TGB: Tierno Bokar and the religion of the heart

The Well (of taqlid and ijtihad)

"The well that receives its waters only from outside itself receives at the same time a thousand things that have been caught up by the current. Such a well is exposed to all this litter and to something even more dangerous: to find itself dry as soon as its water has been drawn out. On the other hand, the well whose “eye” is situated within itself has no need of rain to fill it. Its water, filtered through the cracks of the earth, remains abundant, pure, and fresh, even during times of greatest heat. It is the same with those whose faith in God depends on outward relations and with those who take their faith from their own meditation and intimate conviction. The first are subject to variation and their faith is not exempt from doubt. The second group remains steadfast. They are in the full Light, the full moon of their faith, which never knows darkness."

The Rainbow

"The rainbow owes its beauty to the variety of its shades and colors. In the same way, we consider the voices of various believers that rise up from all parts of the earth as a symphony of praises addressing God, Who alone can be Unique. We bitterly deplore the scorn that certain religious people heap on the form of divine things, a scorn that often leads them to reject their neighbor’s hymn because it contrasts with theirs. To fight against this tendency, brother in God, whatever be the religion or the congregation to which you are affiliated, meditate at length on this verse:

The creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and of your colors are many wonders for those who reflect.  (Qur'an 30:22)

There is something here for everyone to meditate upon."

Truth.   Goodness.   Beauty.

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Source: A Spirit of Tolerance: The Inspiring Life of Tierno Bokar,  by Ahmadou Hampate Ba, Bloomington: World Wisdom Books, 2008.