Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 50
Essence of the Holy Qur’ ā n 50 disbelievers are threatened with Divine punishment because they reject the claim of the Holy Prophet which rests on the following very sound hypotheses: (a) His teachings are indispensable for mankind and are based on truth and wisdom and have sound and solid arguments to establish their abiding utility and the emptiness of the objections of disbelievers. (b) Heavenly Signs uphold the Prophet’s cause—his followers are prospering both materially and spiritually and his enemies like those of the former Prophets are suffering defeat at his hands. (c) He will be blessed with Divine boons and blessings in an unusual measure. (d) His teachings are designed to bring about peace, harmony and goodwill among nations of the world. (e) All false faiths and religious systems including Christianity will retreat before the invincible onrush of Islam and will eventually be completely routed. (2) All Divine Messengers were opposed and satanic people placed all sorts of obstacles and impediments in their way. But God removed all those obstacles and the cause of Truth ultimately prevailed. (3) The advent of the Holy Prophet has fulfilled that Divine purpose for which Patriarch Abraham had prayed to God in the barren and arid valley of Mecca when he left his son Ishmael and his wife Hagar there. (4) The Holy Prophet has met with long and hard opposition and has endured untold hardships with great patience and fortitude, and the time has now arrived that he be granted permission to fight his opponents in self-defence. Defensive warfare is not only permissible but is commendable when the cause of Truth is at stake; and Divine succour comes to those who fight in its defence. If fighting in defence of Truth had not been allowed, man would have become deprived of freedom of conscience which is his most precious heritage, and God would have ceased to be worshipped and sin and iniquity would have reigned supreme in the world. (5) Divine Teaching like fresh rain gives new life and vigour to a spiritually dead world and is, therefore, bound to succeed. The cycle of a new Revelation taking the place of an old one continues. When a particular Teaching completes its allotted span of life and serves its intended purpose, a new Teaching replaces it and becomes the vehicle of Divine Will and Purpose. The S u rah ends with the Divine promise that Heavenly help will come to the Holy Prophet because he is the Promised Teacher. His followers should, therefore, give him full and unconditional allegiance. This is the way to victory and success.