Approaching the West — Page 134
A pproaching the West—134 death. We have made the Signs manifest to you, that you may understand. (57:17-18) The worldly life is temporary and illusionary; materialism is discouraged by the Qur’ ā n. The example of life on earth is like that of water that we cause to descend from heaven. Then with it mingles the vegetation of the earth of which both the people and the cattle partake. It continues to be so until the earth blossoms forth in full bloom and ripens into loveliness— then while those who possess it deem themselves supreme over it, there suddenly descends Our decree at night or during the day. Then We render it a field that is mown down as if it had not existed the day before. Thus do We expound the Signs for a people who reflect. (10:25) Variety of Signs: The Holy Qur’ ā n also mentions a variety of other significant Signs in different connotations. For example, “The Station of Abraham” (3:97); the “Ark” or a “contented heart” given to Israelites (2:248); a person (Prophet Ezekiel) who saw in a vision that he slept for 100 years (2:260); the Sign of a “she-camel” that Prophet Ṣā li ḥ gave to his tribe Tham ū d (7:74); “Mary and her son Jesus” were Signs for the children of Israel (23:51), (5:76); “the table of food” given to Jesus was also a Sign (5:114); “spoils of war” are mentioned as a Sign for the believers (48:21); “adornments of All ā h”