The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 80
PREFACE ESSENCE OF ISLAM 79 all its physical and spiritual faculties—becomes devoted solely to God Almighty and the trusts that are committed to him by God Almighty are rendered back to the True Bestower. He should demonstrate his Islam and the entire picture of its perfect reality, not only doctrinally but also in the mirror of his actions. In other words, a person claim- ing to be a Muslim should prove that his hands and feet, heart and mind, intellect and understanding, anger and compassion, meekness and knowledge, all his physical and spiritual faculties, honour and wealth, comfort and delight, and whatever pertains to him from the top of his head to the tips of his toes—whether it be apparent or hid- den-so much so that even his motives, the fears lurking in his heart, and the passions of his soul, all have become fully subordinated to Almighty God, just as a person's limbs are under his full control. In short, it should be proved that his sincerity has reached a stage in which whatever is his, does not belong to him but now belongs to God Almighty, and that all his limbs and faculties have become so engaged in the divine service of God that they seem to have become the very limbs of God. Reflection on these verses also shows clearly and manifestly that devoting one's life to the cause of God Almighty, which is the essence of Islam, has two aspects. FIRST, that Only God Almighty alone should be regarded as your deity, objective, and beloved, and no other should remain a partner in His worship, love, fear, and hope. All matters relat- ing to His holiness, glorification, worship, etiquettes of servitude, ordi- nances and commandments, all the limits set by Him, as well as the heavenly decrees and determinations, should be accepted with utmost sincerity of heart and soul. All these commandments, limits, laws, and decrees should be fully accepted and undertaken with the utmost self-effacement and humility. Moreover, a full understanding should be acquired of all those holy verities and points of wisdom, which are a means of appreciating His vast powers and a reason for discovering the greatness of His kingdom and sovereignty and a powerful guide for recognizing His favours and bounties.