benefits, also contributes to the beauty of the world. From this straightforward example, we can see how God has placed unpleasant things alongside the pleasant things of life. Just as the rose bush, as well

thorns, so also is life composed of an amalgam of both pleasing and displeasing things. This is the way God has created the world. There is nothing we can do but fit in with this order of nature as laid down

white enjoyed any superiority over a black, for superiority is related solely to one’s religiosity and God-fearingness. About two and a half months after delivering this sermon, the Prophet passed away. The

what should have been done was to decide upon a successor to the caliphate on the basis of piety and God-fearingness, rather than on the basis of family and tribe. But this did not happen. After his death

such matters. If, on the other hand, I say anything about God, it must be adhered to. Because I never say anything untrue when I am speaking of God.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2363) The Prophet’s advice amounted

those who believe and do good deeds—theirs shall be an unending reward! God has made Man with a heavenly personality. Then, He placed him in this world, where conditions are such that they tend to give

amidst ‘the lowest of the low’ takes himself to the level of ‘the best of mould’ will be blessed by God after death. This world is a testing-ground. That is why it has been made in such a way that conditions

determines as to which leadership is Islamic and which is unIslamic. The leader who tells people to fear God, who speaks in the language of low profile is the Islamic leader. It is this type of a leader whose

their enticing utterances and devote themselves in constructive activities on the basis of fear of God alone.DECEMBER 12 Moon MissionAmerican Astronaut, Neil Armstrong, stepped on to the moon for the first

Islam was in Makkah. In this chapter the Prophet was given a direction from God to convey the message of tawhid (the oneness of God) to his people. This chapter begins thus: O you, wrapped in your cloak, arise

Only God Almighty can do that. It is the duty of every man and woman to examine his or her mindset when he or she reaches maturity. Then he or she must discover the norms that are approved of by God and

this teaching: Bear in mind all that is recited in your homes of the revelations of God and of hikmah (wisdom). God is all pervading and all aware. (33:34). This is a role model for a believer’s family

expressed by Jesus Christ in these words: “Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and give to God what is due to God.” (Luke, 20:25) This means that, by avoiding a head-on clash with unfavourable circumstances

another verse from the Torah which is worthy of mention. It describes the blessed commandments of God: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be

(Isaiah, 65:25) In this quotation we are told in symbolic language what the desirable society of God should be like. It is a society where the weak and the powerful exist side by side without harming