The Swing of Life

If the Qur’an states that we are all born equal, in peace and submission to God and without sin, unlike other religions, and that we will "perhaps" die as Muslims (so once again in Islam, in peace and submission to God), based on my thought that everything is a "return", like time which I define as a circle and not a straight line, life would be – logically – just a ride on a merry-go-round, as Tiziano Terzani beautifully wrote in his book “Un giro di giostra”.

A returning to oneself, a completion of a turn, and the test would be precisely to return to Islam (to peace and submission) which one has forgotten in the first years of life.

Children, in fact, are still very connected to God and the invisible world, and the elderly, in turn, become like children again.

But what does it mean to return? Unfortunately, many have a very distorted idea of Islam, interpreting it literally while ignoring the key message, and here I quote the words of Gary Wills, who during a conference stated that Islam is the most inclusive religion. Very interesting is the meaning of the word “religion,” however not clear, but it would contain within itself a concept of “binding together,” “reuniting.”

In fact, the Qur’an makes no distinction between race or status, skin color or belief. To be Muslim, one must abandon the idea of being worth more than someone else and abandon the belief that it is one’s social status that defines a person’s value. Furthermore, Islam does not force anyone to return “to this state”, to being “Muslim” or rather “peaceful and submissive to God”, but it is hoped that man will turn back on his path, and the “obligations” of the Qur’an would be nothing but ways/means to return to God and to live a life in respect of oneself and others. Otherwise, Allah would not have written that He wants to make life easy and not hard for us humans. "Allah wants for you ease and does not want for you hardship."— Surah Al-Baqara (2:185)

This verse is linked to fasting in Ramadan.

Because Islam is a path, a journey, but a journey that is truly in balance with the entire surrounding environment, from nature to society. In light of what is written above, the concept would support all of humanity, as during the journey of life, many tests must be faced, and the purpose is to rediscover the lost truth, one's God, one’s true home, like an orienteering race where the Qur’an itself does not give orders but precious advice, clearly showing the dangers such as the cliffs one can fall into, because everyone will agree if I write that falling into alcoholism, killing, stealing, drug abuse, corruption, and so on are traps for the human being. The Qur’an itself is a discovery, and the recurring question is why Allah would transmit a life manual so difficult to interpret? Perhaps the primary difficulty for those who do not read classical Arabic is getting stuck in non-compliant translations. Let us not forget that the Arabic language is composed (based on some studies) of about 12.5 million words. For comparison, the German and English languages boast only a few hundred thousand. Allah in the Qur’an says to turn to people who have knowledge, so at each stage of life each of us has the opportunity to ask for help to continue on our “ride.”"Ask the people of the reminder (Ahl al-Dhikr), if you do not know."— Surah An-Nahl (16:43)(Also repeated in Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:7).

The beauty of Islam is transmitted through its eloquent message, sealed and unchangeable both linguistically and mathematically. Overall, the Qur’an is a practical and very simple guide, but it is useful to read it with a magnifying glass, if one wants to discover a treasure at each stage. At the end of the ride, everyone will have a bag full, half-empty, or empty, depending on the dedication and commitment one has taken or managed to take in this life to do good, to oneself and to others.

"So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people..."— Surah Ar-Rum (30:30)

"Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return."— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:156)

"To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."— Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:48)

"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has become distinct from the wrong..."— Surah Al-Baqara (2:256)

"And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ."— Surah Hud (11:118)

"And if Allah had willed, He could have made you one nation [upon one religion], but He causes to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills."— Surah An-Nahl (16:93)

"Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans — those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness — will have their reward with their Lord..."— Surah Al-Baqara (2:62)

The Qur’an acknowledges multiple communities and leaves final judgment to Allah.