CRITERION OF MORAL DEVELOPMENTThis exposition of the basic approach of Islam let us try to the
criterion given by Islam to judge the development or decay soul. The
answer to this question lies in the concept of Khilafat which has just
been mentioned. In this capacity as the Khalifah (viceregent) of God,
man is answerable to Him for all his activities. It is his duty to use all
the powers with which he is invested and all the means placed at his
disposal in this world, in accordance with the Divine will. He should
utilize to the fullest extent all the faculties and potentialities bestowed
upon him for seeking the approbation of God. In his dealings with
other human beings he should adopt an attitude is approved by God.
In brief, all his efforts and energies should be directed towards
regulating the affairs of this world in the manner in which God wants
them to be regulated. The more admirably a man performs this
function, with a sense of responsibility, obedience. and humility, and
with the object of seeking the pleasure of the Lord, the nearer he will
be to God. In Islarn, spiritual development is synonymous with
nearness to God. Likewise he will remain away from God if he is lazy,
slothful, transgressor, rebellious and disobedient. And being away
from God signifies, in Islam, the spiritual fall and decay of man.