A warning

When angels take the souls of those who die in sin, against their souls they say: "In what (plight) were ye?" The souls reply: "weak and oppressed were we in the earth".

The angels say: "Was not the earth of God spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell, What an evil refuge! (Nisaa verse 93, The Holy Koran, Text and Translation and Commentary, by Abdullah Yusufali, Tahrike Tarsile Koran, Inc., New York, 1988, p. 211).

This is a warning to those who lie and engage in hypocrisy, including: business tycoons and hoarders who exploit the poor and economically disadvantaged; corrupt government officials who pretend they care about the nation and the poor but actually only care about themselves, their families and their pockets; politicians and religious leaders who say the right things but act the opposite, or who act saintly in public but behave the opposite in private; the people's representatives who do not speak the truth and lie for the sake of their positions, power and wealth; developed nations who pretend they want to help but actually want to destroy other nations for their own interests and gains; investors who grab properties including assets, lands, estates, to manipulate and control the economy and exploit the poor; currency speculators who use their power and wealth to deprive people of their means of survival; people or nations who pretend they are friends but in actuality, they are enemies and want to take advantage of the people's plight and sufferings.

Unfortunately, most of them are not true believers. They will find out for themselves when they face their own death. They even still lie when questioned by the angels! Hell is their punishment and permanent residence! It may take time for the delivery of their punishment but it will come.

K. PRIBADI

Cimahi, West Java