About the paper:
The nonviolent and peaceful lifestyle of Fethullah Gulen reflects the Sufi belief that love is the essential element in every creature. Gulen’s own love extends to the entire universe, which is meant to be “read” by human beings in order to achieve faith, knowledge, and closeness to God. When all of creation is cared for in the balanced way of God’s loving, then peace and harmony replace violence and hatred.
With traditional Sufi theology, Fethullah Gulen relates the inner meaning of the Qur’an to the inner meaning of the natural world. The Qur’an and the universe, he says, are two expressions of the same truth. The natural world, like the Qur’an, reveals the Divine Names and so has an element of sacredness in it. The universe teaches human beings to demonstrate compassion, not only to other humans, but to every living creature. Gulen calls this “the grand orchestra of love.”
When human beings respect the beauty hidden in each creature, they begin to see the world from a different perspective. They become people who, like the Prophet (pbuh), protect plants and animals and who can “read the verses of God in the faces of people.” Human beings have a responsibility from God to explore the inner richness of the universe, to reflect on their relationship with it, and to protect the general harmony of existence.
About the author:
Eileen Eppig: Member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and associate professor of religious studies at College of Notre Dame of Maryland, specializing in courses related to religion and culture. She holds an MA in theology and spirituality from Fordham University and a PhD in religious studies from the Catholic University of America.
Eileen has led study tours to El Salvador, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan and has participated in study tours of Israel and Turkey. Eileen facilitates workshops on Islam with the Islamic Society of Baltimore; speaks in various venues on her experience and knowledge of Islam; and teaches courses on Islam at College of Notre Dame. She currently participates in two Muslim-Christian dialogues.
