writer, philosopher and mystic. He was born on the 15th November,
1886to a well off Catholic family of France. His father was an
engineer of repute. So, Rene Guenon was born with a silver spoon in
his mouth. He got his early education from Blois. From his childhood,
he was an extra-ordinary intelligent and made distinction amongst his
classmates. He got his Bachelor's degree with distinction and joined
the University of Paris where he studied mathematics for about two
years.
During his study, he did not restrict his activities to formal
education only but started searching for the 'Ultimate Truth', because
he was not satisfied with his ancestral religion; Christianity. He did
not accept the so called Christian dogmas and rituals. Consequently,
he had not only a thorough and deep comparative study of religions,
but also he held discussions and had meetings with thinkers and
philosophers of fame.
Even then, his thirst for Truth was not quenched. Due to this
spiritual journey and mental chaos, he left the university even though
his education was incomplete. This state of affairs lasted up to 1909.
In the meantime, he met two 'Reverts to Islam' who were not only well
acquainted with Islam, but also competent in sociology.
The first of these two scholars was Sheikh Abdul Haq, formerly
Schamrino of French origin. He was a scholar of repute and edited a
magazine namely 'Al-Tareeq". The Christian name was Iavon Gustav.
After his reversion to Islam, he learned Arabic and had full command
over it. He used to contribute articles to 'Ansari' magazine which was
being published from Egypt.
In 1909, Rene Guenon started a magazine entitled "Al-Maarifat"
(Knowledge of God) with the collaboration of these scholars.
Discussions, discourses and critical articles relating to comparative
study of different religions were published in this comparative study
of different religions were published in this journal, which covered
Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
This journal remained active for about four years and ceased
publication in 1912, the year in which Rene Guenon entered the fold of
Islam. He took the Islamic name Abdul Wahid Yahya. His 'Reversion to
Islam' was the result of his own continuous search for Truth coupled
with thecooperation and guidance of Sheikh Abdul Haq and Sheikh Abdur
Rahman Elish El-Kebir (El-Alim El-Maliki School of Thought in Egypt),
a mystic and competent in Islamic Jurisprudence. As a token of
respect, Rene Guenon dedicated his book: "Symbolism of the Cross" to
the venerated memory of Sheikh Abudur Rahman who gave him the first
idea of the book.
In February 1930, Rene Guenon went to Cairo and settled there
permanently. Before his departure to Cairo, his father, mother and
wife died, so he left for Cairo with a heavy heart. In 1937, Rene
Guenon married Karima Bint Abdur Rahman, which proved a sort of solace
andcomfort for him. He dedicated the rest of his life for the cause
ofIslam and Muslims. It is note-worthy that through his writings and
personnel contacts a large number of European scholars embraced Islam.
Among his disciples who entered the foldof Islam is Sheikh Isa
Nuruddin, formerly Frithjof Schuon. (Born 1907). He is a well known
Professor of philosophy and is regarded an authority on 'comparative
study of Religions'. He has written a number of books.
The following books have won fame for him: Islam and the perennial
philosophy, Understanding Islam, Dimensionsof Islam, in the Tracks of
Buddhism, Spiritual Perspectives of the Self, Genosis: divine Wisdom,
Stations of Wisdom, In the face of Absolute, Survey of Metaphysics and
Esotericism, To have a Center, Christianity: Islam.
Then comes the name of a great mystic Abu Bakr Sirajuddin, formerly
Martin Lings, who has full command over English and Arabic and is
considered as a specialist on mysticism.
He is not only a religious scholar but also a poet and translator of
repute His writings include: Muhammad: his life based on the earliest
sources; The Qur'an; Catalogue of an exhibition of Qur'an manuscripts
at the British Library; The Qur'anic Art of Calligraphy and
Illuminations; What is Sufism? A Sufi Saint of theTwentieth Century;
The Secret of Shakespeare. Commenting on thelife of Prophet Muhammad,
Prof. Hamid Dabashi of Temple University writes: "In Reading Lings and
Muhammad", we detect an alchemical effect in his narration and
composition whichso evenly combines scholarly accuracy with poetic
passion. Lings is a scholar-poet. His life of the Prophet is a
biographical 'qasida "poem". It is a historical ghazal (a type of
poetry); a spiritual triumph; it is a majestic display of impassioned
scholarship". This book was awarded the first prize of 5,000 dollars -
by two-day 8th International Seerat Conference held in Islamabad… This
book was adjudged as the best work inEnglish in the biography of the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) published in 1983.
Titus Burchhardt is another scholar who embraced Islam after being
inspired and impressed by Rene Guenon. He has made a thorough research
onAncient Civilization and written a marvelous book on mysticism. His
book "On 'Chemistry" is regarded the best one on this subject. He is a
multi-linguist and has full power over German, English, French, Swiss,
Arabic and Persian Languages.
His books include; Sacred Art in East and West; Moorish Culture in
Spain; Art of Islam; and Al-Karim Al-Jili's De l' Homme Universal;
extraits du liver al-Insan al Kamil.
In addition to the above-mentioned scholars, there are a lot of other
personalities who entered the fold of Islam under the persuasion and
guidance of Rene Guenon and are busy in the propagation and preaching
of Islam in Europe and America.
Rene Guenon breathed his last on7 th January, 1951 at the age of 65.
His death was mourned throughout the world. He had devoted his life
for the cause of Islam. He wrote countless articlesand numerous books.
East and West; Reign of Quantity; The Crisisof the Modern World;
Symbolism of the Cross, and The Multiple States of Being are his best
writings.
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