Page 52 - True Wisdom Described in the Qur'an
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                        TRUE WISDOM DESCRIBED IN THE QUR'AN

               The wisdom Dhu’l-Qarnayn (as) shows in building this bar-
            rier is a good example of how faith strengthens the mind. The
            most striking quality of people with wisdom is the fact that they
            don’t resort to temporary or weak solutions, but rather make
            the most of what they have and devise the best precautions.
            That is to say, they get rid of the danger so that its threat is re-
            duced to the extent of not even hurting a single person. This
            wisdom is clearly visible in the barrier Dhu’l-Qarnayn (as) con-
            structed.


               THE PROPHET IBRAHIM (AS)’S STRATEGY
               AGAINST THE IDOLS
               The Qur’an states the numerous instances of the Prophet
            Ibrahim (as)’s wisdom.  One of these is the plan he devised to
            warn his people who worshipped idols and show them the right
            path. To prove to his people that the idols they worshipped
            were merely pieces of stone and of no use to anyone, he first had
            to distance them from where the idols were situated. Thanks to
            his foresight, he successfully accomplished what he wanted to.
            He simply told them that he was sick, and they all fled the area
            in fear of catching his sickness:
                He lifted up his eyes to the stars and said, "I am sick!"
                So his people turned their backs on him and went off. He
                turned surreptitiously to their idols and said, "Will you
                not eat your offerings? What is the matter with you that
                you do not speak?" With that, he turned on them, striking
                them down with his right hand. (Surat as-Saffat: 88-93)
                He broke them all in pieces, except for the biggest one,
                so that they would have it to consult! (Surat al-Anbiya’:
                58)
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