Page 887 - Atlas of Creation Volume 1

If one ponders deeply on all that is said here, he will soon realise this amazing, extraordinary situation by himself: The world is a
sphere created solely in order to test Man. Throughout their brief lives, people are tested with perceptions, which are depicted as
particularly decorative and attractive. But they can never experience the true, original sources of those perceptions.

ver; horses branded [for blood and excellence]; and [wealth of] cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the pos-
sessions of this world's life; but in nearness to God is the best of the goals [to return to]. (Surah Al 'Imran:
14)

Most people cast away religion for the lure of property, heaped-up wealth, hoards of gold and silver, jew-
els, bank accounts, credit cards, designer clothes, late-model cars—in short, all the forms of prosperity they
either possess or strive to. They concentrate on this world only, forgetting the Hereafter. They are deceived

by the fair and alluring face of the world, and fail to keep up prayer, give charity to the poor, and perform
worship that will make them prosper in the Hereafter. They make excuses, saying, "I have things to do," "I
have ideals," "I have responsibilities," "I haven't enough time," "I have tasks to complete," "I will do them in
the future." They devote their entire lives to trying to prosper in this world only. In the verse, "They know
but the outer [things] in the life of this world: but of the End of things they are heedless." (Surat ar-Rum:

7), this misconception is described.
The reality dealt with in this chapter is very important, for it renders meaningless all lusts and bound-
aries. Verifying this fact makes it clear that everything people toil to possess, their wealth amassed with

greed, their children they boast of, their spouses they consider to be closest to them, their dearest friends,
their bodies, their superior rank which they hold, the schools they have attended, the holidays they cele-
brate—all are nothing but mere shadows. Therefore, all the efforts they expended and the time they spent
proves unavailing.
Some people unwittingly make fools of themselves when they boast of their wealth and properties, or of

their yachts, helicopters, factories, holdings, manors and lands as if they can ever have direct contact with
their original possessions. Those well-to-do who cruise ostentatiously up and down in their yachts, show off
with their cars, keep hinting at their wealth, suppose that they rank higher than everyone else. In what kind

Adnan Oktar 885