The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 12
12 Essence of Islam-III not enough to lead a savage to the stage of the self- reproaching self. It is necessary that he should become conscious of the existence of God to a degree at which he should not consider his own creation as meaningless and without purpose, so that an understanding of the Divine should create true morals in him. That is why God Al- mighty has drawn attention to the need of understanding the True God and has given the assurance that every ac- tion and moral quality has a consequence, which be- comes the source of spiritual comfort or spiritual torment in this life and the consequences of which would be fully apparent in the hereafter. In short, at the stage of the self- reproaching self, a person partakes so much of reason and understanding and good conscience that he re- proaches himself over evil and is willing and eager to do good. That is the stage at which a person acquires the high moral qualities. [Islāmī Uşül kī Philosophy, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 10, pp. 330-332] Addressing the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Al- lah be upon him), God, the Glorious, says: إِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ ) That is, 'Yours is indeed the most exalted moral station. ' This means that all high moral qualities, such as gener- osity, bravery, justice, mercy, benevolence, sincerity, courage, etc. , were combined in the Holy Prophetsa. In short, all modes of behaviour found in the human per- son, like courtesy, modesty, integrity, politeness, right- eous indignation, steadfastness, chastity, temperance, moderation, sympathy, bravery, generosity, forgiveness, Al-Qalam, 68:5 [Publisher]