Three Levels of Development

ore, in the second step iron and in the third and final step it is steel. This is the case of the human being. A person’s birth is like his coming to the outer world from his natural mine. After that, he grows up, thinks and undergoes the stages of getting an education and training. In this way he reaches the stage of maturity and becomes a complete person. This is the middle phase of human life. After this, if a person uses his reason along right lines, he is able to reach the level of realization of God. This is the stage when a person who is born into this world may reach the heights of humanity and may attain the state of one who has realized God (Aarif billah). Every individual has an inborn personality bestowed upon him by God. Initially everyone is equal. It is only later, with the development of human potential, that differences arise. Some achieve a higher level of development than others; the highest level is that of God-realization. There is a tradition which says: “To God, the young believer is better than the old one, and that everyone is good, that is, there is good in everyone. Take those things which are beneficial for you, seek help from God and be humble. And if anything thwarts you, don’t say: ‘I wish I had done such a thing differently’. Say rather: ‘It was according to God’s plan.’” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2664). If a person himself feels inferior, he should not lose heart because he may possess hitherto unsuspected qualities. An individual should discover his own