The Sign of Perfection in Man

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:

If insaan possesses the qualities of expressing servitude, obedience and submission before the command of Allah Ta’ala, then he is worthy of being called a human being. If he does not possess these sublime qualities within him, but rather follows the dictates of his temptations and desires, he will be no different to an animal, rather he will be worse than an animal. As Allah Ta’ala Himself has mentioned regarding the kuffaar in the Qur’an:

أُولـٰئِكَ كَالأَنعـٰمِ بَل هُم أَضَلُّ

They are like animals. Rather, worse in being astray.

In this regard the poet says:

If insaan is worthy of being called a human by virtue of his outer form and appearance, then there would be no difference between Abu Bakr and Abu Jahl.

A complete and perfect human is one who is a personification of servitude, obedience and submission before the command of Allah Ta’ala. At every moment he fulfils the commands of Allah Ta’ala and he regards his being able to obey and fulfil the commands of Allah Ta’ala as the grace of Allah Ta’ala upon him. He does not attribute any good to himself at any time. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 4/171)