Before studying the literature of the Middle Ages, I had several questions and issues regarding some of the Christian beliefs. First, I was interested in an explanation for the idea of original sin, then, the reason behind monastic anti-marriage propaganda in early writings, and last, the status of love as seemingly the ultimate aim of society. I understood that all those things were part of the Christian culture, but I did not know how it all started, blended in, got changed around and became what it is today. Beside those individual issues, I was keeping in mind a general question as the class went on. Overall, while reading and discussing the variety of Middle Age literature, I was comparing everything to Islam, and by doing so I noted interesting similarities and differences.
Augustinus Aurelius (354-430 CE), a bishop with Algerian roots, was highly influenced by Paul. I became concerned with his emphasis on original sin - that this idea got passed on to a later church and was embraced in society. As discussed in Search class, Augustan was struggling with lust in his early years, and was very confused both morally and mentally. That lead him to the crisis of faith, that encouraged Augustinus to study all sorts of writings to come up with a decent conclusion and explanation for his high sexual desire and bad behavior. Augustinus saw himself as a sinful individual from the very beginning, and he wanted to find the root of all evil. So, after studying different literatures, he figured out that everybody has an original sin, and it’s all because of Eve’s disobedience. Augustinus even had a quite unusual example of original sin. For example, the fact that newborn babies cry when they want something, means they struggle to make their will known because they are born into original sin (Streete).
To me, personally, the idea seems more like irresponsibility and an excuse to justify Augustinus’ misbehavior. I found it interesting, that the Augustan version of Paul influenced the Protestant reformation through Luther; and Luther influenced other Protestants. Also, Augustinus influenced Thomas Aquinas, who lead to Roman Catholicism (Streete). So, basically, Augustinus’ own explanation and excuse became almost a fundamental belief of today’s many churches. I find it somewhat ironic. Islam, on the other hand, does not allow to blame anyone else for sins: every person is responsible for his own actions and therefore, sins. A person is believed to be born clear of sins, and only his further deeds and intentions done in a conscious state would be a substance for judging. Such idea is straight forward, it is mentioned throughout the Qur’an, and it can be seen in everyday earthly practice. For example, if my mom did not turn in an essay for her college English class, I, obviously, would not be judged now in my English class and given a grade of zero for her fault that happened a long time ago, before I was even born. Next, I was concerned with the idea of life-long celibacy that comes with the anti-marriage monastic idea as a devotion to God. Perpetua was the first of the Medieval Characters (that we have studied) to introduce that concept. Perpetua wanted to be like her teacher Paul, who taught “radical Christianity” and that “new family is Christ”, forcing to reject the actual blood-related family. Perpetua said that to be a Christian, she does not need to get married and does not need to have a family (Streete). Augustinus Aurelius joins in on that idea, in order to “straighten up” from being bad. He also adds that to avoid sexual desire (which is a part of marriage life), he ought to stop being in love with something lower than himself, and he ought to be in love with something higher – that is with God. Augustinus considers relying on Manichaean myths that explain his own problems as fleshly problems; meaning that flesh is bad, and thus contributing to the idea of celibacy and anti-marriage (Streete). In comparison to Perpetua and Augustinus, Islam mandates celibacy too, but in a different way. Islam asks one to be celibate before marriage only. However, in contrast with Perpetua and Augustinus, Islam, puts a high value on blood-related families, as well as the formations of the new families. Family is an important block of the Muslim community. Prophet Mohammad is reported to have said: "A good wife is a gift from God and fulfils half of a man's religious obligations. Let him see to the other half himself." (Hadith) A marriage, in fact, is considered a second part of the faith, because it fulfills God’s requirement – to produce more God-worshiping, God-fearing offspring. By using the word “produce”, I not only mean to give birth, but that includes educating and raising children in a strong Islamic faith. Marriage is considered a religious duty in Islam. The Quran also praised those who: “Say, 'Lord, give us joy in our wives and our children.!” (AI-Furqan: 74) God instructed the Muslim community to ensure that single women should find suitable husbands easily. The Quran says: "See to the marriage of those among you who are single and those of your male and female slaves who are pious. If they are poor, God will enrich them out of His bounty. God is munificent and all-knowing."(Al-Noor: 32).
Then, I was interested to know why people in mainly Christian society value love so much, that they place it before anything else. Thank to Search class, I think I found an answer to the question of love, which helped me to somewhat imagine other people’s way of thinking. So, it seems like the Medieval Troubadours from the courtly elites were the ones to start the idea that love must be one’s aim in life. They composed mainly love poems and sang them around for the public. The idea of courtly love for the noble lady came from the troubadours, as well. So, as I concluded, today’s Christian society has been highly influenced by those individuals by adopting their values of love.
I even have a personal example of that issue, which took place on Rhodes College campus. I and a girl from one of my classes started talking about marriage, and she stated that marriage is all about love. I rationally explained and proved to her that it is actually not all about love, but she got very mad at me for that and now avoids me. Even if you put Islam aside, and think about a situation with marriage rationally– love is not everything. Marriage would not last if it was all about love. Marriage is built on mutual respect, interests, strong friendship, understanding, having the same values and aims in life. Love may be just an addition to all the other essential elements that compose a successful marriage. However, love is a dangerous feeling, because it comes and goes. One person might love another person for a specific trait, and when that trait is gone- love will be gone too. So, if the relationship is built on love alone – when love disappears, so will the relationship. And that is exactly why Islam does not encourage love, especially before marriage, in order to protect people’s feelings from disappointments of the failed relationships, and from unsuccessful relationships in the first place and from risks of lust. In the marriage, perhaps love may be applied as an addition to mutual respect and mercy. The English editions of the Qur’an include in the translation the word love in the following ayat, but in an Arabic version, the verb “ h’b” (to love) is found nowhere. That is why only the Arabic version of the Qur’an is considered Holy, original and unchangeable. But anyways, the interpretation of the ayat goes like this: “And of His signs is that he created for you spouses of your own ilk, that you might seek comfort with them, and He created love and kindness between you and them." ( Al-Room: 20). In conclusion, the readings from Medieval literature cleared up certain confusions and questions that I had in my mind. It helped to see the “other side of the story”, and thus understand the roots of some behaviors. Moreover, the reading, discussion and personal brainstorming on the theme of Medieval literature confirmed my strong faith that Islam is the only religion that has a rationally derived answer for every question and always has a right solution for any situation, in my opinion.
References
Ali, Yusuf A., et al. An English translation of the Holy Quran.
2006
Streete, Gail et al. Search 102 Class Notes.
2007
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