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than they can remains a claim only. Obviously what they would employ
as humlan (adulteration) would, to say the least, be corrupt. IRON
God has said:
"And He revealed iron, wherein is might, power and (many)
uses for mankind. . ,"133 No doubt, heavy things can be made to descend from Heaven. But this is not what God has implied. Descent here is meant to imply creation, and this created object is marked to be a corrective measure for man's benefit and defence. But it is the habit of people that they look expectantly forward to His succour and wrath, as God has said: "And in the heaven is your providence and that which you
are promised."134 Obviously what is meant here is that something descends from Heaven earthward, but it is not per se a thing which can be made to come down from Heaven, or transferred to some other place, or made to fly. Thus God says: "And we made the iron supple unto him; Saying: Make thou
long coats of mail and measure the links (thereof). . ."135 Sabighat here are the shields that are among the armamentaria of war, to ward off blows by the enemy, and save one's neck. Therefore, He has said: "And coats (of armour) to save you from your own foolhardiness.'136
He has endowed his creatures who can learn moral lessons and are prostrate in adoration, power to argue through wisdom, and likewise for the obdurate infidels. He has made iron to descend upon them. He has endowed man with rule so that he may exercise judgment, bring about equality, and make wise judgments in cases involving litigation. All these three things, He has brought about through His Command. Man cannot remain deprived of iron, as has been said by 'Adi bin Zayd: Send this message from me to 'Amir so that he may tell his brother
that I am tired oppressively by my tormentors. The scale of justice is in irons and a sentinel keeps watch upon
me. Man has to face all kinds of vicissitudes of fortune. Since inveterate criminals are not tamed without being manacled by iron fetters, chains, and ropes, they began to call the superintendent of the god, haddad, since he used to prescribe legal punishment for criminals, and for preventing them from committing criminal acts, employed these tools. The poet, Kashajim, says: This steel is the armament of war for warriors, and with it the barber
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