The Second Word

Now then, O my nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits.! Realize that the first man is an unbeliever or a heedless sinner. In his eyes, this world is a place of mourning. Every living being is an orphan weeping because of separation and the loss of all its loved ones. He sees human beings and animals as helpless creatures, abandoned and left to themselves, being torn apart by the claws of death. Great creatures such as mountains and seas appear to him as terrifying and purposeless. There are many other miserable, distressing, and frightening imaginings that arise from unbelief and misguidance and torment him spiritually.

The second man is a believer. He knows and acknowledges his Creator. In his eyes, this world is a place of worship where dhikrThe remembrance of Allah through the repeated recitation of a word or short phrase as an act of worship. is performed, a school in which human beings and animals fulfil their responsibilities, and an arena in which human beings and jinnsSpiritual beings created from smokeless fire. are tested.

The death of human beings and animals is a release from service. Those who have completed their life's task pass peacefully from this transient abode to a carefree world, so that room may be made for new recruits to come and serve. The birth of every human being and animal means being called into service, being armed, and being entrusted with responsibilities. Every living being is a soldier on duty, an upright official who is happy and content with his condition. The sounds heard throughout creation are either the dhikrThe remembrance of Allah through the repeated recitation of a word or short phrase as an act of worship. performed at the commencement of duty, expressions of gratitude and relief upon release from service, or songs arising from the joy of labour. In the eyes of that believer, every creature is a warm-hearted servant and a friendly official of his Generous Lord and Merciful Owner, and each serves as a delightful book of His. Thus, many other subtle, exalted, graceful, and sweet truths emerge from his īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar)..

This means that īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar). contains within it the seed of the Tūbā TreeA tree in Paradise with roots above and branches hanging downward., while unbelief contains within it the seed of the Zaqqūm TreeA tree in Hell with poisonous fruits..

Therefore, peace and security are found only in Islam and īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar).. For this reason, we should always say:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ عَلٰى دٖينِ الْاِسْلَامِ وَ كَمَالِ الْاٖيمَانِAll praise is due to Allah, who has blessed us with the religion of Islam and perfect īmān.