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4062 "Fruits": Cf. xxxvi. 57, and n. 4003. The Garden's Delights are figured forth from parallel experiences in our present
life, and follow an ascending order: Food and Fruits; Gardens of Bliss, (with all their charm, design, greenery, birds'
songs, fountains, etc.); the Home of Happiness and Dignity, with congenial company seated on Thrones; Delicious
Drinks from crystal Springs, for social pleasure; and the society of Companions of the opposite sex, with beauty and
charm but none of the grossness too often incidental to such companionship in this life. (37.42)
39:52 - Know they not that Allah enlarges the provision or restricts it for any He pleases? Verily in
this are signs for those who believe! 4323
4323 Cf. xxviii. 82. Allah's gifts are given to all men-to some in a greater degree than to others. But it is all done according to
His wise Plan, for His Will is just and looks to the good of all creatures. No one should therefore be puffed up in
prosperity or cast down in adversity. Prosperity does not necessarily mean merit on man's part, nor adversity the
reverse. Thinking men bear in mind the large Plan-which is visible in all Allah's Signs. (39.52)
40:13 - He it is Who showeth you His Signs and sendeth down sustenance for you from the sky:
but only those receive admonition who turn (to Allah). 4374
4374 Lest it should be thought that Allah's Grace did not meet the Sinner again and again and offer Allah's Mercy again and
again, it is pointed out that Allah's Signs were freely vouchsafed everywhere and continuously, and that every kind of
means was provided for man's "Sustenance" or growth and development, physical, mental, and spiritual. But only
those could take advantage of it who turned their attention to Allah, who submitted their will to Him. (40.13)
40:64 -It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place and the sky as a canopy and
has given you shapes and made your shapes beautiful and has provided for you Sustenance
of things pure and good such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah the Lord of the Worlds!
4438443944404441
4438 The argument in the last two verses was from man's personal experiences of his physical life. In this and the next
verse a parallel argument is addressed to man on a much higher plane: 'look at the spacious earth and the canopy of
the sky; look at the special position you occupy above other animals that you know, in shape and form, and moral and
spiritual capacities; consider your refinements in food and fruits and the higher spiritual Sustenance of which your
physical food is a type; would you not indeed say that the Lord is good, and would you not glorify His holy name?'
(40.64)
4439 A resting place: I understand this to imply a temporary place of rest or sojourn, a period of probation, to be followed by
the eternal Home. (40.64)
4440 Cf. vii. 1 1 and n. 996. The shape and form refer to the physical form as well as to the inborn moral and spiritual
capacities of man. As regards physical form, Cf. Milton's description of Adam and Eve, "Two of far noble shape, erect
and tall" (Paradise Lost, iv. 288). As regards moral and spiritual capacities, they are typified by the breathing of Allah's
spirit into man: xv. 29. (40.64)
4441 "Sustenance": all that is necessary for growth and development, physical, moral, and spiritual. Cf. n. 2105 to xvi. 73.
(40.64)
41:10 - He set on the (earth) Mountains standing firm high above it and bestowed blessings on the
earth and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion in four Days
in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance). 447144724473
4471 Cf. xiii. 3 and xvi. 15, n. 2038. High above it: the highest mountains are 29,000 feet above sea-level, and the lowest
depths of the bottom of the ocean are 31,600 feet below sea-level, so that the vertical difference between the highest
and lowest points on the solid crust of the earth is about 11-1/2 miles. The highland areas are the main sources of the
water-supply in all the regions of the earth, and vegetable and animal life depends on water-supply. (41.10)
4472 See n. 4470 above. (41.10)
4473 Sa-ilin may mean either (1) those who seek, or (2) those who ask or enquire. If the former meaning is adopted, the
clause means that everything is apportioned to the needs and appetites of Allah's creatures. If the latter, it means that
the needs of enquirers are sufficiently met by what is stated here. (41.10)
42:12 - To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He enlarges and restricts the
Sustenance to whom He will: for He knows full well all things. 4540
4540 "Sustenance", here as elsewhere, stands for all things that support every phase of life, physical, social, intellectual, or
spiritual. Cf. x. 59, n. 1447. The source of all gifts is Allah; His bounty is inexhaustible, and He gives to all; but He
does not give to all in the same measure, because, out of the fullness of His knowledge and wisdom, He can judge
best what is best for any of His creatures. (42.12)
42:19 - Gracious is Allah to His servants: He gives Sustenance to whom He pleases: and He has
Power and can carry out His Will. 455245534554
4552 Latif: so kind, gracious, and understanding, as to bestow gifts finely suited to the needs of the recipients. For the
various meanings of Latif, see n. 2844 to xxii. 63. Cf. also xii. 100. (42.19)
4553 "Servants" here seems to include all men, just and unjust, for Allah provides for them all. (42.19)
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