A: This is a matter of law of nature. Studies in psychology reveal that if something happens that makes man lose his sanity, his mind will stop working and he would fall prey to negative thinking. Till the time man has sanity, sincerity and seriousness, his mind works fine.

My formula is, 'Save yourself.' This is the only formula and there is no other formula. This has been given in the Hadith,

Alaika nafsat (Baihaqi)

Save yourself.

Self-respect is not a quality; it is a beautiful name of arrogance. The most important quality of man is modesty.

Source: The Seeker’s Guide

Spirituality is not something mysterious. According to my experience, spirituality is a mind based discipline rather than a heart based discipline. According to this definition, it is contemplation rather than meditation that leads to acquiring true spiritual knowledge.

By referring to it as 'intellectual development,' I merely use a new word for 'tazkia.' God created man with unlimited capacity, but this capacity, which is a gift of nature, is in the form of potential. Man needs to turn this potential into actuality by thinking, reflecting and contemplating. When faced with situations, the natural process within man gets activated and leads to intellectual development.

A: Religion is not a matter of rituals. It is a higher form of intellectual activities. Religion develops and engages your mind towards development. Why would you want to limit this?

This is distraction that thinking sets out on a different pattern. Quran clearly says that children are a problem whereas you claim that it is a blessing. Nowhere does the Quran say that children are a blessing! People have developed self-styled notions and say that it is religion. Distraction is anything, which takes your attention away from your goal (God-orientedness and realization of God).

Source: The Seeker’s Guide

Complex-free soul is one which is free of all forms of negative thinking - prejudice, hatred, enmity etc. He who is able to free his mind of such thoughts is complex free. To make one free is not a mysterious formula, it depends on the act of introspection and contemplation. The following verse in the Quran, “An nafsul mutmayinna.” (89:27)

This verse says how man becomes complex-free. If God gives favour to man, he thinks he is superior. On the other hand, when God withhold something which man has wanted he thinks he has been let down [89:15-16]. Both thinking are wrong. Man should be able to acquit him of both these thinking, only then will he be complex free.

Source: Tazkiyah: Purification of the Soul

A: Material attainments should be done for fulfilling needs and not for providing luxury. Man must know the difference between need, comfort and luxury. Sufis prescribe complete abstinence. I do not subscribe to complete abstinence. According to my understanding, materialism should be adopted so long as it fulfils the need.

Attaining luxurious living should not be the goal of striving for materialism. Here I would also like to clarify that comfort and luxury are not haraam (prohibited by religion) but they kills time, energy and money. Therefore, one who makes comfort and luxury his goal will do so at the cost of his intellectual development.

Source: The Seeker’s Guide

Speaking Tree| TOI | April 2, 2011

Adopt contentment. If you cannot increase national growth, decrease your needs; otherwise it will lead to problems. Tackling national issues is not just the task of the administration, it is every citizen's duty. We should develop the spirit of looking on it as our duty and do it with willingness.