Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 24
The Three Creative Principles Defined 23 There is little that man can do to interfere in this micro-universe within him. Thus another meaning of his transgression into lower forms of animal life could refer to the possible degeneration of his mental facilities. Such people as have lost control of their mind can sometimes behave in a manner of lower animals. These similarities are more mental than physical and the possibilities are almost limitless. Mad men can behave and act like dogs or pigs or imitate much lower forms of animal life. Man’s life, even today, is governed by the vast and grand system of Taqw i m and it is fortunate that he cannot interfere with the grand scheme of things, except superficially. He transgresses in the area of his moral life and sinks even lower than the behaviour of lowly placed animal species emerging as a man of bestial attitude. In fact, in that area alone we can say with certainty that this Quranic principle of Asfala S a fil i n can, and does, apply fully. He can cross all limits in his transgressions against his own fellow human beings, surpassing the beastliest of beasts. It is important for us to identify the areas of life over which man has power to interfere, as the process of Asfala S a fil i n will only operate within the boundaries of those spheres. The behaviour of life at subhuman level shows that the behaviour of animals is governed largely by instinctive forces. The process of their minds and decision-making have little to do with their day-to-day activities. They are not provided