misplaced notion of man's nature and from a misconception of his
relationship to the world. It throws man into the turmoil with the
handicap of a tainted soul in a perverse world, giving him the only
recourse of renouncing the combat and fleeing from it. Why set
such a futile stage at all? Divine purpose runs through the world, a
purpose which is akin to the purpose for which man is endowed
with a self. No doubt, the odds are set against him. But the obstacles
are there not to frustrate him, but to call forth the best in him. They
are designed to put him on his mettle and permit the indomitable
spirit he possesses to reveal itself in all its glory. Man develops his
powers in the course of overcoming obstacles. Frustration forces
him to reconstruct his personality. Rebuffs and setbacks toughen
and harden him and by facing them he develops a mature
personality. So we see that even when the world at times appears to
be stern and unkind, in the long run it turns out to be man's ally and
not his foe.
Certainly man often goes astray. As a free being, it is his privilege.
When he commits a mistake, he has to pay the price for it and in the
process he realises that he is fully responsible for his action and that
the freedom he enjoys is real and not illusory. To err is human, and it
is natural for man to commit a mistake now and again. If he acts
wrongly, his self is stained, but the stain can be removed. If he
realises his mistake and sincerely tries to make amends for his
wrongdoing, he can recover his poise. This is the truth that is clearly
set forth in the Qur'an. The Qur'an is a gospel of hope. It forbids
man to give way to despair. A man may have led a wrong life for
years but if he resolutely turns his face in the right direction and
persists in acting rightly, he will not find the path to self-realisation
blocked for all time. Right actions nullify wrong actions. The man
who is saved is not one who has never committed a mistake, which is
impossible, but one whose right actions outweigh his wrong actions.
Says the Qur'an;
Then those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful.
And, those whose scales are light are those who lose their self
(23:102-103).
What exactly is meant by saving one's self or losing it? These
phrases become intelligible only when viewed in relation to the goal-
seeking activity of the human self. The deepest urge in man is for
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 163