Worldly Life through Divine Eyes

Qur'aanic Verse 57:20:

Transliteration:

20. IAAlamoo annama alhayatu alddunya laAAibun walahwun wazeenatun watafakhurun baynakum watakathurun fee al-amwali waal-awladi kamathali ghaythin aAAjaba alkuffara nabatuhu thumma yaheeju fatarahu musfarran thumma yakoonu hutaman wafee al-akhirati AAathabun shadeedun wamaghfiratun mina Allahi waridwanun wama alhayatu alddunya illa mataAAu alghuroori

Translation:

20. Beware! The life of this world is only a game and a pastime, a show, and mutual boasting and out-rivaling each other in riches and children. It is like the growth of vegetation after the rain, which makes the skeptic wonder, but which then withers away, turns yellow and becomes worthless stubble. And in the Hereafter,  severe punishment, forgiveness from Allah and His Pleasure! And the life of this world is nothing but means of deception.

The Great Retraction

Qur'aanic Verse 56:46:

Transliteration:

46. Wakanoo yusirroona AAala alhinthi alAAatheemi

Translation:

46. And they had persisted in the Great Retraction ¹

^{Study Note:}

1. There is an inner conviction in every human being that he/she is created by One Powerful Creator Who has also created everything else in the Universe. And he/she intrinsically pledges his/her obedience to that One Creator. But most stray away from that pledge because of carnal desires generated under satanic influence. Remember how Adam and Eve were seduced by the Satan in retracting against their solemn pledge to Allah while they were living most comfortably in Paradise. Those first humans were thrown out into this world of trials and tribulations after their very first act of Retraction. But most of their progeny here, despite being given many chances, persist in the Great Retraction. The Verse here speaks of those wicked people.

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The above extract is from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi