The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 501
PT. 14 AN-NAHL giving of alms, social service, etc. , all fall under this category. The promotion and patronage of knowledge and the systematization of its different branches also are included in this head because it has for its object the material and spiritual wellbeing of man. CH. 16 It may be noted that man's relations with God cannot possibly go beyond the stage of Juc, for there can be no question of man's doing good to God in any form. It is only his fellow human beings with whom he can deal according to his own moral condition This. ايتاء ذى القربى or احسان at the stage of The last and highest stage of moral implies a beautiful hint that in order development of man is (giving like kindred). At this stage a man is expected to do good to others not in return for any good received from them, nor with the idea of doing more good than the good received, but prompted by a natural impulse, as good is done to very near blood relations. This is a much higher moral stage than the stage of (doing of good). At the stage of the doer of the good may have at the back of his mind the idea that the person concerned has done him some good and that he should do him a better turn and thus win public approbation. Or, in forgiving a person who has done him some wrong, he has the satisfaction that his act of forgiveness would turn a foe into a friend. But at the stage of (giving like kindred) a person does good to others prompted as if by natural impulse. His condition at this stage resembles that of a mother whose love for her children is the result of a natural impulse. Her sacrifices and the hardships she willingly suffers for her children are prompted by no hope of return or appreciation. They spring from the natural fountain of love which God has implanted in her nature. At this stage the moral development of man becomes complete. to attain the nearness of God and to win His favour it is essential for man to do good to His creatures. A description of these three stages of morals constitutes the positive side of the subject of man's moral development. Its negative side is portrayed in the three prohibitions which are explained by the three Arabic words viz. (indecency), (manifest evil) and (wrongful transgression). means such vices of which the knowledge is confined to the doer alone, while means بغى those evils which other men also see and condemn, though they may not suffer any loss or the infringement of their own rights by them. (wrongful transgression), however, comprehends all those vices and evils which not only are seen, felt and hated by men but which do them definite harm also. These three simple words cover all conceivable vices. 1709 A perfect teaching must have due regard for the moral requirements of men of different temperaments and dispositions. The verse under comment fully satisfies this very essential condition. For there are men who may be guilty of indecent acts but would not approve of wrongful acts of which the harm extends to others. There are others who would