RESPECT OF PARENTS

      We now may hear the argument about Monotheism and the oneness of God, in substance, attributes, and acts, from the tongue of a sage who advises his son. He begins his preaching with:-

      ``O, My son! Do not associate anything or anyone with Allah, be thankful to Him, and do good to your parents.''

      Here in six successive verses, ten important advices have been given by a sage whose name was LOGHMÄN, to his own beloved son. These advices consists of adherence to faith in God, and His love, and oneness, some moralities, and some religious instructions.

      Allah endowed Loghmän with wisdom and knowledge and after introducing him in Qurän, some of his teachings, too, have been mentioned. Among these is thankfulness to Allah, the good result of which, shall return to the thanks giver:-

      ``....Give thanks to Allah. And he who gives thanks he only gives thanks for the benefit of himself, and he who was thankless, surely Allah is Self-sufficient, Praise-worthy''

      It seems that the main object in Loghmän's wisdom and doctrine was the Oneness of God:-

      ``....O, my son! Do not associate anything or anyone with Allah, that polytheism is a great oppression.''

      Following Monotheism Loghmän enjoins doing good to all the fellow-men and in particular, being kind and gentle to parents:-

      ``And We enjoined man to do good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness....''

WHO WAS LOGHMAN

Loghman was a sage, and not a prophet. He belongs to Arab tradition and is not found in the BIBLE. Not mach is known of his private Life, and his name is mentioned twice in Qura; and the chapter 31 has also been named after him.

In Islamic traditions, Loghman has been qualified to have been thoughtful nam, with pure faith in the only one true God, whom Allah favoured with a high wisdom and wide knowledge.

It is said that he was a slave negri and a carpenter too, who rejected worldly rankand wealth. Some historians have written that  the slave was a native of Sudan. He never Lied and was very trustworthy.

Some one asked Loghman:- "Were you not a shepherd like me?" He answered:- "yes! I was."

The shepherd asked again:- "How did yoy then obtain such an excellent wisdom, and wast knowledge?:

Loghman answered:- "All I have was by the will of our Lord . I was honest in trusteeship, avoided lie, and kept quiet in affairs, that were none of my business." Many instructive and allegorical stories are crekited to him, that are intended to convey a useful lesson or a moral.

Loghman is held up as a pattern of wisdom, because he Lived a very wise Life in this world. Among hes teachings to his own son, was strictand pure Monotheism. His other serious enjoinment was to do good to all mankind, and in particular to the parents; but if the two duties were in conflict, we must follow the will of Allah in Loghman's school. but even in conflicts, although we should prefer God's Will. we have to treat gently with our parents. In any conflict of duty the sttandard must be the will of God.

      Among Loghmän's other teachings was:-

      ``My son! The world is similar to a very deep ocean that people may drown in it. Here your ship must be your sincere faith in God. Your sail must be your trust in your Lord (committing yourself to His care), and your provisions in this journey must be avoiding evil.

      My son! Keep silent as much as you can. Perform your prayer and pray too much to your Lord. Be gracious in whatever you have of mount and food. Recite the

scriptures as much as you can, and do not forget Allah. Once his slave master ordered him to slaughter a lamb and bring him the best of the animal's parts.''

      Loghmän did that and then brought the heart and the tongue of the slaughtered lamb to his master.

      Once again the master ordered him to butcher a lamb and bring him the worst of its parts.

      Again he brought the heart and the tongue of the lamb to his slave master!

      His master said; how can the same parts be the best and the worst?

      Loghmän answered:- ``If the heart and tongue are kept clean, they are the best of the parts among all, but if they be unclean, they are the worst of all.''

WHO WAS LOGHMÄN

      Loghmän was a sage, and not a prophet. He belongs to Arab tradition and is not found in the BIBLE. Not much is known of his private life, and his name is mentioned twice in Qurän; and the chapter 31 has also been named after him.

      In Islamic traditions, Loghmän has been qualified to have been thoughtful man, with pure faith in the only one true God, whom Allah favoured with a high wisdom and wide knowledge.

      It is said that he was a slave negro and a carpenter too, who rejected worldly rank and wealth. Some historians have written that the slave was a native of Sudan. He never lied and was very trustworthy.

      Some one asked Loghmän:- ``Were you not a shepherd like me?'' He answered:- ``Yes! I was.''

      The shepherd asked again:- ``How did you then obtain such an excellent wisdom, and vast knowledge?''

      Loghmän answered:- ``All I have was by the will of our Lord. I was honest in trusteeship, avoided lie, and kept quiet in affairs, that were none of my business.'' Many instructive and allegorical stories are credited to him, that are intended to convey a useful lesson or a moral.