fact that one group was comparatively more self-sufficient in one
commodity or not accustomed to its use, provided the impetus for the
barter system with respect to precious objects instead of money. People,
therefore, began to choose things that were exquisite, exotic, scarce, and
long-lasting. Man then began to shape them by cutting and selecting the
good material, and by making them big or small, imposed a kind of
uniformity upon them. He began to carve inscriptions, figures, and
patterns upon them but in such a way that their original shape would
remain.
God has enabled man to overcome adversity through the bestowal of
different means for his defence and wisdom; He guided him through wisdom towards His Signs. He then sent Prophets for the rectification of
man's Hereafter. Kings were appointed His Viceregents, so that they
would establish justice and equity in matters of religion.
Thus God, through His boundless Compassion and Mercy, filled the
earth with heavy objects below the high mountain ranges before the advent of man upon earth, so that he would excavate these to his own advantage. And God, therefore, says:
And the earth have We spread out, and placed therein firm
hills, and caused each seemly thing to grow therein. 12
God has concentrated all the occupations and professions of man in
silver and gold. These metals are used in fixing the prices of objects.
God guided man towards his acquisition of these metals, and he, therefore, brought them out of the mines where they were languishing for
ages immemorial. He kept them safe from the deceits practised by adulterants and by melting them he freed them from dross. Each good has
an evil counterpart. And the proponents of an evil want that evil cause
be propagated. Need, therefore, arose for the practitioners of good
and they were elected to act as Caliphs among men, so that they might
fulfil God's commandments, establish justice and equity, and look at the
downtrodden, weak and the noble and high as one in their eyes. May
God vouchsafe to them the capacity to pursue this goal!
Pause
When God made life and livelihood easier through gold and silver,
men became enamoured of them: their hearts began to be drawn towards
them, just as gold and silver pass from one hand to the other. Men became greedy in acquiring and storing them, and both, therefore, attained
a high status. This high status did not come to them because of their intrinsic nature but because of the barter system initiated by man. Nor are
these metals of a high status from any juridical consideration. Both are
stones (metals). By themselves they can neither satisfy appetite nor
slake thirst. Nor are they capable of doing away with any trouble or
