Benefiting from the Bounties of Life

By: Ayatullah Dastghaib Shirazi
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
And if We please We would certainly put out their eyes, then they would run about groping for the way, but how should they see? And if We please We would surely transform them in their place, then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return. (36:66-67)
The apparent meaning of the verse is that if We wish We can rub out their eyes. The Arabic word ‘Tamas’ means rubbing out in such a way that no sign of it remains. ‘Tamas’ means total erasing and rubbing out after which there will not be any sign or mark that an eye existed at that place.
…then they would run about groping for the way,
That is they would proceed on a path, which is straight, without any curve, but they cannot see. How can one go on the right path whose eyes are totally removed?
And if We please We would surely transform them in their place, then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return. (36:67)
Meaning, if We wish we may disfigure them. Arabic word ‘Maskh’ means to transform the shape badly. It means to take away the beautiful shape of man and turn him into an ugly beast.
In their place,
That means, We can do this without any delay.
…then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return.
After this the path of going ahead or turning back is closed on them. They can neither advance nor retreat.

Deniers warned of the chastisement that befell the people of Lut
These two verses are among the most threatening verses from God for common disbelievers. Though, apparently, they were revealed in Mecca, they hint at all deniers. Everyone who did not believe in God and in the Hereafter and who said jokingly, “These are meaningless talks of the ancient people, it is superstition.” If God wills, He makes such people blind in such a way that their eyes are also blotted out. He did the same to the rebellious people of Prophet Lut.
When the angels of punishment arrived at Lut’s, his people rushed to his house demanding that the guests be handed over to them for committing sodomy. Lut admonished them in every manner but to no avail. Then Lut said in a sorrowful way, “If only I had the strength to deflect them.”
One of these angels signaled and all of them became blind. No sign of an eye remained on their face.
And if We please We would certainly put out their eyes…
O one who has become bold in sinning and who is accustomed to voyeurism! God is able to blind you in such a way that there will not remain any trace thereof.

May the eyes be blind, which cannot see you
Here is one fine point to ponder. Why is the calamity of “Tamas” mentioned among several other calamities? The secret, perhaps, is that the punishment is proportionate to the sin. One who refuses to see the Truth, which is so manifest, deserves to be blinded. If you can observe the power of God and see life and death, how do you then deny Qiyamat?
A narration in Usul Kafi says: One of the wise sayings of Luqman is, “I wonder about the one who does not believe in Qiyamat and in becoming alive after his death when he dies and becomes alive every night and day.” Sleep is the brother of death. When you are asleep it is your minor death. When you wake up it is as if you have become alive again. Thus you see life and death every day and night and ignore the truth asking, “Will we, after we are dead, become alive again?”
What! when we are dead and have become dust? That is a far (from probable) return. (50:3)
After this blindness they are unable to find the path.
but how should they see?
How will you see? So long as this bounty is not snatched away from you, observe the Signs of God. Take benefit from it. Know you Lord better. Do something for the accounting of the Day of Judgment.
Another hint is about the haste in punishment. The one whose heart is blind in this world will, on the Day of Judgment, find himself blind in the eyes also.
And whoever is blind in this, he shall (also) be blind in the hereafter; and more erring from the way. (17:72)
Meaning that if We want We can make them blind like their hearts are blind.
The lesson here is for the thankfulness for the bounty of the faculty of sight. A man’s looking or seeing is different from the looking and seeing of a cow. His seeing signifies his taking lessons.
We would transform them according to their habits
And if We please We would surely transform them in their place, then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return.
Arabic “Maskh” means to change the shape into an ugly and a horrible one. Here it means changing man’s shape into that of a beast. According to the lexicon it is a change for the worse. It could be transforming into a pig, monkey, snake or anything else. A narration says, “A monkey or a pig would look beautiful when compared to it.” Allah says, “If We so wish We may disfigure them at their place. O one who left the path of religion and took the path of desires and passions! We may, if We so desire, change your outward appearance into your inward state.”
Pig is an example of uncontrolled desires. It eats up every dirty thing and has no parallel in carnal desires. Sometimes it moves long distances while copulating. One who acts like a pig in gratifying his carnal desires and that does not fear committing a prohibited deed, is actually a pig. His face will, on the Day of Judgment, become like that of a pig. If God so wills, such disfiguration can take place here also and very swiftly.
Prophet Muhammad (‘s) is reported to have said that Allah says about him in a Holy verse:
We have not sent you but as a mercy for the worlds. (21:107)
One of the mercies relating to the Prophet (‘s) is that in case of past communities the people’s internal conditions used to manifest very soon. Shapes of a number of people had been changed badly. But, for the followers of Muhammad (‘s), God has put a veil over it.

