The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 388
CH. 15 AL-HIJR be some deep connection between the two events which accounts for their simultaneous mention. The same is true of several other subjects mentioned in the Quran; thus indicating that they have been put together with a definite purpose. For instance, we find that whenever the Quran speaks of the universal spread of Islam, it couples this subject with a reference to the account of Jesus, thus indicating that it was through the Promised Messiah who was to appear in the latter days as the counterpart of Jesus that the complete propagation and the universal spread of Islam was to be brought about. See also vv. 9:30-33, 48:29, 30 & 61:7-10. PT. 14 gradual development and evolution. This proves that there is indeed a Day of Reckoning, because if man had been given his present form at the very outset, it could legitimately be said that his creation in his present form was an accident and that, like other things which took their respective shapes as the result of natural changes, he too, received his present form. But the creation of man in his present perfect form, after a long process of gradual change and evolution, and then the stopping of its further development after his having attained his present form, shows that man's creation was not an accident but the result of a predetermined plan and that he was meant to be the crown and object of the whole creation. As for the reason why reference to the creation of Adam is always preceded by a reference to post- (b) The fact that there exist in mortal Resurrection, it may be noted nature two powers one of good and (1) that the creation of Adam or man the other of evil and that man being subject to the Law or Shari'ah possesses the power to do both good demands that there should be a or bad deeds, and that these powers general Resurrection and final are subject to his volition and control, Judgement for adjudging the proves that he has been created to goodness or badness of human rule and dominate creation. The actions and for awarding rewards and reward and recompense of his works punishments; while, on the other should, therefore, be something more hand, Resurrection and Judgement of than the direct result of his actions. mankind demands that there should This presupposes post-mortal be a Law or Shari'ah, because existence and a time of reckoning i. e. without such a Law the awarding of Resurrection and Judgement. rewards and punishments becomes meaningless; (2) that the creation of man constitutes a strong proof of Resurrection. The following arguments may be given in support of this contention: (a) Man is the crown and acme of all creation. His creation became complete after a long process of (c) All material progress of man depends upon the observance and obedience of the laws of nature and not upon moral and spiritual laws. In man's life, however, moral and spiritual considerations play a much more important part. It, therefore, follows that material progress is not the end of human life and that there 1596