Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 23
23 horses and thy footmen, whoso of them thou wishest; that is, entice them through people in power or seduce them through the underlings and whether thou hold out to them the temptation of wealth or progeny, there will be no effect whatever on My servants. . In the verse, the influences that vitiate the human character have been enumerated. Not one of these originates in the heart. On the contrary, all have extraneous sources and tend to degrade man. For instance, it has been said to. Satan that he would beguile man through music, or by means of threats, as, for instance, if man spoke the truth he would run the risk of hanging or of being imprisoned. Further, He (God) pointed out to Satan that he would dangle before man the temptation that if he did not gorge himself with dirty money, he would live in poverty and that if he wanted to advance his fortune, he should accumulate ill-gotten wealth. Similarly, He pointed out that Satan would next persuade man to raise parties or factions; and would incite him to deceit, telling him that if he did not, he stood no chance of succeeding; and he would then hold out to him promise of manifold achievement on the condition that he resorted to falsehood, deceit, artifice and cheating. All these things are external. If human nature was impure, there was little cause for referring to these matters. All that Allah, the. Excellent, then had to declare was that since Adam had sinned, man was guilty. But all the things that the Holy Quran has listed as vitiating the nature of man and leading him to sinful conduct are extraneous; such as (1) music (2) threats—that is, for instance, inciting men to oppress the followers of the Prophet lest they should advance their cause (3) greed and covetousness.