ISLAM: A SCHEME OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
The dictionary meaning of spirituality: The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. The Quranic term for spirituality is Rabbaniyat. It is the elevation of the human condition to a plane on which the mind is focused on the higher, non-material realities of a godly existence. The Prophet said: “God plants wisdom in the heart of one who shows disinclination for the world.” To be a spiritual person one should understand the principles of life which Islam expects from its believers. In the following article we bring you a bouquet from the garden of Islamic principles
PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM
SERVICE TO MAN
All the teachings of Islam are based on two basic principles—worship
of God and service to man. Without putting both of these principles
into practice, there can be no true fulfilment of one’s religious duties.
In its followers, Islam inculcates the spirit of love and respect for
all human beings. By serving human beings on the one hand they
please their God, and on the other they achieve spiritual progress for
themselves.
According to a Hadith, you should be merciful to people on earth and God on high will be merciful to you. In this way Islam links personal salvation to serving others. One can receive God’s reward in the Hereafter only if one has done something to alleviate the sufferings of humankind.
All the teachings of Islam are based on two basic principles—worship of God and service to man. Without putting both of these principles into practice, there can be no true fulfilment of one’s religious duties.
According to another Hadith, on Doomsday God will say to a person, “I was ill, but you did not come to nurse Me.” The man will reply, “God, You being the Lord of the universe, how can You be ill?” God will answer, “Such and such servant of Mine was ill. Had you gone there, you would have found Me there with him.” Then God will say to another person, “I was hungry, but you did not feed Me.” The person will reply, “God, You are the Lord of the worlds, how could You go hungry?” God will say, “Such and such of my servant came to you, but you did not feed him. Had you done so, you would have found Me with him.” Then God will say to yet another man, “I was thirsty, and you did not give Me water to drink.” That person will also say, “God, You are the Lord of the worlds, how could You be thirsty?” God will say, “Such and such servant of Mine came to you, but you did not give him water to drink. Had you offered him water, you would have found Me there with him.”
From this, we learn the Islamic principle that if someone wants to find God, he shall first have to make himself deserving of this by helping the poor and the needy. This act becomes a means of spiritual progress for him. And there is no doubt that it is only those people who have elevated themselves spiritually, who will find God.
Islam inculcates the spirit of love and respect for all human beings. By serving human beings on the one hand they please their God, and on the other they achieve spiritual progress for themselves.
This culture of mercy and compassion approved of by God is not limited to human beings, but extends also to the animal world. We must be equally sympathetic to animals. The Hadith gives us many guidelines on how to look after animals and treat them with fairness. There are duties laid down by God. One who is cruel to animals risks depriving himself of God’s mercy.
ASSISTING OTHERS
One of the noble feelings that a believer should possess is the urge or
desire to come to the assistance of others. He should fulfil their needs
without expecting any return.
Coming to the assistance of others is, in essence, an acknowledgement of the blessings, which God has showered upon him. It is that person, who helps others who has something more than others. For example, one who has eyes comes to the assistance of one who has not been blessed with the precious gift of sight; an able-bodied person will give physical help to the disabled; a wealthy person will give donations to the poor; the man with resources will come to the aid of one who lacks them.
On all such occasions when one man helps out another by virtue of those blessings which God has given him, he is in fact showing his gratitude to God for these favours. He is saying within himself, ‘O God, whatever I have is all given by You. Now I am spending it in Your path, I pray to You for more blessings and mercy for both of us (the helper and the receiver).’
By assisting one's fellow being, one is not only helping another but is actually raising his own moral status. Making use of one’s possessions only for oneself is to live on a level which does not befit a human being.
The proper attitude for man is not to keep to one’s self but to embrace the whole of humankind. He should lead his life as a well wisher to all, ready to help everyone, accepting others’ rights over his own possessions.
The proper attitude in accordance with his status is not to keep to one’s self but to embrace the whole of humankind. He should lead his life as a well wisher to all, ready to help everyone, accepting others’ rights over his own possessions.
After the worship of God there is no task nobler than helping other fellow beings.