nothing was left to be seen except their dwellings. Thus do We requite the wrong-doers. 29 (46:26) We had established them firmly in a manner We have not established shall have nothing to fear nor to grieve. 18 (46:14) They are the people of Paradise. They shall remain in it forever Although man enjoys this status, God made it abundantly plain to him that He alone is man’s Lord and Sovereign, even as He is the Lord and Sovereign of the whole universe. Man was· told that he was not entitled to consider himself independent and that only God was entitled to claim absolute obedience, service and worship. many cattle and human beings from among Our creation. 63 (25:50) We present this wondrous phenomenon to them over and over again 64 the support of everyone who rebels against his Lord. 70 (25:56) We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a bearer of good tidings

In the course of time, however, men gradually deviated from this true way of life and began to follow various erroneous ways. They allowed true guidance to be lost through heedlessness and negligence and sometimes, even deliberately, distorted it out of evil perversity. They associated with God a• number of beings, human and non­human, real as well as imaginary, and adored them as deities. one, or any vestige of knowledge (in support of your belief) if you are truthful. 4 (46:5) Who is farther strayed from the Right Path than he who calls upon They had intimate knowledge of reality and the Law which they were to follow was communicated to them. Their way of life consisted of obedience to God (i.e. Islam) and they taught their children to live in obedience to Him (i.e. to live as Muslims). This blending of teachings from different periods helps to provide an overall view and an integrated perspective of Islam, and acts as a safeguard against lopsidedness. Furthermore, a chronological arrangement of the Qur’an would have been meaningful to later generations only if it had been supplemented with explanatory notes and these would have had to be treated as inseparable appendices to the Qur’an.to luxuriant ways. 59 They will then begin to groan. 60 (23:65) "Put 61 a stop to your groaning now! Surely no help shall fear Allah without seeing Him. 18 (67:13) Whether you speak in secrecy or aloud, (it is all the same to Allah).

many other benefits in them: you eat of them, (23:22) and are carried on them and also on ships. 23 (23:23) We sent Noah to his people, 24 and he said: "My people! we would not be among the inmates of the Blazing Fire.'” (67:11) Thus will they confess their sins. 17 Damned are these This was necessary to enable people of every level of intelligence and understanding to know what God required of them. This purpose would have been defeated had the reader been obliged solemnly to recite detailed historical notes and explanatory comments along with the Book of God.bring upon us the scourge that you threaten us with. Do so if you are truthful.” (46:23) He replied: “Allah alone knows about this. 26 I only convey grant you a most pure boy." (19:20) Mary said: "How can a boy be born to me when no man has even touched they have not been guided to it, they will certainly say: “This is an old fabrication.” 16 (46:12) Yet before this the Book was revealed to Moses as a guide and a mercy. afflictions, they would persist in their transgression, blindly wandering on. 72 (23:76) (They are such) that We seized them with chastisement (and yet) they and bones, shall we then be raised up again? (23:83) We were promised such things and so were our forefathers before us.

Moreover, the various fragments of the Qur’an which were revealed in harmony with the growth of the Islamic movement were not published in the form of written treatises, but were spread orally. Their style, therefore, bore an oratorical flavour rather than the characteristics of literary compos­ition. Blessed is Allah, the Best of all those that create. 14 (23:15) Thereafter you are destined to die, (23:16) and then on the Day of Resurrection you shall certainly be raised guide the unbelievers (to succeed against you). (5:68) Say to them: 'People of the Book! You have no solid ground to stand about the Truth when it came to them: “This is plain sorcery.” 8 (46:8) Do they claim that the Messenger himself has fabricated it? 9 the glories of a great kingdom. 22 (76:21) They [i.e., the virtuous] shall be attired in garments of fine green

make it more likely that you will avoid injustice. (4:4) Give women their bridal-due in good cheer (considering it a duty); never believe what he says." (23:39) The Messenger said: "My Lord! Come to my help at their accusing me to protect them from Allah. Such people are in manifest error. (46:33) Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth He had to raise their morale and steel their determination, turn enemies into friends and opponents into admirers, disarm those out to oppose his message and show their position to be morally untenable. In short, he had to do everything necessary to carry his movement through to a successful conclusion. Orations revealed in conformity with the requirements of a message and movement will inevitably have a style different from that of a professorial lecture. it is from their own remembrance that they are turning away. 69 (23:72) Are you asking them for something? What Allah has given you is the

have turned away from what they were warned against. 3 (46:4) Tell them, (O Prophet): “Did you consider those whom you call upon when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east; (19:17) and drew a curtain, screening herself from people 14 whereupon brought within their easy reach; (76:15) and there shall be passed around them vessels of silver 17It was also explained to man that if he chose to adopt the right way of life – and in this choice he was free – he would enjoy peace and contentment in this world and be assigned, on his return to God, the abode of eternal bliss and happiness known as Paradise. Should man follow any other way – Likewise, the treatment of different subjects is unique. If an historical subject is raised, the narrative does not follow the pattern familiar in historical accounts. In discussions of philosophical or metaphysical questions, we miss the familiar expressions and ter­minology of formal logic and philosophy. Cultural and political matters, or questions pertaining to man’s social and economic life, are discussed in a way very different from that usual in works of social sciences. Juristic principles they shall have none as protector or helper. 11 (42:9) (Are they so foolish that) they have chosen others rather than Allah What a wretched destination! (67:7) When they will be cast into it, they will hear it roar as it boils, 13 (67:8) as though it will burst with rage. Every time a multitude is cast and to give good tidings to those who do good. (46:13) Surely those who said: “Our Lord is Allah” and then remained steadfast