ভূমিকা

“From it (the earth) We created you, and into it will We return you, and from it will We bring you forth a second time.” This verse has referred to the fifth and the last bounty of this group of Divine bounties where, implying the vegetables, it says: “Eat (for yourselves) and pasture your cattle…” And, at the end of the verse, the Qur’an, pointing to all these bounties, says: “…verily in this there are signs for men of thought.” That is, the responsible intellects and dutiful minds can comprehend this fact.

The Arabic term /nuha/ is the plural form of /nahiyah/ derived from /nahy/ which means ‘to prohibit’; and /’ulinnuha/ means: ‘the people endued with understanding and intellect’.

The wisdom in Arabic is called /nuhiyah/ because it prohibits man from following low desires.[^1] Once the holy Prophet (S) was asked: “Who are /’ulinnuha/?” The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “They have a good character, and they are kind unto the mothers and fathers; they help the poor, the (needy) neighbours, and the orphans; they feed (the hungry ones with) food.

They spread peace and comfort in the world; and they establish prayer while people are sleeping and unaware.” [^2] Then, in the next verse, concerning the statement of Unity in these verses, and the creation of the earth and its bounties, Resurrection has also been pointed out.

It says: “From it (the earth) We created you, and into it will We return you, and from it will We bring you forth a second time.” Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Ali (as) has considered the secret of the couple of prostrations in each unit (rak‘at) of prayer and said: “The first prostration means: ‘O Allah! At first I was from this soil’. When you raise your head from the ground, it means that: ‘You have brought me out from this soil’.