This article written by Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas is very comprehensive. Although it took so much of my time to read this article due to its philosophical characteristics, eventually, I manage to grasp the main idea that he wanted to convey.
The concept of religion that the author has communicated is really in opposition to the Western idea. The concept of religion in Islam in fact, accommodates the idea that every single man in the society is not an island and each one us has the same individual goal that complies with the goal of the ummah. So, there should not be any conflicting interest of which goals need to be accomplished first.
Based on his point on the soul’s Covenant with God, I do agree that it is actually the very foundation of Islamic ethics and morality. The Covenant sealed is deemed as fundamental in the concept of religion and it is considered as the foundation that bounds up other Islamic concepts such as freedom, justice, knowledge of virtue, brotherhood and many more. If one does not understand this very notion, one would have problem in living Islamic way of life ethically and morally. The impact of the Covenant is so enormous because this is the core that every Muslim should be acquainted with. If not, one could not understand the very reason of his/her existence in this world thus would be in a state of loss forever since he/she could not carry out the duty as an abd and a vicegerent in this world. Due to that circumstance, he/she could not repay the debt by returning himself as a good return.
Overall, this article has opened my eyes and shed some light on my path of living. Moreover, it has awakened my conscience to re-direct my plans in life to be in favour of His will and constantly seeks for His pleasure so that I could return as a “goodly return”.
