Qur'an 20080322

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

14. And they became divided only after knowledge had reached them, through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord to a term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them. But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious doubt concerning it.

15. Now then for that, call and stand steadfast as thou are commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires but say, "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to God is Final Goal."

16. But those who dispute concerning Allah after God had been accepted, futile is their dispute in the sight of their Lord. On them is Wrath, and for them will be a Penalty Terrible.

17. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance: and what will make thee realise that the Hour is close at hand?

18. Only those wish to hasten it who believe not in it. Those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the Truth. Behold, verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray.

Consultation 42:14-18
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I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to God is Final Goal.

This discussion is for believers in God only.

Knowledge of God is prime Treasure, therefore the faithful are in competition with each other over this Treasure. However, God is the one who grants Knowledge, and the Treasure thereof, and it is not an act of faith to be jealous of others who possess more knowledge. Are you one to determine who and what God gives to God's servants? Take the case of Abel and Cain: God accepted the faith of one brother, and the other became jealous, and murdered his own brother. Then he sank even lower in the esteem of God. We must guard our emotions! Knowledge that is granted by God is to be used by specific servants for specific chores: a worker ant cannot do the duties of a queen!

We must guard our emotions! We are all just one step away from hell, and our emotions can take us there in a heartbeat, for all the acts of "faith" that we do, the intentions that we have can be corrupted by our emotions. Sure, our emotions can exalt us, but only if our feelings are accepted by God. An athiest who performs a single act of sincere faith is in a better position in the sight of God than one who spends his life performing acts of "faith" that are corrupted by his intentions, and his emotions. Better to temper those feelings with intelligence, patience and wisdom, in order to present a purer faith to God. Then maybe God will give you a present which no one else has. God is the one Who controls cosmic Balance: the thing we see that we desire in another person costs that person in an aspect that we don't see. Humans have a tendency to be selfish! Are we to assume that we are equal in rank to the human beings appointed as prophets, mentioned in the Book of God? The last one (peace be upon him) passed away over 1300 years ago!

Sometimes I fall into agony over the futility of human beings, and over my own humanity. But that is the Trial- to get to the Garden in the best manner. Trying to speed up the Game is cheating- yes, it is hard to play by the rules, but it is not our Game. God is the One who knows when Time is up. Trying to speed up the Game is an act of faithlessness. Verse 42:14 is not just a statement, but also a warning from God for us not to divide the faithful. Verse 42:17 is a statement as well as a question: Time IS nearly up. God is the Timekeeper, and the Timebender.