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LESSONS FROM THE HONEYBEE <\/b><\/p>\n
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Once we recognize that our thoughts and actions can be tainted by negativity, we must not let this realization go unaddressed. One of nature\u2019s finest teachers in this regard is the honeybee. Watch how it extracts nectar from flowers, flying tirelessly from garden to garden, and then landing precisely on the flower of its choice.<\/p>\n
Along its journey, the honeybee encounters many thorns. Yet, with skill and determination, it avoids them and alights gently on its intended bloom. It knows exactly where to go, positions itself with care, and diligently gathers the nectar. Once its work is complete, it wastes no time in idle wandering. It flies directly back to the hive to deposit its share of honey. Such efficiency is only possible because it remains wholly focused on its task.<\/p>\n
Here lies a lesson for us: to be diligent, persevering, and unwavering in our pursuit of worthy goals. The Creator has not placed us on Earth without purpose. Our mission is to strive for the perfection of our spiritual personality, drawing nourishment from both favourable and unfavourable experiences.<\/p>\n
Life\u2019s path is strewn with distractions. It is only natural to feel tempted at times to turn aside and pay them undue attention. Yet the Creator allows these diversions as a test\u2013to see whether we can remain patient, compassionate, and free from vengeance.<\/p>\n
When we resist the urge for revenge, we strip negativity of its power. We avoid unpleasant entanglements, rise above petty disputes, and forgive others their mistakes. In doing so, we purify our hearts, strengthen our spiritual personality, and draw closer to Paradise.<\/p>\n
Negative experiences play a vital role in this process. They are not obstacles placed at random, but deliberate tests of our character. Calm, untroubled situations cannot reveal our depth of patience or compassion; only extraordinary and provocative moments can do so. The true measure is how we respond when provoked, wronged, or misjudged.<\/p>\n
Faith in the Almighty at every step, rejection of falsehood, steadfastness in fulfilling both civic and religious duties, and restraint in the face of provocation are all signs of a soul that continues to receive spiritual sustenance.<\/p>\n
In Islam, the ultimate spiritual goal is a state of profound inner peace. The Quran describes it in these words:\u202f\u2018A soul at peace\u2019\u202f(89: 27). This represents the highest stage of spiritual development. Once a person reaches it, they are ready to enter Paradise\u2013the eternal and perfect world of the Hereafter. The Quran addresses such souls in these moving lines:\u202f\u2018O soul at peace,\u202freturn to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing.\u202fJoin My servants. Enter My Paradise.\u2019 (89: 27\u201330)<\/p>\n
The honeybee never loses sight of its mission. It gathers sweetness despite the presence of thorns, and it contributes its share to the greater good. In the same way, we must remain focused on our higher purpose, rising above bitterness, and working steadily towards our spiritual goals. By doing so, we nurture a serene soul-one that is truly ready to return to its Lord.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\nFaith in the Almighty at every step, rejection of falsehood, steadfastness in fulfilling both civic and religious duties, and restraint in the face of provocation are all signs of a soul that continues to receive spiritual sustenance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”PURIFICATION OF THE HEART ” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
JOURNEY <\/b>TOWARDS <\/b>GOD-REALIZATION<\/b><\/p>\n
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The Quran tells us that only those will be deserving of Paradise in the Hereafter who come to God with a sound heart (26: 89). In this verse, \u201cheart\u201d does not refer to the physical organ in the physiological sense. Rather, it signifies the psyche\u2014the inner self that governs thought, intention, and action. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nZahhak, the well-known Quran commentator, explained\u202f\u2018sound heart\u2019 to mean \u2018pure heart\u2019 (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 13, p. 114)\u2014that is, an uncorrupted heart. A person who guards his nature from impurities, resists the conditioning of his environment, and successfully deconditions his mind, reaches the stage of God-realization. Such individuals alone will be saved\u2014those who come to God with a sound heart. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe truth is that every human being is born with an upright nature\u2014a\u202fnature that is inclined towards truth and goodness. However, as life progresses, the influence of one\u2019s surroundings, societal trends, and cultural conditioning gradually obscure this purity. False values and prejudices take root, altering perception. To reverse this process and restore the original clarity of the heart, one must engage in deep and honest introspection. This kind of objective self-examination enables a person to rediscover their innate uprightness and to approach God with sincerity. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA sound heart or sound mind is not attained effortlessly. It is the fruit of a sustained intellectual and spiritual struggle. Those who commit to such an endeavour develop seriousness of purpose in the truest sense. They acquire the ability to discern truth in a world overflowing with ideologies, half-truths, and misinformation. They learn to analyse critically, to weigh ideas objectively, and to adopt the right perspective without being swayed by prejudice or emotion. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis is the essence of possessing a sound heart\u2014an unimpaired judgement rooted in truth. Such a level of discernment is reached only through great striving on a high intellectual and moral plane. It is the hallmark of those who will stand successful before God and be welcomed into the eternal world of Paradise. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nWise is he who forgets the faults and wrongs of others and keeps his faults in mind.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”OVERCOMING ONE\u2019S LIMITATIONS” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
