(AT-TIRMIDHI, IBN MAJAH) Fearing God in one’s dealings with men The Prophet once came across Abu Masud Ansari beating his slave. “You should know, Abu Masud,” he said, “that God has more power over you than

slave.” Abu Masud trembled on hearing these words of the Prophet. “Messenger of God,” he said, “I am freeing this slave for God’s sake.” “If you had not acted thus, the flames of Hell would have engulfed you

accept the truth, and so on. The Miracle of Creation Man is a masterpiece of the creative power of God. In this vast universe no creature like man exists. This has been mentioned in the Quran in different

honoured the children of Adam … and exalted them above many of Our creatures.” (17.70). In the same vein God says: “We have indeed created man in the best of mould.” (95:4) Furthermore: “He shaped you, formed

in this way, you will have a great surge of feelings of acknowledgement of God. In your inner self, you will feel that God’s blessings upon you are so great that to describe it, no human words are sufficient

enables you to see things in depth, you will know all events come about through the instrumentality of God: they are not your own personal feats. It is this point on which an individual is being tested. Now

everything happened at the behest of God. Those who develop such insight have attained Godrealization. Whereas those who do not prove to be men of insight will never attain God-realization. The Reason behind

everywhere— this is the attitude which has made people turn away from any feeling of gratitude to God. Indeed, all those incidents which people refer to in their grouses are man-made. But they form even

significant speech, a part of which is as follows: “What you have brought is deception. Surely God will render it vain. God does not bless the work of the evildoers. By His words He vindicates the truth, much as

guilty may dislike it.” (10:81-82) What Prophet Moses said at that time was in fact a proclamation of God’s eternal verdict. In the present world man has been granted freedom so that he may be put to the test

period of time, it rejects all falsity. It is truth and truth alone which will endure. This law of God was manifest in ancient times just as it is manifest today. That is why, in the time of Prophet Moses

and this universe. Whereas when a man takes something other than God to be great, when he accords to it a status which should be God’s alone, the result is that his attitude becomes unreal. He becomes

to be God. Christ was, in reality, the son of Mary. But the Christians, exaggerating his importance, gave him the status of the son of God. They accorded to him the greatness of which only one God is deserving—He

accept the truth, and so on. The Miracle of Creation Man is a masterpiece of the creative power of God. In this vast universe no creature like man exists. This has been mentioned in the Quran in different

honoured the children of Adam … and exalted them above many of Our creatures.” (17.70). In the same vein God says: “We have indeed created man in the best of mould.” (95:4) Furthermore: “He shaped you, formed

in this way, you will have a great surge of feelings of acknowledgement of God. In your inner self, you will feel that God’s blessings upon you are so great that to describe it, no human words are sufficient

refrain from joining in this battle because of God’s express command never to shed the blood of one’s brother: it is unlawful.” Both replied: “Has not God enjoined us to fight till persecution (fitna) ceases

“We fought till fitna ceased. Religion became only for God, and now you want to fight so that fitna may return, and religion will no longer be for God.” (Fathul Bari, Kitab at-Tafsir, Vol. 8, p.32, Kitab

alFitan Vol. 13, p. 49). From this account we learn that war against persecution as commanded by God was limited in its scope and of a particular nature. It had to be directed against those leaders who

besides God, there is no one who can be a refuge for anyone! People accumulate worldly wealth and fondly imagine that they have obtained what needs to be had. Imagine their condition when death will expose

Imagine their state when they will realize that only those who were right according to the criteria that God has established were truly right! Finding a huge crowd to welcome them, people think that they are

fortunate. Imagine their condition when they will come to know that only that person is fortunate whom God and His angels were waiting to welcome! Every person has built a fantasy world of his own and is happy

2577) God certainly gave a human being a perfect existence, but he does not have any personal choice. Human beings are completely helpless creatures. This helplessness is compensated for by God in this

the greatest realization, discovering one’s total helplessness in comparison to the Omnipotence of God Almighty is the beginning of realization of truth. The door of realization does not open to any person

eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, and was suddenly deprived of God’s mercy. He subsequently, felt very perturbed and prayed to God for forgiveness.

that just as the giver is God so also is the taker God. This being so, he has to willingly accept His decision, because it is only in doing so that he can again be deserving of God’s mercy and succour. Conversely

everyone else. On the contrary, he should ensure that success only adds to his modesty. In relation to God and humanity, whatever responsibilities devolve upon him should be shouldered by him in a far superior

the path of moderation. It is people of such staunchness who will be held successful in the eyes of God. Nothing will come in the way of their success.