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3600 Verses 14-15 are not the direct speech of Luqman but flow by way of commentary on his teaching. He was speaking
as a father to his son, and he could not very well urge respect for himself and draw the son's attention to the
limitations of filial obedience. These verses may be supposed to be general directions flowing from Luqman's teaching
to men, and not directed to his son; though in either case, as Luqman got wisdom from Allah, it is divine principles that
are enunciated. (31.16)
3601 The mustard-seed is proverbially a small, minute thing, that people may ordinarily pass by. Not so Allah. Further
emphasis is laid by supposing the mustard-seed to be hidden beneath a rock or in the cleft of a rock, or to be lost in
the spacious expanse of the earth or of the heavens. To Allah everything is known, and He will bring it forth, i. e., take
account of it. (31.16)
3602 For Latif as a title applied to Allah, see n. 2844 to xxii. 63. (31.16)
31:17 - "O my son! establish regular prayer enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong: and bear
with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct
of) affairs.
31:18 - "And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah
loveth not any arrogant boaster. 3603
3603 The word "cheek" in English, too, means arrogance or effrontery, with a slightly different shade added, viz.: effrontery
from one in an inferior position to one in a superior position. The Arabic usage is wider, and includes smug selfsatisfaction
and a sense of lofty Superiority. (31.18)
31:19 - "And be moderate in thy pace and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt
is the braying of the ass." 3604
3604 The "Golden Mean" is the pivot of the philosophy of Luqman as it is of the philosophy of Aristotle and indeed of
Islam. And it flows naturally from a true understanding of our relation to Allah and His universe and to our fellowcreatures,
especially man. In all things be moderate. Do not go the pace, and do not be stationary or slow. Do not be
talkative and do not be silent. Do not be loud and do not be timid or half-hearted. Do not be too confident, and do not
be cowed down. If you have patience, it is to give you constancy and determination, that you may bravely carry on the
struggle of life. If you have humility, it is to save you from unseemly swagger, not to curb your right spirit and your
reasoned determination. (31.19)
3:81 - Behold! Allah took the covenant of the Prophets saying: "I give you a Book and Wisdom; then
comes to you an Apostle confirming what is with you; do ye believe him and render him help."
Allah said: "Do ye agree and take this My Covenant as binding on you?" They said: "We
agree." He said: "Then bear witness and I am with you among the witnesses." 416
416 Cf. ii. 63. n. 78. The argument is: You (People of the Book) are bound by your own oaths, sworn solemnly in the
presence of your own Prophets. In the Old Testament as it now exists, Muhammad is foretold in Deut. xviii. 18: and
the rise of the Arab nation in Isaiah. xlii. 11. for Kedar was a son of Ismail and the name is used for the Arab nation: in
the New Testament as it now exists. Muhammad is foretold in the Gospel of St. John. xiv. 16, xv. 26, and xvi. 7: the
future Comforter cannot be the Holy Spirit as understood by Christians, because the Holy Spirit already was present,
helping and guiding Jesus. The Greek word translated "Comforter" is "Paracletos", which is an easy corruption from
"Periclytos", which is almost a literal translation of "Muhammad" or "Ahmad": see Q lxi. 6. Further, there were other
Gospels that have perished, but of which traces still remain, which were even more specific in their reference to
Muhammad; e.g., the Gospel of St. Barnabas, of which an Italian translation is extant in the State Library at Vienna. It
was edited in 1907 with an English translation by Mr. Lonsdale and Laura Ragg. (3.81)
3:118 - O ye who believe! take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks; they will not fail to
corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths;
what their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs if ye have
wisdom.
3:164 - Allah did confer a great favor on the believers when He sent among them an Apostle from
among themselves rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah sanctifying them and instructing
them in Scripture and Wisdom while before that they had been in manifest error. 473
3:182 - "This is because of the (unrighteous deeds) which your hands sent on before ye: for Allah
never harms those who serve Him." 488
4:17 - Allah accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards;
to them will Allah turn in mercy; for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
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