3 Preface وَهٰذَا البَلَدِ الأَمينِYusuf AliAnd this City1 of security,—2“This City of security” is undoubtedly Mecca. Even in Pagan times its sacred character was respected, and no fighting was allowed in its territory. But the same City, with all its sacred associations, persecuted the greatest of the Prophets and gave itself up for a time to idolatry and sin, thus presenting the contrast of the best and the worst.Having discussed the four symbols in detail, let us consider them together. It is clear that they refer to God’s Light or Revelation, which offers man the highest destiny if he will follow the Way. Mecca stands for Islam, Sinai for Israel, and the Mount of Olives for Christ’s original and pure Message. It has been suggested that the Fig stands for the Ficus Indica, the Bo-tree, under which Gautama Buddha obtained Nirvana. I hesitate to adopt the suggestion, but if accepted it would cover pristine Buddhism and the ancient Vedic religions from which it was an offshoot. In this way all the great religions of the world would be indicated. But even if we refer the Fig and the Olive to the symbolism in their fruit, and not to any particular religion, the contrast of Best and Worst in man’s destiny remains, and that is the main thing.