A greedy scholar turned into a dog
According to a narration, a scholar believing in Torah, and his teacher were with Prophet Moosa (‘a). When Moosa (‘a) did not see them for quite a long time, he asked Jibraeel (‘a) about their fate. Jibraeel replied, “Look at the gate of the house.” Moosa saw a dog and exclaimed, “This is strange! What has happened?” His interior has become manifest in this way! Jibraeel said, “He was always after wealth.”
The wealth worshipper man’s interior is like an animal. An ant is very greedy in gathering provision. Anyone whose only ambition is to gather wealth is bound to get the shape of an animal in the Hereafter.

Inattentiveness in Prayer
Asrarus Salat by Shahid Thani (a.m.) has a tradition related from the Holy Prophet (‘s): “One who turns his face this side and that, during Prayer, does he not fear that God Almighty will make his face like a donkey?”
The Shahid says, “What is meant here is the form of the heart.” His otherworldly appearance will be like that of a donkey. He does not know before whom or in front of whom he is standing. What does he intend to do? We should try to emulate the Imams. Amirul Mo-mineen (‘a) and Hasan Mujtaba (‘a) were trembling at the time of Prayer. At least do not be disrespectful. One, who does not show respect for God Almighty, is no different from an animal.
If Allah wishes He can make the otherworldly appearance manifest here in this world also. But for this Ummah of Muhammad (‘s) the matter is postponed till the Day of Judgment.
O Lord! Who displays the goodness and Who hides the bad deeds!
O God! Make my interior like my outward appearance, that is, good looking. May it not be so that I remain like a man in this world, but God forbid, I become an animal (in the Hereafter).
In a narration it is said that there are some whose faces are like men but their hearts like Satan’s.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
And if We please We would certainly put out their eyes, then they would run about groping for the way, but how should they see? And if We please We would surely transform them in their place, then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return. And whomsoever We cause to live long, We reduce (him) to an abject state in constitution; do they not then understand? (36:66-68)

Haste in punishment to prevent the convict from flight
So far we have discussed upto the point where God mentions two kinds of chastisements for the disbelievers. It is also a warning to those whom God gave eyes to see the signs of God and take lesson. He made you look at the growing of vegetables from the earth, to understand the Might of God. At the end of this Surah, He says that such seeing should give you the proof of the hereafter. But what a pity that they normally drown themselves in the bounties but never see the One Who gave these bounties!
Verily a man to whom God gave eyes but he does not see and observe the signs of God’s Might deserves that he should be blinded. So He says, “They are such that their eyes should be wiped out.” Man is born with under-developed senses like an insect, which only has the feelings of touch and taste. He gains other faculties gradually. At the end of his life he again, if he gets a long life, becomes like a newborn child. His sight and hearing go away and his memory stops functioning. God, Who takes away these powers gradually in the old age of man, can do this in an instant in the Hereafter.
Moreover just as these verses are arguments for the former people, they are for Muslims also so that they may take lesson.

Benefit from the bounty of youth
O Youths! Who have not yet reached the old age, derive benefit from the bounty of youth. Your body is perfect and healthy. As long as your ears function, listen to the sermons of knowledge and morals. So far as your eyes can see, look at the signs of God and take lessons, read traditions and Quran. So long as your legs are working, attend and go to the gatherings of knowledge and see learned people and attend masjids and Holy graves.
Gain honor, be it in genuflection (Rukoo), prostration or while standing in Prayer. In every condition take benefit of the God-given strength.
Imam Sadiq (‘a) reportedly, used to recite the recitations of bowings and prostrations etc. five hundred times (the narrator says that he counted only this much). It is mentioned in Kashful Ghummah that Imam Sajjad (‘a) used to recite words of divine glorification and submission a thousand times. But as the age advances, this strength does not remain. Man is not able to arise at mid-night in winter, to make ablution and try to remain in prostration for an hour.
Make the most of five things before the arrival of their opposites
It is quoted in Majlisi’s Ainul Hayat that the Holy Prophet (‘s) once said, “O Abu Zar! Take benefit of five things before you face their opposites. Youth before old age,” Religious responsibility starts from the beginning till at the most thirty-three or forty years of age. Beyond forty it is old age. O those who have not reached forty! Appreciate your youthfulness. Do not spend your prime life in wrongdoing. Inability in childhood, mischief making in youth and weakness in old age! When would you worship God?
Take full benefit of your needlessness before you enter the state of neediness. Before you are unable to do things, do as many good deeds as possible. A man who is healthy and safe must make most of these bounties before they are taken away from him or he falls ill.
One of the scholars fell in trouble. He was unable to speak as he was in a coma. O those who are able to move your tongues easily! Remember that a time will come when you will want to utter the Kalima (Testimony of faith) or a word by your tongue but you will not be able to do so. So take benefit of your ability now.
A man faces several calamities in his life. One who is well to do now should make provision for the onward journey towards God by remembering Him more and more. He should act before he is disabled.
The most important matter is that man must make the most of his life before his death. Every breath is a pearl, which leads you towards God as mentioned in a supplication of Imam Zainul Aabedeen (‘a). Seek it from God in right earnest. My Lord! Kindly make me successful in what I will be asked tomorrow on the Day of Judgment. Give me respite in the few years, which are left from my life so that I may pass them completely in Your worship and in Your service.

