The Message of the Quran

This was the lesson of the forbidden tree. It is when man lets himself be deceived by Satan, and exceeds the bounds that God has laid down for him, that he goes astray. As soon as he eats of the “forbidden fruit” he is deprived of God’s grace or, in other words, Paradise. But this loss is not an irretrievable one. Man still has the opportunity to turn in repentance to his Lord, rectify his actions and seek forgiveness for his sins. When he turns to the Lord in repentance, God relents towards him, and cleanses him of his sins as if he had never committed them. The raising of the call to truth among men is a test of this nature. The preacher of truth is an “Adam;” it is for people to bow before him. If, carried away by pride and prejudice, they refuse to acknowledge his position, then they are following in Satan’s footsteps. God does not become plainly visible in this world; He tests people by revealing Himself through His signs. Those who can interpret His signs have discovered God Himself, and those who fail to interpret His signs have failed to find God. □ “Everything in nature sings the praises of the Lord.” Quran When North American Indians feel depressed, they revive their spirits by standing with their backs to an oak in spring and absorbing its strength and power. Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany (1815-1898), used to employ the same technique, Ralph Whitlock of the Guardian tells of someone who tried this method swearing ‘She can feel the vibrations, as one feels the vibrations of a telephone post by clasping it, and can even hear the tree “singing.” True actions are those in which worldly profit and prestige is not sought A man came to the Prophet, and asked him about the one who participates in ‘Jihad,’ but does so for worldly profit and fame. What will be his reward? “He will have no reward,” the Prophet answered. He repeated the question three times, and each time the Prophet gave the same answer. “God only accepts those actions which are performed for His sake alone, and nothing but His good pleasure is sought,” the Prophet added.