Quran Garden

Session 445

Chapter 3

Verse 117

a continuation

The example of what they spend in this worldly life is that of a biting wind accompanied by frost that smites the harvest of a people who wronged themselves and devastates it.  God has never wronged them, but they wrong themselves.  (Chapter 3: Verse 117)

The Quran is full of examples to help us understand our faith.  Listen to the following verse:

God puts forward this illustration: can a man who has for his masters several partners at odds with each other be considered equal to a man devoted wholly to one master?  All praise belongs to God, though most of them do not know.  (39:29)

Allah clearly illustrates the condition of a man working for many bosses, which –in and ofitself- is a problem.  The bigger problem is that the bosses are at odds with each other, so what pleases one angers the others.  Naturally, this employee is tired, and no matter how hard he works, he gets nowhere in his career.  And such is the case with a man ascribing partners to God.  There is no clear guidance; attending to one god means not following the others, so the worshipper is never at peace.  As for the person who follows the One Creator, he is like a man working comfortably for one fair boss.  The job is straightforward, the tasks are defined, and the career path to success is guaranteed. 

By using an example we can all agree on, Allah carries you from the abstract concepts of monotheism and polytheism to a comprehensive understanding even a child can grasp.  Likewise, in aya 117 of Al Imran, Allah carries you from the distant scene of people not benefiting from their seemingly good deeds on the Day of Judgment to the understanding that nothing, regardless of how good, is of value without the foundation of faith.  He says,

The example of what they spend in this worldly life is that of a biting wind accompanied by frost that smites the harvest of a people who wronged themselves and devastates it.  God has never wronged them, but they wrong themselves.  (Chapter 3: Verse 117)

And in another chapter,

Indeed it has been revealed to you as well as to those (Messengers) sent before you: "Should you associate partners with God, your labor will most certainly come to nothing and you will most certainly be among the losers. (39:65)

When we read examples in the Noble Qur'an, we should not look at them literally as detached from the rest of life's story; instead, look at the big picture of faith.  Let's study another one.  God says,

And give them the example of the present, worldly life: it is like the water that We send down from the sky; the vegetation of the earth mingles with it flourishing abundantly.  Then it turns into dry stubble, which the winds scatter about.  God is absolutely able to do all things.  (18:45)

Here, we look at the example collectively, not literally.  Is worldly life like rainwater?  No, but the whole life story is similar to the story of growing then withering plants.  When the rain comes down and mixes with the soil, it helps germinate the seeds and grow the plants.  The result is a beautiful landscape, amazing flowers, and fruits.  But in a few months, all ends up as dry leaves decaying back into the earth.  Similar is your life with its embellishments.  In your youth everything seems to blossom with no end in sight, but after a decade or two, you will be dead.  So you should not let the temporary pleasures distract you from preparing for the inevitable destination.  God says,

The example life of this world is like the rain that We send down from the sky.  It is absorbed by the plants of the earth, from which humans and animals eat.  But when the earth has taken on its finest appearance and adorns itself, people think they have power over it, then the fate We commanded comes to it, by night or by day, and We reduce it to stubble as if it had not ?ourished just the day before.  This is the way We explain the revelations for those who re?ect.  (10:24)

This brings back to the verse.  God says,

The example of what they spend in this worldly life is that of a biting wind accompanied by frost that smites the harvest of a people who wronged themselves and devastates it.  God has never wronged them, but they wrong themselves.  (Chapter 3: Verse 117)

Good people who spend their money in good causes but lack faith are like a good crop struck by a frosty wind.  It yield nothing despite the good work and intentions.   

Here, you may be wondering.  Life is full of calamities that do not only strike the corrupt, but also afflict good people of faith.  How could this be?  We answer that there are two types of troubles in life.  The first are troubles that strike people who wronged themselves.  These calamities are a punishment from God.  Listen to the example of the people of the garden.  God says,

We have tried them as We tried the owners of a the garden, who swore that they would harvest its fruits in the morning.  They made no allowance (in their oaths to the rights of the needy).  Then a calamity from your Lord fell upon it while they were fast asleep.  By morning it was stripped bare, a desolate land.  At daybreak, they called to each other: "Go early to your field if you wish to gather all its fruits." So they set out, confiding to one another: "Make sure no poor person enters the garden today!"  They left early, bent on their purpose, but when they saw the garden, they said, "We must have lost our way!" "Rather, we have been deprived.  Indeed we have lost everything."  The most grounded among them said: "Did I not say to you: Will you not glorify God?"  They said: "All-Glorified is our Lord!  Indeed we have done wrong."  They said, "Woe to us!  we have been, indeed, transgressors; but maybe our Lord will give us something better in its place: we turn to Him in hope." Such is the punishment, but greater still is the punishment in the Hereafter, if only they knew.  (68:17-34)

The second type of troubles hit righteous people who have not wronged themselves.  Why?  Because that is part of life.  The believer looks at such events as part of God's wisdom and remains patient.  Allah will reward you immensely for your patience.  Remember that Allah has ultimate wisdom, so there is always a higher purpose when life's events harm your crops, wealth, or even a dear person.  Perhaps God has decreased your wealth because more money would lead you to arrogance or alienate your family.  Likewise, a disaster may be a purification of your faith or wealth.  God says addressing the believers,

We will test you with a certain amount of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, life, and fruits.  But give glad tidings to the persevering and patient.  (2:155)

The verse ends with, "God has never wronged them, but they wrong themselves."  Let me ask you a question: if you apply for a job or a university, and you do not submit the required papers,  can you blame the company or university for rejecting your application?  Of course not.  The requirements were crystal clear, but you were either too lazy to read or too arrogant to comply.  Likewise, Allah did not wrong the disbelievers when He let their spending go in vain.  They wronged themselves because they did not fulfill the requirements of faith.