BOOK REVIEW

The Hereafter is something that all religions, not just Islam, teach. Someone who is conscious of God and the Hereafter, the Maulana says, “will refuse to get involved in controversies that will divert him from his spiritual goal”. Mindfulness of the ephemeral nature of this world (and of the many worldly issues that people seem to never cease squabbling about) and consciousness of the eternity of the Hereafter, then, can help people avoid wasting their lives in pointless conflict with others, thereby ruining their prospects in the eternal Hereafter. That itself can be a powerful means of promoting peace and harmony and of resolving differences between individuals and groups. This slim book, packed with deep spiritual insights from one of the world’s leading exponents of Islamic nonviolence, simply cannot afford to be missed by anyone interested in the very important issues that it discusses. The eminently practical tips for conflict-prevention, conflictresolution and peace-building that the Maulana provides can be found immensely useful by Muslims and others alike. o Fasting, in the words of the Prophet, will teach one to refrain from FALSEHOOD, PROMISE-BREAKING AND LOUD TALK. It provides one with a shield against the onslaughts of the devil. SUNAN IBN MAJAH