God makes you strong from a weak state and again returns you to weakness
From the first moment of conception in womb, from the very start of creation, it is strengthening and gaining of physical abilities. Man’s creation is complete after four months. Then, after the blowing of spirit in the body, the baby gets strength to be born physically.
Surely We have created man from a small life-germ uniting (itself): We mean to try him, so We have made him hearing, seeing. (76:2)
The last period of attaining strength, as per a narration from Imam Sadiq (‘a), is the age of thirty-three. Perhaps, it is so in most cases. One who attains the age of thirty-three years is the one for whom it is said: He has reached the age of perfection. It is stagnation from the age of thirty-three to forty years, during which the strength neither increases nor decreases. After this, it is the downward line on graph, the arch showing a marked decline of strength.
“Nakasa” in Arabic means returning or coming back. Now one returns to weakness after gaining strength. Just as his strength was growing year after year upto the age of thirty-three, now after forty, it goes on decreasing. Whatever was given to him is now being taken back:
Allah is He Who created you from a state of weakness then He gave strength after weakness, then ordained weakness and hoary hair after strength… (30:54)
The teeth, which grew from childhood, now begin to weaken. “Nakasa” in creation means growing weakness in the body. It may reach to such an extent that one becomes absolutely senseless knowing nothing.
And Allah has created you, then He causes you to die, and of you is he who is brought back to the worst part of life, so that after having knowledge he does not know anything… (16:70)

Weakness shows up year after year or even earlier
Some have mentioned that from the age of forty it is declining and taking away of strength and ability, which man can see himself in his appearance year after year. For example, if one takes his photograph at the age of forty-one and if he looks at his physical features after a year comparing it with the previous year’s photo, he would notice the weakness himself. This decline can be seen every month between fifty and sixty years. By the passing of every month one notices his weakness. This downward trend can then be seen on a weekly basis from the age of sixty to seventy years. Then from seventy to eighty years one can observe this change on a daily basis. From eighty to ninety years it is noticed every hour. After that there is decline with every breath.
Then, if he still remains alive he again becomes like a baby. All his faculties are gone and he understands nothing. Such is the case most of the time. Of course, some see this decline even before forty and in others it is after a long time. But, according to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (‘s), “The life span of most of my Ummah is between sixty and seventy years.”
Another narration says that those who are between sixty and seventy are in the battlefield of death.
There is a tradition in vol. 3 of Biharul Anwar wherein the narrator says, “We were with Imam Sadiq (‘a) on the outskirts of Medina. The Imam looked at Uhad Mountain and asked the narrator, ‘Can you see the crevice in the mountain?’ ‘Yes sir”, I replied. The Imam said, ‘But I can see it no more.’ When I asked, “What happened?” He replied, “I have become old. Weak eyesight is a sign of old age. The second sign is the bending of back and the third feebleness of legs.”
So understand that you are in control of God
…do they not then understand? (36:68)
The first thing to be understood by man is this weakness, which proves that he is under the absolute control of God.
And He is the Supreme, above His servants… (6:61)
It is clear to you where He brought you from your cradle and then again brought you back towards weakness. Therefore, know that you are under nourishment of someone else Who makes you youthful and then makes you aged; Who gives you strength and then takes it back. It is not in your control.

