Three basic ideas
In this Biblical passage there are three basic ideas which are clearly expressed. First,
if a person has given shelter, food and clothing to the needy and helped another in
prison, the Lord acclaims him as having done all these services to Him. Secondly, the Lord
regards such a person as his true devotee, Thus, service to one's fallow men which is the
outcome of love and affection for them is service to God and devotion to Him. Thirdly, love of one's fellow men is tantamount to love of God. In one
of his sayings St. John remarked: 'He that loved not his brother whom he had seen, how
shall he love God whom h had not seen?. The same idea was also expressed beautifully
in the poem Abu Ben Adam in which it has been said that Ben Adam who loved his fellow men
was declared by the Angel to be the foremost among those who loved God. This poem by Leigh
Hunt runs thus: -
Abu Ben Adam (may his tribe increase) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room Making it rich, like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Abu Ben Adam bold
And to the presence in his room he said ' What writest thou?' The vision raised its
head
And with a look of all sweet accord Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord.
'And is mine one?' said Abu. 'Nay not
so'
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