What is spirituality—or rabbaniyat, to use the Quranic term? In Spirituality in Islam, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan explains that it is the elevation of the human condition to a plane on which the mind is focused on the higher, non-material realities of a godly existence. The opposite of spirituality is materialism, a course followed all too often in this world. One who centres his attention on mere appearances, is regarded as being materialistic. Conversely, one who rises above material things or appearances, who finds his focus of interest in non-material things, is regarded as being spiritual or godly. The latter is one who obeys the injunction of the Quran: “Be devoted servants of God” (3:79). In other words this means “O people, be godly servants of God.”

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