THE WORD OF GOD

THE WORD OF GOD From The Scriptures The Quran is the book of God. It has been preserved in its entirety since its revelation to the Prophet of Islam between CE 610 and 632. It is a book that brings glad tidings to humankind, along with divine admonition, and stresses the importance of man’s discovery of the Truth on a spiritual and intellectual level. Translated from Arabic and commentary by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful By [the winds] that pluck out vehemently and those that blow gently, and by [the clouds] that swim serenely and by those that outstrip them suddenly, and by those who regulate events. On the Day when a violent convulsion will convulse [the world], to be followed by further [convulsions], hearts will be throbbing, while eyes will be downcast. They say, ‘What? shall we be brought back to life,even after we have turned into decayed bones?’ and they say, ‘That indeed would be a losing return.’ But all it will take is a single blast, and behold! They will all come out in the open. (79: 1-14) Every year we experience periods of calm weather followed by gales bringing clouds and rainstorms. Soon it is clearly visible that where the land was desolate, a new world has sprung up. This event of nature indicates the possibility of the Hereafter. This shows in symbolic fashion that the emergence of the Hereafter from the present world is just as possible as the emergence of lush green foliage from dry barren land. Have you heard the story of Moses? His Lord called out to him by the sacred valley of Tuwa: [saying], ‘Go to Pharaoh, he has exceeded all bounds, and say, “Will you reform yourself? Do you want me to guide you to your Lord, so that you should fear Him?”’ Moses showed him the great sign, but he denied it and refused [the faith]. Then he quickly turned his back. And he summoned all his people, and proclaimed, ‘I am your supreme Lord,’ but God seized him and meted out to him the chastisement of both the next world and the present: surely there is in this a lesson for the God-fearing. (79: 15-26)