Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 13

Verses 32-35

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. And a sign to them is the dead earth: We give life to it and bring forth from it grain so they eat of it. And We make therein gardens of palms and grapevines and We make springs to flow forth in it, That they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands did not make it; will they not then be grateful? (36:32-35)

All come up before God, willingly or otherwise

Allah says:

Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? (36:31)

It means that don’t you see how the past people were destroyed by Us? You should take lesson from their fate and not adopt their ways. People imagine death means destruction; that it is annihilation forever whereas what is meant is passing away from this world and arriving in the world of requital. As we have said, death, from the superficial viewpoint of man, is absolute annihilation. But from the point of view of intelligence and religion, death is not for anyone. Rather it is a change of place and dress.

And all of them shall surely be brought before Us. (36:32)

That is, without exception, each and everyone will come to Us. No one would ever be able to escape or remain absent. Allah says in Surah Rahman: O group of men and jinn! If you have power to cross the regions of the earth and the skies, do so.

O assembly of the jinn and the men! If you are able to pass through the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass through; you cannot pass through but with authority. (55:33)

In the explanation of this verse it is mentioned that on the Day of Judgment, angels of the first heaven would surround the grand field of gathering. They in turn would be surrounded by angels of the second heaven and so on till the angels of the seventh heaven. Then a voice will be heard: O groups of men and jinn! If you can cross these parameters, escape from this horizon.

All have to appear before the supreme court of Divine Justice. Two divine functionaries would be there with each and every person.

And every soul shall come, with it a driver and a witness. (50:21)

They will not be able to move either this side or that. Guards would there along with them. At their hint one will have to march on upto the highest court of God.

Let me be sacrificed for the one who does not need a pusher or watcher and who comes up on his own and submits his accounts himself readily. That is the ‘Mumzaroon’ - Those who will come up. The place for meeting with God is mentioned here as ‘Meeqaat-e-Ilaahi’:

Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day. (56:50)

He also gives proof of this in other verses, that is, proofs of the Return and Resurrection; rather of practical monotheism.

Sign of Qiyamat - enlivening of a dead earth

And a sign to them is the dead earth… (36:33)

The Arabic word ‘Ayat’ means sign, proof and evidence. Here it is a sign to show that you have to live in another world after your death where all your good fortune will come out openly.

They say: How this rotten and decomposed body will come to life again? Look at the earth beneath your feet and observe how God gives it life after it has dried and was dead.

Life and death of everyone and everything is like this. Earth also has life and death. Its death has grades and levels. One of its grades is growing and not growing. The season of fall and winter is death of earth. The beginning of spring is life for earth. How much life grows with it and is added to it. The earth wherein no movement was seen is lashed with spring breeze. Seeds show up their heads in the form of plants. All sorts of vegetables and grass grow. Who gave it this life? Did it happen itself? Why couldn’t it do so in fall and winter? This fresh life is a proof of the life after death, that is, Resurrection.

From a grain of wheat, he gives seven hundred or even more

And a sign to them is the dead earth: We give life to it and bring forth from it grain so they eat of it.

Here ‘grain’ means a corn seed. The chief grains are wheat, barely, lentils and rice etc. By way of development, a seed of wheat becomes a ear or cluster. Thereafter, a seed gives seventy to seven hundred seeds. This shows God’s Might and indicates that the universe is being directed by a limitless power.

You sowed a date seed. Then it bears branches and leaves producing hundreds of dates, each of which contains the same seed stone. This is manifestation of God’s powerful might. The One Who created wheat also gave you teeth to eat it. Who created taste in your tongue and Who made this date fruit so sweet in taste?

Whether movement in quality or quantity, every movement requires a mover. Nothing shakes without a shaker. Every cluster of grapes, in the beginning, is smaller than a seed of wheat. But then gradually it increases in size. Who gives it this quantitative movement and who evolves it with a fixed order and regularity?

The grape fruit, in the beginning, was very sour and then it gradually sweetened. Sometimes its extreme sweetness sickens man. Every movement or turn requires a mover, a driver, or pusher. Who is behind the quantitative and qualitative changes in grapes? Is it anyone except Only One God? He gives life to a dry barren earth. He makes the grass to grow. As Sadi Shirazi has said:

The clouds, the winds, the moon, the sun, the sky, all are doing their work.

