Lecture Ludhiana — Page 50
50 even then she will refuse to obey the king and will curse him for being the enemy of her child. This is because she is motivated by love alone. No self-interest is involved. Such are the excellent and lofty teachings of Islam. The verse covers our duties and obligations to Allah as well as to people. In the context of our obligations to Allah, the meaning of this verse is that in keeping with the require- ments of justice, man should obey and worship God Almighty, Who has created him and nurtures him. But, anyone who rises higher than this state of submission to God, should submit to Him consistent with the require- ments of benevolence, for God is the Benefactor and the bounties He confers are countless. The favours He confers on us remain fresh in our minds when we think of His sublime characteristics and attributes. Therefore, the meanings of the word ‘benevolence’, as explained by the Holy Prophet sa , are to worship Allah as if you are behold- ing Him or, at least, as if He is beholding you. Even at this stage, man is held back by a kind of veil. But, next to it is the third stage, that of Ita’i dhil Qurba— loving like the kindred. At this stage, one develops personal love for the Creator. Pertaining to this stage, I have already ex- plained the obligations one owes to fellow humans. I have also clarified that no scripture other than the Holy Qur’an contains a teaching which is as perfect as it is unprece- dented. For instance: