Fame in this world, ignominy in the next
Al-Risala (English), September 1986, p. 3
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Fame in this world, ignominy in the next.
1986 9 September 3 Fame in this world, ignominy in the next. (63) Muawiyah, the first Umayyad Caliph, went up to where Abdullah ibn Amir and Abdullah ibn Zubayr were sitting. Abdullah ibn Amir stood up on seeing Muawiyah, but Abdullah ibn Zubayr remained seated. “I recall these words of the Prophet,” remarked Muawiyah: “‘One who likes people to stand up for him might as well build for himself a home in the Fire.’”
(AI-Adab AI-Mufrid)
When We Decree a Thing, We Need only Say ‘Be,’ and it is.
1986 9 September 3 When We Decree a Thing, We Need only Say: ‘Be,’ and it is. (245) (The Quran 16:40)
Until recently we had to press a switch in order to start a machine. But today a new scientific department known as Speech Technology has come into existence. This has to do with activation of mechanisms by verbal command, using no mechanical or electronic contrivances. This technology is being developed so rapidly that a regular magazine is being issued in the U.S.A. by the name of ‘Speech Technology’.
Now gadgets are being made which will turn off the lights when verbally ordered and if we want to clean a room, we shall simply have to utter a few words and a robot will oblige us by activating a mechanical vacuum cleaner.
Telephones are on sale in the U.S.A. which can place calls upon verbal command. At Chicago’s international airport, luggage is routed to the correct destination simply by place names being called out to a computer which, in turn, sends each piece of luggage to the appropriate container. But these machines are so costly that a common man cannot bear their expense, Only Government or industrial magnates can afford them. (This information is based on a news item in The Times of India, 6th September, 1985).
The Quran says that when God wants to do anything, He just says, so “be it”, and it is done. Until recently, such carrying out of verbal commands seemed inexplicable to people. But now thanks to the parallel of Speech Technology this divine attribute had been made easily understandable.
