They might be taken up and swallowed by the earth...

They might be taken up and swallowed by the earth, like GHA"RUN in the life time of Moses:ِ [ 460 ] ``Do those who plot evil, feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to take them in.'' Only a vibration of earthquake can split a mouth in the earth, so as to swallow man with his building and whole household! Or the sinners may be afflicted by other kinds of torment and chastisements, which they cannot expect or even dream it!

Among these can we mention mysterious diseases, a sudden loss, an accident in journey or traffic, or only a slip and sliding, and then misery rides upon misfortune, and distress upon helplessness! God has also some slow acting and gradual punishments, which is accompanied by warning and admonishing to give a chance for return and repentance, but the good end is for those who avoid evil.

When God seized not a sinner urgently he should beware of gradual warnings, because God's mill grinds slowly but sure! أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى مَا خَلَقَ اللهُ مِنْ شَيْء يَتَفَيَّؤُا ظِلاَلُهُ عَنْ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ سُجَّداً للهِِ وَهُمْ دَاخِرُونَ(( 48 )) 48- DO THEY NOT LOOK AT WHAT ALLAH HAS CREATED, OF MATERIAL; THEIR SHADOWS MOVE FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT, PROSTRATING FOR ALLAH WHILE THEY ARE HUMBLE!

وَللهِِ يَسْجُدُ(1) مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الاَْرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّة وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ(( 49 )) 49- AND BEFORE ALLAH PROSTRATE THEMSELVES ALL THE MOVING CREATURES, AND THE ANGELS, AND THEY SHOW NO PRIDE. يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ(( 50 )) 50- THEY FEAR THEIR LORD (WHO IS) ABOVE THEM, AND DO WHAT THEY ARE ORDERED. [ 461 ] THE COMMENTARY ALL PROSTRATE THEMSELVES BEFORE GOD; EVEN THE SHADOWS! (VERSE NO.

48 - 50) The argument returns once again to Monotheism of worship; that no one worths to be worshipped except Allah the only one true God. The verses here imply that all the living and non-living creatures prostrate themselves before God; even their shadows, which move from the right and left, are showing their submission to Him humbly! Physically, prostration is to recline with face on the ground, in adoration and worship. It is in fact the sign and symbol of showing one's submission.

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