The Gist of the Quran

outstretched? Each knows his own mode of prayer and glorification: God has full knowledge of all that they do. (24:41) But man’s case is quite different. Man was born with a mind that has a unique capacity, he was given full freedom. Man does everything by his own choice. So, man’s hamd is hamd by choice. Man’s hamd is not programmed hamd, but his hamd is a selfrealized hamd, discovered by himself. This is the dignity of man. Material world is controlled by the law of nature. Animals behave under their instinct; all the creatures other than man, behave like computer or robots. Their hamd is no doubt a pure hamd, but in computer terms it is a programmed hamd. All the creatures of the universe, living and nonliving both present hamd toward their Creator. Hamd is their daily worship. Thus the whole universe acknowledges the glory of God Almighty. Man is the only creature in this vast universe who enjoys complete freedom. Man possesses the thinking capacity in absolute sense of the word. Man thinks, observes, contemplates, analyzes things, thus he discovers the glory of God reflected in His creation. After acquiring this self-discovered knowledge he exclaims: ‘O God, I witness Your existence, I acknowledge Your glory, I surrender before You. You are my Lord and I am your subject.’ This is the greatest hamd and this kind of hamd can be expressed only by human beings. The chapter Al-Dhariyat (Scattering Winds) of the Quran tells us the purpose of creation in these words: I created the jinn and mankind only so that they might worship Me: I seek no sustenance from them, nor do