In the Quran Allah, God- Almighty, has addressed to different groups of people, which we have studied in our earlier video – “Audience of the Quran”. One of the groups discussed in that video was “mankind”, so let’s study “O Mankind” verses.

Quran was revealed some 1440 years ago as a guidance to entire mankind. The verses revealed in the Quran to this group generally start with the address “O Mankind” or sometime it goes with “O children of Adam”.

As per Quran every human has knowledge of God ingrained in his or her conscious, but sometime due to external environmental and social affects, this knowledge slips deep down in our conscious. So essentially verses of the Quran are not new to mankind, they are just reminders of what already exists deep within our conscious. For this reason, a person will find the verses of the Quran in line with her or his nature.

Addressing few verses to the entire mankind as “O Mankind” is very significant, because of such addresses, instructions and admonitions revealed in the Quran are still applicable to us today. By virtue of these addresses, God Almighty has closed the doors for later generations to argue against Him that they did not receive any message. It is also important to note that verses mentioned in the Quran are still relevant today in this age and time.

Usually through O mankind verses, entire mankind is reminded of the things like,

Oneness of Allah, favors of Allah to humanity, His power, His attributes and His control over everything in this universe.

We are also reminded that the Quran is the true book of guidance and prophet Muhammad is the true messenger, our attention is also drawn to the fact that everything around us in the universe have some purpose and they are designed with great care, intelligence and wisdom.

Day of Judgment is very difficult day, on that day we will be resurrected and brought back to God for reckoning of our deeds in this world. The person who had faith in one True God and who performed good deeds in this world will get abundant rewards, while lack of faith in God and evil deeds, will invite harsh punishment.

In essence, human kind is reminded to believe in prophet Muhammad PBUH,  have faith in the Quran and in the Allah and worship Him alone, be mindful of Him all the time and not associate anyone or anything with Him. If we choose to follow this guidance we do it for our own benefit and if we ignore this. we do it at our own risk.

We will study few verses addressed to mankind,

7.10:57-58: 

O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”    

The word instruction here has been used for the Quran. God tells mankind that He has sent us instructions and advice in the form of the Quran, to deal with every situation in our life. The Quran also contains a cure for all the diseases of the heart like, doubts, fear, anxiety, anger, rage, jealousy, greed, arrogance and so on. Mankind is facing on daily basis and Quran has the cure for it. It is further said when someone believes in the Quran, it truly becomes Guidance and Mercy for that person.

Next verse refers the Quran as bounty of Allah and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His Mercy. Further the Quran enjoins mankind to be celebrate these two blessings and informs us  that these two are better than all the wealth we are collecting.   

8 10:108 Quran

Say, “O mankind, the truth has come to you from your Lord, so whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever goes astray only goes astray against it. And I am not over you a keeper.” 

Human heart seeks truth, purpose and meaning of life. This verse informs mankind that truth has come to them from their Lord in the form of the Quran and everyone can choose his or her way as they please after the truth has come them from their Lord. The Prophet is not required to force the people to follow divine guidance. His obligation is only to convey the message and leave them to choose freely. The burden of following the right path lies with individual. If they choose guidance they do it for their own benefit and if they disregard it, it is to their own loss.

Now, though the prophet is not amongst us today, the verse is still applicable. The burden of following right path still lies with every individual and the truth is available in the form of Quran even today. So, there is no excuse for us not to follow the right path.

10. 22: 5-6 

O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed – that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will (wish) for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child…..  

These verses are given to mankind to remove their doubts about the resurrection. If we pay attention to our own life cycle – from a sperm drop, to a piece of flash, to a wonderful child, to full fledge person, full of energy and passion, to an old age, weak and fragile, where we cannot do anything, we can’t remember anything, we need help of others on every step. it becomes crystal clear that this is not a random thing and there is some profound sophisticated planning is behind these. Then if someone is capable of creating this amazing cycle then sure that power can resurrect us as well.

May peace and guidance be upon entire humanity.