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PERSONAL EXPERIENCES <\/strong><\/p>\nOpticians usually have arrangements for eye-testing on the premises so that customers can have their eyes tested and buy their spectacles all in the same shop. One of my acquaintances once opened a spectacle shop. It was rather small, certainly not big enough to permit eye-tests to be carried out, for a distance-vision chart has to be 18 feet away from the client. And this little shop was only 9 feet in length. My friend was quite unperturbed by this. When asked how he proposed to do eye-testing in such a confined space, he said, \u201cSimple! We just fix a mirror on the wall, and there you are! The distance is doubled!\u201d The clients could then be asked to read the chart through the mirror because the reflection would have the effect of doubling the distance. Undaunted by the acute shortage of space, this shopkeeper had shown great ingenuity in solving his problem. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis principle is applicable in most of life\u2019s arenas. When you have limited opportunities, when your horizons seem narrow, there is no need to become a defeatist. It is simply a question of racking your brains and you will be able to \u201cconvert\u201d your \u201c9-feet shop\u201d into an \u201c18-feet shop\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen your home is only a small one, you can always add upper stories to it to enlarge it. When you do not have enough resources to make investments, your basic honesty is your best guarantee of success. When you do not possess university degrees or other high qualifications, your courtesy and hard work will in large measure compensate for this. When there are no chances of overcoming your enemy by waging war against him, your wisest policy is to win his heart. When your share in political power is a diminished one, you can still score in the economic field and achieve a different, but equally important set of objectives. When you feel you are in a weak position because your sympathizers are few in number, you can make up for this by encouraging unifying forces and striving towards efficient organization of whatever human resources are available. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEvery \u2018small shop\u2019 can be converted into a \u2018big shop\u2019. A shop is small only so long as you do not use your brain to expand it. All your limitations can be quickly overcome provided you put to good use the natural gifts bestowed upon you by Almighty God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\nAll your limitations can be quickly overcome provided you put to good use the natural gifts bestowed upon you by Almighty God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nSurely, with every hardship there is ease. (The Quran 94:5)<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”MAHATMA GANDHI\u2019S UNFULFILLED MISSION” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
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INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL <\/b><\/p>\n
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G<\/span>andhi Jayanti is observed annually on October 2 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Historians have described his role in the Indian independence movement as\u202f\u201cthe most massive and historically effective example of nonviolent activism.\u201d\u202f(Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 13, p. 850) Under his leadership, and for the first time in human history, a nonviolent movement achieved political success of such magnitude. Peaceful methods were employed to bring about India\u2019s independence on August 15, 1947. Gandhi also sought to usher in social reform through nonviolence, but his efforts were cut short by his assassination. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti serves as a reminder of the unfinished mission of transforming society through nonviolent means. The reform of a nation depends on the reform of its individuals, who constitute the basic units of society. The preamble to UNESCO affirms that violence originates in the mind and that it can also be ended in the mind. Violence, in any sphere, stems from individual thought; therefore, the path to a peaceful society lies in reshaping thinking from violence to nonviolence through education and intellectual development. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe principles of the Gandhi Andolan can be applied to achieve nonviolent social change by fostering nonviolence at the mental level. Intellectual awakening provides the only lasting foundation for a peaceful world. Although this is a long and arduous process, there is no alternative if sustainable peace is to be achieved. Over decades, practical application of these principles has shown that individuals who adopt peaceful thinking can abandon violence and contribute constructively to society. Two principles form the core of such transformation: tolerance and avoidance. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTolerance is essential in contemporary society. Differences of opinion and perspective exist at all levels\u2014within families, communities, and nations. The belief that unity can be achieved only by eliminating all differences is both unrealistic and impractical. Just as roses inevitably grow with thorns, human diversity cannot be eradicated. True unity is achieved not by removing differences, but by learning to coexist peacefully in spite of them. A stable society is one in which disturbances to peace are tolerated rather than eliminated entirely. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAvoidance is closely linked to tolerance. Social life inevitably presents situations that are unpleasant or provocative. Direct confrontation in such cases often worsens the situation rather than resolving it. A more effective approach is to combine tolerance with avoidance, choosing to disengage from unnecessary conflict and to respond with patience and forbearance. The Quran offers the guidance:\u202f\u201cBe tolerant; enjoin what is right; and avoid the ignorant\u201d\u202f(7: 199) This principle advocates refraining from responding to hostility with hostility, and instead maintaining unity despite differences. Avoidance is thus a conscious strategy for preserving harmony, not an act of weakness. