Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, the Faithful and the Honest. O Allah, we know nothing but what You teach us, You are the All-Knower, the Wise. O Allah our Lord, teach us what is useful for us, let us make use of what You have taught us and advance us in knowledge. O Allah, show us the righteous things as righteous and help us do them, and show us the bad things as bad and help us keep away from them. O Allah our Lord, make us amongst those who listen to the Word and follow the best meaning of It, and admit us, by Your Grace, to the ranks of Your righteous servants.
Dear noble brothers, this is the 3rd lesson on the interpretation of Surat Al-Mu'minun. Last lesson, we reached the following Noble Ayaat, in which Allah the Almighty says:
Then the Ayaat that come after them refer to some of Allah's Signs in the creation of the universe from which we can derive valuable lessons. The question that arises here is: What is the relation between the Noble Ayaat that refer to Allah's Signs in the creation of the universe and the Ayaat in which Allah the Almighty says the following?
The answer is that these Noble Ayaat mean: O man, if you want to be a true believer who possesses these qualities which enable one to inherit Paradise, then you should get to know Allah the Almighty through the path of reflection on Allah's Signs that are manifested in the creation of the universe.
It is as if Allah the Almighty has clarified to us our ultimate goal in life and the way to achieve it; our ultimate goal is to be true believers who offer prayer with submissiveness, avoid idle talk, give Zakah, guard our chastity, and fulfil the trust in order to inherit (to enter) Paradise, and the way to achieve this goal is to reflect upon Allah's Signs in His Creation. Allah the Almighty says:
Allah the Almighty shows us that the way to have deep faith in Him is to ponder over His Signs in His Creation and to pause for deep reflection to recognize His Greatness in His Creation, because the deeper your knowledge of Allah the Almighty is, the humbler and more submissive your heart becomes. Allah the Almighty says:
The adverb 'only' indicates restriction or limitation, meaning only those who have (deep) knowledge (of Allah), and no one other than them, truly fear Him, Glorified and Exalted be He. Thus, if you want to offer prayer with submissiveness, you should reflect upon Allah's Signs in the creation of the heavens and the earth.
Actually, man may pass by Allah's Signs heedlessly (i.e. with a lack of reflection on His Greatness in His Creation), like the disbelievers described in the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
A person should reflect on every sign of Allah's Creation, even on the smallest things around him. For example, when he drinks a cup of water, he should ask himself: What is the origin of this water? How was it once salty and bitter, and then it became sweet and fresh? Does one realize the role of various natural elements such as the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth, the seas, the air, the clouds, and the layers of the earth in the process of forming water so that he can drink this cup of water?
Similarly, when a person eats food or a piece of fruit, looks with delight at his young child or at breathtaking natural scenes such as a towering mountain, a vast sea, a verdant mountain, or a beautiful valley, and when he smells a fragrant scent, or looks at a blooming flower, he should not do that only for enjoyment, just like animals; he should not pass by these signs of Allah's Creation without reflection and recognizing Allah's Greatness in His Creation which will lead him to abide by His Orders. Therefore, Allah the Almighty criticizes those who pass by His Signs in the creation of heavens and the earth heedlessly and without refection.
So, these Ayaat draw our attention to the fact that man will not become a truly successful believer unless he performs Salah (prayer) with submissiveness, avoids idle talk and actions, gives Zakah, guards his chastity, fulfills his trust, and preserves the prayers. So, have you pondered over these Noble Ayaat in order to be a true believer?
And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).
Some scholars say, "The word 'man' in the 'We created man' refers to man in general." Others say, "It refers to the first human being; Prophet Adam, Peace be upon him, because Allah the Almighty created him from clay. Also, the word Sulalah (extract) in 'Out of an extract of clay (water and earth)' means a mixture from various kinds of clay gathered by Allah the Almighty, then Allah the Almighty breathed into Adam the soul which He created for him then Adam was brought to life." This is one interpretation of this Noble Ayah.
