Page 48 - General Knowledge from the Qur'an

46 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FROM THE QUR'AN

down on you in abundant rain and reinforce you with more wealth
and sons, and grant you gardens and grant you waterways. What is
the matter with you that you do not hope for honour from Allah, when
He created you by successive stages? Do you not see how He created
seven heavens in layers, and placed the moon as a light in them and
made the sun a blazing lamp? Allah caused you to grow from the earth
then will return you to it and bring you out again. Allah has spread the
earth out as a carpet for you so that you could use its wide valleys as
roadways."' (Surah Nuh, 2-20)
The Prophet Nuh's (as) Attitude Towards His People
The ruling circle of those of his people who were disbelievers said,
'We do not see you as anything but a human being like ourselves. We
do not see anyone following you but the lowest of us, unthinkingly.
We do not see you as superior to us. On the contrary, we consider you
to be liars.' He said, 'My people! What do you think? If I were to have
clear evidence from my Lord and He had given me a mercy direct from
Him, but you were blind to it, could we force it on you if you were un-
willing? My people! I do not ask you for any wealth for it. My wage is
the responsibility of Allah alone. I will not chase away those who be-
lieve. They are surely going to meet their Lord. However, I see you as
ignorant people. My people! Who would help me against Allah if I did
drive them away? So will you not pay heed? I do not say to you that I
possess the treasuries of Allah; nor do I know the Unseen; nor do I say
that I am an angel; nor do I say to those who are vile in your eyes that
Allah will not give them any good. Allah knows best what is in their
hearts. If I did, I would certainly be one of the wrongdoers.' (Surah
Hud, 27-31)
The ruling circle of his people said, 'We see you in flagrant error.' He
said, 'My people, I am not in error at all but rather am a Messenger
from the Lord of all the worlds, transmitting my Lord's Message to
you and giving you good counsel, and I know from Allah what you do
not know. Or are you astonished that a reminder should come to you
from your Lord by way of a man among you, to warn you and make
you guard against evil so that hopefully you will gain mercy?' (Surat
al-A'raf, 60-63)