The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 71
PT. 16 CH. 19 MARYAM b وَيَزِيدُ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى And Allah increases in. 77 guidance those who follow وَالْبقِيتُ الصلحت خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ guidance. And the good works ثَوَابًا وَ خَيْرٌ مَّرَدَّا that endure are best in the sight of thy Lord as reward, and best as resort. '2216 أَفَرَعَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِايْتِنَا وَقَالَ Hast thou not seen him who. 78 لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًان ا طَلَعَ الْغَيْبَ أَمِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ Has he become acquainted. 79 disbelieves in Our Signs, and says, "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?' 2217 with the unseen or has he taken "9:124; 47:18; 48:5. 18:47; 87:18. 18:35; 74:13-14. not accept truth and mend their ways, will at first be in the form of (intervening punishment) for some of them and act (final destruction) for others till ultimately it will take the form of ac for all of them. The verse points to an absolute certainty that the path of sin and iniquity leads to sure destruction. It also shows that when destruction will overtake Western nations, they will realize that the germs of their destruction had lain hidden in their very material power of which they were so proud and that the apparently weak condition of the Eastern nations possessed seeds of their growing strength and power. 2216. Commentary: The verse means to say that every new change that takes place in the world makes the position of believers stronger and firmer. They grow in influence, prestige and numbers. The Quranic words, And the good 1985 works. . . resort, remind Christian Western peoples of the beautiful and oft-quoted words of Jesus, viz. lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matt. 6:19,20). These words imply a warning to his so-called followers that it is futile on their part to bank upon their material riches and resources because they are sure to perish while it is only good works that will endure and last. 2217. Commentary: The verse means to say that the disbeliever sets great store by his wealth and children and takes great pride in them. "The disbeliever" in the verse represents the disbelieving proud nations of the west.