Other scholars say, "The word 'Sulalah' (extract) means a series, indicating the fact that man was created through a series of stages: First, he was created from clay (Prophet Adam), then (his offspring) from a Nutfah (a sperm-drop), then from Alaqah (a clinging clot), and last from Mudghah (a lump of flesh)." Thus, the word "Sulalah" (extract) means a series of stages.
The first human being; Prophet Adam peace be upon him, was created from clay, then, the rest of humanity came into existence through a natural reproductive process, according to Allah's Will, starting from a Nutfah (a sperm drop), then a fertilized egg that develops in the womb into an embryo, as we discussed in details in a previous lesson. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 12 ]
In another Noble Ayah, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun. ﴿
This means that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah the Almighty, the Creator; none but the Creator is worthy of worship. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. ﴿
This means only the Creator deserves to be worshipped, which is an act of obedience that is done willingly, based on certain knowledge and leads to eternal happiness. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). ﴿
One poet said: (criticizing haughtiness and forgetting one's humble origin):
Man, who was created from clay,
forgot for a brief moment his humble and simple origin
He became arrogant and conceited
He wore luxurious clothes and took pride in them
And he accumulated considerable wealth,
then became haughty because of his status and wealth.
A person may become overwhelmed by pride and haughtiness, forgetting the humble origin of mankind; that the first human being was created from clay, then his offspring were created from a disdained liquid (semen), that is to say they came into existence from lowly origins. Actually, the seminal fluid is referred to in the Quran as "a disdained liquid" because man naturally feels a sense of embarrassment due to it.
The human reproductive system is based on sperm
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).* Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 12-13
]
Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, did not say: We created man out of an extract of clay* Thereafter We created (the transliteration on this verb is Khalaqnahu which is derived from the verb Khalqa "created") him out of a Nutfah), but rather He Says: "We made him (the transliteration of this word is ja'alnahu which is derived from the Arabic verb is Ja'ala" made") as a Nutfah". This means that according to Allah's Will, he has made the human reproduction system through the sperm-drop. "Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah" so, the human reproductive system relies on sperm.
In fact, there are many scientific facts about sperms; they are produced in the testes, which require a temperature lower than the body's, thus, they are located outside the body. This is why males with testes inside their bodies are infertile, as body temperature hinders sperm production.
A doctor told me that sperm undergo 18 stages of development, taking over 20 days to become ready. In a single intimate marital relation, more than 300 million sperm cells are released. These sperm cells travel from the cervix to the fallopian tubes to reach the egg. What scientists find really amazing is that how can a weak sperm cell, with a pointed head (for penetrating), a spiraled neck, and a flexible tail (for moving forward), penetrate the egg?
Scientists recently discovered that the head of each sperm contains a special substance, resembling the clear liquid inside the front part of the eye, that dissolves the egg's wall. When the sperm head touches the egg membrane, it dissolves, and once the sperm enters the egg, the entry point seals permanently. Out of 300 million sperm cells, only one fertilizes the egg. As for how the egg selects the strongest sperm, this is not known except by Allah the Almighty. The egg selects the most viable sperm cell out of 300 million ones.
The womb as a safe lodging
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). ﴿
The safe lodging here refers to the womb. To make this term 'safe lodging' clear, consider the following example: If you were to draw a vertical and horizontal lines that divide the woman’s body into two identical halves, these two lines will cross at the place where the womb is located, which means the womb is positioned at the geometric center of the woman's body.
Let me tell you another amazing thing: The early stages of pregnancy can be risky, therefore, Allah the Almighty has made the womb a safe lodging, meaning that even if the pregnant mother is exposed to any harm during the early-stage pregnancy, the fertilized egg clinging to the womb remains unaffected.
According to Allah's Deep Wisdom, He has placed the brain inside the skull to protect it; the skull is a bony container with immovable joints that absorb shocks. If you examine a skull, you will notice zigzagged lines separating its parts; these lines are fixed joints with small gaps between them (which provide slight flexibility in infants and young children). Therefore, even if a child's head hits the ground making a loud sound, he will remain safe since these gaps compress to absorb the impact.
