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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%?
This is an era of knowledge. The constant generation of ever-improving and ever-changing inventions makes it abundantly clear that knowledge, creativity, and research are the engines of modern progress. The history of the rise and fall of nations clearly shows that the nations that dedicated the highest degree of energy and resources to the pursuit of knowledge were the ones able to advance the frontiers of progress, while those nations that scorned such activity were left behind by history.
Yet with all of the undeniable progress of the human race, so many individual men and women have tumultuous inner lives. Having lost their peace of mind, beset by financial worries, tortured by emotional conflict, imprisoned by addiction, and vulnerable to new fatal diseases of affluence, human beings in the twenty first century seem no less fearful today than their forbears were many centuries ago. An avalanche of fear and insecurity has been loosed upon humankind, crushing so many men and women beneath its oppressive weight.
There are those among scientists and intellectuals who retain a strong measure of compassion for Allah's creatures. Those among them who wish to follow this tender calling of their heart and save God's creatures from misery and insecurity can only do so by attaining and applying spiritual knowledge. But in order to do this, they must demonstrate sincerity and purity of intention that is untainted by material desire.
My purpose of writing Journey Towards Insight is to shed light on those obstacles that prevent man from encountering and embracing his true-self (i.e., his spirit)—obstacles that have deprived him of his peace of mind, obstacles that have imprisoned him in the shackles of his emotional burdens, obstacles that have turned his life into a living hell. This book attempts to explain how we, as individuals and as a nation, can attain peace, for it is peace that the greatest of all blessings.
Those who establish a relationship with Allah are endowed with His attributes, the chief among which is service to humankind. No prophet of Allah has yet lived who did not devote his life to serving His creatures. One who serves humankind is, in fact, following the practice of Allah. The more passionate one becomes in serving Allah's creatures, the closer one becomes to Allah—He and Allah become friends. It is this friendship which releases him from the bonds of all fear and grief. It is this friendship that enables him to attain a peace of mind and heart that has value beyond measure.
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%?
