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Spirit of Islam Issue 35 November 2015
Sometimes in the course of daily life a feeling of helplessness overcomes
man, the same kind of helplessness that he experiences while observing
the universe through a telescope. All men and women have the feeling
that they suffer from limitations when they cannot achieve what they
want. These limitations make them feel dejected and helpless. Illness,
accident, loss, death or old age are a part of man’s experience. They are
constant reminders of the fact that we are in need of a superior power.
Without the help of such a superior power, we cannot go on with our
lives. These feelings are a psychological proof of the existence of God.
We go through this psychological experience at various points in our
lives. Each one of us, in our inner feelings, thus bears witness to the
existence of God.
The nature of every human being constantly urges one to recognise the
need for God. Without God, our lives will not be complete. Without the
help of God we cannot succeed.
Man’s position is further illustrated by the
following example.
A hundred years ago, a ship sailed from the
coast of America towards Africa. When the
ship was far out in the open sea, a severe
storm broke out, making it heave and
shudder. The passengers were all shaken and
in a state of great fear and anxiety. At this
time of crisis, one of the passengers noticed a little girl in a corner on
the deck playing with her dolls, quite undisturbed by the storm. Seeing
her, he got curious and asked, “Do you know what is happening to our
ship?”
The girl asked, “What is the matter?”
The passenger told her that the ship was caught in a dangerous storm.
The girl calmly replied: “You know, my father is the Captain of this ship.
He is not going to let it sink.”
The girl’s faith in her father saved her from being a victim of fear at
this crucial moment. The same is true of a person of faith. He has the
same childlike faith in his Creator, God Almighty. But his is a faith of far
greater intensity. When catastrophe threatens, he can say with much
stronger conviction that God Almighty is the Captain of the ship of his
life: He will never let it sink under any circumstance.
o
Each one of us, in
our inner feelings,
bears witness to the
existence of God.