Thus, the brain, which is a crucial organ, is protected by the skull. Similarly, the spinal cord, which is as crucial as the brain, is safeguarded within the vertebral column, the eye is protected in its bony socket; the heart, which is the central pump, is shielded by the rib cage; the blood-producing organs that play the most essential role to human life are situated within bones for protection, and the embryo is shielded within the pelvic bones. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 13
]
The phrase "a safe lodging" refers to the womb since it is surrounded by the pelvic bones, providing protection from all sides in the early stages. In other words, the pelvic bones in a woman's body surround the womb from all sides as a means of protection, therefore, the womb is considered to be a safe lodging.
Let me tell you another amazing thing; after the sperm fertilizes the egg, it rests in a safe lodging inside it. Then, the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall and accordingly rests in a safe lodging. Furthermore, the womb itself is situated in a safe lodging, surrounded by the pelvic bones, and connected to muscular ligaments from all sides ensuring that it is not affected by the mother's movements. This is the meaning of the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). ﴿
Stages of embryo development
1- Transforming from a Nutfah (a sperm-drop) into an Alaqah (a clinging clot)
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), ﴿
After the sperm fertilizes the egg, the fertilized egg develops villi on its outer layer, helping it to attach to the uterine wall, which nourishes these villi to facilitate implantation. In this stage it is called Alaqah "clinging clot," not because it is a solid clump of blood, but because it attaches to the uterine wall with several elements, some from the womb and others from the clot itself.
2- Transforming from a clot into a Mudghah (a little lump of flesh)
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 13
]
At this stage, the clot grows, and some features of the embryo start to form, such as the head and body. Early signs of eye development appear in the head of the embryo, and the heart begins to develop in its body, meaning that some features of the embryo start to form this small lump of flesh. Anyway, I discussed this topic in detail in previous lessons; therefore, in today's lesson, I will mention it briefly and focus on other Noble Ayaat in detail.
3- The Formation of bones
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We clothed the bones with flesh. ﴿
It means then the bones develop, and after that, they are covered with flesh, and muscles are formed. Thus, the sperm, which can be likened to a dot, meets the egg, which is invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen under a microscope. Then the fertilized egg develops, and after nine months, it becomes a fully developed fetus with a head, a body, limbs, nerves, arteries, muscles, bones, eyes for seeing, ears for hearing, a mouth, a nose, hair, skin, an esophagus, a trachea, an epiglottis, a stomach, intestines, a liver, a pancreas, a spleen, a gallbladder, adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, a bladder, and an excretory system! It is truly an amazing process!
After birth, the newborn baby begins to breastfeed to receive milk from his mother, and to respond to light and sound. Gradually, it starts to develop some skills such as smiling, laughing, eating, speaking and walking. The first one it recognizes is its mother, then it continues to progress in its learning process until he becomes a fully educated person. Who has devolved him from one stage to another? He is Allah the Almighty.
