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


GOD’S WRATH AND HIS MERCY

WRATH is an attribute of God, and so is mercy. If someone thinks that God created man in order to make man experience His wrath, this would definitely be an underestimation of God. It is more correct to say that the reason why God created man was to make him experience His mercy. It is this understanding that is in accordance with God’s glory.

This fact is brought out in a Hadith as follows: “God has said, ‘My mercy surpasses My anger’.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Another Hadith relates: “God has said, ‘My mercy prevails over My anger’.” (Musnad Ishaq ibn Rahwayh) A father possesses a sense of what is called ‘fatherliness’ for his son. His fatherliness causes him to take responsibility for his son’s mistakes and to seek to prevent his son from facing their consequences.

This very attribute is found in the Creator too, and in an infinitely larger way. On the basis of this attribute, just as God’s mercy overcomes His wrath, when God’s servant thinks of his merciful Creator, his hope overwhelms his fear. Such a person hopes that his merciful Creator will take care of his mistakes and will save him from having to face their consequences.

This understanding of life leads a person to always fear accountability in the Hereafter on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to always remain hopeful with regard to his Creator. This reality is referred to in the Quran in these words:  “…they called on Us in hope and fear.” (21: 90)

Prejudice
When one is prejudiced
against something one cannot
see its rationality even if there
are clear signs in support of it.