The Detroit Address — Page 12
12 1 َو ۤاَل ُلْوُقَا ْمُكَل ْيِدْنِع ُنِٕىٓاَزَخ ِهّٰللا َو ۤاَل ُمَلْعَا َبْيَغْلا َو ۤاَل ُلْوُقَا ْيِّنِا ٌكَلَم Then, reverting to the matter of wealth, he said: I do not claim to possess any worldly treasures, and I cannot give you any wealth. Neither do I claim to have the secrets of the unknown, nor do I claim to be an angel. 2 َّو ۤاَل ُلْوُقَا َنْيِذَّلِل ْۤيِرَدْزَت ْمُكُنُيْعَا ْنَل ُمُهَيِتْؤُّي ُهّٰللا اًرْيَخ١ؕ Yet, I cannot say that God will not bless the poor people that you despise. This is a way of expression used in Arabic, and in English as well. In a sentence with a double negative, the intent is to give more force to the idea in the positive; it signifies that N uh as was stating that he did not claim to be an angel, or to have the knowledge of the unknown, or to possess wealth. He was merely a human being who was a recipient of many blessings from God. Nonetheless, he was absolutely sure that his followers would also receive khair —wealth and prosperity of the world. The word khair denotes worldly wealth, while hasanah , is primarily defined as spiritual and moral blessings. Worldly blessings are also included in the definition of hasanah , but as a secondary meaning. Fundamentally, hasanah indicates virtues, excellences, and spiritual and religious blessings. The term khair in the Holy 1. Sūrah H u d, 11:32 [Publisher] 2. Sūrah H u d, 11:32 [Publisher]