So that you may eat your bread and may not remain heedless.

All of them are working for you and are at your service.

It is, therefore, not just on your part not to obey (The Almighty God)

Germination of a seed is a sign of resurrection

Monotheism is clearly understood from this verse from the aspect of resurrection. The farmers know that the seed they sow in the earth, after getting water, is changed. The seed was hard when placed in the soil but after it settled down and got water, it sprouted. Thereafter, it turns green and raises its head from the ground. Half of it comes up and half remains under ground. Half of it secures its root and base and the other half looks after its top and stem.

The point to be noted here is that after its disintegration who has given it a new life again? Only One God! Exactly like my body and your body. You ask what is going to happen after its disintegration? You have seen the events in this world how there is life after death. Why do you not think of hereafter?

And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind? (56:62)

The bones will be disintegrated and after the Almighty wills they would again be resurrected. There will be a life-giving blow making all atoms and molecules alive again.

And the trumpet shall be blown, when lo! from their graves they shall hasten on to their Lord. (36:51)

Of course there would be changes therein. This time the body would be subtle, especially if it is of the people of paradise. It is mentioned about the female dwellers of paradise that the houries will be jealous of them as these (women of paradise) will be extremely fine and beautiful. The substance of body is the same substance but appearance is changed. Of course its deeds will be like those of the angels. God willing, nothing but good will be done by them. On the other hand those who will be punished will get hard and coarse bodies corresponding to the harshness of divine torture.

And We make therein gardens of palms and grapevines and We make springs to flow forth in it, (36:34)

That is, look at these gardens of dates and grapes, which are just before your eyes; where was this sweetness? From where did it come? Say, ‘Praise be to Allah, Allah is the Greatest, from the inner fold of dry wood from earth and from water.’ What a wonderful drawing of essence in this systematic and well-organized manner. How it reached in this form to each and every cell of the fruits! What a marvelous relationship between a seed and the complete fruit! Indeed He is powerful over everything…

After this Quran says:

and We make springs to flow forth in it, that they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands did not make it; (36:34-35)

God produces both sweet juice and sour vinegar from grapes

…and their hands did not make it…

Meaning it is ‘We’ not the people, who has created these fruits. It is God Who created grapes but man extracts juice from them, which is pleasing to taste. Similarly he makes vinegar from grapes, which was among the diet of messengers.

…will they not then be grateful?

Meaning: Are you then not thankful? O ungrateful one! O disloyal fellow! Should you not be thankful to God Who granted you such precious and delicious things? Is it not necessary for you to chant His praise constantly?

Praising of the intermediary is good provided its being intermediary is not forgotten. But the fact is that One in Whose hand is the original or main bounty must be thanked. None should be made partner in this main thanksgiving and appreciation.

If the water supply is stopped to you who is it that makes palatable water available to you?

Say: Have you considered if your water should go down, who is it then that will bring you flowing water? (67:30)

Whatever bounty reaches us, it is from Him and there is no bounty for us except from God.

And whatever favor is (bestowed) on you it is from Allah; then when evil afflicts you, to Him do you cry for aid. (16:53)

Bounty worship or benefactor worship

Though the comparison is rather awkward, there is no harm. Does a dog, with all of its lowness, give more importance to a bounty or to its benefactor? Dog is, indeed, a benefactor worshipper, not bounty worshipper. It harkens to the call of the owner of the house, not to its food.

Several times, its owner forgets to feed it, but the dog does not ignore him. It remains meek; it flatters him, and wags its tail for him.

It is an animal and does not have more intelligence than this. But you, O man! In spite of the fact that God gave you intelligence, why did you forget your Benefactor? You knew your Lord and you said: There is no god except Allah. Now, do you have anything to do with the Benefactor or with the bounty (given by him)? Are you a Benefactor worshipper or a bounty worshipper?

Since God has granted the precious bounty to you, you should praise and glorify Him alone so that He may increase the bounty.

If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe. (14:7)

In fact it is prohibited to say, “Such and such food has harmed me.” Rather, you should say, “I was not fit for that food.” Of course foods having opposite effects should not be taken together.

