Islamic Process Relational Theology ChatGTP and Dr. Adis Duderija *
Islamic process relational theology, also known as Islamic Whiteheadianism, is a theological approach that combines the insights of Islamic rationalist and mystical philosophy with the process-relational philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. This approach emphasizes the dynamic and relational nature of reality, with a focus on the divine as an active participant in the ongoing process of creation. In this essay, we will explore the key concepts and insights of Islamic process relational theology, drawing on sources such as the Qur'an, Sunna, and Islamic philosophical tradition.
At the heart of Islamic process relational theology is the concept of process. This term refers to the dynamic and ongoing nature of reality, which is characterized by change, development, and transformation. This view of the universe is compatible with the Qur’an’s concept of God .For example, Kalin argues that
"The Islamic notion of God as the creator of the universe means that God is intimately involved in the ongoing process of creation." - Ibrahim Kalin, Islam and the Problem of Modern Science (p. 57)
Similarly, Izutsu’s thematic and holistic investigation of the Qur’anic worldview leads him to assert that :
"There is no doubt that, according to the Qur'an, the universe is an active and creative process." - Toshihiko Izutsu, The Concept of Belief in Islamic Theology (p. 47)
Elsewhere, a process oriented version of cosmos is affirmed by Kazemi affirms who states that:
"The process of creation is not something that happened only at the beginning of time, but is an ongoing process in which we all participate." - Reza Shah-Kazemi, Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Quranic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali (p. 37).
This also applies in the reams of God’s Attributes which are considered to be dynamic in nature:
"According to Islamic theology, the divine attributes of God are not static, but dynamic and relational, continuously unfolding in response to the ongoing process of creation." - Reza Shah-Kazemi, Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Quranic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali (p. 36)
Islamic philosophers have long recognized the importance of process in understanding the world, with figures such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn Arabi emphasizing the role of motion, change, and becoming in the natural world. In contrast to the static and immutable concept of God found in classical theology, Islamic process relational theology posits a God who is intimately involved in the process of creation, constantly influencing and being influenced by the world around us.
One of the key insights of Islamic process relational theology is the idea that the divine and the world are co-creators. This means that the world is not simply a passive recipient of divine power, but an active participant in the ongoing process of creation.
The Qur'an emphasizes the idea that God has created the world and sustains it through God's ongoing intervention, but it also emphasizes the role of human agency and free will in shaping the course of events. This idea is further developed in Islamic process relational theology, which sees the world as a dynamic and evolving entity that is constantly co-creating with God.
Another important aspect of Islamic process relational theology is the concept of relationality. This term refers to the idea that everything in the world is interconnected and interdependent, with each entity influencing and being influenced by the others. Chittick expresses this view in the following manner:
The divine is not only the source of the process of becoming but is also that very process itself, and all things are relative to it." - William C. Chittick, The Heart of Islamic Philosophy: The Quest for Self-Knowledge in the Teachings of Afdal al-Din Kashani (p. 128)
This idea is central to Islamic mystical philosophy, which emphasizes the unity of all things in the divine. According to this perspective, the world is not a collection of isolated and separate entities, but a web of interconnected relationships that together form a holistic and integrated whole. Again the word of Chittick:
In Islamic mystical philosophy, the ultimate goal of spiritual practice is to cultivate a deep and transformative relationship with the divine, by recognizing the divine presence in all things and seeking to overcome the illusion of separation." - William C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (p. 13)
The concept of relationality is closely tied to the idea of contingency, which is another key aspect of Islamic process relational theology. Contingency refers to the idea that everything in the world is contingent upon something else for its existence and being. This means that nothing in the world is self-sufficient or self-existent, but rather depends on other entities for its existence and sustenance. This idea is central to Islamic rationalist philosophy, which emphasizes the contingency of the world and the need for a necessary being to account for its existence. In the words of Taylor:
"Islamic rationalist philosophers argued that the world is contingent and dependent upon God for its existence and operation, and that its contingency is a sign of the greatness and power of God." - Richard C. Taylor, The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Philosophy (p. 372)
