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endued with emotions, those emotions would lead him to the highest and drag him to the lowest. The power of will or
choosing would have to go with them, in order that man might steer his own bark. This power of will (when used
aright) gave him to some extent a mastery over his own fortunes and over nature, thus bringing him nearer to the
God-like nature which has supreme mastery and will. We may suppose the angels had no independent wills of their
own; their perfection in other ways reflected God's perfection but could not raise them to the dignity of vicegerency.
The perfect vicegerent is he who has the power of initiative himself, but whose independent action always reflects
perfectly the will of his Principal. The distinction is expressed by Shakespeare (Sonnet 94) in those fine lines: "They
are the lords and owners of their faces. Others but stewards of their excellence." The angels in their one-sidedness
saw only themischief consequent on the misuse of the emotional nature by man; perhaps they also, being without
emotions, did not understand the whole of God's nature, which gives and asks for love. In humility and true devotion
to God, they remonstrate; we must not imagine the least tinge of jealousy, as they are without emotion. This mystery
of love being above them, they are told that they do not know and they acknowledge (in ii. 32 below) not their fault (for
there is no question of fault) but their imperfection of knowledge. At the same time, the matter is brought home to
them when the actual capacities of man are shown to them (ii. 31, 33). (2.30)
2:198 -It is no crime in you if ye seek of the bounty of your Lord (during Pilgrimage). Then when ye pour down from (Mount)
Arafat celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument and celebrate His praises as He has directed you even
though before this ye went astray. 219220221
219 Legitimate trade is allowed, in the interests both of the honest trader, who can thus meet his own expenses, and of the
generality of pilgrims, who would otherwise be greatly inconvenienced for the necessaries of life. But the profit must
be sought as from the "bounty of God". There should be no profiteering, or trade "tricks". Good honest trade is a form
of service to the community, and therefore to God. (2.198)
220 About midway between Arafat and Mina (see n. 217 to ii. 197) is a place called Muzdalifa where the Holy Apostle
offered up a long prayer. It has thus become a Sacred Monument and pilgrims are directed to follow that example on
their return. A special reason for this is given in the note following. (2.198)
221 Certain arrogant tribes living in Mecca used not to go to Arafat with the crowd but to stop short at Muzdalifa. They are
rebuked for their arrogance and told that they must perform all the rites like the rest of the pilgrims. There is equality
in Islam. (2.198)
2:200- So when ye have accomplished your holy rites celebrate the praises of Allah as ye used to
celebrate the praises of your fathers yea with far more heart and soul. There are men who
say: "Our Lord! give us (thy bounties) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the
hereafter. 223224
223 After the Pilgrimage, in Pagan times, the pilgrims used to gather in assemblies in which the praises of ancestors were
sung. As the whole of the pilgrimage rites were spiritualised in Islam, so this aftermath of the pilgrimage was also
spiritualised. It was recommended for pilgrims to stay on two or three days after the pilgrimage, but they must use
them in prayer and praise to God. See ii. 203 below. (2.200)
224 If you hasten to get all the good things of the world, and only think of them and pray for them, you would lose the
higher things of the future. The proper Muslim attitude is neither to renounce this would nor to be so engrossed in it
as to forget the spiritual future. (2.200)
2:203 -Celebrate the praises of Allah during the Appointed Days but if anyone hastens to leave in
two days there is no blame on him and if anyone stays on there is no blame on him if his aim
is to do right. Then fear Allah and know that ye will surely be gathered unto Him. 226
226 The Appointed Days: the three days after the tenth, when the pilgrims stay on in the Valley of Mina for prayer and
praise. They are the days of Tashriq (see ii. 200, n. 223). It is optional for pilgrims to leave on the second or third
day. (2.203)
2:239 -If ye fear (an enemy) pray on foot or riding (as may be most convenient) but when ye are in
security celebrate Allah's praises in the manner He has taught you which ye knew not
(before). 272
4:103 - When ye pass (congregational) prayers celebrate Allah's praises standing sitting down or
lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger set up regular prayers: for such
prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times. 619
619 It means: "when ye have finished congregational prayers." It allows you to remember Allah individually in any posture
possible during the danger. But when the danger is past, the full prayers should be offered at the stated times. (4.103)
10:3 -Verily your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and is firmly
established on the Throne (of authority) regulating and governing all things. No intercessor
(can plead with Him) except after His leave (hath been obtained). This is Allah your Lord; Him
therefore serve ye: will ye not celebrate His praises? 138513861387
1386 Istawa, with the preposition ila after it, means He turned to or He directed Himself by His will to as in ii-29. With the
preposition 'ala after it, as here and in vii. 54 and elsewhere, the meaning seems to be "to mount or ascend," and to
be firmly established, to sit firm and unshaken, beyond question. "The Throne represents many ideas: - 256 -e.g., (1)
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