The more one acquires relative perfection...

The more one acquires relative perfection, the nearer he gets to God, the Absolutely Perfect. Man is also one of those beings who of their inner light seek perfection, but however hard he may try he cannot cast off his relativity. He can but keep on the path and increase his measure of perfection and thus approach God, the Absolutely Perfect. This is the true meaning of approaching God in Islam.

According to the teachings of Islam any act of worship in general may be considered as a means of approaching God only if it helps man on his path to perfection or maintains the development he has already attained. 16: Prayer God is available to all men, at all times, in all places. Anyone may turn towards Him and seek His help. Verse 186, Sura 2 reads as follows: "And when My servants ask thee concerning Me: I am indeed close (to them).

I respond to the prayer of every petitioner, when he calls on Me." The basic condition of prayer is that man turn to God in all sincerity. It is only then that God will answer his prayer, regardless of time and place and needless of intercession. 17: Sin, Repentance, And Remission Sinners may also turn away from sin at any time and place and take the path of goodness and expect God's mercy and they need nothing and nobody else to have recourse to.

In this respect Qur'an says: "Say: 'Oh, My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the mercy of Allah. Allah forgives all sins- He is oft forgiving, most merciful." "Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His will, before the punishment comes on you, and ye shall not be helped any more." Sura 39: verses 53-54. 18: God And Universe The universe and all it contains is a creation of God.

The laws governing the universe, including the laws of nature, are God's laws and the ways and habits, ordained by Him. Among the verses of the Qur'an we find that events generally attributed to nature (and from one point of view this is true) are considered as God's work.

Verse 32, Sura 14 says in this respect: "It is Allah Who has created the heavens and the earth, sent down water from the sky, brought out fruits therewith to feed you, rendered ships to your service that they may sail through the sea according to His will and He subjected streams and rivers to you." Such verses teach us that according to the Islamic notion the natural order is not in opposition to God and His laws. Rather, it is regarded as part of creation and God's divine order.