THE THANKS GIVER AND THE DENIER OF GODIn the present life, God’s Angels are continuously preparing a record of man’s words and deeds. Based on this record, one who is a thanksgiver, will gain entry into

into Paradise, and one who is a denier and does not acknowledge God will be deprived of Paradise forever. The time prior to death is a testing period. After death will be the time for receiving the

declared thanks-givers while others will be declared as deniers, that is, those who did not acknowledge God. This decision will be based on what deeds one did in the life before death. The greatest fortune

prostration before God, such as will banish all notions of personal greatness. Fasting—perhaps the most difficult— teaches one to be steadfast in one’s trust of God. Charity entails the recognition of

others’ claims upon one, so that one shall not forfeit one’s own share in God’s bounty. Lastly, the pilgrimage serves to unite God’s servants around their Maker. Once an individual attains the high degree

others—as will gain him God’s blessings for all time to come.FaithWhen one finally acknowledges God as one’s Lord and Master, one is entering, as it were, into a ‘contract’ with God, a covenant which excludes

belief in God, the universe is rendered meaningless. It is belief in God alone that makes the meaningfulness of the universe understandable.The Price of Finding GodA high level of realization of God is actually

the Day of Judgement, God will say, ‘O son of Adam, I was sick, but you did not visit Me.’ The man will reply, ‘O my Lord, how could I visit You – the Lord of the whole universe?’ God will say, ‘Did you not

Conversely, we can say with certainty that God loves non-violence. He abhors violent activity being indulged in human society, as a result of which people have to pay the price with their possessions and

statements in the Quran. For instance, we are told in the Quran that peace is one of God’s names (59:23). Those who seek to please God are assured by verse 5 of the sixteenth surah that they will be guided by Him

Him to “the paths of peace.” Paradise, which is the final destination of the society of God’s choice, is referred to in the Quran as “the home of peace” (89:30), etc. The entire spirit of the Quran is

system, causing huge losses in terms of lives and property. Conversely, we can say with certainty that God loves non-violence. He abhors violent activity being indulged in human society, as a result of which

statements in the Quran. For instance, we are told in the Quran that Peace is one of God’s names (59:23). Those who seek to please God are assured by verse 5 of the sixteenth surah that they will be guided by Him

Him to “the paths of peace.” Paradise, which is the final destination of the society of God’s choice, is referred to in the Quran as “the home of peace” (89:30), etc. The entire spirit of the Quran is in

night and day; in the ships that sail the ocean with cargoes beneficial to man; in the water which God sends down from the sky and with which he revives the earth after its death, dispersing over it all

2:163-164) The universe, stretching out to infinity on all sides, is a sublime testament to God’s immanence. The very existence of an incredibly vast universe is proof of there being a Creator. And

been tamed to meet human requirements shows that man’s Creator is a God of unbounded compassion; even before man came into existence, God had already provided for all his needs. Moreover, the usefulness inherent

grants a person the greatest blessings of conviction and trust. One who has associated himself with God has without doubt secured such conviction and trust as are a must for life. Such a person’s every act

from reaching the destination of success: leading a God-fearing life means leading a life of restraint. Conviction in God and the apprehension of God’s chastisement awaken the consciousness in a person that

such a course? The answer, according to Islam, is in prophethood. Throughout the history of mankind, God appointed certain human beings—prophets—who would be the recipients and conveyors of His guidance as

concept of prophethood is totally different from that of incarnation. According to the latter concept, God Himself is re-born in human shape on earth in order to give succour to humanity. Propehthood, according

man, just like any other human being: his uniqueness resides solely in his also being a messenger of God. A messenger is not an ‘inspired’ person in the simple sense of the word. By Islamic tenets, prophethood