Spirit of Islam November 2017

7 Spirit of Islam Issue 59 November 2017 A SOUL-STIRRING REMINDER The Final Judgement Everybody is enthusiastic about Islam when it is embellished with material grandeur, but no one is interested in the Islam which shakes one’s soul and makes one live in awareness of the afterlife. W HEN religion becomes part of a national tradition, a new phenomenon comes into existence; ceremonies performed in the name of religion increase, but true religion disappears entirely. This is exactly the case with the Muslims today. The number of people who pray is on the increase, but there are few who really fear God. There is no lack of people who speak on behalf of Islam, but there are few who will remain silent for the sake of their religion. Everyone is sure of his own righteousness, but few acknowledge righteousness in others. There are plenty who are ready to display their piety in public, but few are really pious in private. Muslims want to see Islam established in the whole world, but no one has time to establish it in the individual self. Everybody has huge reserves of fine words at his disposal, but few have any fine action to offer. Everybody thinks they have the keys to Paradise, but few feel the need to tremble in fear of Hell. Everybody is enthusiastic about Islam when it is embellished with material grandeur, but no one is interested in the Islam which shakes one’s soul and makes one live in awareness of the afterlife. Never before in the midst of such a proliferation of religious activities has there been such spiritual bankruptcy. According to the creation plan of God, in this world of trial every man is free. It is possible to torment one’s neighbour, yet still be acclaimed for one’s piety. One may be struggling for leadership, yet still be hailed as a holy crusader. One may choose to be unjust to those one deals with, yet still be invited to preside over meetings whose aim is to promote peace and justice. One may be forgetful of God in private, yet in public places be considered a representative of the divine cause. One may be totally indifferent to the plight of the oppressed, yet still find a place in the headlines as a friend of the downtrodden. One may only be spouting empty words, yet be given credit for beneficent actions. A true believer will ponder about the awe-inspiring day when God sits in judgement. No one will be able to be defiant or proud. Those