It is narrated that, among reasons of chastisements like squeeze of grave, is thanklessness for bounties. So, to avoid such ungratefulness, kiss the bread and respect it, let it not fall down and be trampled.

It is a must for all of us to repent from the bottom of our hearts for whatever thanklessness has been shown by us. There are things about which we did not realize that they are great bounties of Allah. For example, we did not consider a son a big bounty from God. But when he died we say, “God took him away from me.” Now this is ungratefulness.

We should say, “O God! Whatever we have is only from You. There is no God except You. We are monotheists. We are thankful people and we are shamed of our past when we did not realize that all bounties were from You. I seek forgiveness from You and I turn towards You (in repentance).

Chapter 14

Verses 33-35

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And a sign to them is the dead earth: We give life to it and bring forth from it grain so they eat of it. And We make therein gardens of palms and grapevines and We make springs to flow forth in it, That they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands did not make it; will they not then be grateful? (36:33-35)

Eat dates and grapes and be thankful

These verses are related with the Uniqueness of God and the Hereafter and the proofs of both are very clear. You have seen how life is blown into a dead dry earth:

We give life to it and bring forth from it grain…

Various kinds of seeds grow out of it, which you eat - that is date trees and grapevines. Rivers are made to flow between them. So eat these fruits, think upon it and derive a lesson. Eat and be grateful and thankful to God by recognizing and worshipping Him. Be God worshippers. See who is their Originator. Also remember that what you see is only a drop, which shows the Might of God. The greater thing is God’s power, which will be clear to you in the world, which is after death.

And there is not a thing but with Us are the treasures of it, and We do not send it down but in a known measure. (15:21)

Dry and wet (fresh) dates are from the original sweetness, treasured in the higher world, which you will taste after your death. Then you will understand and realize what true sweetness is. All the greenery, flavor and fragrance are stored with the Lord of the worlds.

He is the bestower of bounties covering you (like the animals)

…will they not then be grateful?

An animal eats from the bounties of God and does nothing else. Its job is to graze and chew on barley and alfa alfa and that is all. But it is the duty of man to eat and go to the giver of this food and thank Him. Otherwise what is the difference between Him and the animal?

…and eat as the beasts eat, and the fire is their abode. (47:12)

Human intellect demands that he must be humble before the Benefactor, the Almighty God. Man must not be a denier (Kafir/ungrateful). ‘Kufr’ means cover, that is, covering or hiding. O the one who wears the bounty given by God and does not consider it to be from God, God is needless.

Allah, (there is) no god but He, the Ever living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all things subsist. (3:2)

Thanking God is better only for you. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that if you show thankfulness to God He will add to that bounty. If you do not realize that the bounty is from God and if you do not appreciate it, the chastisement of God is very severe.

…and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe. (14:7)

Wife, a divine bounty and thanklessness with regard to it

Among the bounties bestowed by God is a good wife. This bounty is mentioned in the Holy Quran at several places. It is narrated in Usul Kafi that, second to Faith, nothing is higher in rank than a wife who safeguards and protects the faith of man. Such a wife is a sign of God that brings peace and love to her husband.

And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion…(30:21)

But some people do not regard her as a divine bounty and turn ungrateful. In marriage functions and likewise in matrimony, which is an occasion of having invocations answered, they indulge in sins and show ungratefulness to God with regard to this bounty.

A thankful companion of Prophet Dawood in paradise

There is a brief story on the topic of thankfulness. Prophet Dawood (‘a) once prayed to God to show him his companion in paradise from among the faithful persons God loved. Came the voice from the unseen, “Tomorrow morning, go to the gate of the city and see who it is.”

Next morning when Dawood (‘a) went to the city gate he met Mata, father of Yunus, carrying some firewood on his shoulders, in search of a buyer. Then came a man who bought that wood. Dawood stepped forward, shook hands with him, hugged him and then asked, “Is it possible for you to have me as your guest today?”

Mata replied, “It would be my pleasure. Come along.”

