The Qur’anic phrase...

The Qur’anic phrase: ‘ Self-Sufficient, Praised ’ points to this fact that an ordinary grateful person usually either gives something to the giver of bounty, or if he does not give him anything, by praising him he elevates his rank among people. But Allah has not either of these two. He is free from want in front of all beings and He is worthy of being praised by all. The angels praise Him and all particles of the whole beings are busy glorifying Him.

If a person utters ingratitude by verbal language there will affect him naught, and at the same time, the particles of his own body are busy praising him by none verbal language. It is noteworthy that the Arabic word /yaškur/ (he thanks) is said in simple present tense which in Arabic shows the continuation of the action, while the word /kafara/ is stated in past tense in Arabic that denotes to the occurrence of the action even for one time.

This denotes that ingratitude, even for one time, may have some painful sequels; but thankfulness must be done always and continuously so that one paves the path of his development. Luqman, the Wise, and His Feature There is an explanation about Luqman in Al-Mizan a part of which is as follows: The holy Prophet of Allah (S) once said: “Luqman was not a Divine prophet, but he was a servant of Allah who contemplated very much, and he truly believed in Allah.

Luqman loved Allah, the Almighty and He loved him, too, and gave him Wisdom.” Imam Sadiq (as) said: “Luqman had not received wisdom for the sake of wealth, beauty, and lineage, but he was a pious, kin, modest and sympathetic man. If two persons quarrelled and had hostility with each other he would settle reconciliation between them. Luqman used to associate with many learned men. He used to struggle against his carnal soul.

Luqman lived a long life and he was contemporary with David, the Divine prophet (as). Luqman was one of the close relatives of Hadrat ’Ayyub (Job) (as). He was suggested to be either a governor or a sage and he elected to be a sage, a wise man.

Once Luqman was asked how he gained that rank, and he answered that he obtained it as the result of trustworthiness, his own truthfulness, and his silence in what was not related to him.” Imam Sadiq (as) said about him: “Luqman acknowledged the Divine Leader of his time. Although Allah did not give him a heavenly Book, He gave him something equivalent of it, i.e. wisdom.