FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE

There is a tree beside my house. I call it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual inspiration from it. A tree is an ever- growing being that was initially a seed possessing the potential of becoming a full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the universe around it and then grows into a tree. The same is true with spirituality, the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an integral part of, the very nature of, every human being. To realise this spirituality, Man must derive spiritual food from the universe around him. A tree converts carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a spiritual personality. — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO GOD

ISLAM teaches us to be grateful to God and acknowledge His bounty each time we receive anything and utter these words, ‘All praise and thankfulness is due to God, the Lord of the worlds.’ Praise of God, in true spirit, is the essence of the Quran. A believer’s feelings find expression in these words of praise.

Man’s existence with a well-balanced body is a blessing of God. The entire world created so favorably for man is a blessing of God.

As this realisation of God’s immeasurable blessings dawns, he is filled with gratitude to God and overawed by His greatness. Words acknowledging God—‘Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds’ come spontaneously to him.

The only thing man can offer God is acknowledgement. Man’s greatest worship of God is when his soul is pervaded by God’s glory and greatness; when he recognises God’s divinity as compared to man’s servitude. When aware of his own helplessness, he comes to acknowledge God’s bounties.

When man realises God with all His attributes, his soul prostrates before Him. The feelings inspired by God’s bounties surge within him like the powerful waves of the ocean. This feeling expressed verbally is praise and gratefulness to God.

In a universe visible to all, God’s supreme glory remains invisible. Realisation of God is to discover this hidden greatness. It finds expression in words such as ‘Praise be to God—Lord of the worlds'. o