Mata bought some flour and salt with the firewood money to suffice three persons, viz, he himself, Dawood and Sulaiman. Finally he baked bread. Then before eating that bread, Mata raised his head towards the sky and said with tears running down his cheeks, “O Lord! It was You Who had sown the tree from which I obtained this wood. You gave me strength and ability to do this work. You also gave me capability to carry its burden. You sent its buyer. The wheat from which I got this flour was also created by You and Only You. You made all this possible whereby we are now able to use Your bounty.”

Dawood turned towards Sulaiman and said, “Thankfulness enhances a man’s status.”

Bounties of life, wealth, and thankfulness for it

A great wise man has said, “Do not go on saying, ‘O’ God! give me, give me,’ rather say, ‘O Lord! Make me thankful to You for Your bounties. Make me realize the truth so that I may be grateful to You by appreciating Your bounties.’”

Now these hours in the Holy month of Ramadan are divine bounty. Ask those who have died. They yearn to be in the world to earn its benefits. Really we should repent over our ungratefulness during these precious nights (Shab-e-Qadr) of Ramadan, because we did not appreciate the divine bounties. We did not recognize the Real Benefactor. We destroyed the bounty by utilizing it inappropriately. Frittering away of wealth is also ungratefulness. You should either eat or feed with it but do not squander money by extravagant spending like carpeting the staircases etc. Give it to a person who has no money. You should take benefit from this divine bounty and not waste it.

Thankfulness with regard to money is to spend it in the path of God

Haji Noori has described a story in Darus Salam. A devoutly pious worshipper had been busy in his worship for several years. He was informed in one of his dreams that Almighty God had decided that, “Half of your life span will be spent in poverty and in the other half you will be rich and wealthy. Now it is for you to choose which part of your life you prefer first”. He replied in that dream, “I have a wise wife. Let me consult her.” Of course there is no harm in consulting a pious lady who is intelligent and not mad after wealth and worldly desires.

The wise lady said, “Choose the first half for ease and needlessness.” Thus their wealth began to increase from the next morning. Then the wife said, “O man! As promised by God, just as He gives you bounty, you too should spend it in His path.” So wealth came to one hand and it was given to the poor and spent in God’s path with the other. Thus half of his age passed. Now, he awaited poverty. But there was no change. God’s bounties continued to rain on them as before. He asked, “O God! How is it like this?”

He was informed, “You thanked Us for the bounties so We increased them further.”

If you are grateful, I would certainly give you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe. (14:7)

Thankfulness of wealth is to spend it in God’s path, and similarly, squandering it away is ingratitude and thanklessness.

Chapter 15

Verses 36-38

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Glory be to Him Who created pairs of all things, of what the earth grows, and of their kind and of what they do not know. And a sign to them is the night: We draw forth from it the day, then lo! They are in the dark; And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing. (36:36-38)

We created pairs from earth

In the description of the proofs of God’s Might and Wisdom, also in knowing God and Resurrection, is mentioned the knowledge about Divine power and intelligence and of making the dead alive again.

Glory be to Him Who created pairs of all things, of what the earth grows, and of their kind and of what they do not know.

The apparent meaning of this Holy verse is that without any blemish or error is God Who created pairs of all that grows from earth, like vegetables and also yourselves.

Previously man had no knowledge of these pairs. Earlier commentators have said that ‘pairs’ means ‘kinds and sorts’ created by God. Some others said that it means composition and combination of matter and giving of form to matter.

Wind and insect pollination

The above interpretations were due to unawareness of the important subject of the machinery of creation. Uptil now, man was ignorant of the fact that the matter of pairing or coupling refers to the entire universe. Formerly they believed that the case was such only in date trees in addition to living animals or animate things. Therefore, they thought that the date tree has male and female genders and hence a part from male should be given to the female tree in order to get fruits.

But at last it became known that not only the date or palm tree every plant needs pollination.

Firstly, it is not correct to say that pair means kinds and sorts; rather it is so in Persian, where the word denotes coupling or mating of male and female. The Almighty Lord wants to state in this verse that the entire machinery of creation has pairing. It is not exclusive for animals and date trees; rather in all trees the male cell reaches the female organ. Winds are also agents of pollination.

And We send the winds fertilizing, (15:22)

It (the air or wind) takes the male particles, which fertilize the female tree. Insects are also among the agents of pollination. They sit on male portions of some plants and carry them on their legs to the female parts of other plants.

