(5) Did you suppose that you would enter paradise while yet...

(5) Did you suppose that you would enter paradise while yet you have not come to the like of that which befell those who passed away before you? They were afflicted by misery and hardship and were so severely shaken that the messenger and those who believed along with him said: `When comes Allah’s help?’ Now surely Allah’s help is nigh! (6) Allah criticises these people and asks them why they expect that there should be an exception in their case with regard to the norms of history.

They should not expect that the laws of history would fail to be effective in their case and they would enter paradise without leading the life of those nations which were successful and entered paradise. These nations passed through a hard life so much so that in the words of the Quran, they were severely shaken. Hardships, worries and unfavourable circumstances are a sort of training school for this Ummah and are a test of its will and perseverance.

They are an exercise which enables this Ummah to gain power gradually and occupy the position of the middle nation. Allah’s help is nigh, but it has a method. It is not accidental, nor does anyone get it haphazardly. Allah’s help is nigh, but according to the Qur’an, to get it, it is necessary to know historical norms and understand the logic of history, for it often happens that a patient has his medicine near at hand, but he does not use it because he is not aware of its medicinal properties.

The knowledge of the norms of history enables people to receive divine help. The above verse denounces those who wish to be an exception to the norms of history. The Quran says: We sent not to any township a warner, but its pampered ones declared: `Surely we are disbelievers in that which you bring to us’. And they say we are (more than you) in wealth and children. (In the Hereafter too) we are not going to be punished. (7) To be continued! NOTES: _____________________ 1.

Surah Bani Isra’il, 17:76 2. Surah Ale Imran, 3:137 3. Surah al-An’am, 6:34 4. Surah al-An’am, 6:34 5. Surah al-Fatir, 35: 42-43 6. Surah al-Baqarah, 2:214 7. Surah Saba, 34:34 – 35 Leave a Comment Leave a Comment Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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