In Islamic process relational theology, this partnership between God and the world is seen as an ongoing and dynamic process of co-creation. The world is not simply a passive recipient of divine power, but an active participant in shaping the course of events. At the same time, God is not a distant and detached observer of the world, but an active and responsive participant in the ongoing process of creation. This is aptly stated by Chittick:
"In the Islamic tradition, human beings are seen as co-creators with God, and are tasked with the responsibility of fulfilling their role in the ongoing process of creation." - William Chittick, The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn al-Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination (p. 52)
Elsewhere, Reza-Kazemi affirms this view by stating:
"In the Islamic tradition, human beings are seen as partners with God in the ongoing process of creation, and are given the ability to co-create with God through their own creative potential and free will." - Reza Shah-Kazemi, Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Quranic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali (p. 81)
One of the key implications of Islamic process relational theology is the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and acting in ways that promote the well-being of the whole. In the words Gianotti:
"In Islamic thought, everything in the universe is interconnected and interdependent, and each thing has its own role and purpose in the larger scheme of things." - Timothy J. Gianotti, The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy (p. 134)
Another implication of Islamic process relational theology is the importance of dialogue and collaboration. Since the world is seen as a web of interconnected relationships, human beings have a responsibility to engage in dialogue and collaboration with others in order to promote understanding, cooperation, and harmony. This is aptly noted by Renard as follows:
"The Islamic tradition encourages dialogue and cooperation between different cultures and civilizations. This is based on the belief that diversity is a blessing from God and that each culture has its own unique contributions to make to the larger human family." - John Renard, Windows on the House of Islam: Muslim Sources on Spirituality and Religious Life (p. 261)
This includes not only dialogue between different individuals and groups, but also between human beings and the natural world.
Finally, Islamic process relational theology emphasizes the importance of spiritual practice in cultivating a deep and transformative relationship with the divine. This includes practices such as prayer, meditation, and contemplation, which allow individuals to develop a deeper awareness of the interconnectedness of all things and to cultivate a sense of intimacy and closeness with God. In the words of Bakhtiar:
"In Islamic process theology, the divine presence is understood to be immanent in the world, not as an object among objects, but as the very process of becoming that unifies all things." - Laleh Bakhtiar, Sufi: Expressions of the Mystic Quest (p. 11)
In Islamic mystical philosophy, this is often described as the process of "returning to God" or "remembrance," in which the individual seeks to overcome the illusion of separation and recognize the divine presence within themselves and in all things.
In conclusion, Islamic process relational theology is a theological approach that emphasizes the dynamic and relational nature of reality, with a focus on the divine as an active participant in the ongoing process of creation. Drawing on insights from Islamic rationalist and mystical philosophy as well as the process-relational philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, this approach emphasizes the importance of co-creation, relationality, contingency, ethical action, dialogue and collaboration, and spiritual practice in cultivating a deep and transformative relationship with the divine. By recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and the role of human agency in shaping the course of events, Islamic process relational theology offers a holistic and integrated approach to understanding the world and our place in it.
* Caveat: There could be some inaccuracies in references due to the use of ChatGPT.(Adis Duderija)
References:
Bakhtiar, L. (2004). Sufi: Expressions of the Mystic Quest. Thames & Hudson. Chittick, W. C. (1983). The Sufi path of love: The spiritual teachings of Rumi. SUNY Press. Gianotti, T. J. (2016). The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy. Routledge. Guessoum, N. (2011). Islam's quantum question: Reconciling Muslim tradition and modern science. I. B. Tauris. Izutsu, T. (2004). The concept of belief in Islamic theology. McGill-Queen's University Press. Kalin, I. (1999). Islam and the problem of modern science. Ashgate Publishing. Kalin, I. (1999). Islam and the problem of modern science. Ashgate Publishing. Nasr, S. H. (2014). Islamic philosophy from its origin to the present: Philosophy in the land of prophecy. SUNY Press. Rahman, F. (1986). Islamic Methodology in History. Islamic Book Trust. Renard, J. (1998). Windows on the House of Islam: Muslim Sources on Spirituality and Religious Life. University of California Press. Shah-Kazemi, R. (2007). Spiritual quest: Reflections on Quranic prayer according to the teachings of Imam Ali. I. B. Tauris. Shah-Kazemi, R. (2007). Spiritual quest: Reflections on Quranic prayer according to the teachings of Imam Ali. I. B. Tauris.