Islam and the Problems of Contemporary Man

to be adopted by man in his personal life of his own accord. What God has established in the rest of the world on a material plane, man has to establish on a human plane. What is found in the form of iron on a cosmic level is required of man in the form of strong character. On a cosmic level springs gush forth from rocks; this action is required of man in the form of kind-heartedness. Fragrance and colour are found aplenty in the cosmos; man should beautify his life by being fair and honest in his dealings. Trees breathe in polluted air, carbon dioxide, and breathe out oxygen, in return; man should learn from this to adopt the habit of being kind to those who wrong him. Nothing in the cosmos ever encroaches upon other objects. Everything concentrates solely on playing its part in the order of the universe. Man is also required to engage in the same positive struggle, which involves avoiding all negative activities. The principle of recycling and decomposing is at work in the cosmos. Refuse is converted into gas in order to be reused. Leaves fall from trees and turn into humus, which benefits the land. This is required of man in the sense that whatever he spends must be of use to others; his struggle should bear fruit for others. Innumerable activities are going on in the cosmos on a grand scale without recompense. The same thing is required for man; he should keep fulfilling his duties without expecting any recompense in this world for his deeds. Lofty mountains, trees and other such things cast their shadows on the earth. Man should emulate their act and be humble. No one should be proud; no one should consider himself superior to others. Man should emulate their act and be humble. As the Prophet has enjoined, no one should be proud; no one should consider himself superior to others. The cosmos is entirely predictable because the events in this cosmos are governed by immutable laws. Everything in the universe functions with such precision that every event can be predicted. God has thus provided in the cosmos a model of predictable character. Man should follow the cosmic pattern of predictability. This must be an essential element in his character. If you have to criticize someone, you should be able to predict that he will take your criticism seriously and that his reaction will not be negative. If someone makes a promise, it should be certain that he will fulfill it, etc. Thus, one must possess a character which could be forecast.