Three wishes of the prince
In the details about Alexander, it is mentioned that he once asked the prince of a country annexed by him, “Be my attendant and come along with me. I will give you whatever you ask.” The prince said, “I have only three needs if you can fulfill them. Firstly make me retain my youth forever.” “I cannot do that for myself,” confessed Alexander. The prince continued, “Secondly, ensure that I remain healthy and strong and lastly, make me immortal.” Alexander said, “I cannot provide any of these and neither can anyone else.”
All this is by the Source of Power, God Himself. All doctors with all their medical appliances, aids and equipments cannot stop, defer, or postpone death. So everyone should know that they are helpless servants in total control of God alone.
Allah sets forth a parable: (consider) a slave, the property of another, (who) has no power over anything… (16:75)

Attain good abilities by forty
Do you not ponder over your weakness and frailty so that you may realize that the giver and recollector, the preserver, the bestower of strength and the confiscator is He and only He? Stop being egoistic as you are actually a subject ruled over by the Supreme King, that is Allah; so your attitude and behavior should also be like that of a subject.
Also do you not realize from this decline of strength that this would finally end in death? So, until you reach the age of decline make the most of your strength. During the remaining years of your life, provide oil for the lamp of life, which would be put out some day; so that when it is off you may have something with you. Before the end of your life, do something for yourself. That is why it is said, “Toil until you have not reached the age of forty.” Cultivate good habits and desired virtues. Be an intelligent servant and subject. Whatever you earn by the age of forty will remain with you thereafter.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
And if We please We would surely transform them in their place, then they would not be able to go on, nor will they return. And whomsoever We cause to live long, We reduce (him) to an abject state in constitution; do they not then understand? (36:67-68)

We can make your exterior like your interior
Allah says:
And if We please We would surely transform them in their place
The hint is towards the end of deniers and polytheists who revolt despite so many verses being recited to them. They have blinded their internal eye. It deserves that, “We also make them blind in such a manner that they cannot see and recognize their path.” Thus they deserve to be disfigured by Us. We may dry them up wherever they are so that they become like a stone whereby they may not be able to move forward or backward. They deserve this treatment. Those who do not shiver at such admonishment deserve that their faces become like their hearts.
Their mentality is like beasts. They are like wolves or other carnivorous animals. It is, therefore, better that We make their exterior like their interiors like We did with the People of Sabt; who, when they woke up found themselves transformed into monkeys and pigs.
So, if We wish We can do this, but it is a divine strategy to give respite, perhaps they may return to the right path. Had it been so that every man who sinned is put to instant chastisement there would be no life on earth any more.
And if Allah had destroyed men for their iniquity, He would not leave on the earth a single creature… (16:61)
Rather, they should be given respite. Perhaps, they may feel ashamed and show regret. Even if they do not regret they cannot escape from the kingdom of God. Where can a sinner servant flee from God’s reach? God can take revenge from him any moment. It is divine mercy that you are treated kindly, but when you cross the limits, God puts you to shame.

Husain releases the stuck hands
A sinful man was so reckless that he did not hesitate to look at and touch a stranger lady and he committed such a sin in the precincts of the Holy Ka’ba at Hajre Ismail, where people pray for forgiveness. A woman had clung to the curtain of Ka’ba when that fellow placed his hand over that of the lady’s. Suddenly the hands got stuck and a shamefulness scene was created. According to what is mentioned in Manaqib, they were taken to a Qazi in the masjid who said, “There is no way to separate these hands except by cutting them apart with a knife.”
It was the time of the arrival of Husain (‘a) to the mosque. So when he came, these two persons were brought to him. The Imam first took a promise from the man that he would never again indulge in such a sin. Then he prayed to God Almighty, brought his own hand between the stuck up hands and separated them.

Her face stuck when she turned it during Prayer
It is mentioned in volume 12 of Biharul Anwar that a woman had a bent back whose husband took another wife. The second wife was always on the look out for her rival. One day, her husband came home when she was praying. He went in to the first wife while the second wife in the state of Prayer, turned her face to see what the man was doing. Her neck remained in that condition forever.
The respected scholar, Shahid Thani has also narrated this event in his book Asrarus Salat. Thus one who turns the face this way or that during Prayer should be afraid that God might make his face like that of an ass.
The poor woman requested her husband to call for a physician. All who knew were of the opinion that if the neck is turned forcibly it may break the bones. At once they came to Imam Moosa bin Ja’far (‘a) who asked her to perform repentance. After she made a sincere repentance, the Imam extended his Holy hand and corrected her neck.

