ANSWERED What is the essence of the religion of Islam? The realization of God is the essence of the religion of Islam. The realization of God is the beginning as well as the end of religion. The Arabic word for

for this realization is Marifah. What role does Marifah or God-realization play in a believer’s life? The position of Marifah in God’s religion is that of the seed. Just as a seed grows gradually into a

lush green tree. Without God-realization, religion becomes like a dried-up tree. If religion is the body, Marifah is its spirit. What is the first step in this journey of God-realization? The journey of

its journey. If there is a God, who created God? The answer to this question is in what the French philosopher Rene Descartes had said, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ To prove God’s existence, I extend this

therefore, God is.’ This is because a human being is like a mini-god, one who possesses all divine qualities in a smaller magnitude. If a mini-god’s existence is possible, the Almighty God’s existence is

too. The choice before us is not between ‘a universe with God’ and ‘a universe without God’, the real choice instead is between ‘a universe with God’ and ‘no universe at all’. The rationale is that when there

a purely human capacity, we should have no difficulty in understanding how contact between man and God can be made without any visible medium, and how ideas can be transmitted from one to the other with

readily accept it. ‘Who listen to what is said and follow what is best in it. These are the ones God has guided; these are the people endowed with understanding.’ (38: 18) In the light of the above Quranic

answers to them. The answer which has satisfied the minds at a universal level is that there is a God of this world. He is its Creator, its Lord, sustaining the entire world with His almighty powers; and

the life after death; and the unwise man is one who follows his desires and pins all his hopes on God.’ Ephemeral Accomplishments In the first quarter of the twentieth century, the British Empire was at

They were all truth seekers. Confining themselves to solitary places, they would remember God and say: “O God if we had known how to worship You, we would have worshipped You accordingly.” This was due

such total willingness to surrender his will to the will of God, he attains that state of humanity which is at one with the creation plan of God. This will to search for the truth is implanted in everyone

spirituality. The mystics can broadly be divided into two groups: those who believe in God and those who do not. Non-believers in God assert that there is a hidden treasure in the centres of our souls. The task

flowing river that is replenished with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey. Can we ask God for death? No, this is completely forbidden according to Islamic teachings. This has been alluded to

According to the creation plan of God, the hour of death for every individual has been appointed by God Himself. We should accept our natural time of death, as God knows what is best for us. Is there

anyone to become a case of failure, not even an ant! We have an example from history through which God has shown us this principle. The principle is to admit one’s mistake and then plan for the future.