Elucidation of Objectives — Page 48
Tau di h-e-Mar a m 48 survive forever, even after separation from the body. Even those who otherwise believe in the existence of the human self and its survival and immortality, do not accord its potentialities the value and esteem they deserve. Some of them are content to believe that the sole purpose of their sojourn on earth is to spend their lives, quite like lower animals, in eating, drinking and indulging in baser appetites. They are not in the least aware of the great powers and potentialities of the human self. Indeed were man to put his mind to acquir- ing and attaining excellence, he could so quickly encompass quite like a circle the entire range of virtues and excellences found in the universe in all their kinds and categories. This is why God in this chapter of the Holy Qur’ a n is pleased to provide evidence of the existence of the human self and its unique, infinite and transcendent qualities. In order to invoke the relevant framework of thinking, God begins by stating the variety of characteristics pertaining to the Sun, the Moon and other existents, and goes on to refer to the human self because it is a com- pendium of the entire range of characteristics and qualities. Since all such high qualities and characteris- tics are collectively present in their entirety in the human self as are severally and individually found in the terrestrial and celestial bodies, it would be the height of foolishness to entertain the illusion that such a