The Qualities of True Believers--By Sayyid Qutb

The Suraah Opens with three Arabic letters:"ALIF ,LAM, MIM"(Verse 1)This is immediately followed by the statment :"This is the book ,there is no doubt about it,a guidance for the God-fearing".(Verse 2)

Several Suraahs in the Qur'an begin with a combination of Arabic letters in this way ,and interpretation of these abstract opening very quite widely.The one we tend to favour is that these are meant to emphasize the fact that the Qur'an is a book composed of the letters of the Arabic Language ,in the same way as they are used by the Arabs who were the first people addressed by the divine revelation .Nevertheless,it is such an unparalleled and transcendent work that no Arab writer,using the same letters and the same language ,could ever match its majesty and power.Rivals are repeatedly challenged to compose a Book similar to it ,or only ten surahs ,or even a single surah,of matching Qualitiy.No one has ever been able to take up the challenge.

This is true for all God's creation .soil for example ,is made up of elements of known properties.The best man has been able to make out of soil is bricks ,tiles,Vessels and structures of various types and uses ,which are in some cases very sophisticated.But using these same elements ,God has created life ,the one outstanding secret that remains for beyond man's intellectual and creative abilities.

Similarly the same letters and words that ordinary people ,speaking the language of the Qur'an ,use to articulate expressions and convey meanings and concepts,are used by God to produce the Qura'n as definitive book stating the final and absolute distinction between truth and falsehood.A comparison between Man's work and the work of God is simply not possible ;it is comparison between the image and the reality ,between the deadbody and the living soul.

"This is the book ;there is no doubt about it a guidance for the God-fearing".(verse 2)
The key word in this statment is 'guidance '.it expresses the essence and the nature of the Qur'an .But guidance for whom?who are the people who will find that this Book provides them with light,direction and true counsel.?they are the God-fearing.

Once a man's heart is filled with the fear of God ,he will benefit by the Qur'an.fear and consciousness of God is the quality that open's one's mind to the true guidance contained in the Qura'n and allows it to have its proper effect on one's life.It is the factor that causes one's heart and mind to become sensitive and receptive to God's guidance and enables one to respond to his call and his instruction.

Anyone seeking the benefit and Godly wisdom of the Qura'n must approach it with an open mind and a pure heart .One must also approach it with perception and sensitivity,and with a determination not to fall by the wayside or be tempted away from god.Then,and only then will the marvels and treasures of the Qur'an be opened and reavealed  ,and their light and wisdom will pour into this apprehnsive ,alert and welcoming heart.

It is reported that 'Umar Bin AL Khitab 'a close companion of the prophet and his second successor ,asked the learned companion ,Ubayy ibn ka'b ,about the true meaning of 'fear of God'.

Ubayy asked umar "have you ever walked along a throny road?"yes Certainly umar replied.
Ubayy asked again ,"how did you manage to get throug it?"'umar replied ',"I gathered up my clothes and tried my best to avoid the thorns".

"This is precisely what God-fearing is like",said ubayy