apparently, was a disaster. But the Quran says that no sooner had he been cast down into this dark pit than God revealed to him that he would emerge from it to a new life, and that he would soon reach such heights

of judging Joseph’s predicament from the outside, God saw its inner reality. Viewed from such a standpoint its whole complexion changed. That is why God revealed to Joseph at that crucial point in time

“Beware of the believer’s wisdom, for he sees things by the light of God.” Seeing things “by the light of God” is tellingly illustrated by God’s prediction about the future course of Joseph’s life. It means looking

previously passed through phases of feeling yourself to be nearer to God than to all others, how can you expect proximity with God in the Hereafter? Surely, prayer deserves such a great reward as will

alluded to by the Prophet: “I found the balm of my eyes in worship” (Nasai).THE DEMANDS OF WORSHIPWhat God desires of man, first and foremost, is that he display humility in His presence. It is this attitude

one path leading to God and the other leading to self, his spirit of worship compels him at that point to renounce the latter path and take the one which is pointed out to him by God. This happens when

this way you will not undervalue God’s blessings upon you.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 10246) This hadith is explained by another hadith. “The Prophet once said that God will accept him as His thankful

matters of this world, to look to those who are inferior to him and then be thankful to God for the blessings that God has given him. The other is the capacity in matters of religion, to look to those who

about what he is lacking in, will neither be a thankful servant, nor a patient servant in the eyes of God.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2512) Gratitude is the greatest form of worship. What is most required

succour of God. It is when man experiences this helplessness, ijz made manifest during the times when he feels hunger and thirst, that his true self meets God. When one fasts one discovers God Almighty

experience makes him aware of his duties as God’s humble servant. This feeling leads to caution in life. Then in the evening, when he eats and drinks, he sees how God has made complete provision

there is no deity other than God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God; saying prayers; paying the prescribed charity (zakat); making the pilgrimage to the House of God in Makkah and fasting in the

are to support its structure. Man’s life is like a piece of land on which he must build a house to God’s liking. His first step must be to set up these five sturdy pillars, without which Islam cannot raise

prayers, fasting, charity and pilgrimage – are meant to engender in man a lifelong piety and devotion to God.

did not adhere to his promise with God and he indulged in a forbidden act, the Creator laid down another principle for man. This principle was based on selection, that is, the paradise which had been attainable

God in His mercy has chosen to reveal it. There is such a marvelous continuity and uniformity running throughout the whole Book, that no impartial critic or fair-minded reader can ever doubt either its

this man who, according to the Quran, has achieved the highest spiritual state. The realization of God joins man to his Maker. Such communion with the divine brings about a state of spiritual elevation

tidings that the encompassing flood of death and destruction will leave them unscathed. Not only will God restore to them what is theirs but will shower them with even greater blessings. The flash flood of

human words. In the beginning, it seemed as though God, through a little angel, was saying, “O my servant, do you need anything?” Then, the matter extended to include the whole Universe with its Heavens

question. The vast Heaven was saying, “Do you need a shelter? Here I am to provide you with one, because God has ordered me to do so.” The gleaming sun was saying, “Do you need light? I am here to supply it and

” And the gusting wind was asking, “Do you want to tour the Universe to see the wondrous signs of God? Here is my back for you to ride on to embark on such a Divine journey.” The trees were whispering