Cultural peculiarities including religious beliefs are considered to be caused by the objects of the outside world including “cosmology, world view, ethos, and pathos” (Martin, p. 39). Cosmology can be defined as the cosmic structure around particular people that is represented by some fundamental scriptures, and Quran is considered to be such scriptures for Muslims. World view may be described as historical events which condition particular world perception excepted among particular people. Ethos represents a system of diversified cultural peculiarities and traditions which are entrusted to the next generations. And finally, pathos can be identified as particular beliefs and religious traditions which are difficult for explanations and present irresolvable conflicts for theologians. Muslims consider the time Quran has been given as a revelation to God’s prophet Muhammad to be a special event which became a changing point in their beliefs and canons, and thus, can be described as the most important notion of cosmology.
According to Martin:
Cosmology is a system of symbols that act as lenses through which to see a historical time, the world today, is seen and interpret events in history. Thus, historical time, the world today, is seen and understood in terms of the struggle between those who believe and those who don’t” (p. 44).
This sentence makes a critical point in relation to the topic of this paper on a number of reasons. Among such reasons are numerous experiences from the history of Muslim people along with a row of their religious beliefs and canons.
Speaking about the events from the history of Muslim people supporting the statement by Martin, first of all, religious wars should be mentioned. During such wars, for example, during the Crusades in which both sides are considered to be motivated by their religious beliefs based on their cosmology, Muslim warriors were motivated to battle by the sayings in Quran that non-Muslims deserve death as they do not want to be subjected to the true God, and every warrior who will succeed to kill a non-Muslim will be bountifully rewarded by God for his achievements. The same situation has occurred many times in the case of religious wars with Jews, Hindu and Buddhists which have been taking place for centuries including nowadays. Thus, it can be evident from these events that cosmology and Quran, in particular, establishes particular standards of conduct which people believe to be not only right, but also vital and fundamental.
Discussing religious beliefs and canons by Muslims, it should be mentioned that the connection of their cosmology and the conduct it conditions is very clear. For example, Quran establishes many things common among other nations as temptations by Satan. Such practice as women’s presence in public places without yashmac, which is normal for other nations, is considered to be a temptation from Satan by Muslims which becomes the reason for numerous heated conflicts between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Concluding on all the above mentioned information, it should be stated that cosmology is considered to be a central idea behind religious beliefs and practices by people as they think and act on the basis of what they see around them. Cosmology can be identified as the cosmic structure around particular people that is represented by some fundamental scriptures. Quran represents the cosmologic basis for Muslim people. Throughout the whole course of their history Muslim people have followed a particular pathway being motivated by the regulations from Quran.
Works Cited
Martin, Richard. Islamic Studies. A History of Religious Approach. ( 2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1996. Print.