The Tenth Point

Since human nature has such an infinite capacity to love beneficence, beauty, and perfection; and since the Creator of the universe possesses infinite sacred beauty, the existence of which is clearly manifested through His works in the universe; and since He possesses infinite sacred perfection, the existence of which is necessarily proven by the embroideries of His art within created beings; and since He possesses infinite beneficence, the existence of which is shown by the endless variety of His gifts and blessings visible in living beings; this certainly demands infinite love from man, who is the most comprehensive, the neediest, and the most reflective among creatures.

Indeed, every human being is capable of harbouring infinite love for the Glorious Creator, and that Creator is more worthy than anyone else of being loved endlessly for His beauty, perfection, and beneficence. Indeed, all the forms of love and intense attachment that a believing person feels for his life, immortality, existence, world, self, and all other beings are but droplets from his capacity to love Allah. Likewise, all the varied intense emotions of man are transformations of that capacity for love and distillations of it in other forms.

Just as it is clear that a person takes pleasure in his own happiness, so too does he take pleasure in the happiness of those to whom he is attached. And just as he loves someone who saves him from calamity, so too does he love the one who protects his loved ones from disaster.

Based on this truth, if a person were to consider only the wealth of Divine gifts bestowed upon every human being, he would say:

“My Creator saved me from non-existence, which is eternal darkness, and granted me a beautiful world such as this. When the time of my death arrives, He will once again save me from non-existence and eternal annihilation. In an everlasting realm, He will grant me an eternal and truly magnificent world. Moreover, He will equip me with outward and inward senses through which I may travel in that world and enjoy all kinds of delights and beauties. Likewise, He will bestow similar favours upon all my relatives, friends, and fellow human beings, who are extremely dear to me and to whom I am deeply attached. The blessings they receive belong, in a sense, to me as well, for their happiness makes me happy and brings me joy.

Since, according to the secret of

اَلْاِنْسَانُ عَبِيدُ اْلاِحْسَانِHuman beings are devoted to those who show them kindness.

everyone feels affection for beneficence, then if I possessed a heart as vast as the universe, I would have to fill it—and would wish to fill it—with love in response to such infinite and eternal gifts and beneficence. Although I am unable to harbour such immense love in actual practice, I possess the capacity for it through intention, faith, acceptance, appreciation, longing, and will.”

The love for beauty and perfection may be understood by comparison with the love for beneficence briefly explained above. As for the unbelievers, by reason of their unbelief they bear an infinite hostility and even harbour an unjust and insulting enmity towards the universe and all beings.