Only Givers Remain

Only Givers Remain The Sunday Guardian | September 5, 2010 | Page 14

The Quran narrates a parable illustrating the law of Nature, that only those who prove to be giver member of society will be able to establish themselves in life. The following is the translation of the verse:

"He sends down water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The torrent carries along, swelling foam, akin to what rises from smelted ore from which man makes ornaments and tools. Good thus depicts truth and falsehood. The scum is cast away, but what ever is of use to man remains behind. God thus speak in parables." (13:17)

In our world, material events symbolise moral realities. Whatever is required of man is being demonstrated at the material level, as in the two events of nature which have been described in the Quran. One symbol used is that of rainfall, with its water flowing and reaching rivers and streams. At that time a great deal of foam surfaces on it. Another symbol is that of silver and other minerals being heated in order to clean them, their impurities appearing in the shape of foam which, being useless for man, immediately thereafter evaporates into space. The main point which emerges is that the water and minerals which are useful to man remain intact. These are the natural events through which nature shows symbolically what principles it has laid down for the success or failure of life.

One principle is that, in this world, only those who prove useful to other will find a place in society. The individual who has lost his capacity to benefit others has no place in this world. The same is true of communities and groups.