Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 70
~ 70 ~ and other animals will not be able to escape. Such destruction shall overtake the earth as has not happened since the birth of humanity. Many places will be completely wiped out as if they had never been inhabited. In addition, there will be other terrible afflictions both from heaven and the earth, until every sensible person will realize that they are no ordinary phenomena, nor will any trace of them be found in the books of natural philosophy and astronomy. Then people will be seized by anxiety and wonder as to what is going to happen. Many will be saved and many will perish. The days are near, indeed they are so close that the world shall witness a spectacle like doomsday. Not only will there be earthquakes but other terrible calamities as well, some from heaven and some from the earth. This will happen because mankind has given up the worship of their God, and all their thoughts and all their designs and all their resolves are exclusively centred on this world. Had I not come, these calamities might have been delayed for a while, but with my coming, the purposes of Divine wrath which remained hidden for so long have become manifest. As God said: 39 i. e. , those who repent shall find security and those who fear before calamity strikes shall be shown mercy. Do you think you 39 We never punish until We have sent a Messenger. S u rah Ban i Isr a ’ i l, 17:16