Exploding of the atom proved the pairing of things

…and of what they do not know.

Perhaps the hint is towards what has lately been discovered about the atom. Hitherto it was considered that the atom is indivisible but lately man has succeeded in splitting it with the help of advanced technology and discovered that the atom also has a pair, an active and a passive partner. It has electrons and protons. So, one of the miracles of the Quranic knowledge is that since man could not believe that all things have pairs, upto the basic unit (atom), he said that pairs meant kinds and sorts. But finally, the fact was revealed that God has created pairs of everything.

And of everything We have created pairs that you may be mindful…and of their kind… (51:49)

It is worth pondering about the astonishing roles of the male and female in creation of a third living being. Imam Sadiq (‘a), in one of his talks to Mufaddal reminds of the same subject. Think deeply over the reproductive organs and in the manner of coupling and conception. The more you think the more you are amazed.

Night - a sign of God and having benefits

And a sign to them is the night:

Think deeply over the signs and proofs of Allah’s Might. How the day and the night occur? Apparently it is due to the movement of sun around the earth but actually it is due to the rotation of the earth around its own axis. Thus 24 hours of a day and a night occur. Think over these points.

And a sign to them is the night:

How does night occur? Allah caused the night and removed the day to provide peace and rest for all creatures so that they can relax in the darkness.

With reference to the words, “We draw forth from it the day…” some commentators say that it denotes ‘taking out’ as there are the words “from it”. But if drawing out means ‘digging out’ it should have been Arabic ‘an’ and not ‘min’ as is the case. Hence it means taking away the light We brought darkness. We took away the brightness of the atmosphere, so darkness fell.

…then lo! they are in the dark;

If His overwhelming Power had not made the earth rotate, for example, and there had been a bright day forever, then the benefits hidden in the night would not have been available. Moreover, were the sun to shine all 24 hours at one point, it would have burnt the place.

The Sun moves towards its resting place

And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it…

According to some it conveys that the sun is moving and it is the movement of it going around the earth.

Now this is against the facts. The sun along with its constellation system is moving towards a very big star, Nasr and which is finally named ‘Wakaa’. When it reaches the star, the age of the constellation of sun will come to an end. Thus the resting place of the sun is that huge star. That will be the time when it will be Resurrection (Qiyamat). It is also said in modern astronomy that the constellation of the sun is in its last age. When the sun will fall from its course, its brightness will cease, just like our own age. When its end arrives all the signs of our life will also end. This movement of the sun is not eternal and it will one day reach its resting place.

…that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing.

Meaning that this is the great and powerful Will and plan of God Almighty Who is Most Wise and Intelligent. He has the super most power over all things and He is fully aware of His entire creation.

Force of gravity ensures safety of the universe

And (as for) the moon, We have ordained for it stages till it becomes again as an old dry palm branch. Neither is it allowable to the sun that it should overtake the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day; and all float on in a sphere. (36:39-40)

Just think over the system of night and day. During your fifty years of age have the days and the nights changed? They have not even slightly strayed away from their course. They have run neither faster nor slower (earlier or later), from their fixed course. Neither the sun overtakes the moon nor the moon overtakes the sun. How great the force of gravity is! The sun is situated millions of miles away yet it has a pull over the earth and other planets while the moon is subdued by the earth. A balance between the spheres and their orbits has been created. Why is it so?

Crescent moon and the lunar calendar

The crescent moon seen on the first day of the month is like a curved thread. Its size doubles the next night. Then by the thirteenth and fourteenth night a whole round moon is sighted. Then from the sixteenth it goes on thinning until in the last night, called moonless night, it disappears completely; so the counting of days of the month may be known. The Quran explains this in a clear way:

He it is Who made the sun a shining brightness and the moon a light, and ordained for it mansions that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create it but with truth; He makes the signs manifest for a people who know. (10:5)

As for the words:

…as an old dry palm branch.

They compare the appearance of the moon to an old withered branch of date palm curved like an arch, yellow and weak. If you look at the moon in the last nights of the month you will find that it is exactly so.

It is also like the last phase of my and your age. Repentance has much value now and not when one sees the angel of death.

