SPIRITUAL UPLIFT

SPIRITUAL UPLIFT JOURNEY TOWARDS GOD-REALIZATION I slam provides a complete response to the demands of human nature. In reality, it is fully in harmony with the innate disposition of man. It does not impose anything unnatural upon human beings; rather, it awakens what is already present within them. For this reason, Islam has been described in the Quran and Hadith as the religion of nature. On one occasion, a man came to the Prophet Muhammad and asked what course of action he should take in a certain matter. The Prophet replied, “Consult your heart.” (Musnad Ahmad) By ‘heart’ is meant one’s sound and uncorrupted judgement—what we may call common sense. That is, what a pure human nature inclines towards, when free from prejudice and selfish desire, is in essence in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Religion, in this sense, is not alien to man; it is deeply rooted within him. If we reflect on human nature, we find that above all else, it longs for peace and love. Every individual desires to live in a peaceful environment and to be treated with kindness and affection by others. No one wishes to live in fear, hatred, or hostility. Peace and love are therefore not only human aspirations, but they are also central to the message of Islam. The Quran expresses this beautifully: “God calls man to the home of peace.” (10: 25) This shows that peace is both the starting point and the ultimate destination of a believer’s journey. One of the fundamental teachings of Islam is that when people meet, they should greet one another with the words Assalam-uAlaikum (Peace be upon you). This greeting is not a mere formality; it is a declaration of intention. It conveys the message that one comes with goodwill and poses no threat. Similarly, the five daily prayers represent the highest form of worship. At the end of