4 Preface وَما أَرسَلنا مِن رَسولٍ إِلّا بِلِسانِ قَومِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُم ۖ فَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَن يَشاءُ وَيَهدي مَن يَشاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ العَزيزُ الحَكيمُYusuf AliWe sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language1 of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now God leaves straying those whom He pleases:2 and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.If the object of a Message is to make things clear, it must be delivered in the language current among the people to whom the Messenger is sent. Through them it can reach all mankind. There is even a wider meaning for “language”. It is not merely a question of alphabets, letters, or words. Each age or people-or world in a psychological sense -casts its thoughts in a certain mould or form. God’s Message - being universal -can be expressed in all moulds and forms, and is equally valid and necessary for all grades of humanity, and must therefore be explained to each according to his or her capacity or receptivity. In this respect the Qur-ān is marvellous. It is for the simplest as well as the most advanced.“Whom He pleases”: the usual expression for Mashi'ah, the universal Will and Plan, which is All-Wise and on the highest plane of goodness and righteousness. (Cf. 16:93).