then he has failed in the test. A very different kind of person is one who, on gaining, bows before God in thankfulness, and, on losing, bows again to express his humility. It is the second of these two

poor are not. And anyone who does not accept an invitation commits an act of disobedience against God and His Messenger. HADITH OF AL-BUKHARI’ AND MUSLIM ON THE AUTHORITY OF ABU HURAYRAH.

exigencies of the “training course” established by God Himself for the moral discipline of human beings. As mentioned above, it is not part of God’s plan that an ideal society should be formed in this

this world in which people will lead peaceful lives. According to God’s scheme of things, what is of actual importance is the preparation and formation of individuals. This unavoidably takes place in an atmosphere

means to build the ideal character in individuals, and this is an ongoing reality—as a requirement of God’s Creation plan, which is concerned not with the building of a heavenly society, but

God’s religion, then in this situation there is no need for the arrival of a new prophet. In more recent times, some self-styled claimants to prophethood arose and produced new religions, for instance

fresh guidance in view of the changed circumstances. On the basis of this thesis, they claimed that God had made them prophets to fulfill that need and had revealed His words to them. This argument is wholly

better.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2363) are applicable to the ways and means of daily existence. God’s prophets came to tell us of the principles that govern life. They did not come to guide us as to how

The Long Road of Patience God’s beloved servant strives to please God, not himself; he follows the path of truth rather than the dictates of his own self; he attaches more importance to honour in the

will be granted to the patient, and the patient are those who are willing to bear every loss for God’s sake. In this world of trial, one is bound to encounter difficulties and setbacks. Those who desire

those with whom God is pleased will get a place there. Not understanding this fundamental point about life creates the problems mentioned above. If you view the issue in the light of God’s creation plan

who in the world, after death, will be deemed eligible for entry into Paradise. Thus, according to God’s creation plan, in the world before death, we should be content with what we have and patiently persevere

God’s religion, then in this situation there is no need for the arrival of a new prophet. In more recent times, some self-styled claimants to prophethood arose and produced new religions, for instance

fresh guidance in view of the changed circumstances. On the basis of this thesis, they claimed that God had made them prophets to fulfill that need and had revealed His words to them. This argument is wholly

better.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2363) are applicable to the ways and means of daily existence. God’s prophets came to tell us of the principles that govern life. They did not come to guide us as to how

exposed. Yet these acts of persecution did not deter them from adhering to their faith. Certainly God’s will shall prevail (that is, the age of religious freedom will certainly come) when a traveller will

journey from Sana’a to Hadhramawt, (that is, from one region to another,) without fearing anyone save God. And he will fear no wolf for his sheep. Yet you are in a hurry.” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Manaqib

persecution and the replacing of it with an age of religious freedom in order to smooth the path for God’s servants to follow His religion. This most significant transformation was to take place as part of

THE INNER SPIRIT AND GOD REALIZATIONOne important quality of the Quran is that it gives us only basic, but essential principles, often resorting to reiteration to emphasize them. On the contrary, non-basics

aati nahin rubahi” (God’s lions know no cowardice). Statements like this caught the imagination of the people, without their realizing that no such lions existed in the world of God. They did not pause

pause to consider that the lions of the jungle created by God never spared even a thought for the heroic deed, for all their instincts led them along the path of avoidance—call it cowardice, or call it good