4 – Transforming into a fully formed human being
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
This Noble Ayah holds a very precise meaning; the animal embryo resembles the human embryo in early stages. In other words, any animal that reproduces through birth does so through the fertilization of the sperm by the egg. The fertilized egg then becomes a clinging clot, followed by a lump, then bones are formed, followed by the formation of muscles, and so on. However, when it comes to human beings, the embryo is brought forth as a distinct creation; Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
Actually, human being is honored; Allah the Almighty has honored him by granting him reason, the ability to speak, desires, responsibility, a universe to ponder over its creation and to make use of, and the freedom of choice. So, the human embryo is brought forth as a privileged creation, and human embryos are fundamentally different from animal embryos. This human embryo could grow up after birth to become a genius, a societal reformer, a great scholar, an inventor, an intelligent leader, a high-ranking officer, a skilled craftsman, or a brilliant doctor. Thus, the human embryo is brought forth as a distinct creation. Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He, says:
﴾ The Most Beneficent (Allah)!* Has taught (you mankind) the Quran (by His Mercy).* He created man.* He taught him eloquent speech. ﴿
Human being was created for a very great purpose (i.e. to worship Allah the Almighty). It was narrated in a Qudsi Hadith that Allah the Almighty says:
(( O son of Adam, I have created the Heavens and the Earth for your sake (to ponder over their creation and to utilize them for your benefit), and I have created you for My Sake (meaning to worship Allah). So, by My Right upon you, do not let yourself be distracted by what I have guaranteed for you (meaning your sustenance) from what I have obligated upon you (meaning Allah’s Commands and Prohibitions). ))
Some interpretations of "Then We brought it forth as another creation"
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
So, the human embryo is bought as another creation; he is created to be entrusted with the trust, i.e. to get to know Allah the Almighty and to purify himself. Also, he was granted free will and was created to be the best and the foremost creature (when he chooses the path of the truth). Furthermore, the entire universe has been subjected to him. This is one of the interpretations of the following Noble Ayah:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
Similar to the human embryo, the animal embryo develops through many stages but eventually it becomes an animal, whereas the human embryo develops to an honored and dignified human being who develops unique human skills such as speaking and thinking. Undoubtedly, there is a huge difference between human beings and animals; animal life does not evolve over time. For example, monkey lived millions of years in the past, nevertheless, they did not show any signs of development; did they build magnificent buildings? Did they invent central heating, air conditioning, airplanes, cars, and means of transportation or media devices? Did they go to school? Did they write a book? Never! So, animals stay the same throughout time, while humans consistently develop and grow. Therefore, whoever claims that human beings went through a stage of being apes degrades human dignity. So, no matter the time or place, a human will always be a human, and an animal will always be an animal. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 13
]
This is one of the interpretations of this Noble Ayah.
The second interpretation is that the phrase 'as another creation' refers to the distinct qualities. In other words, if you observe a little boy and a little girl playing, you will find that the little boy prefers to play games that reflect his masculine traits such as mounting a stick as if he were riding a horse, while the little girl prefers to play games that reflect her femininity such as cradling, nurturing and calming a pillow as if it were her baby. This indicates a distinct difference between males and females; young girls generally care about their appearance, and are gentle and easy to deal with, whereas young boys tend to be more stubborn. Thus, although you may not notice visible differences in the physical structure of a young boy and a young girl, there are significant psychological and social differences between them. This is another interpretation of this Noble Ayah.
The third interpretation of this Noble Ayah is that the phrase 'as another creation' refers to chromosomes and genes; there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, with the final pair being either in the form of X or Y. If it is Y, the fetus is male; but if it is X, the fetus is female. Theses chromosomes can be seen under a very developed microscope.
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
One of my friends told me the story of one of the most prominent gynecologists in a developed country —by the way, we should refer to such countries as 'materially developed countries' because in terms of morality, they are considered backward. That doctor decided to perform an experiment, so he performed an abdominal procedure on his wife to determine the fetus's gender. However, when the child was born, it was the opposite gender! Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 13
]
To sum up, one of the interpretations of this Noble Ayah is that human beings are honored by Allah the Almighty and are brought into a distinct creation compared to other creatures, or it refers to the psychological and behavioral differences between male and female kids, or it means even if the fetus's gender is determined before birth, it may be born as the opposite gender.
Allah's Creation is complete and perfect
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
Some people may ask you, "Does the phrase, 'The Best of creators' indicate that there are other creators beside Allah the Almighty?"
