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493 Not wealth and possessions only (or want of them), are the means of our trial. All our personal talents, knowledge,
opportunities, and their opposites,-in fact everything that happens to us and makes up our personality is a means of
our testing. So is our Faith: we shall have to put up for it many insults from those who do not share it. (3.186)
6:53 - Thus did We try some of them by comparison with others that they should say: Is it these
then that Allah hath favored from amongst us?" Doth not Allah know best those who are
grateful? 872
872 Pursue the argument of the last note. The influential people who were not given precedence over the poor and humble
but sincere disciples, were on their trial as to their spiritual insight. Their temptation was to say (and they said it in
scorn): "We are much greater than they: has God then selected these lowly people for His teaching?" But that was so.
And God knew best those who were grateful to Him for His guidance. (6.53)
6:165 - It is He who hath made you (His) agents inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks
some above others: that he may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in
punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. 988
988 Cf. ii. 30 and n. where I have translated "Khalifa" as "Vicegerent", it being god's Plan to make Adam (as representing
mankind) His vicegerent on earth. Another idea implied in "Khalifa" is that of "successor, heir, or inheritor," i.e., one
who has the ultimate ownership after the present possessors, to whom a life-tenancy has been given by the owner,
have passed away. In xv. 23 occurs the striking word "heirs" (warithun) as applied to God: "We give life and death,
and We are the Heirs (of Inheritors)." The same idea occurs in iii. 180, where see n. 485. (6.165)
7:129 - They said: "We have had (nothing but) trouble both before and after thou comest to us." He
said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you inheritors in the earth;
that so He may try you by your deeds." 10861087
1086 There is a slight note of querulousness in the people's answer. But Moses allays it by his own example and courage,
and his vision of the future: which was amply fulfilled in time. See verse 137 below. (7.129)
1087 The Israelites, despised and enslaved, were to be rescued and made rulers in Palestine. David and Solomon were
great kings and played a notable part in history. But the greatness of Israel was conditional: they were to be judged by
their deeds. When they fell from grace, other people were given honour and power. And so it came to be the turn of
the Muslims, and so on. Allah gives His gifts to those who are righteous and obey His Law. (7.129)
8:28 - And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with
whom lies your highest reward. 1201
1201 A big family-many sons-was considered a source of power and strength: iii. 10, 116. So in
English, a man with many children is said to have his "quiver full": Cf. Psalms, cxxvii. 4-5: "As
arrows are in the hands of a mighty man, so are the children of thy youth. Happy is the man
that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the
enemies in the gate." So with property and possessions: they add to a man's dignity, power,
and influence. But both possessions and a large family are a temptation and a trial. They may
turn out to be a source of spiritual downfall, if they are mishandled,
9:126 - See they not that they are tried every year once or twice? Yet they turn not in repentance
and they take no heed. 1377
1377 Yet, in spite of their infidelity, one or two chances are given them every year. The door is not closed to them. Yet they
deliberately turn away, and take no heed of all the warnings which their own nature and the teaching and example of
good men should give them. (9.126)
11:7 - He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was over the
Waters that He might try you which of you is best in conduct. But if thou wert to say to them
"Ye shall indeed be raised up after death" the Unbelievers would be sure to say "This is
nothing but obvious sorcery!" 1501150215031504
1501 See n. 1031 to vii. 54. (11.7)
1502 It is scientifically correct to say that all life was evolved out of the waters, and this statement also occurs in the Qur-an,
xxi. 30. Some such meaning, I think, also attaches to the Gen. i. 2. The past tense "was" refers to the time before life
developed in solid forms, on land and in air. (11.7)
1503 The Creation we see around us is not idle sport or play (in Hindi, Lila) or whim on the part of Allah. It is the medium
through which our spiritual life is to develop, with such free-will as we have. This life is our testing time. (11.7)
1504 The Unbelievers, who do not believe in a Future life, think all talk of it is like a sorcerer's talk, empty of reality. But in
this they show their ignorance, and they are begging the question. (11.7)
21:16 - Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! 2676
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