We have ordained for it stages…

There are 27 stages for the moon. Look at it night by night, to follow its course. Zamakhshari has written in Rabiul Abrar, quoting Sharhe Sahifa that it was the night of fourteenth of the month when Imam Sajjad (‘a) woke up before dawn for Tahajjud prayers. He put his hands in the can of water for making ablution. When he raised his head towards the sky he observed the moon. He remained in that position until the Muezzin (caller from the minaret of the mosque) cried: “God is the Greatest (Allahu Akbar).”

Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand. (3:190)

Observe the greatness of God in the sky; planets in the limitless space, especially according to modern scientific research all these things are indeed amazing.

A big world is woven in the body of man

Here is a hint regarding the analogy between the outer horizons and man’s inner self: As said by Ali (‘a), “Have you imagined that yours is a little body? The truth is that a great world is rolled within you.”

Whatever is in the outer world is also found in the inner being of man. The existence of man is also like that of the night and the day. Just ponder, over this example:

Egyptian commentator Tantanavi has given a very nice explanation of the flowing of blood in our entire body.

From the top of head to the toe of foot, the flow of blood is connected with the heart and it is being cleaned therein. The blood thus purified in the heart then runs through veins and reaches all the organs. In half of the body there is always black blood and in the other half red (fine). Every minute the blood circulates in our bodies. The black blood is like the night and the pure blood like day.

Day of the soul is remembrance of God and its night is mindlessness

Your soul also has days and nights. Its night is being regardless of God. It is darkness. You (your soul) do not see the truth and reality. Alas, if we sin, it is like a dark and cloudy night.

Or like utter darkness in the deep sea: there covers it a wave above which is another wave, above which is a cloud, (layers of) utter darkness one above another… (24:40)

Likewise its day is the remembrance of God. The part of your life, which passed in remembering God, is bright.

For men of God, night is like a world-brightening day; for such bright persons there is no dark night at all.

This fact becomes quite clear from the very moment of death and thereafter its truth is realized. Woe, unto him whose night is joined with resurrection. The darkness of immorality is very bad. False beliefs push him in such a difficult bottleneck that, in the words, of the Holy Quran, he cannot see even his own hands.

…when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; and to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light. (24:40)

Contrary to it there are faithful men and women whose light or brightness runs before and in front of them and this shedding of light (Noor) is from their right side.

Ali is right and Muawiyah wrong in everyone’s life

Shaykh Shustari (r.a.), in the matter under discussion that whatever is in the greater world is also found in the little world (in ourselves), says: In your existence there is Muhammad and also there is Abu Jahl. In your life are both Habeel Qabeel. He thus makes important analogies. Your Abu Jahl is the same ignorance, mindlessness and pride in your self. The humility for truth in your heart and mind is Muhammad. Let not Abu Jahl in your selves overcome Muhammad.

Ali means justice and truth. Muawiyah means oppression, injustice and falsehood. Let not oppression overcome justice and truth.

Religious blindness due to prohibited acts

A man once described his dream among friends. He said, “I saw Imam-e-Zaman (‘a) in my dream.” His right eye was blind. Firstly it is strange that one who does not believe in the Imam can see him in his dream. It may be confused thoughts or superstition, or it could be having some hidden meaning.

I told myself that if I do not reply to him, he might imagine that Imam-e-Zaman (‘a) has something to do with this. Hence, I said, “This Imam-e-Zaman (‘a) is there in your own self. Your own religion is blind. I tell you from this pulpit publicly that the work you do and which is not legal has made you blind.” The man went away and abstained from bad deeds.

Sometimes it also so happens that this unlucky fellow allows negligence and ignorance to overpower him whereby he becomes another Ibne Muljim. Hate and jealousy against others chain him from head to foot.

Chapter 16

Verses 41-44

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And a sign to them is that We bear their offspring in the laden ship. And We have created for them the like of it, what they will ride on. And if We please, We can drown them, then there shall be no succorer for them, nor shall they be rescued, But (by) mercy from Us and for enjoyment till a time. (36:41-44)

Among all other signs and proofs of God’s bounties is the subjugation of the sea for mankind. Allah has made this huge ocean along with its great depth and fearsome animals subservient to man. This ocean is indeed such that if man looks at it, he is frightened. The giant waves, when in motion, are really fierce. Yet man has overpowered it so that he can sail on its surface for trade, tourism and past time. By constructing a ship he rides it with a strong heart and travels for miles and miles. He catches fish and obtains other marine products. He brings out pearls etc. Now he even does mining in the seabed. Man makes the loaded ship move over the waves of the sea.

