Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 555
18 May 1908 555 Question: The thing that is found in flies and other lower types of animals, what should it be called? Answer: The soul is of three types: the soul of plants, the soul of animals, the soul of human beings. I do not believe these three to be equal. Among these, only the human soul is the inheritor of true life and comprehending all excellences. The plant and animal soul also possesses a kind of life, but it cannot equal the human soul, nor can it attain such ranks, nor can it attain equality with the human soul in excellences. I do not deem it proper to enter the debate about the sub- tle similarities it may have. It is possible that in some very spe- cific attributes these souls may have some similarities with the human soul, but just as there is an obvious variance and differ- ence physically between man and them, there is also a spiritual difference with them. Nevertheless, it has even been accepted that there is a kind of awareness in some plants. If a bamboo tree is planted under a roof, it changes direction when it reaches a foot or two from the roof, it would change its direction and start to grow in a dif- ferent direction. There is another botanical plant called ‘touch me not’ in the Punjab. It shrinks as soon as it is touched by a human. These things are mentioned in older and reputed books of natural sciences and are also proven by experience. However, one should not pursue such things too much. How appropriate is the couplet: اسیتخ وکن را ن � ي م� ز اکر وت رپدایتخ ر ن � ي � ن � ٓاامسن اب ہک Have you managed to set aright all worldly affairs, That now you have turned your attention to heavenly matters? To squander time by indulging into the investigation of the minutest of details of these matters is not appropriate.