THE TRACES OF GOD'S MERCY

    The reference here is to the importance of the winds which act as herald, bringing the good news that it may rain. They carry on the pieces of clouds, and put them together, then move them towards the dry lands, covering the sky overhead, then change the temperature and humidity, and make the clouds ready to rain.

      It may happen that the winds carry no good news for a townsfolk, but those who lived in the hot and dry deserts, like the ancient Arabs to whom a few drops of rain was vital, it was very hopeful to see the wind herald, and clouds compiling and gather together.

      Qurän generally puts the stress on the hopeful side of the winds, but the whole meaning is not confined to that, and the wind can also be the herald of bad news and God's wrath too.

Winds also serve to regulate the temperature of the air. They work to provide for the graduate extinction of putrefactions, and foul- smelling, by moving the air. the wind may reduce the heat temperature of the sun upon the Leves, and plants, to prevent sunburn. winds bring to man the oxygen which is freed from the green leaes of the trees. The winds fecundate many of the plants through self- pollination, and drive many wind -mills for man as a sourve of energy. They also drive the boats and are the signs of many blessings of Gond:-

      ``And of His signs is that; He sends the winds as bearers of glad-tidings, so as to make you taste of His Mercy, and to propel the ship by His command, that you may seek His Grace, and that you may give thanks.''

      Then in the next verse, besides the phenomenon of winds, mention is made of the Messengers of God who are also sent to their people as warners and as bearer of glad-tidings. They too carry the breath of God's Mercy, which may restore to life the dead hearts of men once again.

      Allah did send many Messengers before our prophet to their people. They came to them with more than enough evidences and many clear signs of our Lord, but they were belied and mocked at by the sinners. When their advices and warnings failed, Allah avenged the sinners for their oppressions and evil deeds, and saved the believers, because Allah has promised to help believers.

      Once again in the next verse (NO.48), the argument turns back to the winds which move on the clouds, and spread them here and there in the sky. Then wherever Allah will, they are compiled and collected into a volume, and out of them comes drops of rain, the pure water which is vital to all aspects of life, and God's servants will rejoice after their despair when they see the traces of God's Mercy.

WINDS

      Wind can be defined as, air in motion relative to the earth. It is usually described by giving its speed, and the direction or region from which it moves. Thus a north wind is one that blows from the north. The speed can be given by a suitable units such as mile per hour.

      Generally in our material life the winds play a very great role to the benefit of man. It sometimes might be of important loss too.

      The wind cools and purifies the air. It fertilizes the soil and pollinates the trees. Winds propel our ships and air-buses, making our international connections and communications. It helps rainings, that we know it the Mercy of God.

      Winds have a high rank among the important forces that shape the surface of the earth. They wear away rock materials and soil, and transport the materials over vast areas, and deposit them upon the earth.

      Wind has also a sand blasting effect. The sands that it carries through the air scratch and scrap whatever of surfaces they strike. If automobiles are driven in the sand storms, their paint may be worn off. The sand blasting effect of wind upon the rocks for a longer period of time is much greater. The effect is sometimes confined to scattered blocks and pebbles.

      Sometimes it happens so that many tons of dusts are removed by the wind from a given region, the consequences of which is unpredictable.

      Winds may influence the distribution of plants, for they affect the nature of soil. For example, high winds that cause shifting of the soil, will prevent the growth of many plants with shallow root system.

      In order that fertilization may take place the pollen grains have to be born from the anther to the stigma of the pistil. This transfer is called pollination which is sometimes done by the wind. The flowers of corn, wheat, oaks, elms, chestnuts, and many other plants are pollinated by the wind.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE