Page 618 - An Index to the Qur'an

Lord. That is the recompense of the good-doers. REFLECT (TAFAKKUR)
(39:34) They will ask you about alcoholic drinks and
It was a blessing direct from Our presence. That gambling. Say, ‘There is great wrong in both of
is how We recompense those who give thanks. them and also certain benefits for mankind. But
(54:35) the wrong in them is greater than the benefit.’
Gardens and grape vines, and nubile maidens of They will ask you what they should give away.
similar age, and an overflowing cup, where they Say, ‘Whatever is surplus to your needs.’ In this
will hear no prattle and no denial, a recompense way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that
from your Lord, a commensurate gift. (78:32-36) hopefully you will reflect. (2:219)
Would any of you like to have a garden of dates
RECONCILIATION and grapes, with rivers flowing underneath and
Divorced women should wait by themselves for containing all kinds of fruits, then to be stricken
three menstrual cycles; and it is not lawful for with old age and have children who are weak,
them to conceal what Allah has created in their and then for a fierce whirlwind containing fire to
wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. come and strike it so that it goes up in flames? In
Their husbands have the right to take them back this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so
within that time, if they desire to be reconciled. that hopefully you will reflect. (2:266)
Women possess rights similar to those held over (People with intelligence are) those who remem-
them to be honoured with fairness; but men have ber Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their
a degree above them. Allah is Almighty, All- sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens
Wise. (2:228) and the earth: ‘Our Lord, You have not created
If you fear a breach between a couple, send an this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us
arbiter from his people and an arbiter from her from the punishment of the Fire.’ (3:191)
people. If the couple desire to put things right, Say: ‘I do not say to you that I possess the treas-
Allah will bring about a reconciliation between uries of Allah, nor do I know the Unseen, nor do
them. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (4:35) I say to you that I am an angel. I only follow what
How will it be when a disaster strikes them be- has been revealed to me.’ Say: ‘Are the blind the
cause of what they have done, and then they same as those who can see? So will you not re-
come to you swearing by Allah: ‘We desired flect?’ (6:50)
nothing but good and reconciliation’? (4:62) If We had wanted to, We would have raised him
If a woman fears cruelty or aversion on her hus- up by them. But he gravitated towards the earth
band’s part, there is nothing wrong in the couple and pursued his whims and base desires. His
becoming reconciled. Reconciliation is better. metaphor is that of a dog: if you chase it away, it
But people are prone to selfish greed. If you do lolls out its tongue and pants, and if you leave it
good and guard against evil, Allah is aware of alone, it lolls out its tongue and pants. That is the
what you do. (4:128) metaphor of those who deny Our Signs. So tell
The alms are for: the poor, the destitute, those the story so that hopefully they will reflect.
who collect it, reconciling people’s hearts, free- (7:176)
ing slaves, those in debt, spending in the Way of Have they not reflected? Their companion is not
Allah, and travellers. It is a legal obligation from mad. He is only a clear warner. (7:184)
Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60) The metaphor of the life of this world is that of
water which We send down from the sky, and
RECORDING ANGELS which then mingles with the plants of the earth to
And the two recording angels are recording, sit- provide food for both people and animals. Then,
ting on the right and on the left. (50:17) when the earth is at its loveliest and takes on its
Standing over you are guardians, noble, record- fairest guise and its people think they have it
ing, who know what you do. (82:10-12) under their control, Our command comes upon
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