Talim-ul-Quran — Page 178
prayed for them. The "Signs" are discussed in the first 68 verses, the "Book" and "Wisdom" in vv. 169-243 and lastly "the Means of national progress in vv. 244-287. "The recital of the Signs" refers to the arguments about the truth of the Holy Prophet; "the teaching of the Book and Wisdom" to the laws of the Shariyy'ah laid down in the. Surah and the wisdom or philosophy which underlines them, and last of all in elucidation of the subject of the spiritual changes spoken of in Abraham's prayer it refers to the principles that lead to national awakening. . The Surah has 40 sections and 287 verses. It opens with a statement of three fundamental beliefs - belief in God, Revelation and Life after death and two practical ordinances about Prayer and Zakāt, the rest being an extension and explanation of these principles and ordinances. In response to the prayer for guidance, the Qur'ān claims to present a perfect code of laws which comprises all the truths that were found in earlier revealed Scriptures, with much more that they did not contain, and claims also to guide man to the highest pinnacle of spiritual glory. The second section decries and deprecates mere verbal profession of faith which has no deep roots in the heart. . The third section, however, lays down standards and criteria by which the truth of the. Qur'an can be tested and verified. And for this purpose it draws pointed attention to the process of evolution working in the physical universe. This process is to be seen in the spiritual realm also. Then mention is made of the first link in this spiritual chain - of. Adam, the first man, to whom God revealed His Will. In the 4th section we are told that objections are being raised against the Holy Prophet. But these objections cannot detract from his truth even as they could not detract from Adam's truth. The next twelve sections - 5th to 16th - dispose of the objections, viz. , where was the necessity of a new revelation when God has already revealed Himself to Adam? It is stated that in harmony with progressive evolution in the spiritual system, God has been sending down His revelation in every age, every succeeding revelation being an improvement upon the preceding one. Moses was the Founder of a new Shariyyah. He was followed by a galaxy of Divine Messengers who were opposed and persecuted by the Israelites. . Persistent defiance of Divine commandments on the part of the Israelites and their inquiries made them lose their title to Divine grace. Hence Prophethood, in accordance with biblical prophecies, was transferred to the House of Ishmael and the Holy. Prophet was raised in the barren and arid Valley of Mecca with the most perfect and complete Law. This filled the Israelites with rage though they had no right to fret and fume at their being deprived of Prophethood. They opposed the Holy Prophet and spared no pains to bring him to naught. But opposition to Divine purpose has never succeeded. . The next two sections dispense with the objections of the Israelites as to why the Holy Prophet has given up the Qiblah of all the former Prophets in favor of the. Ka'bah. They are told that in the first place facing a certain direction in Prayers or fixing a particular place as the Qiblah cannot be an object to be sought after, it only serves to bring about and maintain unity among a people. Secondly, in the prayers which Abraham had offered for the sons of Ishmael, it was prophesied that Mecca would one day become a place of pilgrimage for them and Ka'bah their Qiblah. In the 178