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27:43 – And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a
people that had no faith. 3280
3280 Some Commentators and Translators adopt an alternative construction for the last clause of the last verse and the
first clause of this verse. They understand the former to be spoken by Solomon and to mean, 'we had knowledge of
Allah's Message and accepted it before her.' They understand the latter to mean, 'the worship of others besides Allah
diverted her (from the true Religion).' If we accept the construction adopted in this Translation, the visit to Solomon
confirmed the true Faith of Bilqis and prevented her from lapsing into her ancestral false worship. (27.43)
28:37 – Moses said: "My Lord knows best who it is that comes with guidance from Him and whose
End will be best in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrongdoers will not prosper." 3369
3369 Cf. vi. 135. The only argument in such a case is an appeal to Allah, and to the ultimate Future.
Both of these appeals require Faith. But even if you do not rely on anything so high, you can
see that Falsehood or evils crystallised in ancestral customs are not going to do any one any
good. (28.37)
31:21 – When they are told to follow the (revelation) that Allah has sent down they say: "Nay we
shall follow the ways that we found our fathers (following)." What! even if it is Satan
beckoning them to the Penalty of the (Blazing) Fire! 3608
3608 They do not realize that in the spiritual world, as in the physical world, there is constant
progress for the live ones: they are spiritually dead, as they are content to stand on ancestral
ways, many of them evil, and leading to perdition. (31.21)
34:43 – When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them they say "This is only a man who wishes to
hinder you from the (worship) which your fathers practiced." And they say "This is only a
falsehood invented!" And the Unbelievers say of the Truth when it comes to them "This is
nothing but evident magic!" 3854
3854Apart from the worship of Evil in the guise of the Powers of Light, there is another form of false worship, which depends
on ancestral tradition. "Why" it is said "should we not do as our fathers did?" They reject a new prophet of Truth simply
because his teaching does not agree with the ways of their ancestors. The answer to this is given in verse 44 below.
But meanwhile the rejectors' objection to new Truth is stated in three forms: (1) our ancestors knew nothing of this; (2)
the story of inspiration is false; it is merely an invention; we do not believe in inspiration; (3) when in some particular
points, the new Truth does work wonders in men's hearts, they account for it by saying it is magic. The third objection
is merely traditional. What is magic? If it was merely deception, surely the Truth has proved itself to be above
deception. The second objection is answered by the fact that the Messenger who comes with new spiritual Truth is
acknowledged to be truthful in other relations of life: why should he be false where his preaching brings him no gain
but much sorrow and persecution? For the ancestral objection see next note. (34.43)
36:27 – "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in
honor!" 3972
3972 This man was just a simple honest soul, but he heard and obeyed the call of the prophets and
obtained his spiritual desire for himself and did best to obtain salvation for his people. For he
loved his people and respected his ancestral traditions as far as they were good, but had no
hesitation in accepting the new Light when it came to him. All his past was forgiven him and he
was raised to dignity and honour in the Kingdom of Heaven. (36.27)
37:19 – Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold they will begin to see! 40454056
4056 Selfish arrogance was the seed of sin and rebellion: ii. 34 (of Satan): xxviii. 39 (of Pharaoh);
etc. It is that kind of arrogance which prevents man from mending his life and conduct. When
he speaks of ancestral ways, or public opinion, or national honour, he is usually thinking of
himself or of a small clique which thrives on injustice. The recognition of Allah, the one true
God, as the only standard of life and conduct, the Eternal Reality, cuts out Self, and is
therefore disagreeable to Sin. If false gods are imagined, who themselves would have
weaknesses that fit in with sin, they give countenance to evils, and it becomes difficult to give
them up, unless Allah's grace comes to our assistance. (37.19)
37:35 –For they when they were told that there is no god except Allah would puff themselves up
with Pride. 4056
4056 Selfish arrogance was the seed of sin and rebellion: ii. 34 (of Satan): xxviii. 39 (of Pharaoh); etc. It is that kind of
arrogance which prevents man from mending his life and conduct. When he speaks of ancestral ways, or public
opinion, or national honour, he is usually thinking of himself or of a small clique which thrives on injustice. The
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