Islam As It Is
The Five Pillars of Islam
~ 87 ~
and man, in his new-found awareness, sees himself
as the slave of the Almighty. All things appear to
him as manifestations of the Lord and, whatever it
falls to his lot to receive, he cherishes as a divine
gift. He is unceasing in his praise and remembrance
of the Lord.
The individual who is thus imbued with faith is not
negligent in the way he lives on earth, remaining
alert to every opportunity of coming closer to his
Lord, for he is ever aware of the many blessings
showered on him by his Creator. For instance, when
his fatigue of the previous day has been banished
by a good night’s rest, he expresses his profound
gratitude for this miracle called sleep. Without sleep
one would go mad and soon die. When he sees the
darkness of the night dispelled by the rising sun, he
exclaims quite involuntarily: “Blessed be the One
who has created light! Without light the entire
world would be plunged into a sea of pitch
darkness!” And just the satisfaction of his hunger
and the quenching of his thirst floods his whole
being with a sense of gratitude. Amazed at the
miracles of food and water, he falls to wondering
what state mankind would be reduced to, were it
