Islam As It Is
Prophethood
~ 54 ~
through the surface of the earth, to go to work like
some highly efficient factory, providing us with
nourishment and shade, but they give us nothing
with which to nourish our minds. The birds cheer
us with their melodies, never in doubt themselves
as to which course to adopt. But no message do they
pass on to us in a language we can understand.
Stars and planets keep faithfully to their path, never
deviating by a single second from their heavenly
schedule. Yet they do not reveal the goal towards
which mankind is meant to strive.
Everything in the universe, from tiny ants to vast
constellations, adheres to a single definite course,
and, judging from the way all things are faithful to
the pattern laid down for them, they are fully aware
of the course they are meant to steer. Only man
remains in ignorance of his course of action. In this,
he stands alone in the universe- an unaware
creature adrift in an all-knowing Cosmos. He sees
everything proceeding in due course towards its
destination, but, as for himself, he has no idea of
what he should do, or where he should go.
Another, more important characteristic which
