Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.
In such a situation, it is but natural that man must acknowledge the Creator by saying, Alhamdulillah. Without this acknowledgement, man has no right to live on this planet earth. It is this acknowledgement that gives one legitimacy to live on the planet earth and enjoy all the bounties created by God in this world. p. 139
Then the second verse calls God “the Beneficent, the Merciful.” These are also words of acknowledgement. When man discovers the fact that the whole world is so favourable to him that it seems that it was created solely for him, he is compelled to believe that the Creator is not simply a creator: he is a benevolent creator in the complete sense of the word. This discovery only increases the spirit of Alhamdulillah. This discovery imbues him with the spirit of love for God. Not only does he become a believer, but his supreme concern becomes God. p. 140
It is the miracle of the mind that man was able to create a civilization. All the sciences are but a product of the workings of the mind. p. 139
The third verse of this chapter refers to God as: “Lord of the Day of Judgement.” This expression is a natural part of man’s belief about God. When God created man, and provided him with so many good things, it was but natural that man should become accountable to his Creator. Those who misuse their freedom will be punished by God and those who use their freedom properly will be rewarded. Every blessing entails responsibility and man is certainly no exception to this rule. p. 140original + quote
The fourth verse of this chapter reads: “You alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help.” This is the real response by man to his Creator. Man must worship God. When man tries to acknowledge his Lord he automatically bows before Him, that is, he surrenders. And his realization of God compels him to seek God’s assistance, because He is a giver and man is a taker in this world. This is the essence of the equation between man and God. p. 140original + quote
The fifth verse of this chapter reads: “Guide us to the straight path.” This is also an automatic response from man to his God. Man’s grasp of reality tells him that the greatest blessing that he may ask from God is right guidance. Right guidance is a must for man. And it is God alone who can set man’s foot on the right path. Overwhelmed with his feelings of obligation to his Maker, he says: “O God, show me the right path.” p. 141original + quote
The sixth verse of this chapter reads: “The path of those You have blessed; not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.” This verse is an elaboration of the above verses of the chapter. p. 141Qur'an
Avoid Unnecessary Conflict p. 141
The Prophet of Islam started his mission in Makkah in 610 AD. At that time he used to pray by adopting the Kaaba as the qiblah (prayer direction). Then in 622 he migrated to Madinah where some Jewish tribes had settled. The Prophet then adopted the Jewish qiblah for his prayers over a period of fifteen or sixteen months. Then he again turned his face towards the Kaaba as the qiblah for his prayers. This event is referred to in the Quran in the chapter Al-Baqarah (The Heifer): p. 141original + quote
But even if you should produce every kind of sign for those who have been given the Book, they would never accept your prayer direction, nor would you accept their prayer direction: nor would any of them accept one another’s direction. If, after all the knowledge you have been given, you yield to their desires, then, you shall surely become a transgressor. (2:145) p. 141Qur'an