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Section 4

The disgrace which the wicked shall have

Those who plan against the truth shall meet disgrace in return - The reward which the righteous will gain - Those who mock at the truth, their own earnings shall overtake them.

(26) قَدْ مَكَرَ الَّذينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى اللَّهُ بُنْيانَهُمْ مِنَ الْقَواعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّقْفُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَ أَتاهُمُ الْعَذابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَشْعُرُونَ

26. " Indeed, those who were before them (also) devised plans. So (the wrath of Allah) struck at the foundations of their buildings, and then the roof fell on them from above them, and the (Divine) punishment came to them from whence they never perceived. "

Commentary:

This noble verse discusses the point that it is not the first occasion when the arrogant accuse the Divine leaders, and consider the Divine revelations as old fables. On the contrary, those who preceded them also devised such conspiracies. Nevertheless, Allah hit the foundations of their life, destroying it from the scratch and thus their roof fell on them from above. The verse says:

" Indeed, those who were before them (also) devised plans. So (the wrath of Allah) struck at the foundations of their buildings, and then the roof fell on them from above them, ..."


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And Allah's punishment came upon them from where they could never have the slightest idea. The holy verse continues saying:

"... and the (Divine) punishment came to them from whence they never perceived. "

The total destruction of the foundations of the buildings and the falling down of the roofs might be taken as allusions made to the buildings and their apparent roofs which were pounded and devastated as a result of earthquakes and thunderbolts, falling over them. It might just as well be reference metaphorically to their organizational hierarchy which was eradicated by Allah's command.

Incidentally, it is not incompatible that the verse refers to both meanings.

Explanations:

1. To eradicate the entire mental and organizational system of the enemies, one must deal with them fundamentally and not superficially so that all of them might be vanished.

2. At times, it happens that a building, with very solid foundations, turns into one's own grave instead of serving as a place for his preservation.

In the meantime, this holy verse serves as a threat to the conspirators while serving as a way of providing calm and comfort for the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) .

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