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afterwards on the Pilgrim route: see Appendix No: 4 to S. xxvi. Syria was the land on which Allah "had poured His
blessings", being a rich fertile country, where Abraham had lived: it includes the Holy Land of Palestine. The route
was studded in the days of its prosperity with many stations (cities) close to each other, on which merchants could
travel with ease and safety, "by night and by day". The close proximity of stations prevented the inroads of
highwaymen. (34.18)
35:44 - Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before them
though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is Allah to be frustrated by anything
whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He is All-Knowing All-Powerful. 3939
3939 Cf. xxx. 9. If no other argument will convince men who follow evil, let them travel through space or time, and learn
from the experience of others. Evil always came to an evil end. Let not any one individual or generation think that it
could escape by some special trick or power. Far wiser and more powerful men were personally brought to account
for their iniquities. (35.44)
40:21 - Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They
were even superior to them in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but Allah
did call them to account for their sins and none had they to defend them against Allah.
43864387
4386 Cf. xxx. 9. and several other similar passages. (40.21)
4387 See n. 3515 to xxx. 9. We can learn from the history of previous nations. Many of them were more powerful, or have
left finer and more imposing monuments and made a deeper impression on the world around them than any particular
generation addressed. "Traces" in the text may be taken in that extended sense. And yet all this did not save them
from the consequences of their sins. They were called to account and punished. None of the power or pomp or skill of
which they boasted could for a moment ward off the punishment when it came in God's good time. (40.21)
40:82 - Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before them? They
were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in
the land: yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them. 4458
4458 Cf. ix. 69. For any generation to take inordinate pride in its own single achievements in science or skill becomes
ridiculous if we consider the broad stream of history. In the first place, men will find that a great deal of what they
attribute to their own merits only became possible owing to the earlier work of their predecessors. Secondly, many of
their predecessors were more numerous and mightier in power than they, although the perspective of time may have
reduced the apparent depth of their influence, and the monuments which they have left behind may have suffered
from the destroying hand of Time. Thirdly, and most important of all, when they forgot Allah and His inexorable Law,
nothing of their own handiwork profited them: they perished in the common ruin as all vanities must perish. Cf. also xl.
21 above, and n. 4387. See how the recapitulation rounds off the argument. (40.82)
41:53 - Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own
souls until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord
doth witness all things?
47:10 - Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them (who
did evil)? Allah brought utter destruction on them and similar (fates await) those who reject
Allah. 4829
4829 The end of evil is evil. All past history and tradition shows that. Will not men of every generation learn that lesson?
Allah helps His servants, but those who rebel against Allah have no one to help them. (47.10)
66:5 - It may be if he divorced you (all) that Allah will give him in exchange Consorts better than
you who submit (their wills) who believe who are devout who turn to Allah in repentance who
worship (in humility) who travel (for faith) and fast previously married or virgins. 55365537
5536 From the case of two in verse 4, we now come to the case of all the Consorts generally, in verse 5. Cf. xxxiii. 28-30.
Their duties and responsibilities were higher than those of other women, and therefore their failure would also be
more serious. This is only hypothetical, in order to show us the virtues expected of them: faith and devotion, worship
and service, readiness for travel or hijrat, whether they were young or old, new to married life or otherwise. From them
again the more general application follows-to all women in Islam. (66.5)
5537 Saihat: literally, those who travel. Here it means those who fast. Note that the spiritual virtues are named in the
descending order: submitting their wills (Islam), faith and devotion, turning ever to worship and faith, and performing
other rites, or perhaps being content with asceticism. And this applies to all women, maiden girls or women of mature
experience who were widows or separated from previous husbands by divorce. (66.5)
84:19 - Ye shall surely travel from stage to stage. 6047
6047 Man travels and ascends stage by stage. In lxvii. 3 the same word in the form tibaqan was used of the heavens, as if
they were in layers one above another. Man's spiritual life may similarly be compared to an ascent from one heaven to
another. (84.19)
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