The Majestic Quran

may take others in employment” (32). Without this there would be no rank and file to help civilisations to flourish. To illustrate how wealth and power can corrupt people, the Quran gives the example of the Pharaoh: “The Pharaoh declared to his people, ‘My people, is not the country of Egypt and all these rivers flowing beneath my feet mine?’” (51). The Pharaoh despised Moses simply because the latter did not have “golden bracelets”. The Quran teaches, this is a mean and miserly attitude. Their persistent objection to the Glorious Quran is rejected: “This Quran is a great honour for you and your people; you will be questioned about it” (44). The Makkans were rude about the Prophet Jesus : “Whenever the example of the son of Mary is given, your people kick up a fuss about it, and say, “Are our gods better or is he?’” (57–58). The Quran praises him and announces his return as the sign of the Final Hour. The purpose of revelation is to caution people about the consequences of their actions in this life, and to motivate them to accept the truth. To achieve this it presents vivid descriptions of life in Paradise and life in Hell: “ They will be told, ‘Enter the Garden, you and your spouses together happily.’ Food and drink in golden trays and cups shall be passed around. Everything that one desires and the eyes delight in will be there; here you will live forever. This is the Garden you are made heirs of, a reward for what you did. Here you will have plenty of fruit to eat from” (70–73). This is vividly contrasted with the misery of Hell (74–78). The chapter opened with the loving and the forgiving nature of God, and ends by advising: “ Prophet, forgive them and say, ‘Peace’; they will come to know” (89). In the name of God, the Kind, the Caring