The Tao of islam

The Tao of Islam: A Sourcebook on Gender Relationships in Islamic Thought by Sachiko Murata is a seminal work that bridges the gap between Islamic metaphysics and East Asian philosophical frameworks. Rather than focusing on social or legal status, the book explores the conceptual and ontological nature of gender, using the Taoist principles of Yin and Yang as a comparative lens to explain the balance of divine attributes in Islamic thought. Book Description Published in 1992, The Tao of Islam is an extensive “sourcebook” that compiles and translates classic texts from the Islamic intellectual tradition—specifically from the perspectives of Sufism, philosophy, and theology. Murata argues that traditional Islamic thought perceives the universe as a series of complementary polarities. By utilizing the concepts of Yin (feminine/receptive) and Yang (masculine/active), she illustrates how Islamic thinkers understood the relationship between God and the world, the soul and the body, and the different names of God. Key Points 1. The Complementarity of Divine Names Central to the book is the distinction between two types of Divine Names in Islam: Names of Majesty (Jalal): These are “Yang” attributes—stern, distant, demanding, and transcendent (e.g., The King, The Just, The Subduer). Names of Beauty (Jamal): These are “Yin” attributes—gentle, near, loving, and immanent (e.g., The Merciful, The Forgiving, The Gentle). Murata explains that while God is essentially one, He relates to the creation through this interplay of rigor and mercy. 2. Macrocosm and Microcosm The book delves into the “Great Man” (the Universe) and the “Small World” (the Human Being). It shows how the same polarities found in the cosmos are mirrored within the human soul. Spirit vs. Soul: The Spirit is often depicted as active/masculine in relation to the Soul (Nafs), which is receptive/feminine. Intellect vs. Imagination: The Intellect represents the “light” of certainty (Yang), while Imagination acts as the “womb” where meanings take form (Yin). 3. Receptive Spirituality Murata highlights that, in the presence of God, the entire creation is “feminine” or receptive. True spirituality involves the soul becoming perfectly receptive (Yin) to the divine command (Yang). This reframes “submission” (Islam) as a metaphysical alignment rather than just a legalistic one. 4. Critique of Modern Perspectives The book suggests that modern “egalitarian” views often miss the depth of traditional Islamic cosmology. By focusing purely on social equality, Murata argues that we lose the understanding of qualitative difference and the necessary harmony between active and receptive forces that define existence. 5. Influential Sources The work relies heavily on the “School of Ibn al-Arabi,” as well as the writings of Rumi, Al-Ghazali, and Ikhwan al-Safa. It provides a rare look at how these masters viewed the “marriage” of various cosmic and psychological realities.