ancient times, man held that so and so gods and goddesses were responsible for air, rains, crops and different human affairs. They thought of different gods and goddesses as being at work behind the diverse

events, taking place in accordance with the laws of nature, are not the miracles of an array of gods and goddesses. In the face of these findings, the old type of shirk has, to a large extent, lost ground.

in a religion, which did not include bowing down to God. The Companions were amazed that the Prophet should accept their Islam, along with all these reservations. But the Prophet was looking further into

their minds at rest with these words: Once they have submitted to God, they will, after a while, give alms and strive in the path of God.7 Imam Ahmad has related, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik, that

clearly stated that, for believers, political power is a gift from God, and not a goal to be striven for. That is why the Quran observes: God has promised those of you who believe and do good works to make

faith he chose for them and to change their fears to safety. Let them worship me and serve no other gods besides me. Wicked indeed are they who after this deny Me (24:55). The same point has been made in

anyone, nor can he deprive anyone of anything. All human acts take place according to the will of God. Man exists in this world to be tested, and the test is as much concerned with his intentions as it

that an event should take place and strive to cause things to happen in the way be wishes, but if God wills otherwise, there is no way that man can see his wishes come true. Ramaya might well have escaped

cover of darkness and enjoyed the fruits of his hideous crime, but he had failed the supreme test and God willed that his punishment should be immediate. He Is Listening Many years ago, in 1982, the Times

quite simply, the urge to worship. But to worship whom, or what? A man either worships God, or some entity other than God. His whole way of thinking is then governed by his choice. All his trust and devotion

discovery of a mere mathematical formula. It is to recognise that one is nothing, has nothing, that God is everything, has everything in His power, is Lord of all creation. With this realization comes the