ভূমিকা

seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient ones (153). And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive (154). And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient ones (155), who, when a misfor­tune befalls them, say: “Surely we are Allah's and to Him we shall surely return” (156).

Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course (157). General Comment A single theme joins the five verses like a pearl-string; the sen­tences form a sequence and the topic is developed harmoniously; the beginning leads to the end, and the points to the begin­ning. It shows that they were revealed together, not separately.

Man, like any other creature in this world, always faces some hardships and troubles which disturb and disrupt the pattern of his personal life. Death, sickness, fear, hunger, grief, poverty and deprivation are but a few examples of such personal misfortunes. It is the course which Allah has laid down for His servants. This world is a place of struggle and competition; the life is a chain of never ending changes and transformations.