Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 374
374 of reason and the pursuit of knowledge of every description. Islam teaches that each human being can and should establish direct communion with God through faith, that is, through acceptance of Divine guidance and through righteous conduct which is conduct in conformity with that guidance. To bring about and facilitate beneficent adjustment of values in all spheres of life, and to establish a just balance, it emphasises man’s accountability and responsibility in respect of his stewardship by constant reminder of the transitory character of this life, and of immortality in the life Hereafter. On the basis of man’s relationship to his fellow beings through God, the Creator of all, it lays the foundations of a true universal brotherhood, excluding all privilege and discrimination based on colour, race, nationality, or on office, status, wealth. By requiring faith in the truth of all Divine revelation and in the righteousness of all prophets, it seeks to bring about accord and harmony in the religious sphere, and provides a basis of mutual goodwill and appreciation, co-operation and respect. In short, Islam sets forth and places at man’s disposal a most effective and potent means of achieving the purpose of life. Of all God’s numberless bounties bestowed upon man, it is the greatest and most precious, and it is indispensable for the