Camel, the ship of desert and the airplane also are from God

And We have created for them the like of it, what they will ride on.

We created things like the ships and many other things for you. For example the camel, which is a ship of desert. In the words of modern day commentators, aeroplanes flying in air are also made by God. They also are like the ships. The electricity and steam too are from God Almighty. Man has only assembled the parts with the help of his intelligence which is again provided by God.

And if We please, We can drown them, then there shall be no succorer for them, nor shall they be rescued,

Meaning, if We desire, We can drown the seafarers with a huge wave. The protector is Only One God, not the ship. Automobiles and airplanes too are like it. Be it in sea or in the air, the protector is only God. If He wants to kill, there is none to save.

But (by) mercy from Us and for enjoyment till a time.

That is, the safety is Our Mercy until its time (of death) does not arrive. God saves and protects it till that time.

Worship only one God with your body and wealth

These Holy verses contain all the signs and proofs of God’s might, wisdom, divinity and Lordship. It necessitates that, O man! As it is God Who has put the land and the sea under your control, you must obey Him. It is Only One God Who created for you all these varieties of food, bounties, drinks and grains. It is He and only He Who created all these vegetables and fruits for you. So you must be thankful to Him and you must not be slack in worshipping Him physically and monetarily.

Physical worship acts through tongue and body organs are prayer, fasting, hajj and ordering good and prohibiting evil. All these are bodily worship acts and thankfulness.

Monetary worship acts are connected with man’s relationships.

…and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them… (2:3)

In all divine religions, Prayer and Zakat are ordered jointly. If there is bodily or physical worship but no worship through wealth, then it is incomplete. Fasting is there in its place, but providing breakfast and giving predawn food is also a must. Though the Lord Almighty revealed these verses with regard to the people of Mecca, it is applicable to all humanity till the Day of Judgment.

Take precautions regarding past and present sins

Meccans were extremely unlucky with regard to physical worship. When they were told, “Fear God, mend your manners, offer prayers”, they used to mock it. When they were told, “Why do you not offer Prayers? Why do you not observe fasts?” They would retort, “Why does God need my Prayer and fasts.” Well, but you surely need to worship so that God may, as a reward give you bounties in the Hereafter.

And when it is said to them: Guard against what is before you and what is behind you, that mercy may be on you. (36:45)

The best explanation for “What is in front of you”, as mentioned in Kashaf-e-Haqaiq, is provided by Imam Ja’far Sadiq (‘a) who is reported to have said, “It denotes sins attracting divine punishment and torture. They are being asked, ‘Look at your sins, see what you have forwarded for your life in grave.’”

Instead of sending sweet smell and fragrance for your Hereafter (life after death) you have forwarded fire.

Another reason is also given that “what is before you” indicates the present sins and “what is behind you” means the past sins.

…that mercy may be on you.

Though the reply has not been explained in detail it becomes apparent by the next verse.

They are turning away their faces from the signs of God

And there comes not to them a communication of the communications of their Lord but they turn aside from it.

When the verse of Quran is recited to them, they turn away their faces. When it is said to them, “Fear the chastisement of Barzakh (grave life)”, their response is the same. Be they the legislative verses or verses explaining religious beliefs, all are from God. None of the Divine Words about bounties and creations etc has any effect on them. What about the physical worships? Of course we should apply them to ourselves. May be they apply to us. There are applicable to all though the verses were revealed in the context of Meccans.

God Himself would have given to the poor

And when it is said to them: Spend out of what Allah has given you,

When it is said to them, “Out of what God has given to you, you should give some of it to the needy in the path of God,” for example: Khums, one fifth of whatever you have saved at the end of the year after taking care of your expenses etc. Actually this is very easy but they reply, “Had God wished, He Himself would have given it to them (the poor people).

…those who disbelieve say to those who believe: Shall we feed him whom, if Allah please, He could feed?