The answer is very simple: The precise linguistic meaning of 'Khalq' (creating) does not only mean to make something out of nothing but also to make something out of something else. The evidence for this is found in the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ (Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al-Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you made out ( Takhluku) of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from you (when they resolved to kill you) since you came unto them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.' ﴿
So, Allah the Almighty says to Prophet 'Iesa (Jesus), peace be upon him:
﴾ And when you (Takhluku) made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission. ﴿
According to its linguistic meaning, the word 'Khalq' (creating) refers to making something from a specific combination of other materials. In this sense, humans also participate in creation, such as when we talk about creativity. However, man-made products such as machines can never be compared to Allah's Creation because Allah's Creation is perfect since eternity and does not require any modification or development. For example, have you ever heard of a 1987, 1960, or 1957 model human being? Never! Allah's Creation never undergoes modifications or improvements. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
Al-Mu'minun, 14
This indicates that every creature was perfectly and completely created from the very beginning. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allah, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do. ﴿
For example, you could be driving a modern car from the newest brand, but it might suddenly stop because of a minor issue, but have you ever heard of a human being who was walking then stopped suddenly due to a technical defect?! A human being keeps walking, even when he is hungry, whereas if the temperature gauge of your car shows that the engine is overheating, but you do not notice it, it can cause a severe damage to the engine, and it may burn out. In other words, if a defect causes the engine's temperature to rise, the temperature gauge will sound an alert to warn you before the engine burns out. However, if the driver fails to pay attention to it because he is talking to someone or he has poor hearing, the engine may burn out. In comparison, let us ponder over hunger (which is an alert created by Allah in the human body indicating that it needs food): What is the nature of this alert? Does it give you a visual or auditory signal when you are in need of food? It is really a very precise mechanism. You may hear someone saying: "I feel I am about to pass out from hunger!" Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
Allah's Creation is Unique and Perfect, and it can never be compared to anything created by human beings. Let us make this simple comparison: Has anyone of us ever bought a car and then found another smaller car beside it that was born from it, so that he could sell it or keep it to his child?! Never! But when it comes to animals, such as horses, cows, and others, they all reproduce. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
If you compare the Perfect Creation of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, and human-made products, you will find a very huge difference. Some scholars say that referring to a human being as a 'creator' is based on linguistic similarity but differs significantly in its true meaning. Other scholars say that referring to a human being as a 'creator' means making something from something else. However, Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He, is Al-Khaliq (The Creator; He who produces something from nothing, i.e., He plans and creates), Al-Bari (The Producer; The One who initiates and brings into existence), and Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner; He organizes and shapes the arrangement of the creation.)
It takes a lifetime to compare Allah's Creation with human creativity
Anyway, this Noble Ayah draws our attention to human creativity that develops over time, because originally, humans are weak, and they acquire knowledge and experience gradually. The proof of this point is that if you look at a photo of a 1912 made car, for example, and compare it with modern cars, you will find that early cars had a single speed gear, and they used oil lamps for headlight; the driver used to open the lamp, light a match, fill it with oil, and then turn on the light. Also, early cars used to make a loud noise and had very low speed. A man told me that the first train in Britain had an employee walking in front of it to warn people and to ensure that they would not be in danger of being hit by the train! Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
Ask a shepherd who takes care of more than two hundred sheep and their lambs: How does each lamb recognize its mother in a flock of sheep? It is truly amazing how each lamb instinctively heads toward its own mother! Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
Actually, sheep are social by nature, while dogs are always scattered. Can you guide a pack of dogs together? You cannot manage them; each one goes its own way, but sheep are submissive. If sheep behave like hyenas or wolves, a human being can never herd them. Also, a human would jump in fear upon seeing a snake or a scorpion, despite their small size. On the other hand, a camel, which may weigh 800 kg, can be led by a child despite its large size! Who made it so submissive? Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
So, it would take a lifetime to compare Allah's Perfect and Unique Creation with human creation. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
The word 'blessed' in this Noble Ayah refers to the abundant goodness. In other words, Allah's Creation include abundant goodness. For example, sheep manure is one of the best types of fertilizer; the most valuable fertilizers are sheep and cow manure. So, when a farmer uses a cow to cultivate an acre of his land, its manure is sufficient as a natural fertilizer for the entire acre. We also benefit from the sheep's wool, leather, intestines, muscles for meat, fat for rich materials, bones, and milk. Glory be to Allah, the Best of creators! Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 14
]
When man makes something, it has only a single purpose, whereas when Allah the Almighty creates something, it includes abundant goodness. For example, the world's biggest issue is the pollution problem caused by chemical wastes and factory smoke, whereas the manure produced by cows, chickens, and other animals is very useful to the soil. So, these animals (created by Allah) do not produce anything harmful to the environment, unlike human-made factories.
