FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE The Quran describes a reality of life in the following words: If We extend anyone's life, We reverse his development. Can they not use their reason? (36 : 68) T HE human body that we have been gifted with is unique. It contains seventy eight organs, which work continuously and in remarkable coordination as different systems carrying out the essential functions of the body. This coordinated work happens in accordance with an automated system in the body that enables it to function continuously. But, every human being after passing through various stages of life— childhood, and then youth and middle-age, finally reaches old age. When someone grows old, his organs begin to degenerate and fail—partially, in some cases, or completely, in others. This is the phenomenon of reversal and degeneration that makes a man old, and finally helpless, incapable of doing anything. 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 THE PROCESS OF REVERSAL