INTRODUCTION TO SURAT Al路A'rij(, 7 This Sura is closely connected, both chronologically and in respect of the argument. with the previous Sura. But it expounds the doctrine of revelation and man's religious history by illustrations from Adam onwards, through various Prophets, and the details of Moses's struggles, to the time of the Prophet Mu~ammad, in whom Allah's revelation is completed.
Sltmmary.-The note, "learn from the past," is struck from the very beginning. The oposition of Evil to Good is illustrated by the story of Adam and Iblis. Arrogance leads to rebellion; the rebel is jealous and tempts the natural man, who is warned against deceit and all excess (vii. 1-31). If the warning is not heeded, the future penalties are indicated, while the privileges and the bliss and peace of the righteous are shown in a picture of the Hereafter, as well as in the power and goodness of Allah in the world that we see around us (vii. 32-58.
The story of Noah and the Flood, and the stories of Hud, ~alih, Lot, and Shu'aib, all point to the lesson that the Prophets were resisted and rejected, but truth triumphed in the end, and evil was humbled, for Allah's Plan never fails (vii. 59-99). The story of Moses is told in greater detail, not only in his struggles with Pharaoh. but in his preparation for his mission, and his struggles with his own rebellious people. Even from the time of Moses the coming of the unlettered Prophet was foreshadowed (vii. 100-157). But the people of Moses frequently lapsed from Allah's Law as promulgated to them, and transgressed Allah's Covenant, and they were scattered through the earth in sections (vii. 158-171). The children of Adam have multiplied, but many of them have rejected truth and go by degrees to destruction in ways that they do not realise. The reighteous listen to the Message of Allah, and serve Him in humility (vii. 172206).
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