Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 644
UNVEILING OF THE ‘UNSEEN' BY THE QURAN – A HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE. This verse in fact draws a clear picture of cosmic rays rather than that of ordinary flames of fire. . Having elaborated the implied meanings of verse 12 of Surah Al-Takwir, with the help of the above quoted verses of Surah Al-Raḥmān (Chapter 55), we now return to. Al-Takwir from where we left off. . It is a strange coincidence that we finished our comments on the verses of Surah Al-Raḥmān with the warning of perpetual punishment by fire. This exactly is the subject of discussion of verse 13 of Surah Al-Takwir which we intend to elaborate now: ° * 81:13 وَإِذَا الْجَحِيمُ . . And when the hellfire will be made to rage. 43. Here the expression hellfire refers to such wars as would create the impression that all hell has broken loose. . Hence, this is the warning delivered in this verse. This is the only feasible interpretation in the context of the preceding prophecies which speak without exception of the events of this world. It would appear very odd indeed if man is told that at some time while these events are taking place here on earth, hellfire would be raging above in an otherworldly space. . The sequence of prophecies thus reaches its logical conclusion. Material progress however massive it may be cannot be of any avail to man if he gains his worldly ambitions at the cost of God's pleasure. The hour of punishment must arrive and strike man down despite all his material might. But no calamity will befall him from on high as such. He will build his own hellfire himself and his selfishness will create such global tensions as are bound to culminate in hellish wars. Looking back at the history of 604