ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Womens Issues Made Simple Introduction All things are from God and to Him they all return. God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer of creation, presides over its origin, unfolding, and end result. All things essentially refer to Him, and all matters only gain any meaning in reference to Him. Man is not outside of creation and hence falls under this general principle.

The realization of his essential nature prefigures the goal and final end of man’s purpose and existence. God, in His infinite Mercy, provides and makes easy the way to this final end and destination of man. This “way” is nothing other than religion. Religion takes man from where he presently stands, as a limited creature who in his earthly nature is very weak, and ushers him towards his infinite Creator who informs the essence of his spirit.

Now, as the Creator is one and encompasses all aspects of existence—being the ultimate Totality, His way or religion encompasses all aspects of man’s being. So no religion is a true religion unless it addresses all the needs of man in his journey to God. Religion must, by definition and on principle, shed light on all matters of man’s earthly and spiritual life. Earthly, insofar as the material earth is where man has been placed, and insofar as he has been given a physical body made of earth.

Spiritual, insofar as the metaphysical heavens are where man has to return, and insofar as he has been given a spirit that is of divine inspiration. Islam, as the final religion for mankind and in its terminal and conclusive nature, has been given the most comprehensive of all “ways” or directives that direct and regulate man’s activities towards his true destination. These directives cover man’s three aspects of body, soul or mind, and spirit.

Among them there are those that deal with doctrine, beliefs, and man’s intellectual life. Others pertain to his heart and soul, and define the proper emotional etiquette that he is to follow as a moral being in the path of self-purification, and outline the correct ethical behaviour towards his fellow human beings.

Others yet apply to his physical being and actions in the material world—whether acts of worship and their prerequisites, or the worldly dealings and interactions that he is involved in with other human beings. In its comprehensive nature, Islam applies all of these directives or laws to all levels of humanity—personal, social, and political.