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 evergrowing 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 realize 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
THE CHALLENGE OF SATAN
IT has been narrated in the Quran that when Satan was asked to bow down before Adam he was outraged. He declared to God that, given the opportunity he will lead all the children of Adam astray. At that time he challenged God saying:
Most of them, You will not find grateful.
THE QURAN 7: 17
God has bestowed countless favours upon man. Then, why is it that man refuses to acknowledge these favours and becomes ungrateful. The answer to this lies in the analysis of the character of Satan.
In spite of countless instances for gratitude man becomes ungrateful.
Satan was a Jinn (THE QURAN 18: 50). God had bestowed many favours to the Jinns. It was God who created them and granted them an existence. They were given freedom of choice. God gave them extraordinary powers. He bestowed them with long life. He granted them all that they needed to live in God's world. In spite of all these gifts of God, why did Satan not show gratitude to God?
The reason for this is that the temperament of complaining became so predominant in Satan that he forgot all the other numerous blessings of God. He generalized one event of complaint so much that he could not remember anything other than this grievance.
With one instance of grievance, man forgets all the other good things in his life, choosing to focus only on the issue of complaint in his heart.
The special method that Satan employs to mislead man is by exaggerating the grievances of man. This negative attitude is so enhanced by Satan that with one instance of grievance, man forgets all the other good things in his life, choosing to focus only on the issue of complaint in his heart. He generalizes this one negative instance so much that he is unable to see or acknowledge all the other positive things in his life. In spite of countless instances for gratitude he becomes ungrateful. Those who find themselves in such a feeling of ungratefulness should conclude that they are under the influence of Satan. They should immediately seek forgiveness from God and change their outlook.