The top half of a tree can only stand erect and verdant above the ground when it is prepared to bury its other half beneath the ground. This is an example which trees show to mankind; a philosopher puts it this way: “Root downward, fruit upward, that is the divine protocol.”
Any institution, nation or state which places curbs on freedom of expression will be ultimately brimming with hypocrites. In such an atmosphere sincere people can never be produced.
Islam is a scheme of spiritual development. Its goal is to establish direct communion between God and man in order that man may become the recipient of divine inspiration. In such a religion it is moderation which is of the utmost importance, not extremism or fundamentalism. It is peace which is of the utmost importance and not violence.
Peace can be attained only by accepting two simple precepts: Make all efforts to change what we can and learn to live with the things which we cannot change.
According to a saying of the Prophet of Islam, the best person is one who, in his encounters with others, always has good things to say to them. He is beneficent to all, giving them gifts to bring them happiness.
Islam is a religion of humanity. Islam considers serving others as a great act of worship. According to the teachings of Islam, it is only in serving people that we shall have a share in God’s mercy.
There is nothing that can take the place of a receptive intellect. One who remains open to instruction will look on the whole world as living proof of divine realities. One who goes through life with a closed mind, however, is like an animal that hears and sees all, but understands nothing.
No intermediary link exists between the Creator and the creature. By remembering God, any individual at any point in time may, quite independently, establish contact with God. There is no need for any go-between.
Overcoming the enemy by power is half a victory, whereas overcoming the enemy by love is a complete victory.
To act against others is egoism, while to act against oneself is godliness.
