Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Sunday Guardian | Dec 24, 2017

Look at the world of plants. Plants have silently adopted the mechanism of photosynthesis. They continuously supply oxygen that fulfils the necessities of other living things, using up unwanted carbon dioxide. This is a selfless system of profitability. It is essential that we also choose to follow this system in our lives.

Look at the flow of water in a mountain stream. The flow is repeatedly obstructed by stones in its path that appear to be obstacles to its journey. But the spring does not attempt to remove the stones to continue its journey. Instead, it carves its way ahead around and alongside the stones. As if telling us not to collide with obstacles, but to continue on our way by keeping away from them.

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Similarly, we see in the world of animals, that now and then, animals quarrel. But it is always for a short time. They quickly become normal as if nothing had happened. In the same way, throughout our social lives, we will go through a lot of unpleasant experiences, but we should make sure they are only temporary.

The study of the universe shows that everything gives something to the others without taking anything in return. For instance, the sun provides light and warmth to inhabitants of our little world, but it does not take anything in return. The atmosphere continuously provides life-sustaining oxygen, without taking anything in return. Similarly, all the natural resources of the world serve us without taking anything in return.

This entire world is a world that gives, not takes. It is a culture of giving. Everything in the world continuously conveys the message that we should give, without taking anything in return. We should adopt this culture, and live as givers, rather than takers.