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe moral and spiritual integrity of society depends upon adherence to the principles of tolerance and avoidance. These are active strategies requiring intellectual maturity, emotional discipline, and a long-term perspective. When these principles are embraced, individuals and communities are better equipped to address disputes through peaceful dialogue, to value diversity without hostility, and to resist the lure of vengeance. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nGandhi Jayanti is not merely a ceremonial occasion; it is an opportunity to reaffirm the values of peace and nonviolence in public and private life. The creation of a nonviolent society begins with the transformation of thought at the individual level. Education aimed at fostering tolerance, avoidance, and nonviolent problem-solving is essential to building the type of harmonious society envisioned by Gandhi. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBy embedding these principles into the social fabric, it becomes possible to advance the unfinished mission of nonviolent social change. This requires persistent effort, widespread intellectual awakening, and a societal commitment to addressing differences through peaceful means. The legacy of Gandhi offers not only historical inspiration but also a practical framework for the present and future\u2014one in which political and social disputes are resolved through reason, human dignity is maintained despite differences, and peace is safeguarded by the conscious rejection of violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\nViolence, in any sphere, stems from individual thought; therefore, the path to a peaceful society lies in reshaping thinking from violence to nonviolence through education and intellectual development.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”THE SUBLIME CHARACTER OF THE PROPHET ” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
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Eid Milad-un-Nabi\u202fis observed on 12 Rabi\u2019 al-Awwal, the third month of the\u202fIslamic calendar commemorating the birth anniversary of the Prophet\u202fMuhammad. This year, the day falls on\u202fSept 4-5, 2025.<\/p>\n
T<\/span>he Quran says: You have indeed in the Prophet of God a good example.\u202f(33: 21) <\/span><\/p>\nThe most striking aspect of the Prophet Muhammad\u2019s life was the absolute consistency between his words and actions. There was no injunction revealed to him that he did not demonstrate through his own conduct. Matters of faith, the unity of God, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, almsgiving, charity, striving in the cause of God, self-sacrifice, patience, endurance, gratitude, and virtuous deeds were all practised by him as a living example. His life became a practical illustration of the principles set out in the Quran. <\/span><\/p>\nWhen some of the Companions asked Aishah, the Prophet\u2019s wife, about his moral character, she replied,\u202f\u201cHave you not read the Quran?\u201d He was a personification of the Quran.\u202fWhile the Quran presents divine guidance in words, the Prophet\u2019s life was its embodiment. <\/span><\/p>\nAishah further affirmed:\u202f\u201cHe never spoke ill of anybody. Instead of returning evil for evil, he would forgive those who wronged him. He never sought revenge. He never struck a servant, or an animal. He never turned down a reasonable request, no matter who made it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\nAmong his relatives, none was closer than Ali ibn Abi Talib, who had lived with the Prophet from childhood. Ali testified that the Prophet was of cheerful disposition, kind-hearted, and pure in conscience. He was never harsh to anyone. If a request displeased him, he would remain silent rather than respond bluntly. Those familiar with his ways understood the meaning of his silence. He sought to avoid causing sadness and instead put people at ease. His presence was both inspiring and comforting; those meeting him for the first time felt awe, but this quickly gave way to affection. <\/span><\/p>\nThe French philosopher Voltaire once remarked,\u202f\u201cNo one is a hero to his valet,\u201d\u202fmeaning that close familiarity often reveals flaws that diminish admiration. However, as historian Soren Smith observed, this was not true of the Prophet of Islam. The closer one came to him, the more his fine qualities became evident. <\/span><\/p>\nNumerous incidents attest to his consistency in practising what he preached. Once, while at home with his wife Umm Salamah, he called a maidservant for an errand. She delayed in coming, and signs of displeasure appeared on his face. Umm Salamah went to see her and found her playing outside. When she returned, the Prophet, holding a tooth-stick, remarked to the girl,\u202f\u201cIf I did not fear the retribution of Judgement Day, I would have struck you with this.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\nOn another occasion, a woman of Madinah who cleaned the mosque passed away. She was of African descent and mentally unstable, and few attended her funeral. The Prophet was not informed at the time, but when he later learned of her death, he instructed that he be informed of the passing of any Muslim, regardless of status, and he subsequently performed her funeral prayer. <\/span><\/p>\nAt the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet was struck in the face by a stone, breaking his teeth and causing blood to flow. Some Companions urged him to curse the enemy responsible. Among those killed in the battle was his own uncle, Hamzah. Yet the Prophet replied,\u202f\u201cI have not been sent as a curse. I have been sent as a proclaimer of Truth and the bearer of God\u2019s mercy.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\nAccording to Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet never criticised food. If he liked it, he ate it; if not, he simply left it. Anas ibn Malik recounted that while walking with the Prophet, a man of rustic appearance seized his thick-bordered Abyssinian shawl, pulling it so roughly that marks appeared on his neck. The man demanded,\u202f\u201cO Muhammad, give me some of God\u2019s wealth that you hold.