good works” -- not in bad works that often lead to conflict, harm, and even war. And if we cannot “vie one with another in good works,” the Qur’aan suggests the following approach: “To you be your way (religion), and to me mine.” (Surah 109, Verse 6)
When we vie with one another (compete with each other) in doing good, there is only increased benefit. For example, every spiritual tradition I’ve studied encourages the practice of charity: if we compete with each in performing charity, who really loses? Who is harmed? Spiritual traditions may have differing approaches and conditions for how charity is to be performed. And such differences should be honored and upheld. Each road, to be a road, has markings that indicate the borders of the road; and sometimes markings within that road that designate lanes. Without such markings, a road is not a road. And roads are designed with a specific intent: to direct one toward a destination. The varying roads of different spiritual traditions should not be diminished into an overcooked pot of mush. They can comprise a stew where carrots are still distinct as carrots, broccoli is clearly broccoli, cabbage is clearly cabbage -- all with their own tastes, qualities, and nutrients.
Traditional Islam always acknowledged an affinity with the “People of the Book:” Jews and Christians who share a common lineage of spiritual inheritance and prophets. Most animosity among these groups in the early days of Islam had more to do with politics and<