The Question that arises here is: Is it reasonable that Allah the Almighty has created this amazing creature (i.e. the human being), then this creature ends in death?!! It could be likened to someone how built a structure over 20 years; he laid the foundations, performed the excavation for the building construction, completed the first floor, then the second floors, then decorated, tiled, painted the flats, and made a grand entrance for the building. After the construction of the building was finished, he lived in it for 5 years, then brought demolition machines and demolished it. Do not you accuse such person of being insane? Why did he destroy that building?
Likewise, death is like the demolition of a person. So, as long as humans were created in the most beautiful stature, what is the wisdom behind their death?
Death is the fate of every creature
Lest one wonders: "Why do everyone die eventually? What is the purpose of death?" Allah, the Exalted and Sublime be He, says:
﴾ After that, surely, you will die. * Then (again), surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection. ﴿
Actually, death is only a temporary phase, and it is a gateway to the eternal life in the Hereafter. Thus, human being was created to live an everlasting life, and if there were no Hereafter, life would be meaningless, and its wisdom would be difficult to grasp. Furthermore, one's life in this world is very short compared to the Hereafter; a person lives a limited lifespan, typically between fifty and sixty years. Therefore, he must prepare himself for what is more important and eternal, which is the everlasting life in the Hereafter. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ After that, surely, you will die. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 15
]
This is the Will of Allah, as the saying goes: "Every creature will die, and only Allah the Almighty, the Lord of Might and Power will remain."
A poet said:
No matter how long the night is,
dawn will inevitably break.
No matter how long life is,
one will eventually die and be buried in his grave
All people will eventually die, whether they are Prophets, rich people, poor people, those who take great care of their health, those who do not care for it, those who take risks, or those who do not take risks, and so on. So, death is a certainty.
When our Master Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, uncovered the face of the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, after his death, he said, "You were good in life and in death, O Messenger of Allah. As for the death that Allah has decreed for you, you have tasted it." There is no other one.
The believer should do his best to abide by Allah's Commands and Prohibitions in this worldly life in order to earn Allah's Pleasure, then, when death comes to him, he will experience it only one time; he will never die again, and he will enjoy the bliss of Paradise forever.
Resurrection and Accountability
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ After that, surely, you will die. *Then (again), surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 15-16
]
Without believing in resurrection after death, life would be meaningless, because Allah the Almighty has created people and has distributed fortunes among them as a means of trial (whether they are patient in times of difficulty and grateful in times of ease), whereas He will distribute fortunes among them in the Hereafter as a reward (according to their deeds). Also, believing in Allah the Almighty requires believing in all His Divine Names, and one of His Names is Al-Haqq (The Absolute Truth) which will not be fully manifested except on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah the Almighty will reward each one for what he has committed.
Allah has created the Heavens perfectly and is never unaware of His creation
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And indeed We have created above you seven heavens (one over the other), and We are never unaware of the creation. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 17
]
As I mentioned previously, the phrase "seven heavens" can either refer to number seven in its literal sense, or have a metaphorical meaning, referring to a large number, since old Arabs used to use number 7 and its multiples (70 for example) to refer to a large number.
Anyway, the earth's atmosphere consists of several layers, including the troposphere which contains most of the air on earth, the layer which contains sulfuric materials, the stratosphere which is also called the ozone layer, and the ionosphere. I discussed these layers in detail last lesson and I told you that the thickness of the first layer is about 18 km, and it contains winds, clouds, rains, snow, and hail.