\u201d\u202fThe Prophet, unaffected by the rudeness, smiled and ordered that the man be given provisions from the treasury. <\/span><\/p>\nThe Prophet also advised that the life of the God-fearing should include moments of communion with God, moments of self-assessment, moments of reflection on the mysteries of creation, and moments devoted to the acquisition of life\u2019s necessities. <\/span><\/p>\nAdopting a high code of ethics involves practising what one preaches, treating the weak with the same courtesy as the strong, and applying to oneself the same standards set for others. From this perspective, the Prophet Muhammad stood at the pinnacle of human ethics, never compromising the lofty principles he taught. The testimony of those closest to him remains the most authentic confirmation of the superior moral life he led.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\nVoltaire once remarked,\u202f\u201cNo one is a hero to his valet,\u201d\u202fmeaning that close familiarity often reveals flaws that diminish admiration. However, this was not true of the Prophet of Islam. The closer one came to him, the more his fine qualities became evident.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\nDo Not Waste Water Even If You Were At A Running Stream.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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UNFALTERING DIVINE LAW <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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I<\/span>n the chapter\u202fAl-Ra\u2018d\u202f(The Thunder), the Quran offers a striking parable about the law of life: only those who prove to be givers\u2014those who contribute something of value to others\u2014can truly endure and establish themselves. The verse says: He sends down water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The torrent carries along swelling foam, akin to what rises from smelted ore from which man makes ornaments and tools. God thus depicts truth and falsehood. The scum is cast away, but whatever is of use to man remains behind. God thus speaks in parables. (13: 17) <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe imagery is vivid. Rainwater flows into rivers and streams, carrying foam that eventually disappears. Similarly, when silver or other metals are heated, impurities rise as froth and vanish. What remains\u2014the pure water, the refined metal\u2014is what benefits people. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis is more than a description of natural events; it is a moral law written into creation itself. The message is clear: in the same way that nature discards what is useless and preserves what is beneficial, society retains and honours those who add value and quietly removes those who do not. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis principle applies to individuals, groups, and entire communities. It is not about self-image or how highly one thinks of oneself. In the social sphere, acceptance is earned by proving oneself to be a giver\u2014someone whose presence benefits others. Without that, rejection is inevitable. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThink of the workplace. An employee who consistently contributes ideas, supports colleagues, and solves problems will be valued, even if they are not the most outspoken. Another who complains, resists change, or adds little to the team\u2019s progress may find themselves sidelined or eventually removed. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsider a business. A shop that meets customer needs, treats buyers with respect, and provides quality products will survive, even in competitive markets. A shop that cheats customers or ignores feedback will see its reputation collapse, no matter how attractive its branding. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEven in personal relationships, this law operates. A friend who offers support, encouragement, and understanding becomes treasured. A friend who is constantly critical, self-absorbed, or unreliable eventually finds the calls and invitations stop coming. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHistory too bears witness. Communities that invested in justice, education, and trade thrived for centuries. Those that became oppressive, exploitative, or insular withered away, often leaving little trace behind except ruins. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Quranic parable reminds us that survival in social life is not about being the strongest in the Darwinian sense, but about being the most useful. Nature\u2019s law favours contribution over mere existence. Foam and scum may seem prominent for a moment, but they are swept away; the pure and beneficial endure. <\/span><\/p>\nThis truth challenges the way many of us measure success. Titles, wealth, or influence are temporary if unaccompanied by real service to others. The enduring legacy belongs to those who give\u2014teachers who shape young minds, inventors who solve everyday problems, leaders who foster harmony, neighbours who help without being asked. <\/span><\/p>\n\nCommunities that invested in justice, education, and trade thrived for centuries. Those that became oppressive, exploitative, or insular withered away, often leaving little trace behind except ruins.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
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We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both\u2014man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action\u2014small or big\u2014is possible.<\/p>\n
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RELIGION AND POLITICS <\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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V<\/span>ery often, religion is dragged into communal controversies. Time and again, political and communal disputes are turned into religious issues. This further inflames people\u2019s passions and deepens communal divides. As a result, many people have turned against religion altogether. They argue that human beings do not need religion, and that only by destroying religion can communal harmony be achieved. <\/span><\/p>\n\n