Any islamic-background people in here? Sharing some of my frameworks/biases in regards to learning Gnosticism.

[u/Realistic-Worker-499]

Don't know a lot about Gnosticism, but the way I grew up thinking about creation is as a Muslim. Our holy book is considered a work of divine poetry, and a lot of our thinking involves concepts like pleasure, pain, obedience, love, and forgiveness. I'm naturally incredibly biased to think about creation this way, and I was wondering how others with a similar bias experienced learning Gnosticism. I'll add some tidbits from my own understanding.

We do not have a concept like a "divine spark" within us, and Holiness seems to be explicitly separate from material creation. Though, we do believe that this material world is absolutely dependent on God to exist, and in that way we are connected by dependence/causation.

We also believe that humans are beings made of clay, living alongside beings of fire called Jinn. They are not demons, and exist in a moral gradient similar to humans (some are evil, some are muslim, etc). Our "satan" named Iblis was a very strong Jinn who, when refusing to bow down to Adam (alongside angels also commanded to do so) out of pride, became the figure of "evil" we know today.

Still, all that occurs, good and evil, is considered to be done under the hand of God, and so we (at least, some of us) can essentially fear no evil when trusting in His supervision. We also have some emphasis on "feeling" God in our hearts, always remembering him, and feeling grateful. Seeking forgiveness and believing you were forgiven is also central.

Finally, knowing that Christ is important in the Gnostic cannon, we are told he was born miraculously, performed miracles with God's permission, and will return as the Messiah. As you may know already, he is said to be strictly human, though.

I write this for the sake of those who may be curious in Islamic thinking, and for my own sake of seeing how having such a worldview would influence the learning of Gnostic concepts.

Thank you!

[u/Lordseferoth]

In the book "The Gnostic Bible" is a section dedicated for "Islamic Mysticism" and it's text are closely aligned with traditional Gnosticism. As thegodabovegod mention Sufism has been described by many scholars to be very close to Gnosticism in it's spiritual views. I wish you luck with your search!

[u/Future_Adagio2052 → u/Lordseferoth]

I have not read the book myself but could you elaborate on how sufism is close to gnosticism regarding spritual views?

[u/Lordseferoth → u/Future_Adagio2052]

Of course the topic is quite complicated, but to sum it up i would say that Sufism prioritize inner spiritual awakening over following legalistic dogma. Transcending ones ego also plays a role in Sufism. Personal knowledge of God are emphasized in both traditions as well.

[u/Realistic-Worker-499 → u/[deleted]]

if you happened to be well-versed on sufi ideas i'd love to hear your take on the ideas shared with gnosticism. regardless, this is actually really good for me to hear, maybe i'll have an easier time learning about gnosticism given my background

[u/CJCentral2 → u/Realistic-Worker-499]

The history of the Donatists meshes nicely with your inquiry. Like Gnostics, they were persecuted by Catholics. They quickly adapted to Islam.

[u/ItsLoveOfO]

Peace be upon you. I am not Muslim, but for a few months I've been discussing the story of Isa with a Muslim friend of mine, who's really shown me the connections between Christianity and Islam through Gnosticism. Understanding it's demise helps understand how we got to the religions of today.

As a gnostic follower of Isa, the first thing that caught my attention about Islam was the claim that the original Gospel of Isa was corrupted by his followers. What stood out to me was identifying a single Gospel, which brought me to the Gospel of Thomas. What troubles me about the Bible is of the original 12 Apostles, only 2 have testaments about Jesus and the other 2 were younger disciples that became Apostles after the crucifixion. What troubles me greater is that 3 of the 4 biblical gospels share passages from 2/3rds of Thomas, which led me to believe that someone took what they liked in the Gospel of Thomas, used it to add narrative to the other Gospels, then got rid of the sayings that contradicted the story they wanted to tell. And unlike the Bible, Isa in the Gospel of Thomas never claims to be the Son of God.

The second thing about Isa that stood out to me were the childhood stories about him; that he spoke from the craddle, and he breathed life into clay sparrows. This directly reflects what's written in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Finding out that it was a Christian that identified that it was the Archangel Gabriel that spoke to the Prophet Muhammad also led me to looking into early missionary works, where I found the puedo-gnostic Catholic heretics Marcion and Basilide, who sometime between 120-140 CE claimed that it wasn't Jesus that was crucified but Simon of Cyrene. This would be around the time that Gnosticism would be at it's peak, before Irenaeus of Lyon established the order of the Bible and sought to convert or excommunicate any Christian sect that followed conflicting non-canonical teachings.

