The Message of the Quran

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL The Cow Alif, Lam, Mim. This Book is not to be doubted. It is a guide for the cautious, who have faith in the unseen and observe prayer; who bestow in charity a part of what We have given them; who trust what has been revealed to you and to others before you, and believe in the life to come. These are rightly guided by their Lord; these shall surely triumph. (Quran, 2:1-5) There is no doubt that the Quran is a book of guidance. But it only guides those who are sincere in their search and anxious to be guided. The search for truth is inherent in man’s nature; one only has to discover one’s own true nature in order to find the truth. True search and true finding are but initial and advanced stages of the same journey. One who searches for truth unravels the mystery of his own inner self. He becomes one with nature. God helps him in his search; the subconscious yearnings of his nature begin to receive a definite response. The awakening of sincere yearning within one is an attempt to discern the world of meanings behind the world of forms. When this yearning becomes a discovery, it is transformed into faith in the unseen. That which is initially an urge to submit to some superior power, later takes the form of bowing to the Almighty. That which is initially a wish to sacrifice oneself for some greater good, later takes the form of spending one’s wealth for the cause of God. That, which is initially a questioning regarding the final outcome of life beyond this world, finds an answer in the form of faith in the life to come. To discover truth is to raise one’s consciousness to the level of the Supreme Reality. Those who find truth in this way become complexfree souls. They come to see truth as it really is. Wherever truth is, and whoever is proclaiming it, they immediately recognize and accept it. No rigidity, convention or prejudice can come between them and the truth. God has mercy on people of this nature. His universal order embraces them. They are guided on a sure course in this world. Their final destination will be heaven in the life to come. Only those who seek the truth can find it. Those who seek shall surely find. On this path, there is no division between seeking and finding.