can lead him to his goal, but they would do so only when they are
freely adopted and acted upon.
From this vantage point it is clear to us that development is the
rule in the world. In the language of the Qur'an it is the Law of
Rububiyyah. This Law states that God carries forward the universe
and everything in it from one stage to a higher one. God keeps
everything moving forward, actualising its latent capabilities. It is a
dynamic universe and the most dynamic being in it is man. In such a
universe, there will obviously be different stages of existence. The
Law of Rububiyyah is tuned, to each stage of existence but its
purpose and aim remains unaffected throughout. The Law is the
sheet-anchor of the universe, the guarantee that everything in it will
develop to the full extent of its capacity: the only possible exception
is man who, through his own volition, may set himself against it and
misapply his freedom by choosing to descend instead of ascending,
to creep on earth instead of soaring in the sky (7:176).
II. Course of Self-developmentThe evolutionary process, in evidence in the outer world, takes
within man the form, of self-development. What are the conditions
under which self-development proceeds smoothly without let or
hindrance? Some conditions are common for each stage of
development in general, others apply only to self-development - the
most exciting form of development. Let us consider the common
ones first. Nothing exists by itself in isolation. Everything is related
to many other things and the relationship between them is not
merely of co-existence, but of co-operation. The development,
therefore, depends on the presence and co-operation of several
factors. To take a concrete example, a seed is capable of growing
into a tree. However, for its growth it depends on soil, water,
minerals, air and sunlight. All these must not only be present, but
they must also bear proper relations to each other and to the seed. If
the seed is placed in one pot, soil in another and water in a third pot,
nothing will happen. But if the seed is related to these things in such
a way that they interact on each other, the seed will soon sprout and
burgeon. The human body too develops through intimate
interaction with environmental forces and objects. All things in the
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