Sakina
Sakīna ( Arabic سكينة, DMG sakīna ) is a mental state mentioned in the Koran . There is no exact equivalent in the German language. The words ataraxia , calm, serenity, peace of mind, (happiness) bliss, security, and God-consciousness perhaps best convey the meaning. The term is derived from the Hebrew word Shekhina , which comes from the root shakan (to live, to camp) and means "dwelling". It refers to the presence of God with his people.
Sakina in the Koran
In the Koran Sakina is mentioned in several places, such as in connection with the ark . According to the Koran, which follows the Jewish tradition, the ark radiated the presence of God and was a source of peace:
“Their prophet said to them, 'The evidence of his [Saul] destiny to rule over you is that he will bring you the ark again. The angels carry them back. It contains something from the legacy of the families of Moses and Aaron. She gives you rest [Sakina] from your Lord. That is a proof from God if you are believers. '"
Elsewhere, Sakina is mentioned in a description of the deeds of Muhammad and the believers. The verse is related to a description of the victories which the Muslims won in many battles over the inhabitants of Mecca . According to this, the Muslims in the Battle of Hunain were outnumbered, but initially fled. Even so, after feeling the presence of God in a sudden moment of enlightenment, they eventually won the battle, upon which calm and confidence returned to them:
"Then God sent inner calm [Sakina] down on His Messenger and on the believers and let invisible powers come down."
Another mention of the Sakina can be found in Sura 9 . When the Prophet Mohammed was expelled from Mecca by the Koreishites , he found refuge in a cave. The web of a spider and the nest of a pigeon, which were at the cave entrance and gave the persecutors the impression that the cave was deserted, saved his life at that moment. In the Qur'an, Muhammad's situation is described as follows:
“If you do not help him [the prophet] in battle, God will help him. He stood by him once when the unbelievers drove him out. He was then one of two in the cave. He said to his companion: "Don't be sad! God is with us." God sent down inner calm [Sakina] on him and strengthened him with invisible powers. "
Sura 16 describes the "houses", that is the home and family of people, as places where one can experience Sakina:
"And God gave you your houses as a resting place [Sakanan]."
Sakina is also mentioned in Sura 48:
“It is He who put peace [Sakina] in the hearts of believers so that they could gain even more faith. To God belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth. God's knowledge and wisdom are immeasurable. "
“When the unbelievers had blind zeal [ al-ḥamia ] in their hearts , the blind zeal of ignorance [ al-ǧāhiliya ], God lowered His rest [Sakina] on His Messenger and the believers and made them constant God -consciousness [ at-taqwā ] to duty; for they were most worthy of it and most deserved it. And God knows all things. "
The second of the two verses cited in particular contains some very important terms for Islam that help to better understand the meaning of Sakina. One of the key terms here is al-ḥamia , which Max Henning's translation into German translates as “blind zeal”. In the Bavaria translation it says “violent excitement”, and in Lazarus Goldschmidt's translation the term is equated with “defiance”. It is clear that al-ḥamia apparently means the exact opposite of the Sakina. While the Meccans are full of rage, blind zeal or disorderly excitement ( al-ḥamia ), the Muslims are in a state of inner calm and strength, the Sakina. The related expression al-ǧaḥilīa is translated by Henning as "ignorance" and is in Islamic usage a term for the state on the Arabian Peninsula in pre-Islamic times. According to the text of the Koran , this time was marked by al-ḥamia , that is, “blind zeal”. With Islam comes the sakina, i.e. inner peace. Closely connected with this is the constant awareness of God's presence (Arabic at-taqwā ). Only through this awareness can Sakina be reached: Sakina is accordingly the kind of peace, serenity and calm that one finds in trusting in Allah's presence and care.
The sakina in the Islamic tradition
According to a tradition that is traced back to ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib , it was also the Sakina who brought Abraham to Mecca when he did not know where to build the Kaaba .
According to the Islamic view, Sakina can be achieved by keeping the commandments of God . Especially in Islamic mysticism, Sufism , the Sakina plays a major role.
literature
-
Ignaz Goldziher : La notion de la Sakina chez les Mahometans . In Revue de l'Histoire des Religion 28 (1893) 1-13.
See also: About the expression "Sakīna". In: Treatises on Arabic Philology , Volume 1, pp. 177–204. Brill, Leiden 1896 (reprinted by Georg Olms Verlag. Hildesheim 1982)
Individual evidence
- ↑ See Reuben Firestone: Journeys in Holy Lands. The Development of the Abraham-Ishmael legend in Islamic exegesis. Albany 1990, pp. 68, 83-89.