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COLOURS:
16:13 - And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities): verily
in this is a Sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude). 20322033
2032 Whose heart has not been moved by the glorious gradation of colours in the sunset clouds? The gradations are
infinite, and it is only the eye of an artist that can express their collective beauty. They are but a type of the infinite
variety and gradation of qualities in the spiritual sphere even in the little space of our own globe. The big things that
can be measured and defined have been spoken of before. Here we have mention of the subtle nuances in the
spiritual world which can only be perceived by men who are so high in spiritual insight that their only reaction is to
"cerebrate the praises of Allah" in gratitude for His infinite Mercies. (16.13)
2033 Read again n. 2030 above, and see how subtly we are led up from the perception of the big to the perception of the
subtle and delicate colours and qualities in the spiritual world. (16.13)
16:69 - Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth) and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord:
there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors wherein is healing for men: verily
in this is a Sign for those who give thought. 20982099
2098 The bee assimilates the juice of various kinds of flowers and fruit, and forms within its body the honey which it stores
in its cells of wax. The different kinds of food from which it makes its honey give different colours to the honey, e.g., it
is dark-brown, light-brown, yellow, white, and so on. The taste and flavour also varies, as in the case of heather
honey, the honey formed from scented flowers, and so on. As food it is sweet and wholesome, and it is used in
medicine. Note that while the instinctive individual acts are described in the singular number, the produce of "their
bodies" is described in the plural, as the result of their collective effort. (16.69)
2099 Zululan: two meanings are possible; (1) ways easy and spacious, referring to the unerring way in which bees find their
way from long distances to their combs; and (2) the idea of humility and obedience in them. (16.69)
30:22 - And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your
languages and your colors: verily in that are Signs for those who know. 3527
3527 The variations in languages and colors may be viewed from the geographical aspect or from the aspect of periods of
time. All mankind were created of a single pair of parents; yet they have spread to different countries and climates and
developed different languages and different shades of complexions. And yet their basic unity remains unaltered. They
feel in the same way, and are all equally under Allah's care. Then there are the variations in time. Old languages die
out and new ones are evolved. New conditions of life and thought are constantly evolving new words and expressions,
new syntactical structures, and new modes of pronunciation. Even old races die, and new races are born. (30.22)
35:28 - And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle are they of various colors. Those
truly fear Allah among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might Oft-
Forgiving. 39123913
3912 In the physical shapes of human and animal life, also, we see variations in shades and gradations of colours of all
kinds. But these variations and gradations, marvellous though they be, are as nothing compared with the variations
and differences in the inner or spiritual world. See next note. (35.28)
3913 In outer nature we can, through colours, understand and appreciate the finest shades and gradations. But in the
spiritual world that variation or gradation is even more subtle and more comprehensive. Who can truly understand it?
Only Allah's servants, who know, i.e., who have the inner knowledge which comes through their acquaintance with the
spiritual world,-it is such people who truly appreciate the inner world, and it is they who know that the fear of Allah is
the beginning of wisdom. For such fear is akin to appreciation and love,-appreciation of all the marvellous beauties of
Allah's outer and inner world ("Allah is Exalted in Might") and love because of His Grace and Kindness ("Oft-
Forgiving"). But Allah's forgiveness extends to many who do not truly understand Him. (35.28)
COMMERCE:
35:29 - Those who rehearse the Book of Allah establish regular Prayer and spend (in Charity) out
of what We have provided for them secretly and openly hope for a Commerce that will never
fail: 39143915
3914 The man of God takes Allah's Revelation ("the Book") to heart, ever seeks to get closer and closer to Allah ("regular
Prayer"), and in doing so, is moved more and more to practical Charity for his fellow-creatures. He is not ashamed of
his Charity ("openly"), but he does not do it to be seen by men ("secretly"): he just does what is necessary for his
fellow-creatures, whether people talk about it or not. (35.29)
3915 Here is a metaphor from commerce. The good man's Charity comes not merely out of superfluities, but out of "what
Allah has provided" for him. He therefore recognises two things: (1) that his wealth (literal and metaphorical) is not his
absolutely, but that it is given to him by Allah; and (2) that he must deny himself the use of some of it, as a merchant
puts by some of his wealth to invest as capital. Only, the godly man's commerce will never fail or fluctuate; because
Allah guarantees him the return, and even adds something to the return out of His own Bounty. That is, Allah gives
more than ever our merits deserve. (35.29)
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