Three Questions by a Christian and their Answers — Page 26
26 question and see how they both speak of the signs of chas- tisement. Secondly, is it conceivable that all the unlimited signs and wonders, which appear from time to time as a manifestation of God’s infinite power, could have been re- jected by earlier people in their limited time? Thirdly, one should consider with all fairness, whether the verse speaks of the signs of warning in particular, or if there is some mention of the signs of mercy and glad-tidings as well. Fourthly, one should look again at the article 'Al' of the word Al- A y a t and see what meaning it conveys. Having considered all the four points, every person—except the one whom prejudice keeps away from the truth—will find, not one, but thousands of testimonies to prove that the ne- gation in this verse pertains only to a particular category of signs, and it does not in any way affect the other kinds of signs; it, in fact, categorically affirms their existence. In these verses, Allah clearly declares that the signs of chas- tisement which these people demand will not be shown to them because they have been rejected by earlier people. To show, over and over again, signs which have been rejected before, would be an indication of weakness, and would not be worthy of the All-Powerful One. Thus, these verses clearly state that signs of chastisement will be shown, but in different ways. There is no need whatsoever to show the same signs again that were shown by Moses as or Noah as , or the signs that were given to the people of Lot as or ‘ A d or Tham u d. These verses have been further explained by some other verses. Allah says: