Spirit of Islam 2013 January

BE ACCOUNTABLE

Spirit of Islam 2013 January — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (21 chapters)
  1. FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
  2. THE ONLY SOLUTION TO CORRUPTION
  3. UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
  4. THE FAULT OF MAN
  5. SPIRITUAL LIVING
  6. NO END TO OPPORTUNITIES
  7. RESPECTING ALL RELIGIONS
  8. THE CREATION PLAN OF GOD
  9. BETTER LIVING
  10. THROUGH HARDSHIP, TO THE STARS
  11. RIGHT THINKING
  12. THINK POSITIVE
  13. DISCOVER, BY THINKING
  14. LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE
  15. IGNORE PROVOCATION
  16. THINK OUT OF THE BOX
  17. BE ACCOUNTABLE
  18. DIALOGUE IN RELIGION
  19. DOES ISLAM PERMIT VIOLENCE?
  20. LESSONS FROM NATURE
  21. HISTORICAL PROPHET

BE ACCOUNTABLE

We are not machines controlled by some sort of system, nor are we animals, governed only by instincts. We enjoy freedom. We make decisions and take action of our own free will. The question is how to make sure we make the right decisions and take the right action.

History shows the ineffectiveness of all worldly measures in this connection—whether social pressure, law enforcement or reformation. It is not possible for people on their own to bind themselves to moral values or to adhere to justice. This is possible only when they are convinced that they are under a super-power—a living and powerful God who is perfect, and just.

The concept of a living and powerful God is necessarily accompanied by the concept of accountability. God is just, and everyone will answer to Him for their actions. We will answer to Him for our actions. This guarantees that we think right, and do right. And this gives us the conviction that we will receive God’s eternal reward if we always think right, and do right.

FINALLY

The truth of the matter is that it is our level of thinking which determines success or failure. Success is the result of right thinking. Think right, do right, and succeed.