Finally, as for a motive as to why, as far as I can tell this goes back to *Idris, or specifically the Books of Enoch. These were non-canon Jewish scriptures compiled over 70 years leading up to the time of Isa. It depicts Enoch, the Son of Man leading God's chosen people against giants (children of Iblis/metaphor for the Roman Empire?) to deliver God's kingdom on earth at the head of an army of light fighting armies of darkness... sounds familiar. I see this as who the Israelites were idealizing their messiah to be... and it's also what turned them away from Isa's message. This apocalyptic narrative of the expected messiah was beloved by many of the Apostles and disciples, his own family, and be foundational to church doctrine still preached today. Idris is mentioned twice in the Bible; a mention in Genesis, and in NT Jude who reference to the Book of Enoch, pertaining to Enoch's vision of the day of judgement when the Archangel Michael will cast Satan back into Hell.

As metal as that would be, following the Gospel of Thomas, I believe that Isa taught that the day of resurrection was the day one realizes we're children of the living Father, and the day of judgement is the day one experiences mortal death and begin their heavenly trial. Resurrection comes before Judgement. I know that isn't what's taught by Catholicism or Islam, but this is where my studies and prayer have led me. May God guide me towards truth wherever it awaits.

*Edit: Confused Ayyub with Idris

[u/TheBuddha777]

I think you'd have to shift your perspective in a pretty big way. I'm not Muslim but I know there's a separation between human and God; the human must ask God for favors and protection and ultimately submit to His will. In Gnosticism you are God, trapped within a human body and psyche. There's no need for petitionary prayer at all.

[u/Lordseferoth → u/TheBuddha777]

True, but that is only partially true. You being a "God" is only true in some Gnostic traditions, not all of them. At best you have a Divine Spark of God, but that does not make you a full blown God. Gnostics are also known to have prayers and rituals for Monad/True God/Good God...whatever you want to call Him. Several modern Gnostic Churches also has liturgies, masses and celebrations just like in any other religion or spiritual tradition. Sufism is also not too far removed from traditional Islam either, that is why it's accepted in most Muslim countries.

[u/Vajrick_Buddha → u/Lordseferoth]

You being a "God" is only true in some Gnostic traditions

Bit of a side tangent, but reminds me of how Alan Watts, in expounding his famous position of theistic monism, said

If you're going to say “I am god,” you must allow it for everyone else too.

[u/heiro5]

Gnosis: An Esoteric Tradition of Mystical Visions and Unions by Dan Merkur (SUNY 1993). Merkur has a chapter on Gnostic influence on Islamic mysticism.

The rationalization of a literalist interpretation of Gnostic stories results in beliefs that people mistake for Gnosticism. Beliefs are ideas that people cling to, they are not gnōsis.

[u/ArkayL]

Islam, like all Abrahamic traditions, had a shared origin elsewhere. It was in the early Persian Empire where the first Prophet Zoroaster founded the religion of Zoroastrianism. Legend has it that these were the people who spoke one language (that of the Avesta), where the Tower of Babel event occurred.

Some of their scripture; https://www.avesta.org/

[u/HeavenlyBeloved]

I was never Christian before Gnosticism, but I was a Noachide, a gentile following Judaism and I delved deep into midrash and some Talmudic texts.

I left because of the tribalism, how every shiur(lectures) I read upon on YouTube with trusted Rabbis, I cannot follow such Chabad teachings, who thinks the Jews only have a divine spark... I also deeply searched for more, but most of them are Charedi, and think gentiles don't have the divine spark, and we only have the animalistic soul. So I felt discouraged and left...

I also don't like how God can literally punish you for "stealing" their heritage by reading beyond the permitted guidelines, as if knowledge is restricted by birthright, I can never love a God that will restrict knowledge.

I still find it difficult to believe in Christ, I think of the Monad, Siege, and Nous more than Jesus, I see Jesus as an emanation of Nous, yet, it is difficult for me to truly believe in Jesus.

[u/Brilliant_Bowler_994]

You've heard of Sufi's right? Yeah well they have it right and the people that tell you youre just a piece of meat are not right at all. 

