The Teachings of Islam
The Straight Path
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THE STRAIGHT PATH
A train which runs on its tracks will have no trouble
in reaching its destination. But should its wheels
slip off the rails—no matter to what side—its
journey will come to a sudden and disastrous end.
Man’s journey through life is in some ways on a
parallel. If he goes off the rails, it will spell
catastrophe. But if he continues to travel along the
straight and narrow path which leads directly to
God, he will safely reach his destination.
Many examples of human aberration—a ‘going-off-
the-rails’—can be cited: the satisfying of one’s own
selfish desires to the exclusion of all else; total
absorption in the greatness of some human
individual, living or dead; aiming, by preference, at
unworthy objectives; obeying impulses of jealousy,
hate and vindictiveness, dedicating oneself to any
nation or party on the assumption that it is
supreme. All of these paths are crooked and diverge
from the true way. No one who chooses such a path
can ever hope to reach his true goal in life.
