The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 58
58 which throws light on the verse: Essence of Islam-III إنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَابْتَاءُ ذِي الْقُرْبَى 47 Here God Almighty sets out the three grades of compre- hension of the Divine. The third grade is that of personal love, at which all personal desires are consumed, and the heart becomes so filled with love as a crystal vial is filled with perfume. This grade is also referred to in the verse: وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللهِ وَاللَّهُ رَءُ وَفَ بِالْعِبَادِ 48 This means that: 'Of the believers there are some who sell their lives in return for the pleasure of Allah. These are the ones upon whom Allah is Most Compassionate. ' Again it is said: بل من أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنَ فَلَةَ أَجْرُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 49 That is: 'The truly delivered are those who commit them- selves wholly to God and, recalling His favours, worship Him as if they behold Him. Such have their reward with God and they have no fear, nor do they grieve. ' That is to say, God and His love become their whole purpose, and their reward is Divine favours. At another place it is said: يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَاسِيرًاه 46 'Celebrate the praises of Allah as you celebrated the praises of your fathers, or even more than that. ' Al-Baqarah, 2:201 [Publisher] 47 'Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others and giving like kindered. '-Al-Nahl, 16:91 [Publisher] 48 Al-Baqarah, 2:208 [Publisher] 49 Al-Baqarah, 2:113 [Publisher]