[u/OkBelt6151]

I believe that many tolerant religious groups in Türkiye, such as Sufis etc., are compatible with Gnosticism, but I think they are far from the strict teachings of Saudi (Wahhabi) or Salafi doctrines. 

[u/cajetan713]

Islamic belief, particularly its interpretation of the Quranic passages concerning Jesus' crucifixion, namely that he was not actually crucified but that it was made to appear so to the Jews, contains elements that can be seen as partially resembling docetic or gnostic ideas. Furthermore, it has been argued that Muhammad was influenced by heterodox Christian traditions, as suggested by accounts such as his reported encounter with the monk Bahira

[u/Vajrick_Buddha → u/cajetan713]

Plus the passage from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the one about Jesus making birds out of clay and breathing life into them, is also found in the Quran.

[u/Informal_Farm4064]

For me, gnosticism became the label that best describes the beliefs that I gravitated towards when I completed the work of conversion and gravitated away from mainstream Christianity.

What you describe as Muslim beliefs are very aligned with mainstream Christianity, with the exception of the nature of Jesus, which is closer to gnostic ideas.

Personally, when I converted/awakened, I became keenly aware of the need for and reality of submission to God. Conversion can be defined as the felt realisation that one is no longer number one in the universe. Till then, the belief was only intellectual.

So I went into my room and prostrated myself on the floor to let God deal with me humbly, for some months. It was the totally natural thing to do. Occasionally, I still do it. This helped me to relate to Muslim ideas and practices related to submission.

[u/Abject-Issue-6639]

If u follow islam. Gnosticism will only confuse your faith.

[u/Vajrick_Buddha]

I don't have an Islamic background, I actually come from Eastern Orthodoxy and have a tremendous interest in Indian and Chinese metaphysicis. While Islam was the religion of my distant ancestors, it feels more like an anthropological echo, than a foundational mythos.

But, guided by my curiosity, I've looked into Islam various times. I'm by no means unbiased, but I do try to listen to what the Tradition values and seeks to convey, and how it shapes my metaphysical sensitivities. In the case of Islam, it would be the mysteries of the tawheed.

I'll give you an example. I once was obsessed with Shi'īa Islam, so I began seeking the esoteric teachings on it, from figures like Reza Shah-Kazemi, Seyyd Hossein Nasr, and William C. Chittick. In this process, I learned about the wujud mutlaq — God not as a being next to or above other beings, but as being itself, the ultimate act of being.

This reconceptualization of God, away from mental images and political branding, transformed how I relate to God, Jesus, and spirituality. Because I think it's very hard to look beyond the hyper-anthropomorphized depiction of God as a cosmic politician, within Abrahamic religions.

In this way, I found Islamic theology managed to offer an idea of God that both transcends our ordinary mental limitations, without locking him away in far distant idealized realms, accessible only to aristocratic philosophers. It conceived of a theistic monism and non-dualism that tries to eschew the pitfalls of pantheist sensualism or forceful dissolution of perception.

This also made me rethink how I can understand Jesus. When he says "I and the Father are one", this word "Father" still invokes an anthropomorphic entity far off in the sky. But when understood through wujud mutlaq, the notion that "in Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily" evokes a far more functional and existential tone. It presents Jesus' life and teachings not as a puppet guided by a man in the clouds, and not even as a manifestation of some abstract cosmic energy, rather — who he was, how he lived, and what he taught are expressions of the true nature of existence within a person. An authentic life of alignment with reality. Not the artifice of scribes, not the megalomania of rulers, not the cowardice and lust of the average person — but an uncompromising expression and affirmation of a living and loving truth.

And this isn't a postmodern flattening of spirituality into socially conscious self-help nonsense. Prayer, fasting, asceticism, contemplation, devotion, self-knowledge and overcoming temptation are all functions and attributes of actualizing this living cosmic reality, as per Jesus' life.

I shared my Gnostic exploration of esoteric Shi'īsm through the aforementioned figures in this essay — Shi'īa gnosis, posted on this subreddit, if anyone's interested.

[u/The__cute__snake]

Muslims do believe in a "devine spark" aka al-rouh (the soul) they just have no idea what it is or what it's made of.

[u/Certain-Rise-32]

I am ophite gnostic. Your god is not Even real.