The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 442
442 Essence of Islam-1 stowed power out of God's power, and strength out of His strength, and knowledge out of His knowledge, and to be successful in his designs. For proof of this no ar- guments of logic or philosophy are needed, for the soul of every person possesses the capacity to realize this and the personal experiences of a true man of understanding constantly bear witness to its truth. There is nothing arti- ficial about a creature seeking help from God, nor is it the result of idle thinking, nor is it without substantial result. This verity has been established by the eternal way of God Almighty, Who is truly the support of the world and with Whose support the ark of this universe constantly moves, that He lends His support to those who, deeming themselves low and contemptible, seek His support and begin their enterprise with His name. When they turn to God truly out of their humility and servitude, they are helped by His support. To seek the help of the name of that Fountainhead of Grace, Who is Rahman and Rahīm, before commencing any substantial enterprise, is a way of respect and servitude and nothing- ness and indigence. This is the way which is the first step towards the acknowledgement of the Unity of God in one's actions. By adopting it, a person takes on the hu- mility of children and is purified of the arrogance which fills the hearts of the proud people of the world. By being convinced of his own weakness and the effectiveness of Divine help, he partakes of that understanding which is bestowed on the special men of God. Without doubt, to the degree to which a person adopts this way, and makes it his duty to act upon it, and per- ceives his ruin in leaving it out, to that degree his faith in the Unity of God is established, and to that degree he is cleansed of arrogance and self-importance, and to that