The second layer contains sulfuric materials that contribute to rain formation, then there is the ozone layer, then there is the mesosphere, in which any object coming from space is burned up (in order to protect the earth), and then there is the layer that contains polar clouds.
In fact, there are other precise pieces of information known by astronomers in particular. Anyway, Allah the Almighty has created the heavens as a set of layers, each of which has its own function, and they are all referred to in the following Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds, etc.). ﴿
This means Allah the Almighty has made the heavens a well-guarded roof to protect the earth from any space object and from harmful cosmic rays, since these rays are absorbed by the ozone layer. Also, if a space object approaches the earth atmosphere, the layer, with a temperature of 500 degrees, will burn it, turning it into a meteoroid or into ash that cannot be seen, even under a microscope. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And indeed We have created above you seven heavens (one over the other), and We are never unaware of the creation. ﴿
This means that Allah the Almighty is the only Ilah (Deity worthy of worship) in the heaven and the only Ilah (Deity worthy of worship) on the earth. In other words, Allah the Almighty Who is the only Deity worthy of worship in the heaven and Who has created the heavens, the galaxies, the clouds, the stars, the suns, and the moons, is also the only Deity worthy of worship on earth; Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ It is He (Allah) Who is the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) in the heaven and the only Ilah (God to be worshipped) on the earth. And He is the All-Wise, the All-Knower. ﴿
Allah has created all these very high heavens. He says:
﴾ We are never unaware of the creation. ﴿
Some scholars say that this Ayah means Allah is never unaware of human deeds; the angels ascend through these seven heavens to present human deeds in front of Allah the Almighty. He says:
﴾ We are never unaware of the creation. ﴿
Other scholars say that this Ayah means Allah the Almighty is never unaware of the heavens; He has created them perfectly and flawlessly. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily! Allah grasps the heavens and the earth lest they move away from their places, and if they were to move away from their places, there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. ﴿
Allah has made water accessible for people to benefit from
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. ﴿
Some scholars say that "In (due) measure" means in fixed ratios. For example, each molecule of water consists of 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen, which is truly miraculous since this composition consists of a flammable element and an element that supports combustion by which you can extinguish fire. Therefore, a slight modification in the structure of water could turn all water into flames (which will occur on the Day of Resurrection). Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And by the sea kept filled (or it will be fire kindled on the Day of Resurrection). ﴿
One of the interpretations of this Noble Ayah is that the seas will turn into flames on the Day of Resurrection.
I repeat: Each molecule of water consists of 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen - a flammable element and an element that supports combustion. Also, it contains dissolved substances from rocks that are beneficial to human nature. In fact, distilled water alone does not benefit humans (since it lacks essential minerals) unless it is mixed with well water, and that is why distillation units in coastal areas add well water to the distilled water to make it drinkable.
The first interpretation of "in (due) measure" is that the ratios of substances are wisely determined. For example, for every 10.ooo water molecules, there is 1 fluorine atom, which contributes to dental protection. Also, water includes calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, and all of them exist in precisely determined ratios.
The second interpretation of "in (due) measure" is a reference to the appropriate volume of water. In other words, water is essential for life in its proper amount, but if the amount of water exceeds what is naturally necessary, it may cause environmental disasters. So, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We send it not down except in a known measure. ﴿
Geologists say that during rainy eras, heavy rain poured down for 10.000 years without pause, eventually forming the seas. Allah the Almighty says:
And there is not a thing, but with Us are the stores thereof. And We send it not down except in a known measure.
