Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | THE NATURE OF ISLAMIC SOCIETYunshakeable sense of protection, compassion, self-esteem, stability and peace.A believer’s heart is filled with peace as a result of the clear and robustunderstanding of the nature of the relationship between God and man, betweenCreator and creation and between man and the world around him. God has createdthe world and everything in it according to a sound scheme and for a definitepurpose. The creation of man is a deliberate and carefully considered act, and hedoes not stand alone; all the natural prerequisites for his existence and wellbeing arepresent in nature and the world around him, and available for his benefit. As God’srepresentative on earth, man is given honour by God and enjoys a privilegedposition in the divine order of things. In discharging his mission, he receives God’sunstinted support and the support of the world around, with which, throughsubmitting to the will of God Almighty, he shares a harmony of bonding. Man isinvited to partake in a cosmic festival of divine creation, to reflect on its marvels, tointeract and become intimate with everything and every being in this vast, rich anddynamic universe.The faith that teaches its followers to reflect on the tiniest plants, and promises toreward them for watering them and looking after them and helping them grow andflourish, is a beautiful and noble one. It fills man’s heart with peace and releases himto embrace the whole cosmos and everything in it, promoting peace, mercy, love,compassion, and security all around him.Belief in the hereafter plays a fundamental role in radiating peace throughout abeliever’s surroundings, and prevents anxiety, resentment and despair. It makes itclear that the final reckoning and the real and just reward are reserved for anothertime, when full justice shall be guaranteed. One need not regret the good deeds andthe sacrifices and the struggles that may go unrewarded in this life, nor should onelose hope that justice will be done when in this brief journey of life one encountershatred, wrongdoing or oppression. God harbours no grudges against anyone, andHis justice shall be done.Belief in the hereafter saves believers from following the frenetic rat-race ofmankind, in which values and sanctity are brazenly trampled upon and violated.This belief gives real promise of abundance, magnanimity and recompense for allvictims, and can turn that contentious and selfish race into a peaceful and faircontest, assuaging the frenzied feeling that this transient life is man’s only chance tohave, hold and enjoy.The conviction that the ultimate purpose of human existence is to worship andserve God can elevate man’s conscience and consciousness, his activity andperformance, to wider and more glorious horizons. It purifies and develops hismethods and techniques; all his pursuits and activities and his whole vocation as256