THE ELEMENTS OF ISLAM
(Excerpts Only)

By: Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

Epilogue

Surely there is a reminder in this for him who has a heart or he gives ear and is a witness.

Qur`an 50:37

Islam is the last divine reminder to mankind of the human potential, duty and way to re-create the original garden in our hearts and on earth. This can only happen if we are trained and educated in self-knowledge. With that comes acceptance and submission to the Glorious Creator who created out of love in order to be known, worshipped and adored:

'I was a hidden treasure and I loved to be known, therefore I created.'

(Sacred Tradition)

Man's search for biological or creational roots is only a prelude to, or a reflection of, the search for his spiritual origins, which is what the path of Islam will lead him to. The present-day global convergence gives us greater hope in developing clearer understanding and realizing justice, peace and harmony for humankind. Although there appear to be ethnic, religious, national or material differences between people, the real differences are based on techno-economic iniquities that result in exploitative monopolies (generally held by supra-national corporations). However, the collapse of Communism and the end of global political polarization could become the ashes out of which a more equitable world rises, if we awaken to the higher elements within ourselves and work towards living those greater virtues.