core and interprets it with wide vision, both of the possibilities open to
man and of the limitations in which he is confined will be a true
religion, because it is conterminous with life; it will encourage the
growth of life, and will itself grow with that growth. I believe in the
religion of life.(5)
Julian Huxley, of course, does not believe that man needs the
help of Divine Revelation. He holds fast to the view that reason
alone can enable man to grasp the true relationship between himself
and mankind. Here, he is oversimplifying the problem. He fails to
see that mere intellectual apprehension of a truth is not enough, that
it does not guarantee that we will always follow the hard path he has
suggested. Reason may lead us to the lofty peak which gives a wider
vision of life, but Revelation gives us the strength to stay there and
order our life in accordance with that vision. Ovid’s famous line is
pertinent to the point, "Video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor!"
(I see the better way, approve it, but I follow the worse!). Reason can
point out the right path but it lacks the power to compel us to follow
it. Revelation supplements reason. It confirms and expands the
vision granted by reason and also sustains and guides us in the
arduous journey to our goal. Revelation summons men to a fuller
and richer life and is meant only for those "who are living" (36:70).
Life, we should bear in mind, is much more than physical
existence. It is a steady and continuous progress towards a higher
stage in social, moral and intellectual development. Man approaches
this stage by helping his fellow beings to do the same. If man pushes
society forward, society in turn pushes him on, and so both rise to
the desired higher level. Says the Qur'an:
O ye who believe! Respond to God and His apostle, when he calls you
to that which gives you life (8:24).
To sum up, man is organically related to all mankind. His vital
interests are bound up with the interest of humanity. He can fulfil
himself only by serving other men and by putting their interest
above his own. He realises his good only by working for the general
good. The Qur'an puts it clearly:
(The believers say): We feed you for the sake of Allah only. We wish for
no reward or thanks from you (76:9).
Man is really benefiting himself by serving other men. So the
question of reward does not arise. As the Qur'an says:
Is the reward of Ihsaan aught save Ihsaan ( 55 : 60 ).
The Development of Human Personality 183