Introduction

People are so immersed in the daily flow of their lives that they cannot realise the miraculous conditions on which their lives rest. However, for a man of understanding, the fact that he lives on a sphere spinning on its axis at a speed of 1670 kilometres an hour means a lot. Moreover, that this sphere is favoured with delicate balances to make life possible indicates that this flawless system is the product of an OBVIOUS act of creation, the creation of ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY. So don't pretend not to grasp this fact of which we remind you, and be grateful to our Creator since He created you and gave you a soul.

Everyday you wake up to a new day. Getting out of bed, you wash your face, prepare and, most probably, rush somewhere. Like everyone else, you, too, hasten not to be late to school or work and soon find yourself engrossed with everyday routines. In the rapid flow of the day, in school or at work, you struggle to learn something or to meet a deadline, and in the blink of an eye, you notice that it has almost become evening. When you arrive home in the evening, you do your daily housework. Sometimes, just for a change, you visit your friends, go to movies and then return home to sleep. The next morning you start the same vicious circle all over again.

During these daily routines, is it possible that you remain indifferent to other important things in life? In the daily rush of your life, is it possible that you forget, don't notice or pretend not to grasp some important things?

The answer of almost everyone should be "Yes". Because most of the people fail to think or wonder about many details pertaining to their lives. You can start by thinking the following:

While you are in your room reading this book, are you aware that some astonishing incidents are happening? For instance, have you ever thought that you are now moving at 1,670 kilometres an hour through space?

Alternatively, have you ever thought that the room you are in right now occupies a tiny space in the universe, just as if it were a dust particle?

Or, are you, as a human being – the only being endowed with the faculty of thinking – aware of the perfect order existing in the universe?

There are surely hundreds of similar questions you could ask yourself. The purpose in mentioning these questions is to unveil – albeit slightly – the covering over the human mind, which is already obscured by daily tasks, and help to expand its horizons. Our intention here is to reflect on some crucial issues.

Now, consider the following:

"What is the significance of these questions for my life? Is it really important to think about them while I have hundreds of things to accomplish? My final examinations… the meeting that will be held in late afternoon… don't they have priority?"

These thoughts reflect a common mistake some people make. No doubt, plans pertaining to one's education, home or future are important. Yet there are some issues which are more important. Primarily, a person should reflect on the purpose of his existence in this world, on what exists beyond this life, on how this magnificent planet on which he lives came into existence, and on Who is the Creator of all living things, including him.

If one thinks earnestly without pretending not to grasp the facts one comes across, one would arrive at a single conclusion:

In the immense universe, an astonishing variety of plants and animals, all beings – animate or inanimate – and more importantly man himself, are parts of the flawless creation of Allah, the Almighty. Man doesn't see the Creator, yet, pondering on the countless pieces of evidence surrounding him will make him comprehend Allah's existence and His attributes. In his efforts, his sincerity will provide him with a way to understanding our Creator's commandments and the ways to attaining His good pleasure. Allah relates in the Qur'an:

Eyesight cannot perceive Him but He perceives eyesight. He is the All-Penetrating, the All-Aware. Clear insights have come to you from your Lord. Whoever sees clearly, does so to his own benefit. Whoever is blind, it is to his own detriment. I am not here as your keeper. (Surat al-An'am: 103-104)

You also reflect on this fact and never pretend you don't grasp the superior creation of Allah.

From the moment man wakes in the morning, he has to involve himself in endless pursuits. However, in the middle of all these mundane incidents, he doesn't think much about a VERY IMPORTANT issue: man occupies an almost insignificant space in the whole universe, similar to the volume of a building a dust particle occupies. It may be astonishing to realise, yet, this is an OBVIOUS fact.