Al-Risala (English), May-June 2001

spurred on to higher and greater things. Such a temperament demands that duties should be carried out in an ideal way and, indeed, anyone so inclined can never know happiness unless and until things have been done in the best possible way. A man endowed with such a temperament will never stop until the highest good has been achieved. There can be no half measures for him and he will never be content with things of lesser value. □ The Beginning of a New Era W ith the end of the 14th century Hijrah, a whole era of Islam has come to an end. With the beginning of the 15th century we are now on the threshold of a new era—and one of great promise, for we are fortunate in having around us all the circumstances most conducive to the creation of a new and great era of Islam. When the darkness of the night gives way to the light of the sun, it is nature’s silent way of announcing that one revolution of night and day is over and that with a fresh day, a fresh life is beginning, and that with the light of day, the wayfarer may take courage and hope to reach his destination. The morning sun sheds light on two views of life. One backwards-looking, one forward-looking. One is of the opportunities left behind, while the other is of the opportunities still ahead, waiting to be seized. He who uses his opportunities well will surely be successful in life. In this world of trial and competition, however, opportunities appear as such only to those who are capable of availing of them. Fail to grasp them, and you will find that