Introducing Islam

words, ‘Insha Allah.’ In this way, he acknowledges that he can only make a beginning. So far as the completion of the task is concerned, it lies entirely in God’s hands. The phrase Insha Allah, in its essence, is a form of prayer. Beginning one’s work with Insha Allah is like seeking God’s company, and when God, the Lord of the universe, accompanies us on our journey, who can stop us from reaching our destination? Conveyance To facilitate travel in this world, we have to use transport of one kind or another. Islam teaches us that when we make use of these different means of transport, we must remember God and say: ‘Glory to Him who has subjected these to us. But for Him, we could never have accomplished this. To our Lord we shall return.’ (Quran, 43:13-14) One of God’s countless bounties to man is His provision of suitable conveyances. To meet different requirements, man has to travel from one place to another. But he cannot traverse long distances on foot. God has therefore come to his aid and made certain things subject to him in order that he may utilize them as transport. Initially, animals alone were the means of conveyance. Then, man crossed the seas, making ships for traveling long distances. Investigations revealed that God had endowed matter with such properties that it could be fashioned into much more rapid forms of transport. Hence, the motor car and the aeroplane came into existence. All means of transportation, right from the horse to the aeroplanes, are blessings of God. If they were brought into being, it was entirely due to God having harnessed the potential of nature to human use. When man thinks of all these bounties showered upon him by God he spontaneously calls out: ‘O God, It is You who has subjected everything to us.