SALVATIONThe Quran says: The believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabaeans — all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good deeds — will be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have no fear, nor shall

communities associated with prophets. This means that all ethnic groups are equal in the sight of God; no community is inherently superior to any other. Only true belief and righteous actions are rewarded

exempt from this rule. Belonging to a particular community gives no special status in the eyes of God. God elevates to a high rank only those who have sought to mould their own lives according to His divine

know, Pharaoh had been drowned by God in the deep waters of the sea. At that moment God had decreed the preservation of Pharaoh’s body in order that it might be a sign of God for future generations. However

to his own narrow mindset. He should try to arrive at an understanding of the infinite mindset of God. NO DOUBLE STANDARDS Contradiction between words and deeds is the mark of a hypocrite. A sincere

principles. The Quran says that God has not placed two hearts in any man’s body (33:4). This means that God does not want a person to adopt double standards, whatever be the issue. God’s does not show His mercy

(96:1). He kept asking them to acknowledge the one God. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 16023) He taught them how to worship and make supplications to God. He taught them about morality and humaneness. He told

people the teachings of the Quran, as a book for reforming themselves and for inviting others to tread God’s path. He taught them that real success is entry into paradise, not entry into the institutions of

The Creator, Master, Planner—all are only one God. Therefore, all greatness and power belong to Him alone. No one besides Him has any such greatness and power. As such, whenever any attempt is made to

in essence, the same, namely, that there was only one God and that the people must worship Him alone. (7:59) What is the meaning of Ilah (one God)? It means He is the greatest of all beings and should

should be the object of man’s awe.10 Indeed, if man ponders over God’s creation, he will be thrilled to the very core of his being. Such an experience generates a sense of sanctity, which is attributable to

AloneJulian Huxley, (1887-1975) the well-known British writer, did not believe in God. He believed that man did not need God, a concept explained in his aptly titled book: Man Stands Alone. It is noteworthy

Man Does Not Stand Alone. Even more so today, many people express the view that they do not need God; that success can be theirs without their believing in the Almighty. But if you conduct a survey, you

always say: ‘O people! O mankind! God is one. You have to worship this God and this God alone.’ Islam began with the mission of peace. Its special concern was the oneness of God. Then the Prophet migrated to

felt that just as he was a human being, so also was the Jew a human being. Just as God had created him, so also had God created the Jew. People may have their differences in belief, religion, culture, etc

the created. God is the Creator and all of us are His creation. All of us are human beings. There is no third position. On the one hand, there is God, and on the other hand, there is God’s creation. This

embodiment of a spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan POSITIVITY: THE FERTILE GROUND FOR GOD-REALIZATION FOR a plant to grow, fertile land is essential. Only on fertile land will it be possible

the plant while barren land is totally unproductive. The same is true of ma’rifah, or discovery of God (God-realization). Ma’rifah can take place only in such a seeker who has a noble personality. One who

whatever the cost. By the grace of God, one endowed with a positive personality finds the opportunity to think along the right lines, and continues to attain God-realization so that the process of building

Human Feelings ONCE, an educated Muslim told me confidently, “I can proudly and gratefully say that God caused me to be born in an environment steeped in religious fervour, and He granted me the opportunity

gratitude? Gratitude is, in reality, the acknowledgement of the blessings of God Almighty. Acknowledgement of the blessings of God immediately produces a feeling of utter helplessness. Once a person feels

will find God as everything. For a man who has this realization of truth, the word ‘pride’ will become meaningless to him. Forgetting all, he will take on the hue of expressing gratitude to God. He will

Abbas (died. 687 CE) has explained worshipping God in terms of the realization of God. (Tafsir Al Qurtubi) Realization or Maarifat means the discovery of God. Man is born with an extraordinary mind. Man

he receives special divine help. He becomes God’s chosen servant (mukhlas) and starts to receive divine inspiration. With his experience and study, and God’s special support, he discovers the truth and

and thus develops a realized personality. It is such individuals who have surrendered to God of their own free will, who epitomize the true purpose of creation. Peace with Yourself If you truly want