Spirit of Islam · FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE — Heavenly Personality

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE — Heavenly Personality

Spirit of Islam, Apr 2014, p. 24

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet of God said: 'Such people will go to heaven whose hearts are like those of little birds.' (Musnad Ahmad) S MALL birds possess a unique feature which is absent from all other animals. That is, the birds are free of feelings such as hatred and vengeance. All other animals have an instinct of attacking when threatened, but birds are completely free of such instinct. Looking at a little bird, you will immediately recognize that it is an embodiment of sweetness, tenderness and innocence. That is why the dove has been universally declared a symbol of peace. According to the above quoted Hadith, this is the heavenly quality that every individual who is desirous of Paradise must have. A heavenly personality is one that is completely free of all negativity. A bird has this positive quality by virtue of its instincts, whereas a heavenly personality has this quality as a conscious choice. A heavenly person is one who has moulded himself in such a way There is a tree beside my house. I call it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual inspiration from it. A tree is an evergrowing being that was initially a seed possessing the potential of becoming a full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the universe around it and then grows into a tree. The same is true with spirituality, the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an integral part of, the very nature of, every human being. To realize this spirituality, Man must derive spiritual food from the universe around him. A tree converts carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a spiritual personality. — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan HEAVENLY PERSONALITY

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