At 08:44 PM 10/25/01 -0700, Zero wrote:
>> > 86:1 By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein);
>> > 86:2 And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is?-
>> > 86:3 (It is) the Star of piercing brightness;-
>> > 86:4 There is no soul but has a protector over it.
>> > 86:5 Now let man but think from what he is created!
>> > 86:6 He is created from a drop emitted-
>> > 86:7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs
>114:6 Eenie meenie ipsaleenie ooh bop bopsaleenie
>114:7 Otchie kotchie Liberace I love you
>114:8 Take peach, take a plum, take a piece of bubble gum
Sorry, Zero, this is tacky and unworthy of you. The poetry is quite
striking, even if one does not give it literal credence.
What is the Night-Visitant? Well, a moment's googling takes you to a simple
exegesis:
http://www.al-qiyamah.org/night_visitant.htm
Through the darkest night comes the penetrating light
of a glorious Star.
Such is the power of Revelation: it protects and
guides the erring.
And what is man? But a creature of flesh and bones!
But Allah by His Power doth raise Man's state to a
Life Beyond! — when lo!
All things hidden will be made plain.
Man's help will then be but the Word of Allah, which
none can thwart.
So wait with gentle patience — for His Decision."
Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an
(Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an, Amana Corporation,
1989.)
and
"6067. In the last Surah we considered the
persecution of Allah's votaries, and how Allah
protects them. Here the same theme is presented in
another aspect. In the darkest sky shines out most
brilliantly the light of the most bright star. So in the
night of spiritual darkness — whether through
ignorance or distress — shines the glorious star of
Allah's revelation.
6069. If man has a true spiritual understanding, he
has nothing to be afraid of. He is protected by Allah
in many ways that he does not even know. He may be
an insignificant creature as a mere animal, but his
soul raises him to a dignity above other creation. And
all sorts of divine forces guard and protect him.
6073. In that new world, all our actions, motives,
thoughts, and imaginings of this life, however secret,
will be brought into the open, and tested by the
standards of absolute Truth, and not by false
standards of custom, prejudice, or partiality. In that
severe test, any adventitious advantage of this life will
have no strength or force whatever, and cannot help
in any way.
6077. Though Allah in His Mercy has provided a
piercing light to penetrate our spiritual darkness, and
made our beings responsive to the growth of spiritual
understanding . . . yet there are evil, unregenerate
men who plot and scheme against the beneficent
purpose of Allah. But their plots will be of no avail,
and Allah's Purpose will prevail."
Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an
(Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an, Amana Corporation,
1989.)
I don't find any references to bubble-gum, but there are surely some
notions there worth chewing over. :)
Damien Broderick
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