It is the reason...

It is the reason, moreover, which forbids the sick person from eating harmful foods although he wishes to eat them; it is the reason which prevents man from entering upon dangerous activities, hence depriving him of a large part of his freedom of action; it is the reason which is man’s single superiority over other animals, and his most important faculty for distinguishing the real from the illusory.

The laws and injunctions brought by the Prophet of Islam are based upon a realistic view of things, not upon the whims and fancies of men. That is to say, that man must perform that action which is really and truly in his best interest even if it is against his fancy, and he must avoid that action which he feels like performing but which is not in conformity with his real interests.

The case of the religious community is the same: it must accomplish what is truly in its best interest and what is in conformity with its felicity, even though this act may be contrary to its wishes; it must not perform that action which is the wish of the majority of its members but which is contrary to its true interest. In the language of the Holy Quran that which is in conformity with reality or with man’s true best interest is called “The Truth” (Al-Haqq).

It is the single goal towards which man must direct his endeavour and after which he must strive. “After the Truth what is there saving error?” (3) “ And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted” .(4) An almond nut which is placed in the ground under the necessary conditions will after a few days break its skin, and a green shoot will come forth from its kernel as well as a number of roots which are put forth in various directions; by way of the roots, the shoot will take continuous nourishment from the ground and will constantly grow and develop until ultimately it becomes a fully grown almond tree with a trunk, branches, leaves blossoms and fruit.

The sperm of an animal placed in the womb of the female of the species under particular circumstances will assume the form and shape peculiar to itself and by means of the activity peculiar to its species will day by day become larger and more complete until it reaches the limit of its perfection. Adapted from the book titled “Muhammad in the Mirror of Islam” by William C.