The Truth Or The Religious Element (10)

The Truth Or The Religious Element (10)

When finally the triumph of belief and monotheism overcame infidelity and polytheism, it was God who defeated them, “You killed them not, but Allâh killed them. And you (Muhammad) threw not when you did throw, but Allâh threw, that He might test the believers by a fair trial from Him.” (VIII, 17).

From beginning to the end of the Qur’an, the same explanation is given of the miracles accomplished through the Prophets, including Muhammad as well. This is neither due to the perspicacity of their intelligence nor to the extent of their human instructions, but to a merciful intervention from which operates any creation, any science and any good grace.

Thus, with the idea of the fullness of divine attributes, the Qur’an has established the first part of the common religious doctrine, namely, there is no but one unique object worthy of our worship. With the same idea, the Qur’an has constructed the second part; the dogma of the future life. It is to God that we shall return,

“How can you disbelieve in Allâh? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return.” (II, 28), to render an account of our deeds and to be rewarded according to our merits.

“And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allâh. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (II, 281). It is necessary to distinguish here between two points: the survival of the soul and the resurrection of the body.

Concerning the survival of the soul, it does not seem that the Islamic predication had met some considerable opposition. The Qur’an, which registered with an extreme fidelity all the objections raised by its adversaries, did not mention this. Arab pagans believed in a fabulous entity which they called هامة Hâma, which hovered at night over the victim's sepulchre and cried: “Give me drink!”, and would not cease to reappear until the best retaliation be done for the crime. Prophetic Tradition confirmed that this concept was anti-Islamic: “لا هامة ”.

It was against the second proposition that the unbelievers had multiplied their objections and their sarcasm. They say: “When we are bones and fragments (destroyed), should we really be resurrected (as) a new creation? (XVII, 49). Whoever confirms this assertion may either be a “madman” or “invented a lie against Allâh” (XXXIV, 8). “Then bring back our forefathers, if you speak the truth” (XLIV, 36) “And they say:

“There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except time” (XLV, 24-5).