dation of all humankind’s material industries. Thus, the verse indicates: “The softening of iron was a great bounty bestowed on a great messenger and vicegerent of the earth as a great miracle. Making it as soft as dough and fine as a thread and smelting copper are the bases of most of the general industries.” Since wisdom was given to the tongue of a person who was both messenger and vicegerent, that is, to one who was both a spiritual and a material leader, and craft and industry were given him; the verse is on the one hand explicitly urging men towards the wisdom on his tongue, and on the other is implicitly encouraging them towards the craft in his hand. With the allusive tongue of this verse, Almighty God is implying this meaning:
“O children of Adam! I gave such wisdom to the tongue and heart of a servant of Mine who complied with my commands and obligations that he rendered judgement on everything with the finest distinction and made manifest the truth. And I gave him such art that he could mould iron into any shape in his hand as though it were wax. It was a significant means of power for his vicegerency and rule. Since it is possible, it is given. For it is important, and you are in much need of it in your social life. If you too obey my commands in creation, similar wisdom and craft will be given you. You will attain to it in the course of time and draw close to it.”
Thus, it has been through the softening of iron and smelting of copper that humankind has achieved its greatest progress in industry, and its greatest power and strength. In the verse, the word “qitr” is used to describe copper. These verses direct humanity’s sight towards this truth; as they sternly warned the people of former times who did not appreciate their importance, so they warn the lazy of modern times.
And, for example, the verse,
Said one who had knowledge of the Book: “I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye!” Then when [Solomon] saw it placed firmly before him,(27:40)
which points to the following wondrous event: in order to attract Bilkis’ throne to him, one of Solomon’s (Upon whom be peace) ministers who was versed in the science of attraction said: “I’ll have the throne here before you before you can blink your eyes.” The verse thus suggests that it is possible to bring either things themselves or their images to one instantaneously from far away. It is a fact that Almighty God bestowed this ability on Solomon (UWP) in the form of a miracle, to establish his innocence and justice. For being honoured with rulership in addition to his messengership, Solomon could in this way be informed of events in all the regions of his