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not a token of virtuous excellence or privileged nobility or a<br />

means of exploitation. God says:<br />

"It is He Who has made you (His) agents,<br />

<strong>in</strong>heritors of the earth: He has raised you<br />

<strong>in</strong> ranks, some above others; that He may<br />

try you <strong>in</strong> ihe gifts He has given you.<br />

Verily, your Lord is quick <strong>in</strong> punishment,<br />

yet He is <strong>in</strong>deed Oft-Forgiv<strong>in</strong>g, Most<br />

Merciful".<br />

(6:165)<br />

Moreover, the Qur'an reports to mank<strong>in</strong>d an <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g<br />

discourse betvveen Moses and his people. It runs as follows:<br />

"Said Moses to his people, 'pray for help<br />

from God, and wait <strong>in</strong> patience and<br />

constancy; for the earth is God's. He gives<br />

i t as a heritage to such of His bondmen as<br />

He pleases; and the end is best for the<br />

righteous.<br />

They said, We have had noth<strong>in</strong>g but<br />

trouble, both before and after you came to<br />

us.' He said: 'It may be that your Lord will<br />

destroy your enemies and make you<br />

<strong>in</strong>heritors <strong>in</strong> the earth; that so He may try<br />

youby your deeds."<br />

(7:128-129)<br />

This discourse between Moses and his people does not<br />

imply <strong>in</strong> any sense a recognition of any privileged genus of

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