Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | THE MESSAGE SPELT OUTshould, therefore, come as no surprise to those who may fail in their challenge toGod but persist, nevertheless, with their rejection of the truth.The use of the word ‘stones’ here is intriguing. This fire is prepared for theunbelievers, described earlier in the sūrah as those whom “God has sealed their heartsand ears” and whose ‘eyes are covered.” (Verse 7) They are the ones who have failed totake up God’s challenge, and persisted, nevertheless, in their rejection of Hismessage. They are effectively stone-like, although they have a human form. Hencethe connection between humans and stones in this verse. The expression amplyconveys the horror of the awesome scene in which people and stones are consumedby fire.In total contrast, we are given the scene of bliss which awaits the believers: “Tothose who believe and do good deeds give the good tidings that they shall reside in gardensthrough which running waters flow. Whenever they are offered fruits therefrom, they say,‘We have been given the same before’, for they shall be provided with what looks similar. Theyshall also have pure spouses and they shall reside there for ever.” (Verse 25)The interesting aspect of this life of eternal bliss, besides the chaste, pure spouses,is the similar types of fruit offered to the believers, which they somehow feel theywere given previously, either in this world or in heaven. This apparent similarityseems to introduce an element of recurring surprise; every time the fruits are foundto be different, adding to an atmosphere already filled with pleasure, abundance andenjoyment.The combination of apparent similarity and difference of essence is a phenomenonclearly discernible in God’s creation, indicating, for one thing, that the world weknow is much greater than it seems to us. Take man as an example. Overall, peoplelook the same and possess the same limbs and organs, with essentially the samephysical, biological and chemical constitution. But how far does this similarity go?How different can people be in their habits and aptitudes? For, despite the strikingphysical similarity, such differences can be vast indeed.Variety and diversity in God’s creation can be great indeed. There is variety inliving species and in human races; there is diversity in shapes and features, as well asqualities and characteristics. Yet, this vast, multitudinous, diversified andinexhaustible universe goes back to a basic single cell which is made up of the sameconstituent parts.Who, with all these manifest marvels and astounding proofs of God’s power andomnipotence, dare reject God and fail to submit to Him alone in total awe andreverence?The Use of Parables in the Qur’ān40