'Guidance
for the Human Soul'
Reproduced below are the Acknowledgement and Preface sections as they provide
an intimate glimpse of the new Book for the benefit of our interested readers:
Acknowledgement
‘All praises are due to the Almighty Alone. That is the defining thought
for me as I complete this modest effort to educate myself on the Divine
Teachings of the Holy Qur’an.
According to the great Muslim saint and reformer of the previous century, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908], there are over 700 verses of clear rulings in the Holy Qur’an and it is only by being aware of, and following them in full measure, that one becomes a true believer. Hazrat Mirza writes: ‘...beware and do not take a single step contrary to the teaching of God and the guidance of the Qur’an. I tell you truly that anyone who disregards even a small injunction of the seven hundred commandments of the Qur’an, shuts upon himself the door of salvation’.(Noah’s Ark, p. 42, English edition, UK: 2018).
Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena
Varsally Saheba of Mauritius who came to know about the theme of the Malayalam study showed keen interest for an English version, and it is her gentle persuasion and sustained interest that has resulted in the completion of the present arrangement of
the Book. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Hazrat Saheba, Jazakumullah.
Finally, we wish to profoundly acknowledge the
luminous soul, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin
Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim of Mauritius, for being our spiritual
preceptor and sincere counsellor over the last decade. May Allah (swt) continue
to inspire and guide him on matters of Deen-e-Islam so that humanity may benefit from the spiritual treasures being
made available through the Divine Mission, Insha
Allah, Ameen.
Preface
'Man
is apparently free to choose as he pleases in this world. Yet, his ‘free will’ entails
grave responsibility and fateful consequences for his self. Both in this world, and on the Day of Judgement.
Fortunately for humankind, the great God not only granted the faculty of free
will and discernment, but also gifted the blessings of prophethood and
scripture, pointing to the straight and correct path for a well-balanced life
in this world. Hence, before the final reckoning takes place when the record
will be judged with truth and justice on the Day of Decision; man has the
opportunity, if he so desired, to choose wisely, prudently, responsibly in his
moment in this universe.
From
the dawn of time, prophets of God brought sublime teachings for the
illumination of human souls. Like ancient sages and prophets in various lands,
Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) brought the Holy Qur’an, a Scripture of incomparable
wisdom and beneficence for humankind, containing Divine commandments, and
prohibitions. It is by following God’s teachings and the exemplary personal
example of the Holy prophet (sa) that man can pursue the Just Way, avoiding the
fires of Hell, and hope to obtain the enduring benefits and blessings of Heaven
in the present life and in the life to come.
Speaking with the unique authority and voice of God, the Holy Qur’an is
a book of perennial wisdom and pure guidance for the human soul. Through its prescient guidance, the Holy Scripture
seeks to raise the human soul from the depths of darkness into light. Through
explicit verses of clear commands as well as subtle hints of allusive wisdom,
the Book of God defines what is right and what is prudent in exigent
circumstances of everyday life. Indeed, the Qur’an is an appeal to the human
heart and righteous consciousness: to realize and recognize the station of the
Divine in our human settings; to be grateful for His favours and blessings; to
seek His guidance, protection and help under all circumstances; to plead
forgiveness and repentance for all our sins in the quest for salvation, and the
gardens of Divine pleasure in the life to come.
When’s God’s approval, His pleasure and mercy, His grace and favour is
the Prize, the ultimate objective of the devotee of God; the spiritual path is
one of attaining a state of external cleanliness, inner purity and of being
pious and holy in disposition. Such a true seeker will not injure his soul by
inclining to evil impulses, injustice, and satanic temptations- the passions of
the self, and the fleeting pleasures of our temporal world. It is by being
mindful of God and His commandments that a human can recognize the rights and
interests of the ‘other’, and humanity can save itself from the pangs of evil. Those who critically examine their own public conduct
as well as private counsel; those who are true to their own inner voices; they
will find much merit in the Qur’anic commands and exhortations.
Indeed,
for those who truly seek God and the higher truths of life; for the true
devotees of God, the Holy Qur’an with its express commandments and subtle
allusions is a light that can illumine their spiritual path. It is by doing
good to one another than one can live amicably in a shared earth with all of
God’s creations. It is by worshipping the one and only God and sincerely doing
his duties towards fellow beings that man can recognize the true purpose of
life.
The
present compilation is a modest attempt to bring together selected Verses of
the Holy Qur’an around the theme of the obligations of faith. The idea is to
allow a reader to easily glimpse upon Qur’anic teachings; to allow her to
appreciate the commandments of God within the overall spiritual and ethical
framework of Islamic beliefs and practices as emerging from the Qur’an
itself.
Fazil Jamal
20 January 2024
To access the E-Book, click here. Paperback edition is here.