regarding both men as well as God. A person can’t be grateful to one while being ungrateful to another. Acknowledging a favor is a noble human quality. This is called thanksgiving. God has bestowed upon man the

the greatest favors. Therefore, every human being should give thanks to God the most. The sign of this gratitude is shown in man’s acknowledgement of the favors of the people in his daily life. If this

in the matter of God’s blessings. Gratitude in the case of God and ingratitude in the case of man cannot coexist in the heart of a person. There will be either gratitude for both God and human beings or

All things in this world are subjected to God. The stars and planets in space revolve in their orbits totally under the command of God. The trees, the rivers, the mountains— all these things strictly follow

follow the plan laid down for them by God. On a parallel with this, the animals follow the pattern determined for them by their instincts. They are totally governed by their instincts. In this world human

their test. They will be given rewards by God, such as no other creature can merit. They will be held to be those of God’s servants, who have earned nearness to God. And they will live a life of comfort and

God-realization: “Meri hawas ko aishe du Alam bhi tha qubul tera karam ke tu ne diya dil dukha hua.” (My desire sought all the luxuries of both the worlds. But it is Your Grace that is kind enough to grant

grieving heart.)PEOPLE WORTH ENVYINGThose who make God the object of their love and the centre of all one’s feelings and emotions, also become God’s beloved. This is the highest level of faith. According

with God. There they will be on the pulpit (raised platform) of the light.’ The Prophet was asked who they would be.The Prophet said, ‘They are those who make efforts to bring people to love God, and so

only what is in accordance with the will of the Lord. He walks only in the direction commanded by God. He adheres to this path, or attitude or way, even although he is opposed by everyone. Conversely,

seeker of man’s pleasure is different. The attention of such a person is focused on man instead of God. In all matters he thinks of his nation, of his community, of his circle, of his party, of his worldly

with others. Those who seek the pleasure of God are sensitive about God’s will to the ultimate extent. They can ignore all else, but ignoring the importance of God is not possible for them. On the contrary

do not bow before the evidence of God in this world have, in effect, refused to bow before God Himself. They will be punished for their rebelliousness and will be consigned to Hell. When the truth is

person’s word they are denying; it is the word of God. Their action amounts to a rejection of God Himself and the whole universe rejects one who rejects God. They will be left to wander aimlessly, with no

They cannot bear to hear themselves criticized but consider themselves as having been appointed by God to criticise others. They are expert in detecting the faults of others, while

Self-Negation: A Means of Discovering God Everything has its price. Without paying the price one cannot receive the things one desires. Similarly, realization of God also has its price, and this price is

realization of God. This is something that can be attained only at the cost of the negation of one’s own self. If one is not willing to negate oneself, one cannot achieve realization of God. One’s own negation

comparison to that of God becomes totally valueless. Self-negation is achieved by developing such qualities as modesty, humility, acknowledgement, introspection, selflessness, simplicity, being God-fearing, having

Prophet of Islam said, “Satan is your enemy. Whenever you feel that the devil is inciting you, say, ‘O God, I seek refuge in You from the devil’.” (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 22073) Satan is man’s enemy. He wants

attack. There is only one way to avoid it, which is by asking God for help. God promises that whenever a man seeks refuge in God from Satan, God will grant him refuge. That isthe only solution to this problem

God is our Sustainer, who provides us with abundant blessings. This should make a person worship God alone and not associate anything or anyone else with Him. In the second chapter of the Quran the believers

the growth of every kind of fruit for your sustenance. And do not knowingly set up rivals to God.” (2:21-22) God alone has created human beings and all that is in the heavens and on earth. He has invested

significance and He constantly looks after its needs. The proper course for an individual is to take God as his Creator, Master and Sustainer, and not attempt to set up anyone as a partner with Him; that

FINDING GOD IS POSSIBLEbefore the truth is as if surrendering before God. And one who does not surrender before the truth is as if following Satan. FINDING GOD IS POSSIBLE In the mirror of creation one

see how God has subjected everything on the earth to you, and the ships that sail on the sea by His command. He holds back the sky from falling down on the earth, except with His permission. God is most

God is invisible in this present world, and will appear in all His power and majesty only in the world of the Hereafter. Then all human beings will bow low before Him. But at that time, surrendering will

will be of no avail. Self-abnegation and acceptance of God is desired only while God is still invisible. Surrendering before God after seeing Him in the Hereafter will not benefit anyone. Death is not

the Hereafter.AUGUST 16 AngelsOf the many beings created by God, the angels are of special importance. They have been invested by God with the supernatural power to keep order in the functioning