ABSURD AND IMPOSSIBLE EXPECTATION (VERSE NO. 158)

      The heathens were drowned in their obstinacy and absurdity and had impossible expectations! They wanted to talk with the angels, and see the omnipotent God with their limited and weak sighted eyes, and possibly have a chat with Him too!

      Their likeness is that of an obstinate and dogged murderer with many clear proofs and evidences that he is the killer; but he expects the judge in the court, to raise the dead and bring the killed in the court, to testify that: ``Yes it so happened that he killed me with such and such! Do they expect anything else except the angels to come to them, or else, your Lord comes down!''

      So the faithless waits for things which will not happen, but the righteous man waits to see the results of his endeavours and good deeds. ``Let them wait, and we too are waiting.'' Says Quran.

FAITH WITHOUT GOOD DEEDS IS OF NO USE!

      The verse also implies that salvation is the result of two things; simulataneous - faith and good deeds. Faith is belief in things that we do not see them with our physical eyes and senses of vision and else; but we can understand them with our inner eyes, and spiritual senses. Among these invisibles we can name Allah, Angels, revelations, the soul or spirit and the like. In a practical religious sense; belief is trust in God, and if so, it must result in deeds of righteousness, which are evidences of true faith.

      Of course it can be that the faithful too, might have some error and straying, and stumble over a sin, but soon they will get up and repent and amend their wrongs. If someone believes, but does not do anything good and useful, and on contrary does not avoid any evil deed, how can such a one expect a fruitful life to come, when he has not planted a tree, nor has he sowed a seed!?