By: Raya Shokatfard
In part 3 we had extensive coverage on the creation of heavens and the Earth. We also clarified some alleged contradictions and indicated that Allah only speaks the truth; and our lack of understanding of some verses should only encourage us to learn and dig deeper for better insight.
Now the Messenger of Islam (peace be upon him) is being addressed by Allah:
{But if they turn away, then say (O Muhammad): “I have warned you of a Sa’iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) like the Sa’iqah which overtook ‘Ad and Thamud (people).”} (41:13)
There are numerous warnings in the Quran about nations of the past who belied their messengers and continued their rebellion against Allah and His warnings. They met their doom in utter destruction. But would later nations take heed?
{When the Messengers came to them, from before them and behind them (saying): “Worship none but Allah” They said: “If our Lord had so willed, He would surely have sent down the angels. So indeed we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent.”} (14)
The disbelievers used any excuse to shun their messengers. It is noteworthy to mention that they did, indeed, believe in Allah. Many in today’s world also claim that they believe that God exists, but that is as far as they go.
The messages of the Prophets are mocked at or discredited. There is no personal relationship in existence with God. Some may even put forth demands in order to believe such as the above verse.
Here, they claimed that if the message was true, then why did Allah not send down angels?
In other verses they made various demands and miracles from their prophets in order to believe. Yet, Allah assured Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that even if they were given all that they demanded, they would still not believe.
{As for ‘Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations)!} (15)
The above verse is a similar case in which other, so called mighty nations, also met their own destruction in humility.
{So We sent upon them furious wind in days of evil omen (for them) that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life, but surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped.} (16)
Had they believed in the Afterlife, perhaps their heart would have been softer with fear and respect for the Creator. But it is only on the Judgment day that the truth dawns on them – but a bit too late for them.
{And as for Thamud, We showed and made clear to them the Path of Truth (Islamic Monotheism) through Our Messenger, (i.e. showed them the way of success), but they preferred blindness to guidance, so the Sa’iqah (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit, a thunderbolt) of disgracing torment seized them, because of what they used to earn.} (17)
Many Prophets came with signs, miracles and proofs, but were met with ridicule and resistance.
Some people think that Allah sends messengers with a message and if people disobey, they are destroyed right away.
If we have a closer look at history behind many of such stories/warnings, one will find that this was not an overnight warning and immediate destruction. Noah warned his people most of his life, which was over 900 years, other prophets took years to advise their people. It took Moses many years to warn Pharaoh and his people before he finally departed and the pursuing Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea.
Many Prophets came with signs, miracles and proofs, but were met with ridicule and resistance. The final end of such towns was not until all were warned and ample time was given.
In all these cases, Allah saved the believers from the final destruction. This was also to make them reminders for succeeding generations.
{And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah, keep their duty to Him and avoid evil.} (18)
It is quite heart shaking to read Allah calling a group, His enemies. Who are they?
{And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, then they will be driven [(to the fire), former ones being withheld till their later ones will join them].} (19)
The idolaters are enemies of Allah for ascribing partners to Him and insisting on such horrible behavior. This is a reminder to them on how their ends will be. This is like persons driven out of their houses without their will to another place. Here, it is to the fire that they are all gathered.
{Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do.} (20)
In various verses, Allah has mentioned that all inanimate objects, like the sun, the moon, the rocks and all that is in heavens and earth prostrate to Him. This means they are given some kind of consciousness, but we do not understand it, as stated by Allah.
So, it is not unlikely that Allah has also given such consciousness, in forms not known to us, to our limbs and organs. Otherwise, how would they be witnesses against the actions of the wrong doers?
Some scholars are on the view that our limbs are aware of sins and wrong doings of their owners in this world, but unable to communicate. This ability is given to them on the Day of Judgment.
The limbs also glorify Allah by saying He is the one who made us and also everything else to speak.
There is not only the book of records that one cannot deny its truthfulness, we also have our limbs that will be witness against the deniers of truth once standing in the final trial.
{And they will say to their skins, “Why have you testified against us?” They will say, “We were made to speak by Allah , who has made everything speak; and He created you the first time, and to Him you are returned.} (21)
The question asked by the sinner is more of an awe and wonder – as if this is unbelievable. How could you do this to me and who made you talk like this?
Let us stop and think for a second! Our limbs are given the status of one with a brain and intellect, which is something possessed by humans.
In Arabic the plural of inanimate objects is in a singular female form. Here it should say Qalat, but instead, it says Qaloo, which is only referred to human or one with intellect. This is the condition in which one can use speech.
The limbs also glorify Allah by saying He is the one who made us and also everything else to speak.
Allah then adds here that it is He that created you in the first place and your final end is also to Him. Thus He is the owner and commander of all things.
{And you were not hiding yourselves, lest your hearing testify against you or your sight or your skins, but you assumed that Allah does not know much of what you do.} (22)
Here, the organs and skins will say to them, when they blamed them for testifying against them, you did not hide from us what you used to do, on the contrary, you openly committed disbelief and sin, and you claimed that you did not care, because you did not believe that Allah knew about all your deeds. [i]
{And that was your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has brought you to ruin, and you have become among the losers.} (23)
Such a powerful statement from one’s own limbs and organs!
To be continued…
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Published on: Tuesday, 12 August 2014