THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION

and argued to excess. Now bring down upon us what you threaten us with, if you speak the truth. He said, It is God who will bring it down upon you if He wishes, and you will not be able to escape. And my advice will not benefit you, no matter how sincerely I want to advise you, if God lets you go astray. He is your Lord, and you will all return to Him.’ (11:32-34) The essence of this verse is that Prophet Noah continued his mission of preaching for a long period, yet his people rejected his message. Finally, when they had enough, they challenged him by demanding the punishment he warned of. In response, the Prophet clarified that it is Allah alone who brings punishment, and a time will come when they will all be seized and returned to Him, forced to endure whatever consequences are decided for them. This return to Allah is unrelated to any concept of “civil and social lordship.” The second verse states: Thumma ila rabbikum marji’ukum, (39:7) “then, to your Lord is your return.” This verse also pertains to the Hereafter. The entire passage is as follows: “If you are ungrateful, remember that God has no need of you. He is not pleased by ingratitude in His servants; if you are grateful, He is pleased [to see] it in you. No soul shall bear another’s