OCTOBER 15

Two Paths

Surely there came over man a period of time when his life was a blank? We have created man from sperm mixed (with ovum) so that We may put him to the proof. We have endowed him with sight and hearing. We have shown him the right path, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.

For the unbelievers We have prepared chains and fetters and a blazing Fire. But the righteous shall drink of a cup tempered with Camphor—a fountain from which the servants of Allah will refresh themselves: they who keep their vows and dread the far-spread terrors of the Day (of Judgement); who, though they hold it dear, give sustenance to the poor man, the orphan, and the captive, (saying): ‘We feed you for Allah’s sake only; we seek of you neither recompense nor thanks: for we fear from Him a day of anguish and of woe.’

Allah will deliver them from the evil of that day and make their faces shine with joy. He will reward them for their steadfastness with robes of silk and the delights of Paradise (76:1-11).

After being created with freedom in this world, man has been shown both the paths—the path of gratefulness and the path of ingratitude. Now which of the two paths he adopts is up to him. For one who opts for the path of ungratefulness there awaits the chastisement of hell. And for one who opts for the path of gratefulness there await the blessings of paradise.

One who realises God, realises all other realities as well. The knowledge of God opens the door to all other knowledge. If moreover the individual becomes a man who knows himself, he comes to know reality, i.e. everything as it is in the full sense. This realisation enables him to pay the dues of God as well as of man.

So far as reality is concerned, there is no difference between nature and the shari‘ah.