THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

have two ways to respond. One is to flare up and get into a confrontation—this is the path of impatience. The other is to hear their words but remain calm and composed. You hold your emotions in check and think rationally about what should be done in such a situation. This is the path of patience. Both impatience and patience are forms of action—neither is inaction. The difference is that an impatient person acts on immediate emotion, regardless of the outcome. In contrast, a patient person reflects, consults, and then decides on a thoughtful course of action. The way of impatience leads to destruction, while the way of patience leads to success. GLORIFICATION AND HUMILITY In relation to God, the attitude required is one of glorification (takbir), and in relation to human beings, the attitude required is humility (tawadu). These two concepts—takbir and tawadu—form the core of the entire essence of religion. The Quran instructs: “And glorify Him with great glorification.” (17:111) Elsewhere it says: “And proclaim the greatness of your Lord.” (74:3) Upon recognizing God, the strongest emotion that arises in a person’s heart is this: all greatness belongs to God alone. This leads one to bow down in humility before Him. Recognizing God as the Greatest fills a person with the awareness that all humans, including themselves, are small