AN AYAH A DAY
A few seconds to 12:45 p.m., time for zuhr adhan – “Allahu-Akbar…” blip, Power Off! …The rest of it called out medieval-style, there’s no minaret attached to the old mosque, that reached a few pair of ears. Scene-II Upon entering the mosque – after 2 cycle of supererogatory prayer – reaching the shelf for a copy of the Qur’an –
the worshipper opened it at random – there showed up for him at first instance, what happened to be 260th verse of surah al-Baqarah which read as;“When Ibraheem said: My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.Allah replied, Don’t you believe Me?Ibraheem said, Yes, I do, but to strengthen my own heart.Allah said, (ok, then) Take four birds, tie them (and cut them into pieces),(And mix them up) and then put a portion of them on different hill you wish, and call to them.They will come to you flying with speed.Then know that Allah is all-Powerful, the Wise.”What a request! That too of a man whose faith for Allah we are well aware of but little understood.The worshipper who read the verse, float backwards in contemplation, like the previous verses of the same chapter, 259, 258…“Or, (have you heard the story of) the like of him who passed over a dwelling that had fallen upon its roofs. He wondered, ‘How will Allah bring this back to life after its (present) decay?’ So Allah put him to death for a hundred years and then brought him back to life and asked: ‘How long did you remain (in that state)?’ He replied: ‘I remained (in that state perhaps) a day or part of a day.’ He told him: ‘Rather you were (in that state) a hundred years. Look then at your food and drink, it is unspoiled. But look at your ass (of which only the carcass remains. We brought you back to life) So that We may make a sign of you for the people. And look at the bones (of the ass) how We will set them up and then clothe them with flesh.’ Thereupon, when it became evident to him, he cried out (involuntarily): ‘I know (and realize fully well now) that Allah has power over everything.’”And,“Have you not heard of him, who disputed with Ibraheem concerning His Lord, (for no reason save) that Allah gave him kingship (which increased his arrogance)?! When Ibraheem told him, ‘My Lord is He who gives life and causes death,’ he replied, ‘I (too) give life and cause to die.’ (Thereupon) Ibraheem challenged him, ‘Allah brings the sun from the east. Bring it from the West.’ The disbelieving man was confounded. And Allah does not guide (such) transgressing people (unless they wish to mend their ways). –Then going forward from verses 258, 259…to 261 – Which says: “The likeness of those who expend their wealth in the cause of Allah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn pressed into the soil) which brought forth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah grants increase (in reward) to whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing (of Power), All-Knowing (who knows what is spent in His cause).” –The worshipper’s contemplation runs in ellipsis….EpilogeSomebody had book-marked that page with a piece of straw from the straw-prayer-mat the last. What would have been the message he got from it? – Wonder – …The worshipper’s ellipsis kept on running, here came adhan of ‘Asr at 5:00 electrically amplified – Allahu-Akbar, Allah….
Last update : 06-06-2005 02:27
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