Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 63
63 has in no instance been complied with by its followers, one would have to infer that that religion has failed to fulfil its object. A consideration of the attributes of God, to some of which I have referred above, and which are accepted by almost all religions, would show that our real relationship is with God alone, for He is the author of our being. He has created all things necessary for our comfort, progress and success. Our future life depends upon His grace. Our parents, children, brothers, wives, husbands, friends, countrymen, governments, countries, properties, rank, honour and very lives are not closer to us than God; for all these are His gifts and He alone is the Donor. In truth, once we realize the nature of the attributes that have been described above, we cannot accept a religion as true which does not require man to put the love of God above all other things, to respect and obey Him above all earthly potentates, to be ready to sacrifice all things to His will, and not to tolerate the postponement of His commands for the sake of any other object. A true religion must require man to love God with a love greater and deeper than that bestowed on earthly objects of affection, and to think of Him and remember Him more than any other beloved. He must not be regarded merely as a part of the universe like a river or a mountain in a distant land, but must be real- ized as the fountain-head of all life, the centre of all hope, the cynosure of all eyes. This is exactly what Islam teaches. The Holy Quran says: