Playing God

"All rights of this book are reserved for the publisher and the author. This copy is for reading purpose only. This copy cannot be uploaded on any website except those of the publisher and the author." Playing God: Misreading a Divine Practice 7 3. Realization of the Divine Practice in the Preaching of Messengers While describing the medium and methodology of this divine practice, Gh ā mid ī writes: The way this established practice about ris ā lah manifests i tsel f is that the Almighty selects His messenger s so th at reward and punishment can be meted out in this world through them before the actual Day of Judgement. It becomes a miniature rehearsal of w hat is going to take place on that Day. These messen gers are told that if they honour their covenant with God, they will be rewarded in this very world and if they do not do so, they will be punished in this very world. The result is that the very existence of these messengers becomes a sign of God, and it is as if their people can observe God walking on earth with these messengers and delivering His verdicts. On the basis of the signs of the truth that they have directly observed, they are directed to propagate the truth and present to the people with full certainty the guidance of God the way they have received it from Him. In the terminology of the Qur’ ā n, this is called shah ā dah . Once this is established, it becomes a basis of the judgement by the Almighty both in this world and in that to come. Consequently, the Almighty grants dominance to these messengers, and punishes those who reject the message presented by these messengers. 5 5. Gh ā mid ī , M ī z ā n , 70. www.javedahmadghamidi.com www.al-mawrid.org