The fourth Caliph of Islam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, observed:

'I realized God by having failed in my planning.' (Quwwat ul-Quloob)

FAILING to accomplish one’s plan is a common experience. Often, one fails to accomplish the plan one had set out for oneself. It serves as a reminder that there is a factor greater than his own self and this power is, no doubt, none other than God Almighty Himself.

This may be called a negative reminder. There are also positive reminders of the greatness of God and the number of positive reminders is far greater than negative ones. The rising of the new sun after every dark night is a positive reminder of God Almighty. The realization of God, the Creator of the sun is no doubt, of unbounded magnitude.

One’s discovery of God will be an unending journey of divine glimpses. He will realize the greatness of God, on seeing the rains reviving the parched land; when the crops grow again; when the trees continue to supply oxygen; when the physical organs perform their functions every new day just as they did before. All such happenings serve as positive reminders of the fact that there is an all-powerful God who continually showers His blessings upon us.

Nature abounds in such positive testimonies of God. Serious contemplation will make you realize the beneficent and bounteous Creator and His marvellous creation. Reflections of this kind will fill you with positivity. This is the best option for leading a tension-free life.

Ma’rifat or God-realization is not something inanimate like a rock, but an evergrowing thing like a tree. A small seed grows and gradually becomes a tall green tree. The same is true of God realization. God-realization begins with the acknowledgement of faith. After this, through study and contemplation, faith develops into a burgeoning green tree of Ma’rifat.

God-realization is a never-ending journey where one discovers the countless wonders of God.

God-realization is a never-ending journey where one discovers the countless wonders of God. Death is not the end of this journey. After death, the journey of Ma’rifat or God-realization for the believers will continue to a much greater degree.

The most enjoyable experience for the people of Paradise would be to live in the Gardens and breathe in the atmosphere of Ma’rifat. This will no doubt be the most enjoyable gift of Paradise.