The law of reciprocation is a universal phenomenon that occurs continuously and in various forms across different realms. It manifests among individuals, groups, communities, families, societies, and civilizations. It is present on Earth and in the heavens among all creatures, human and divine alike.

Reciprocation assumes diverse shapes and extends its reach to promote justice and harmony. It operates in social, educational, political, psychological, spiritual, physical, and economic spheres. Typically, it involves two parties—the reciprocator and the reciprocatee—who engage in transactions based on mutual understanding or agreement. 

For example, when the reciprocator gives something to the reciprocatee, the latter is expected to reciprocate with something in return. A simple illustration of this principle is exchanging greetings with someone and receiving a similar greeting in response. Another example is supplicating to God for relief from pain and having one’s prayer answered. Similarly, when one exerts effort to achieve a goal, the fruits of that labor become a form of reciprocation.

Reciprocation can occur instantaneously or over a period of time. For instance, a mother continually gives selflessly by carrying her child in the womb for 40 weeks, enduring the pains of childbirth, and dedicating her time, efforts, attention, and care to raise the child until they become capable of independent living. It is during this phase that parents hope to be reciprocated by their children with love, respect, assistance, and the necessary care.

Reciprocation manifests in various aspects of life: personal, social, educational, political, material, economic, spiritual, mental, and physical. Each of these domains exhibits reciprocation in distinct ways, influenced by different conditions and circumstances. On a personal level, one educates oneself to reap the benefits, engages in physical exercise to improve health and build strength, and consumes nourishing food to sustain the body. 

Socially, individuals establish relationships to communicate, assist one another, and make plans together. In political reciprocation, two primary parties are involved—the government and the people. The government assumes various forms, such as democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, theocracy, fascism, and others. However, the people are consistently referred to as people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, level of education, caste, or any other categorization.

Thus, the primary role of the government is to provide justice, law, regulations, safety, health, education, and other essential services. However, it is important to note that these services originate from the people themselves, to the extent that the government would cease to exist without them.

Reciprocation in the realm of education follows a similar pattern of complexity and direction. Families, schools, universities, and other educational institutions offer diverse forms and disciplines of education, with the expectation that students will contribute to society with a healthy body and a healthy mind. Educational reciprocation is a vital transaction that generates social, economic, psychological, and political success and opportunities.

Likewise, cultural reciprocation encompasses a wide array of forms, spanning social, educational, political, psychological, spiritual, and economic phenomena. Economic reciprocation represents another facet of material reciprocation, as all commercial transactions are based on a reciprocal exchange of goods or services.

In all the aforementioned forms of reciprocation, some form of give-and-take occurs, albeit in different ways and forms—simple or complex—all of which are visible, understandable, and predictable. However, when it comes to spiritual reciprocation, it can be misused or futile, depending on the sincerity and objectivity of the seeker. If the relationship between the worshipper and the worshipped, the lover and the loved, the supplicant and the supplicated, or the seeker and the sought is not meaningful, reciprocation will be disrupted. 

If our love is not reciprocated, our prayers go unanswered, or our supplications are ignored, it signifies a lack of reciprocation due to the absence of a transaction between the two parties. It is important to distinguish between two types of relationships: human and divine. 

In human relationships, we can discern whether a transaction has occurred between the parties involved. For instance, we can observe whether our kindness is reciprocated. However, in divine relationships, reciprocation can be ambiguous. If we worship anything other than the Almighty, our worship is in vain. 

Similarly, supplications directed towards entities other than the Almighty will be ineffective, as will prayers offered to beings other than the Almighty. No reciprocation or transaction can be established in such cases.

Therefore, if we seek help from an idol, our prayers will not be granted, as there is no connection or reciprocation between us and the idol. The idol cannot hear, see, understand, or feel our presence. 

Likewise, if we invoke the dead, be they saints, holy figures, or prophets, our invocation will go unanswered, for the deceased cannot hear, see, or sense our presence. Even if we use the deceased as intercessors to pray to God on our behalf, they are incapable of perceiving us. I acknowledge that many worshippers beseech their gods for happiness and prosperity, numerous supplicants invoke saints to fulfill their wishes, and countless pilgrims visit shrines with the hope of having their desires granted.

However, in all these cases, no connection is established between the parties involved because the reciprocal nature of the relationship is not well-established. Their exhortations, supplications, prayers, or worship do not reach anywhere. Prayers and supplications can only be heard and granted by the Almighty—the Creator, Provider, All-Hearing, All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Powerful, All-Aware, Controller, and Sustainer of the universes. Apart from God, no creature has the ability to grant our prayers.

The clock of the universe has always been ticking incessantly, but humanity’s journey of progress has faced numerous interruptions. At times, it has been hindered by pirates and highwaymen who indulged in self-interest, ignorance, barbarism, and evil. On other occasions, the caravan has been led by civilized individuals who championed development, education, innovation, and intellect and who pursued social, economic, and political justice.

The law of reciprocation functions as a dual system of compensation. Without a system of compensation, there can be no justice. In the absence of justice, there is no distinction between the killer and the killed, the saint and the sinner, the rapist and the raped, the robber and the robbed. There is no differentiation between curses and blessings, nor between good and evil. In such a scenario, everything descends into chaos. However, the entire universe operates in perfect order, with all affairs under the supervision of the Almighty.