The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 84
PREFACE-ESSENCE OF ISLAM 83 Thereafter are the following phrases: فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 10 These words which attest to the affirmation and acceptance of reward and negation and removal of fear and grief-point to the condition of liqā [communion]. For, when a man develops such a high grade of cognition, certainty, trust, and love as to remove from his mind all unease, apprehension, and doubt concerning the reward of his sincer- ity, faith, and loyalty; and instead it becomes so certain, absolute, visi- ble, palpable, and perceptible as if he has already received it; and his belief in the Being of God Almighty becomes so certain, as though he is beholding Him; and all fear concerning the future disappears from his sight, and no trace is left of any grief, past or present; and every spiritual bounty is seen as manifestly present before him; then that is the condition-free from all constraint and imperfection, secure against every doubt and apprehension, exempt from all pangs of wait- ing-that is known by the name liqā. AUTHOR'S MARGIN NOTE Stages of perfect bliss in Islam [continued] It is this rank of liqā that the word muhsin [doer of good], which is present in the verse, affirms with great clarity because, accord- ing to the explanation given by the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ihsān [doing of good] is the name given to the perfect condition in which a human being establishes such a relationship with God Almighty during his worship as if he is beholding Him. This rank of liqā is established perfectly only when the colour of the Divine completely and perfectly covers and conceals the colour and characteristics of humanity in the seeker, just as fire hides the colour of 1. He shall have his reward with his Lord. No fear shall come upon such, neither shall they grieve (Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:113). [Publisher]