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(i.e., the scar left behind by a wound sustained in Jihad), and the other is the mark which may have developed as a result of the carrying out of a religious obligation (as for example, the marks one often sees on the forehead and knees of those who offer the Namaz regularly).”

We will take up one more Tradition of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). It says:

“Never can he go to hell who weeps in the fear of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa).”

The sum and substance of the entire discussion is that it is great, indeed, to be blessed with true fear of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and a genuine solicitude for the Hereafter. It can literally revolutionize one’s whole existence.

Brothers, know it thoroughly and well that one who is Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) fearing in this transitory world will have absolutely nothing to worry in the Hereafter. He will have neither fear nor anxiety. He will dwell in eternal peace, comfort and happiness by the Grace of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa). On the contrary, he who is not Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) fearing and shows no concern for After life and refuses to look beyond the pleasures of material existence for him there will be terrible anguish and distress in the life to come. For thousands of years he will be shedding tears of blood.

The surest way to develop piety, i.e., Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) fearing-ness and solicitude for the

Hereafter is to avail oneself of the company of the devout servants of the Lord who fear Him and obey His commands honestly. Then there are good and reliable religious books, which should be read regularly, and, if a person is illiterate, he should have them read out to him by others. Lastly, it is advisable to meditate in solitude on death and on the rewards one is going to get from Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) for one’s good and virtuous deeds and the punishment that is going to be awarded by Him for one’s sins and transgressions against the Divine Law. One should dwell mentally on one’s state and visualize what is going to pass in the grave, what will one’s condition be when men will be raised up again on the Last Day and produced before Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa)? What will one do when the balance sheet of one’s conduct on the earth will be unrolled? Where will one, then, hide one’s face?

Honesty in monetary dealings

Uprightness and honesty in monetary dealings forms a vital part of the fundamental teachings of Islam.

The Quran as well as the Traditions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) are emphatic that a true Muslim is he who is honest and upright in his business and monetary transactions, keeps his word and fulfills his promises, shuns fraud and avoids deceit and perfidy, encroaches not upon the rights of others nor takes part in wrongful litigation, does not give false evidence, and abstains from making dishonest money as from usury and graft. Whoever is not free from these vices is, according to the Quran and the Traditions, not a true believer but a renegade and a worthless transgressor.

We now proceed to examine some of the relevant Quranic verses and Traditions. A short verse of the Quran says: