FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE — Divine Food

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE T HE Quran (20: 131) refers to a provision from God in these words: “Do not regard with envy the worldly benefits We have given some of them, for with these We seek only to test them. The provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.” It is this provision from God that was given to Mary. The Quran has referred to this fact in these words: Every time Zachariah visited her in her chamber he found some provision with her. He asked, ‘Mary, where did this provision come from?’ She replied, This is from God. God provides for whoever He wills without measure. THE QURAN 3: 37 The “food” given to Mary was not material food; it was divine food or spiritual food. Without receiving this food, a person cannot develop his or her personality. Jesus Christ has mentioned this fact in this wellknown saying: Man cannot live by bread alone. Matthew 4: 4 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 DIVINE FOOD