In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
We wrote in the Psalms, after the Reminder (given to Moses) that "the righteous among My servants shall inherit the earth." In this, there is a message for people who worship God. We have sent you as a (manifestation of Our) grace toward all the worlds. (The Prophets: 21: 105-107)
The verses that precede this passage, and which were the subject of our commentary last week, portray a scene of the end of life and the living: "On that Day We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll of parchment. As We brought into being the first creation, so We shall bring it forth anew. That is a promise We willed upon Ourselves. We are indeed able to do all things." Now the surah makes clear the divine law that determines who inherits the earth. In the end it is God’s righteous servants who will be the masters of the earth. The two scenes are interlinked: "We wrote in the Psalms, after the Reminder (given to Moses) that "the righteous among My servants shall inherit the earth."
As it is given in Arabic, this verse may be read in two ways. The first considers the Psalms as certain scriptures given in particular to Prophet David (peace be upon him). In this case, the "reminder" is a reference to the Torah which was revealed earlier than the Psalms. The other reading makes out the term zaboor a description of every revealed book, which is a portion of the original book recorded in the guarded Tablet, which in this case would be what the word "reminder" refers to. This Tablet, thus, represents the complete version and the final authority to which all divine laws refer.
Be that as it may, the statement, "We wrote in the Psalms, after the Reminder," is made here to explain the established rule God has put into operation concerning the succession to the earth. This means the fact that "the righteous among My servants shall inherit the earth." It is pertinent to ask what does this inheritance mean, and who are the righteous among God’s servants?
God has given the earth to Adam so that he may fulfill his charge of building the earth, setting it on the right course so that it would be developed. This includes the utilization of its resources and treasures, and the exploitation of its apparent and concealed potential so as to attain the highest possible standard that can be reached.
God has set a complete code or way of life for mankind to implement in their life on earth. It is based on faith and good action. God’s final message includes a detailed account of this way of life, together with laws that ensure its freedom from distortion and provide balance and harmony of its every step.
This code does not make the development of the earth, utilization of its resources and making use of its resources and potentials an aim in itself. It should be coupled with taking good care of man’s conscience, so that man can attain the highest standard he is capable of achieving. It protects man from sinking into the animal level in the midst of blooming material civilization. There must be no drop in the human side of man’s life while great strides are made in the exploitation of apparent and latent resources.
On the way to achieve that appropriate balance and harmony the scales may tilt one way at one time and the other way on a different occasion. It may happen that tyranny prevails, or that some brute forces may take over. Power may be concentrated in the hands of some unbelievers who may be skilled in the material exploitation of the resources and wealth of the earth. All these will remain experiences that mankind may have to go through at one stage or another, but the ultimate inheritance will fall to God’s righteous servants who combine faith with good action. These two elements will go hand in hand in their life.
Whenever faith in the heart combines with the will to work in any community, it will inherit the land in any period of history. But when these two elements separate, then the scales are tilted one way or the other. Power may fall to those who are keen to utilize all material resources, if those who claim to be believers neglect their utilization. This happens when believers are devoid of the true and genuine type of faith that provides the motivation to good action and to the building of proper human life on earth. It should be remembered that it is through such good work that man discharges the task assigned to him by God.
All that the believers should do is to bring into practice the full meaning of their belief, which is good action and the fulfillment of their duty, in order that God’s promise of inheriting the earth will be fulfilled. It is active and conscientious workers among believers that are described as God’s righteous servants.
As the surah draws to its close, its rhythm takes on a similar note to the rhythm of its opening: "In this, there is a message for people who worship God. We have sent you as a (manifestation of Our) grace toward all the worlds."
This Qur’an, and the laws it reveals of nature, the universe, human destiny both in this present life and in the life to come, and the rules that govern action and reward, give a clear message. This message will be appreciated by those who are ready to receive God’s guidance. These are the ones who are described here as "people who worship God." For, a true worshiper is the one who has a soft heart, ready to receive a message, ponder over it and make use of it in his life.
God has sent His last messenger as a manifestation of His grace to all mankind. He takes them by the hand to show them divine guidance. It is only those who are ready to receive such guidance that benefit by it, but God’s grace is bestowed on believers and unbelievers alike.
Next week, we will discuss, God willing, the nature of grace given to all mankind through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
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