The Law of the Spirit is Law of Light and Justice

There are Muslims who still maintain their allegiance to the law of light and the message of Islam that the Qur’an preserved, and that remained firmly established in their hearts. There are also others who long to have such light in their hearts. Hearts of such people are divided between two things:

One: noble values and concepts that are settled in their hearts and consciences, and that regard the material as just a means of attaining a greater goal, represented in pursuing truth and justice and applying the same in reality of life, and employing material aspects of life as a means of attaining ideals, values and goals of light and its higher spiritual purposes. This elevates man, and elevates with him, the material side of his being. In this situation, the material has become a noble illuminating means.

Two: Inclinations of baser self – in the context of Western ideology and concepts – such as desire to acquire abundant material means of life, spurred by the needs of the body and its animalistic leanings and its enjoyment and relaxation. As a result of their weak vision concerning their concepts and goals of their laws as far as material is concerned, could their efforts be regarded a means or a goal? That is why they are failed students in their learning from the West without neither strong will nor firm resolve, as opposed to the situation of other nations like the Japanese. Therefore, Muslims’ efforts – up till today – to achieve material advancement continue to be inundated with failure while their peoples continue not to respond to the fact that strong resolve and energy are indispensable. They need to be aware that they must have a clear vision about material from the Islamic perspective. According to Islamic perspective, material is a necessary tool for achieving higher spiritual goals.

If we really understood our beings, our perspectives, and the structure of our conscience, and we understood the concepts that control our sentiments, we would realize that a Muslim’s conscience cannot accept materialism and mere mortal needs as his goal. That is why we find a Muslim, in spite of his ideological and creedal weakness, and in spite of his fondness of emulating the West in his pursuance of material and taking his worldly needs as a goal, not convinced – deep inside – that material is really his goal. It is impossible for the Muslim nation to regard material – any day – as its goal of life, thought it is inevitable for earthly needs. The reason for this is that material has never been the real thing in a Muslim’s belief, in his conscience or in the essence of his existence. In the light of this, the Muslim has ever been half-hearted and hesitant – and shall continue to be so – in his emulating Western ways.

It is this lack of clarity of vision that has made the Muslim fail – and will continue to make him fail – in his revival efforts and his seriousness in productivity and creativity. For, there will neither be any strength nor any resolution without a clear vision and a defined goal.

Therefore, it is obvious that if a Muslim really desires revival and actually want to bear the message, he should be more serious in his dealing with material and make us of the necessary means in order to achieve values and goals of goodness. He needs to personify the same in his journey of life; for without material, these goals cannot be achieved and these purposes and values cannot be exemplified. It is when material represents meanings of goodness, truth, splendor and law of light that it is elevated and becomes a blessing, advancement and progress. But if it is taken as a goal in itself and it becomes an embodiment of the goals of the jungle law, oppression, injustice, racialism, polytheism and atheism then it becomes real darkness, evil and corruption on the earth. It then becomes perfidy, mirage, lust and desires. Allah says:

“For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in their prayers). So hasten towards all that is good.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:148)

“But if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:66)

“Work you, O family of Dawûd (David), with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful.” (Surah Saba, 34:13)

“Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” (Surah As-Saff, 61:3)

Allah also says:

“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:77)

“And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:20)

“And whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:215)

“On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done.” (Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:30)

“And weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:35)

Allah also says:

“O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:172)

 “So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you. And be grateful for the Favor of Allah, if it is He Whom you worship.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 16:114)

“Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?" Say, "They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection." Thus do We detail the verses for a people who know. Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."” (Surah Al-A‘raf, 7:32-33)

“And (He) brought forth therefrom its water and its pasture. And the mountains, He has fixed firmly. (To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle.” (An-Nazi‘at, 79:31-33)

“Allah is He Who has created the heavens and the earth and sends down water (rain) from the sky, and thereby brought forth fruits as provision for you; and He has made the ships to be of service to you, that they may sail through the sea by His Command; and He has made rivers (also) to be of service to you. And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day, to be of service to you.” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:32-33)

“See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent and hidden?” (Surah Luqman, 31:20)

 “He (Allah) strengthened you with His Help, and provided you with good things so that you might be grateful.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:26)

“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” (Al-A‘raf, 7:31)

Therefore, if a Muslim wants to succeed in international civilizational race, he needs to clearly and unambiguously understand his creedal precepts and deal with material and his worldly needs as a means of attaining his greater eternal spiritual goal of building the civilization of truth that exemplifies a society in which cooperation, justice, virtues and true human solidarity are distinct features. If not, he can never be serious with life; neither can he ever be able to play the role of successive authority and reformer. Not only that, he can never succeed in his efforts in this international competition and he can never be successful in building civilization of truth and establishment of the law of light or attain a pious, competent and noble life.