IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE

In the Light of Experience ~ 33 ~ The realisation of God is deeply embedded within man’s own nature, but rises to the surface only in times of great calamity, in the face of which he feels himself helpless. For instance, when a tempest overtakes his ships on some vast ocean, all artificial veils are removed from his vision. He recognizes the One God and starts invoking Him alone. Man is made to undergo this temporary experience in order that he may mould his entire life accordingly, with momentary recognition turned to permanent faith. But how sad a reality it is that he is reminded of God only on such occasions as being engulfed in tempests. It is even sadder that he becomes oblivious of his Saviour as soon as he is delivered from the storm. Accepting the uniqueness of God’s divine nature is tawheed (monotheism); refusal to accept it is shirk (paganism, polytheism and idolatry). The reality respectively of tawheed and shirk are recognition and non-recognition of the oneness of the godhead.