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Awareness of Earth


We have before us two ways of thinking. One way to think is that, in order to live in this world, we become so influenced by our surroundings that we imprison ourselves within mountains of resources. And that we care for nothing but luxury and comfort and consider it the purpose of our lives.

The other way of thinking is that we not only live a life of moderation, but also take account of our lives and assess what have gained and what we have lost.

We accumulate wealth in pursuit of the enticing prospect of gaining worldly honour and respect. We advertise this wealth building magnificent mansions. We keep such articles of beauty and display in our homes as would be a proof of our own worth and significance.

As far as acquiring honour and respect by amassing wealth is concerned, it is only self-deception-a self-deception which none can deny. Castles of the Pharaohs of Egypt and treasures of Qaaron tell us that wealth is faithful to none. History repeats itself and, in every age, it reveals to us the reality of wealth. We are all aware of the life stories of majestic emperors. Even with their grandeur and glory and all their royal majesty, it has happened [at times] that fate did not grant them even small piece of land for graves in their native lands.

How faithless have proven the mountains of gold, silver and jewels for the wealthiest of men in the world! Does reality not warn us with its sobering lessons!

The earth recognizes only itself, and it keeps its each and every part connected to its womb. If earth is considered an individual then everything made of the earth becomes a part of its body. Gold and silver, iron and copper, and precious jewel are all such limbs and parts of the earth-parts on which it established its identity. Man's body is also composed of the earth, but because man has been entrusted to carry within him. Allah's trust, the conscious of the earth considers him, apart from all the other body parts, its heart. When the heart within a body is affected, the body is eventually rendered paralyzed and useless. A paralyzed and useless body is nothing but it burdens upon the earth.

Everyone knows that even if a person builds a mansion with fifty rooms, he is still only able to sleep on one bed. In his greed for wealth, he may add to his piles of gold and silver (particles of earth) as much as he wants, yet he still only requires three square meals a day to fill his belly. No matter how illumined and fragrant man makes his surrounding with artificial lights and perfumes, they cannot replace that which rots within him.

It is earth's nature to want to see its children clean; and it keep them clean. When its children refuse to leave filth and decay it leaves them alone. This misfortune turns man into something, that is repulsive and cancerous. Indeed, there isn't a punishment worse than this for any man. The Holy Quran says:

"And those who collect gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah are given the tiding of a painful punishment."

[Holy Quran ch9:v34]


Journey Towards Insight

KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI

Science has made immense progress, yet many believe that, even with all of the modern tools at our disposal, human beings function at no more than 10% of their mental capacity. This leads to the question of what exactly it is that comprises the remaining 90%. Yet another question that arises is this: If it has taken man four and a half billion years to be able to apply only 10% of his ability, how long will it take for him to make use of the remaining 90%?