Lecture Ludhiana — Page 49
49 cheek to one who smites you on the left is neither right, nor commonly practicable. Sa’di says: 35 The teachings of Islam on the limits imposed on taking revenge are so wonderful that no other religion can present their like. The Holy Qur’an tells us: 36 This means, ‘The recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof but forgiveness is better, provided it leads to correction and reform. ’ Thus Islam teaches forgiveness without encouraging mischief. The next stage after justice is benevolence—doing good without any recompense. But such an action could at times be motivated by selfish motives for one may sooner or later hint at the good he had done. Therefore, Islam goes one step further and teaches us to do good like it is done to the next of kin, quite like the mother who is kind to her baby and never expects any compensation or reward in return. The good she does to her child is done out of natural and spontaneous love. Even if the king orders her not to suckle the child and assures her that she will not be punished even if the child were to die as a result, and promises to reward her in that consequence, 35 ‘Doing good to the evil is like doing evil to the good. ’ [Translator] 36 42:41 [Translator]