FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE 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 NEXT WORLD A SCENE of the Day of Judgment has been described in the Quran thus: “On the Day when the truth shall be laid bare, they will be called upon to prostrate themselves, but they will not be able to do so.” (68: 42). Here, the phrase ‘truth shall be laid bare’ means that all those facts which are hidden in the present world will come to light on the Day of Judgment. These facts or truths are veiled in this world because our life here is meant for testing us. According to Abdullah ibn Abbas, this verse of the Quran informs us about the Day when every matter shall become plainly evident and all of one’s deeds will be disclosed. A person who adopts a religious life solely for the purpose of showing off to others or for the sake of one’s personal interest is guilty of false religiosity. However, in this world this fact about him remains hidden from others. This is why here a person who is not truly religious receives the same respect as should be accorded to the one who is sincere in following religion. But such fakery and pretence cannot be passed off as truth in the world to come after death. In the next world, such people will find themselves utterly helpless.