Through Force or Faith? — Page 215
Chapter 5 — Faith and Reason: Islamic Perspective 215 It does not mean a literal son; it is used to show the nearness and the love of God. After the definition of transcendence, we turn our attention to the important question whether transcendence precludes man from establishing a relationship with God, or does it mean that God is above and beyond human reason and logic to the extent that it can act contrary to them. The answer to both these ques- tions, according to Islamic understanding, is an emphatic no; the details of which we shall discuss in the following pages, God willing. Man’s Relationship with God According to Islam, transcendence of God does not imply that man cannot establish any relationship with God, or that man can- not observe the occult attributes and powers of God. It is incon- ceivable because the foundation of Islam rests upon the belief that a live contact was established between God and his servant, Muhammad s as , and God honoured him with His converse and discourse. According to Quran, even before Muhammad s as God had sent ‘guides,’ that is prophets, to every nation with whom he held converse. َّو ِّلُكِل ٍمْوَق ٍداَه … And their is a Guide for every people. ( S u rah ar-Ra‘d, 13:8) Islam presents the concept of a living God, who proclaims that