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obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us one who follows
his own desires whose case has gone beyond all bounds. 23692370
2369 Cf. vi. 52 and n. 870. The true servants of Allah are those whose hearts are turned to Him morning, noon, and night,
and who seek not worldly gain, but Allah's Grace, Allah's own Self, His Presence and nearness. Even if they are poor
in this world's goods, their society gives far more inward and spiritual satisfaction than worldly grandeur or worldly
attractions. (18.28)
2370 For those who stray from Allah's path, Allah's Grace is ever anxious: it seeks to reclaim them and bring them back to
the path. If such a one resists, and follows his own lusts, a point is reached when his case becomes hopeless. Allah's
Grace does not then reach him, and he is abandoned to his pride and insolence. Beware of following the example or
advice of such a one or seeking his society, or hankering after his wretched idols. (18.28)
29:64 - What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter
that is life indeed if they but knew. 3497
3497 Cf. vi. 32. Amusement and play have no lasting significance except as preparing us for the serious work of life. So this
life is but an interlude, a preparation for the real Life, which is in the Hereafther. This world's vanities are therefore to
be taken for what they are worth; but they are not to be allowed to deflect our minds from the requirements of the
inner life that really matters. (29.64)
35:5 - He created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): He makes the Night overlap the
Day and the Day overlap the Night: He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law) each
one follows a course for a time appointed. Is not He the Exalted in Power He Who forgives
again and again? 42474248
4248 His Power is equalled by His Mercy. Who can there be like unto Him? (39.5)
36:68 - If We grant long life to any We cause him to be reversed in nature: will they not then
understand? 4014
4014 This connects on with the last verse. Everything is possible with Allah. If you doubt how man can be transformed from
his present nature, contemplate the transformations he already undergoes in his present nature at different ages. As a
child powers of mind and body are still undeveloped. As he grows, they grow, and certain moral qualities, such as
courage, daring, the will to conquer, unfold themselves. In extreme old age these are again obscured, and a second
childhood supervenes. The back of the man who walked proudly straight and erect is now bent. If these
transformations take place even in his present nature and constitution, how much easier was it for Allah to cast him in
an immobile mould? But Allah granted him instead the high possibilities and responsibilities referred to in the last note.
(36.68)
47:36 - The life of this world is but play and amusement: and if ye believe land guard against evil
He will grant you your recompense and will not ask you (to give up) your possessions. 48604861
4860 Cf. vi. 32, and n. 855; and xxix. 64, and n. 3497. Amusement and play are not bad things in themselves. As
preparations for the more serious life, they have their value. But if we concentrate on them, and neglect the business
of life, we cannot prosper. So we must use our life in this world as a preparation for the next life. (47.36)
4861 Complete self-sacrifice, if voluntarily offered, has a meaning: it means that the person's devotion is exclusively and
completely for the Cause. But no law or rule can demand it. And a mere offer to kill yourself has no meaning. You
should be ready to take risks to your life in fighting for the Cause, but you should aim at life, not death. If you live, you
should be ready to place your substance and your acquisitions at the disposal of the Cause. But it is not reasonable to
pauperise yourself and become a hanger-on for the Cause. Moreover, the inborn tendency to self-preservation in an
average man would lead to concealment and niggardliness if all were asked for the Cause, by Law, and there would
further be a feeling of bitterness and rebellion. (47.36)
57:20 - Know ye (all) that the life of this world is but play and amusement pomp and mutual
boasting and multiplying (in rivalry) among yourselves riches and children: Here is a similitude:
How rain and the growth which it brings forth delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers;
thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a
Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong) and Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good
Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world but goods and chattels
of deception? 5302530353045305
5302 Cf. vi. 32, and n. 855. In the present passage the idea is further amplified. In this life people not only play and amuse
themselves and each other, but they show off, and boast, and pile up riches and man-power and influence, in rivalry
with each other. (57.20)
5303 Cf. xxxix. 21, and n. 4273. Here the Parable is meant to teach a slightly different lesson. Allah's mercies are free and
open to all, like His rain. But how do men make use of them? The good men take the real spiritual harvest and store
the Spiritual grain. The men who are in love with the ephemeral are delighted with the green of the tares and the
grass; but such things give no real nourishment; they soon wither, become dry, and crumble to pieces, like the worldly
pleasures and pomps, boasting and tumults, possessions and friends. (57.20)
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