period, the meaning of life cannot be understood satisfactorily. According to the creation plan of God, human life is divided into two phases: a relatively short, pre-death phase, and a post-death eternal

of truth cannot fail to discover the truth. His own nature, his God-given reason, the signs spread all over the universe and God’s Book are sufficient for the right guidance of a man.THE RELIGION OF NATUREGod’s

religion is innate in man’s nature. And the nature of man is synonymous with God’s religion. Hence, neither is the recognition of God’s religion difficult for man nor is his living his life according to it.

The Discovery of Divine BlessingsMan has been granted numerous blessings from God. The greatest form of worship for man is to acknowledge these blessings. Thanksgiving is in fact such an acknowledgement

acknowledgement. Thanksgiving is without doubt the greatest religious act, whereas not thanking God is quite the reverse. It is irreligious. Nothing announces all these divine blessings as such. For instance, the

as an act of worship? There is only one way of doing so. That is, one should continue to discover God’s blessings through contemplation. Thanksgiving follows on naturally after discovering one’s blessings

world is a world for being tested. In accordance with this creation plan, God created human beings and settled them on Earth. God has given every person full freedom. He has granted a person the freedom

wishes—in the right way or a wrong way. Every person who is born here has two invisible angels of God always present with him. They are continuously recording every thought, word and action of his. On

paradisiacal character. Such people will be settled in a paradisiacal world in the Hereafter for eternity. God’s invisible angels are continuously recording how we are using our freedom while in this present world—for

observed: “No one’s action can take one to Paradise, not even mine. I also can reach Paradise only by God’s mercy and forgiveness.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6467) Entry into Paradise is not a simple matter

take place only by God’s decision, which is an expression of His Power. Paradise is for those who acknowledge God, that is, for those who will enter Paradise in full acknowledgement of God. This perfect acknowledgement

into Paradise only by God’s mercy. When he says: “O God, I do not deserve this at all. It is an extraordinary blessing that You gave me Paradise in spite of my being totally undeserving.” The truth is

quantum of his good deeds. It will be given by the mercy of God Almighty. Only those who attached no value to their actions will be enveloped in God’s mercy and gain entry into Paradise. The study of human

laid down by God for all eternity. But man has no such compulsion. He is totally free in word and deed. From other verses in the Qur’an, we learn that, according to the Creation plan of God, what is of

their desire to construct in this present world the ideal society — the society which, according to god’s scheme of things, is going to

sets of consequences. Though this judgement will be entirely God’s judgement, the announcement of it will be made by those special servants of God who had undertaken the task of dawah (call) and shahadah (witness)

people of the Heights’ to stand on. From there they will be able to see everyone, and will pronounce God’s judgement to the people.

comes into play which increases one’s conviction. This openness, without doubt, is a great blessing of God that every religious group may avail, provided they think in terms of free discussion rather than debate

technological aspect. It is this aspect which is mentioned in the following tradition of the Prophet: God will certainly support His religion with the fajir or non-believer. (Sahih Bukhari) Fajir here means