O shopkeeper! If you know that your sales boy is short of money, you should support him by giving an advance.

The unbelievers replied to those who recommended them to help the needy, “Should we feed those whom had God wished to feed, He would have fed? Actually God wished that they should remain hungry and needy.”

You are in naught but clear error.

That is you are clearly misguided and you do not know that you are encouraging begging. Now the fact is that these people themselves are in clear misguidance.

God’s will with regard to free will of man

Will of God is of two kinds, the destined nature and the legislative will. The first kind is for example that if God willed that rain must come at a certain time or that He decides that the lifespan of such and such person must end by such and such time. This is not changeable.

The second Will is with regard to the legislative aspect that God wishes that man should incline himself towards good, should offer Prayer and observe fasts etc.

Example of destined nature: God desired that a donkey and a cow must always remain bowed (like in Rukoo during Prayer). But in respect of man, He wishes that man must genuflect (Rukoo) willingly and thus, with his own intention understand the Might and Greatness of God. He must recite, “Glory be to the Lord, the greatest, and praise be to Him.”

Insects live in dust. They have no option but to remain so. But man is commanded that he should, with self-intention and self will, prostrate before Only One God so that he be rewarded and get a fitting rank. God wants that, if one is poor, then those who are needless should feed him and fulfill his needs.

Wealth and poverty - a test for the people

God has not created all the people alike. In every age, some are rich and some poor so that they may be tested.

and We have made some of you a trial for others… (25:20)

O Mr. Millionaire! God has given you a lot so that you may support thousands of helpless people; that your own spiritual ailments may be cured. If the curtain is raised, everyone will sigh over his illnesses. Spending in the path of God cures you from such diseases, so be generous.

In case of the poor also, the truth is that if in spite of needfulness, he maintains his self-respect, then it in itself is a great blessing. If you remain patient and forbearing you earn everlasting rewards. The poor who is patient, is also as lucky as a rich man who spends in the path of God willingly. Both earn good rewards. This is the legislative wish of God that both the rich and the poor should benefit.

A miser is deprived of paradise. It is narrated that a generous disbeliever is nearer to Paradise than a miserly believer.

There is no hope for such a miserly Muslim. If he dies with such animal-like characteristics there is no hope of his salvation.

When a dog from outside comes to another area what do the other dogs of that area do? They chase away the new dog, fearing that the newcomer would participate in enjoying the bones available in their area.

O co-workers! What are you doing with your co-workers? The remedy of miserliness is to give away and I have said this repeatedly. Illness of heart cannot be cured by doing what you want, so spend in the path of God from what you love most.

By no means shall you attain to righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out of what you love… (3:92)

You must not give away what you do not like for yourselves.

O you who believe! spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and of what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at what is bad that you may spend (in alms) of it, while you would not take it yourselves unless you have its price lowered… (2:267)

Building on rented land

A man came to the house of Ali (‘a). When he saw that necessities of life were very short and unorganized in that house he asked, “O Al! You are the Caliph of Muslims. Why is your house in such a condition?” Ali (‘a) replied, “A wise man does not build properties on rented land. Whatever we possess, we have forwarded for the next life.”

To give more importance to a rented place is against wisdom.

One day, Bahlool was in a graveyard. There came the vizier of Haroon and asked him, “How is it that you are not leaving the graveyard?” Bahlool replied, “Yes, there is more peace here. No one has to do anything with me here. If I go to the town or market, children and fools trouble me.” The vizier said, “Do you have any dialogue with the dead?” Bahlool, “Yes. I stand by every grave and ask, ‘When are you going to move out?’ They reply, ‘We are waiting for you. When you join us, we shall move out together.’”

Generosity of Imam Hasan and Imam Reza (‘a)

The wealth you have is a loan to you, with which you can do something for your life after death. It is a very important matter. So much so that if one has got only a date, he should give half of it to the needy. Imam Reza (‘a) divided his entire wealth in two parts thrice and every time he gave half of it in the path of God.

Likewise, when Imam Reza (‘a) used to sit for meals he used to take a utensil and put something from every available eatable for the needy. He used to recite:

But he would not attempt the uphill road, And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? (It is) the setting free of a slave, Or the giving of food in a day of hunger (90:11-14)