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2398 If men had not cultivated the habit of contention and obstinacy, they would have found that the parables and
similitudes of Scripture had fully met their difficulties, and they would gladly have obeyed the call of Allah. (18.54)
21:106 - Verily in the (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah. 2761
2761 The culmination of Allah's Revelation is in the Qur-an, which confirms previous scriptures, corrects the errors which
men introduced into them, and explains many points in detail for all who seek for right worship and service to Allahwhether
they inherit the previous Books ("People of the Book") or not. It is a universal Message. (21.106)
39:23 - Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful message in the form of a Book
consistent with itself (Yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who
fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of
Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah: He guides therewith whom He pleases but
such as Allah leaves to stray can have none to guide. 4276427742784279
4276 Is Mutashabih here to be understood in the same sense as in iii. 7? See n. 347. The better opinion is that there is a
slightly different shade of meaning here, as suggested by the context. In the earlier passage, it was opposed to
Muhkam: here it is contrasted or compared to Mathani. The root meaning is: 'having something similar; working by
analogy or allegory, or parable; having its parts consistent with each other'. The last meaning I adopt here. The Quran
was revealed in parts at different times. And yet its parts all conform to each other. There is no contradiction or
inconsistency anywhere. (39.23)
4277 Mathani: Cf. xv. 87, where we have translated "oft-repeated": "the seven oft- repeated (verses)". See n. 2008 to that
passage. Here the meaning is similar, but the context gives a different colour to it, as is seen in the translation. (39.23)
4278 The skin is the outer integument of the body. It receives the first shock from the impact of anything unusual, and it
trembles and its hair stands on end under excitement. So in spiritual matters the first stimulation from Allah's Message
is external. Those who receive Faith do it as it were with tremor and not with apathy. But the next stage is that it
penetrates their outer nature and goes right into their hearts. Their whole nature is "softened" to receive the beneficent
Message, and it transforms them through and through. (39.23)
4279 "Whom He pleases" and "leaves to stray" are explained fully in n. 2133 to xvi. 93. See also xiv. 4 and n. 1875. (39.23)
39:41 - Verily We have revealed the Book to thee in Truth for (instructing) mankind. He then that
receives guidance benefits his own soul: but he that strays injures his own soul. Nor art thou
set over them to dispose of their affairs. 43044305
4304 Revelation is sent by Allah through His messenger, but it is for all. It is given in order that men and women may be
taught Righteousness. It is given in Truth: there is no pretence about it. It is for their own good. If they reject it and
follow Evil, the loss is their own. (39.41)
4305 Allah's messengers do all they can to teach mankind. But they cannot force men's wills. If men reject their teaching,
the account of the rejecters is with Allah Cf. vi. 107 and n. 935. (39.41)
QURAN-
FEAR OF ALLAH:
2:2 - This is the Book; in it is guidance sure without doubt to those who fear Allah. 26
26 Taqwa and the verbs and nouns connected with the root, signify: (1) the fear of God which according to the writer of
Proverbs (i.7) in the Old Testament is the beginning of Wisdom; (2) restraint, or guarding one's tongue, hand, and
heart from evil; (3) hence righteousness, piety good conduct. All these ideas are implied; in the translation, only one
or other of these ideas can be indicated according to the context. See also xivii 17; and ixxiv 56, n.5808. (2.2)
59:21 - Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain verily thou would have seen it humble itself
and cleave asunder for fear of Allah such are the similitudes which We propound to men that
they may reflect. 53985399
5398 There are two ideas associated in men's minds with a mountain: one is its height, and the other that it is rocky, stony,
hard, Now comes the metaphor. The Revelation of Allah is so sublime that even the highest mountains humble
themselves before it. The Revelation is so powerful and convincing that even the hard rock splits asunder under it.
Will man then be so arrogant as to consider himself superior to it, or so hard-hearted as not to be affected by its
powerful Message? The answer is "No" for unspoilt man; "Yes" for man when degraded by sin to be the vilest of
creatures. (59.21)
5399 Cf. vii. 143, and n. 1103, where, in the story of Moses, the Mount became as dust "when the Lord manifested His
Glory". Also cf. xxxiii. 72, and n. 3778, where the mountains are mentioned as an emblem of stability, but as refusing
to accept the Trust (Amanat) because they felt themselves to be too humble to be equal to such a tremendous Trust.
(59.21)
QURAN-
AS A MERCY:
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