Prevent open breach of fasting
O sinners and reckless people! It is heard that eating and drinking openly during the fasting month has become common. Are those Muslim shopkeepers who see people openly breaking the fasting rules like this and keep quiet, in the words of Ali (‘a), they are the living dead. O moving corpse! O silent spectators! Do you not fear God? You must prevent and prohibit such shameless disobedience of divine laws. Even if one is a traveler, he should not eat or drink openly during Ramadan.
That Allah can change the condition and appearance of people is proved by the changes in our body as we become older.
And whomsoever We cause to live long, We reduce (him) to an abject state in constitution; do they not then understand? (36:68)

Honoring the aged protects one from the great terror
Islam has made many recommendations in favor the old and aged people. It is obligatory for every Muslim to take care of his aged father and mother. If you give them discomfort, first of all, it is possible that you will see its result in this world. If you are spared here, your Hereafter is certainly in danger. Besides this, every Muslim has the duty respecting aged people. Everyone whose hair has become grey while he or she was a Muslim is entitled to respect from every Muslim. If he is unable to walk properly, give him support by placing your hand under his arm. If he needs anything it must be provided to him. Help him in every way. Among the things, which protect one from the fear of the Day of Judgment, is “Honoring the hair, which has become grey in the state of Islam”.
…do they not then understand?
How is it that one who has observed gradual changes during the lifetime, does not think of the Almighty God’s might to disfigure or remove faces? Just look at your photograph taken in youth and compare it with your face in the mirror. “Verily We are able to turn him into forms, which are worse than monkeys and swines.”

Abilities ripen in old age
Man is having two directions: Creation and Command.
…surely His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds. (7:54)
Man has a body and a soul and the matter of decline refers to “creation” (physique or body construction). Bodily strength goes on decreasing so much so that he becomes the lowest in ability like a senseless baby. However, as for the soul, it can take man to perfection; but only if from his youth, he has strengthened, perfected and purified it. If he has reformed himself by the age of forty and become a real human, that is, he has freed himself from love of wealth, sensuality, materialism etc. If he has become a perfect monotheist, and is not affected by anyone except Allah; he has nothing like lust, jealousy, miserliness, hypocrisy and he does not harm anyone, he is a reformed man. A dog bites a man and not the other way round, but there are some who use their teeth like dogs, with a difference that, whereas a dog injures a body, this fellow injures the heart of a man. Thus if one reforms himself in ones youth, one improves himself in such a way that all the virtues become habits. Then these virtues improve and become perfect after forty.
Woe unto him who became undisciplined during his youth, turned towards every prohibited thing, became self-seeker, self-worshipper and comfort lover. By the age of forty, these habits become stronger.
It is narrated that if one does not improve himself by forty, the Satan kisses his forehead saying, “May I be sacrificed for the one from whom no one can hope for good.”
And whomsoever We cause to live long, We reduce (him) to an abject state in constitution…
It is said that this decline is for the body, not for the soul. “We reduce him to an abject state in constitution”. Though his body goes on weakening, his spirit becomes stronger in old age, regarding the virtues cultivated during his youth. If he had been a generous person in his youth and was also kind and forgiving, his virtues become stronger in his old age so much so that he is ready to sacrifice his life in the path of God. While seeing the angel of death, he gives up his life happily.
This life which was given to me by the friend as a trust.
When I see His face, I submit it to him readily. (Persian Couplet)
Woe to the one who hoarded wealth and did not spend out of it in the way of Allah. This miserliness and lust intensify during old age.
When a faithful virtuous man reaches the age of ninety. A voice is heard: O prisoner of God on earth, God has pardoned all of your past and future sins.
Thus in advanced age, man is humility from head to toe. That is why Muslims are ordered, “O Muslims! Respect old people. Be kind to them; honor them.”
Prime time worships recorded in the old age scroll of deeds
Look at the old and aged people. God keeps calamities away from the places where they live, because they have earned God’s mercy.
If he had appreciated his youthfulness, all good deeds of his prime time, will be recorded for old age that has come to him or her.
It is mentioned in narrations that if one had worshipped God during youth it will be recorded in his scroll even if he is unable to worship in his age of infirmity.
O those who have not yet reached the age of forty, move your hands and feet so that you get its reward hereafter.
Imam Zainul Aabedeen (‘a) prays, “O Lord! Extend my life as long as I spend it in Your worship. But when my life turns into a grazing field for Satan, and when it begins to be spent in Your disobedience, when I turn away from the path of Your worship, give me death before Your anger falls on me and I become entitled to Your chastisement.”