Influence of Sufism and Islam
As Universal Sufism has a large Islamic influence, it is necessary to clarify its position on Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.
The historical Muhammad is seen as a person. However, the inner light or Noor and the Spirit of Guidance which is present in all beings is viewed as the essence of all prophets and divine beings. Therefore he is considered as being of the same status as all other prophets, past and present. To quote from the writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan,
Hazrat Ali said, 'The secret of God can be studied in His nature.' Every traveller on foot as a rule lights his torch at the approach of night. So also this heavenly traveller. Seeing darkness overwhelming Him in the lower spheres on His path, He lights a torch. It is the light of this torch, which is called in the Qur'an, Noor Muhammadi, that has guided Him to the surface, whence He could clearly discern and find His path back. To the knower's eye, this Nur, this light, is the real Mohammed. This light it is which has beamed forth through all the Masters of humanity and is known as the Light of Guidance. It is the nature of every luminous object to shed light all around, and yet a particular beam of light coming forth from it gives more illumination than light spread all around. This may be seen in the light of the sun. The souls which happen to be in the zone of that beam of the Light of Guidance, whether by intention or accident, have been known to the world as the chosen ones of God. They saw God sooner, they heard Him more quickly than others, they have been nearer to Him than others. They may be called the elect of God as it is said in the Song to the Soul of the Saint: Before the righteous soul, Servant of God, even the angels bend; His lotus feet the long-desired goal Where weary pilgrims find their journeys end In pardon for their sin. Thus, as the saint God comes, and man is healed, And fortunate that happy one, within Whose heart the mystic vision is revealed.
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