Introduction:

‘He who knows himself knows Almighty Allah. Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.’—The noble Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S). This book is based on a series of lectures delivered by the writer at the Discover Yourself seminars held in South Africa. The intention is to create awareness that the power of Almighty Allah is in all of us. We will, Insha-Allah, learn to experience and unleash a spiritual awakening that exists deep within us, taught to us by the noble Messenger Muhammad (S), who is the most powerful and outstanding role model ever to appear in the world. The Noble Qur’an, coming from a spiritual dimension, was revealed into the material world through the Angel Jibra’eel (Gabrael) to the noble Messenger Muhammad (S). The words of Allah (SWT) come from a limitless space and timeless existence and have the power to guide, direct, and change our lives and unleash His power within us. In Surah Sād, Allah (SWT) says, 'When I fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit’ ([38]:72). The majestic breath of Allah’s power is within us. We may not know its nature, but we do know its effects; it distinguishes humankind from the rest of creation on earth. The quality of aspiring to return to Allah (SWT) spiritually fulfilled is unique to human beings and to no other creation. Allah (SWT) breathed of His power into humankind because it is His will to place His vicegerent in charge of this planet. The noble Messenger of Allah, Jesus, Peace be upon him (S), said, ‘Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ Our responsibility is to manage the affairs of this planet within the limits set out in the Noble Qur’an and the prophetic Sunnah. For us to excel and rise higher than other creation, we have to be in constant touch with our source: Almighty Allah (SWT). We are small, weak creatures living among millions of other species. The earth is a small satellite of a mere star, of which there are millions in the great space whose boundaries are known only to Allah (SWT). Success and discovery in life start from within. In Surah At Teen, Allah (SWT) emphasizes the origin of man: ‘We have created man in the best of moulds’ ([95]:04). In Surah Al Mu’min, Allah (SWT) promises the virtuous ones: ‘Whoso works a righteous deed—whether male or female—and is truly committed [to Allah], such will enter the paradise of bliss’ ([40]:40). Every human being has the force, the strength, and the capacity within that, if unleashed, makes us different and extraordinary. Each one of us has special gifts and talents that set us apart. The tragedy is that we are oblivious to the fact that we are special, that we are unique. Therefore, merely living life without a goal or purpose is contrary to the Sunnah of the noble Messenger Muhammad (S). In Surah Iqra, Allah (SWT) says, 'He taught man the use of the pen and taught man that which he knew not’ ([96]:04). Let us not allow our environment to limit us by being content with the way we live. If we are content with material blessings from Allah (SWT), that is a virtue, but being content with our spiritual growth means we are wasting away our lives. We must not allow the environment to limit our thinking. To grow spiritually, we have to keep pondering and thinking constantly about the wonders of Allah’s creation. Discover what you want, then pursue it. To unleash Allah’s power in oneself is what this book is all about. Now, fasten your seatbelts, for we are about to take off on a journey of life, nay, a journey of dreams. The philosophies and principles in this book will give your life new meaning, excitement, and direction. This book will help you, insha’Allah, fulfill your dreams. In Surah al-A’raaf, Allah says, 'It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life' ([7]:10). Allah (SWT) created us out of this earth with sounding clay. In Surah al-Hijr, He says, 'We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded in shape’ ([15]:26). xii. Allah reminds us how He created humankind. He has favored us with the material things that are necessary to sustain, beautify, cultivate, and develop all the powers, faculties, talents, and opportunities that are required in discovering the secrets of the higher plane that will prepare us for our spiritual destiny. We cannot ever thank Allah (SWT) adequately for His love, mercy, and grace, blessing us as spiritual beings with a material experience. The noble Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S), said, ‘He who travels in search of knowledge, to him Allah shows the way to paradise.’ The noble Messenger of Allah, Jesus (S), said, ‘Seek God’s will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.’ Imam Al-Ghazali (ra) said: ‘It is nothing other than your life, and your life is the capital that you make use of to reach perpetual felicity in the proximity of Allah (SWT).’ Ismail A. Kalla, Pretoria 1 Rabi-ul-Akhir 1432, 6 March 2011