GLAD TIDINGS

The message of the Quran for man is that he should save himself from distraction. The above verse of the Quran gives us to understand that arrogance is the source of all evil. By contrast, modesty is the greatest source of all good. According to the Quran, the kind of man desired by God is one who is totally free of arrogance. Such a person is a modest person in the fullest sense. In the chapter al-Fajr (89) of the Quran, we are told that all the pleasant or unpleasant experiences faced by man occur solely as a means of putting him to the test, but man takes such incidents in a negative manner. As a result, having pleasant experiences causes him to suffer from a superiority complex whereas unpleasant experiences give him an inferiority complex. (89: 15-16) According to the Quran, both complexes affect man in extremely adverse ways. The right thing for him to do is that in both sets of circumstances, pleasant and unpleasant, he should consistently tread the path of moderation. Those who prove to be moderate in personality and conduct are described in the Quran as souls at peace (nafs al-muthmainnah), (89: 27), that is, complex-free souls. The greatest success for man is his gaining entry into Paradise in the eternal life after death. On this subject, the Quran says: “Truly, this is a great victory! It is for the like of this that all should strive.” (37: 60-61) This is a clear indication that, according to the Quran, man’s goal should be one and only one, and that is, Paradise. The greatest feature of Paradise is that it is the realm of the Lord of the universe. And without doubt, there can be no success greater than finding oneself in close proximity to one’s Lord in the eternal life after death. This unique desirability of Paradise is expressed in this verse of the Quran, which gives voice to a sincere and heartfelt human longing: My Lord, build me a house in nearness to You in Paradise. (66: 11) o GOD If we deny God, we shall have to deny our own selves.