Published: 12:34 PM, 29 October 2025
The Light Within...
Collected Image
"Within every human being burns a sacred flame — a light that never dies, though at times buried beneath the dust of self-preservation. This flame is called the Light Within. It belongs to no religion, no race, no tribe — it is the eternal inheritance of all humankind."
The Qur’an proclaims: “I am nearer to you than your jugular vein.”
The Gita whispers: “God dwells in the heart of every being.”
The Bible assures: “The kingdom of God is within you.”
And the Buddha reminds: “Be a light unto yourself — borrow not another’s flame.”
All religions are like different streams of the same river—ultimately merging into the ocean of compassion, where love is the only language. The more we seek peace outside, the farther it drifts away. Yet, in a single moment of turning inward, we realize that what we long for has always been within—God’s nearness, the touch of love, the pulse of mercy. In my study of Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights, this truth became clear in my heart: true peace can only be established through the serenity of the heart and love for humanity. No matter how harsh our busy world may be, if the heart is nourished with sacred love and compassion, life can never become a desert. Allah, Ishwar, Bhagwan, or Lord—the names differ, but the essence is one. He is light, and we are its reflection. He is love, and we are its expression. Just as the same sun spreads across the earth in countless hues, so too does the Creator’s love shine through every human heart, reflected in diverse religions, languages, and cultures.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “All humans are the family of God, and the most beloved to Him is the one who shows mercy to His creation.” The Gita teaches, “One who sees the same soul in all living beings is truly wise.” Buddha said, “By harming another, you harm yourself.” The Bible declares, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” The essence of all these teachings is the same—compassion, love, and tolerance. Yet, when we see that all religions speak of peace, humanity, and mercy, why is there so much bloodshed in their name across the world? The truth is clear—these evils are human creations. Religion itself has no part in them; it permits war only as a last resort to establish peace and always under the strict adherence to well-defined ethical rules.
Islam shines as a radiant symbol of such tolerance — a golden chapter in the history of humanity. On the day of conquest of Makkah, when his enemies stood defeated before him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no blame upon you today. Go, for you are free.”He answered vengeance with forgiveness, and hatred with grace — turning the battlefield into a garden of peace.The Constitution of Madinah remains humanity’s first covenant of coexistence — a charter where Muslims, Jews, and Christians were given equal rights. The Qur’an declares: “There is no compulsion in religion.”And again: “To you your faith, and to me mine.”
Islam teaches respect for all faiths, for all descend from Adam and Eve — children of one origin, bound by one humanity.The Prophet would dine and converse with Christian monks and Jewish caravans, showing that faith is not rivalry — it is righteousness; not domination — but mercy.This tolerance is the very light within Islam — reflected not only in belief, but in behavior. A true Muslim harbors no hatred, only humility. To be a servant of Allah, one must first be a servant of mankind — a heart that holds space for all.
To kindle the inner light, one must polish the mirror of the soul. Sin, greed, pride, and envy cloud its shine — but forgiveness, compassion, and gratitude cleanse it again. Just as a candle melts itself to illuminate others, so does man find his light through selfless love.Our breath itself is a silent hymn — each inhalation carries the memory of the Divine. Breathe deeply and whisper, “You are, and I exist by You.”Then you will see — fear dissolves, hatred falls, and religion begins to unite rather than divide.
Science too affirms — every atom follows a perfect order, a hidden purpose. As gravity pulls the earth toward its core, so mercy draws the soul toward its Source. This mercy is the balance of the universe — justice teaches duty, mercy teaches love.He who discovers his inner light can never cast another into darkness.He who feels the presence of the Divine sees no boundaries — for in his eyes, all faiths, all lives, all beings are one. Such a soul is a blessing upon earth — knowing not hatred, but harmony; not division, but devotion; not ego, but illumination.
And remember — light is not merely fire that burns; it is warmth that heals, a whisper that guides, a silent song that calls the soul home. When we share kindness, we are watering the seeds of divine love within ourselves. For God’s love is not hidden in some distant galaxy — it flows within our breath, beats in our pulse, and rests in the quiet corners of our being.
The path of love is never easy, yet it is the only path that leads to light. Every sorrow is a window through which mercy enters. When we see our wounds through the radiance of the Creator, pain becomes a teacher, suffering becomes purification.Then the world ceases to be a place of mere living — it becomes a sanctuary of prayer. In that luminous state, one realizes — we are not separate, never were; we are sparks of one eternal flame —the flame of Divine Love.
Pen & Ink by: Enamul Haque (The author is Retd. Group Captain of Bangladesh Air Force & Additional Registrar-General, Aviation and Aerospace University, Bangladesh)
