Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.
Why does old age turn into ‘abject’ old age for the common man? The reason is that he makes no thrilling discoveries. The Quran is a book of wisdom, but its wisdom is hidden between the lines. Only when one reflects upon its verses does one discover that hidden wisdom. This experience gives one the thrilling feeling of coming upon a treasure trove. Research has established that a person’s body is subject to degeneration, but the mind is not. The mind is free of decrepitude. If saved in time, the mind can be alive forever. p. 267original + quote
The Quran is a book of God, enshrining the wisdom of nature. A source of divine secrets, it has to be rediscovered every day. p. 266
But this capacity of the mind is a potentiality. It is only those who can turn this potentiality into actuality who will enjoy a new lease of mental life. And this can be achieved only through reflection. But those who have no such habit and simply recite the Quran cannot benefit from this enormous potential of the mind. By birth everyone has this potential, but only those can avail of it who are ready to go beyond their own biases. p. 267
What is reflection upon the Quran? It is trying to go beyond its apparent meaning. It is endeavouring to find out the wisdom hidden between the lines. It is to retain its verses in your mind while trying to act according to its deeper meaning by means of serious study. p. 267
The Quran covers all the subjects in nature. It refers to all the great wisdom hidden in creation, so one who ponders upon the verses of the Quran will certainly discover in them a more sublime meaning again and again. And on each occasion this discovery will enliven his mind. p. 267
Illogical Attitude p. 268
The Quran records divine disapproval of illogical argument and the making of baseless allegations. According to Islamic teaching, one must express one’s views with solid arguments, and all one’s statements must be reason-based. As far as the making of allegations is concerned, it is taboo in Islam. This is made clear in the chapter Al-Qalam (The Pen) of the Quran. The relevant verses are translated as follows: p. 268original + quote
Do not yield to any contemptible swearer of oaths or to any defamer or one who spreads slander, or to one who places obstacles in the way of good being done. (68:10-12) p. 268Qur'an
These verses imply that the offenders are non-believers, for a true believer is not allowed to indulge in this kind of behaviour. If anyone claims that he is a Muslim and at the same time uses the language of allegation, he is behaving like those who are without the Islamic fold. p. 268