Actually, the average rainfall differs from one country to another; it could be 200, 50, 1000, or 15000 millimeters annually, whereas other countries experience such heavy rainfall that they are above the drought threshold. Furthermore, each area, such as green mountains or coastal regions, receives considerable amount of rainfall. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 18
]
So, the structure of water and the ratios of its elements and dissolved minerals, are precisely determined; its volume is wisely measured, and the time when rain falls is also precisely determined. If rain falls at the wrong time, it would be harmful, it would not bring any benefit, and it would be in vain. Thus, the phrase "in (due) measure" refers to three meanings: The ratios of rainwater minerals, the quantity of rainwater, and the time of rainfall. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth. ﴿
Who has made in the earth an impermeable layer, then a permeable layer, then another impermeable layer, and finally the earth's soil? Who has created it like this? He is Allah the Almighty. In fact, if the last waterproof layer had not existed, the water would have been absorbed into the ground. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Say (O Muhammad PBUH): "Tell me! If (all) your water were to be sunk away, who then can supply you with flowing (spring) water? ﴿
So, He is Allah the Almighty Who has created the earth like this.
If you look into some geological studies, you will find that the structure of the earth is truly amazing. For example, according to the principle of communicating vessels, the presence of a spring on Arwad Island requires the existence of geological extensions beneath the sea surface that allow water to flow from its reservoir in the mountains of Tartus to the island. This process cannot occur any other way. In other words, a spring in a flat island needs a reservoir in another elevated area on the mainland, and there must be geological extensions beneath the sea surface (that allow the flow of water from the elevated source to the spring on the island). In some countries, there are 4, 5, or even 20.000 islands, each with its own spring sufficient for its inhabitants.
One more thing, some mountains are home to animals like ibexes that live at the mountain tops. Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has created springs at the top of mountains, and their existence could not be explained except that their reservoirs are in higher mountains. In other words, each spring located at the peak of a mountain must have its reservoir in another higher mountain. This is one of the Divine Signs that indicate Allah's Greatness. He the Almighty says:
﴾ And We gave it lodging in the earth ﴿
In fact, in our blessed country, we have Al-Fijeh Water Spring, which is truly a great blessing from Allah. No other country in the world has water like it. It flows at a rate of 16 cubic meters per second throughout the year, sometimes rising to 20 cubic meters and other times falling to 5 cubic meters during dry days. Yet, this spring consistently provides a continuous supply of water. Where is its reservoir? Where is its store? Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky, and We gave it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its stores [i.e. to give water to whom you like or to withhold it from whom you like]. ﴿
Who has preserved its water for us? You just need to open the tap and fill your glass with water, but do you know who has preserved this water for you throughout the year? How it turned from vapor to clouds? Allah brought it to our lands, in the form of rain or snow, and then it was absorbed by the ground and eventually gathered in a groundwater basin (serving as a reservoir for this spring). According to initial information, this groundwater basin extends to Homs, half of the Lebanese territory and to the edge of the Syrian Desert. This is just some simple information and there is much more detailed information available. Who has created this reservoir of water?
Allah's Power can never be comprehended
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. ﴿
[ Al-Mu'minun, 18
]
So, having a spring of water in our country and having water pumps at our homes is one of Allah's Great Favors upon us. In fact, it is forbidden to dig artesian wells except by experts, as drilling into a ground water basin area could cause all the water to sink into deeper layers of the earth, and eventually leading to its complete loss.
Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has preserved this water by creating impermeable layer beneath it, followed by a hollow layer, then another impermeable layer, followed by a permeable layer, and then the soil. This is the amazing Divine Design, and any mistake (while digging artesian wells) near the ground water area could cause its water to move to deeper layers and become inaccessible for humans. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes. ﴿
Without water, there would be no gardens. You might see a desert land that has a farm full of trees, fruits, and flowers. The reason is that there is a water pump, and this water transformed this arid land into a paradise on earth. Similarly, all green lands depend on the presence of natural sources of water, such as springs, rivers, or rainfall.
All of Allah's Blessings are created for humans
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We brought forth for you. ﴿
"For you" means it was created specifically for you; for your benefit, as a form of honoring human beings. In other words, when one eats fruits, vegetables, grains, or other types of food, and when he drinks a glass of water, he should be grateful to Allah the Almighty for these blessings that were created especially for humans, and that is why the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, was the most grateful and thankful of all people to Allah the Almighty for His blessings; whenever he ate, he would begin by mentioning the Name of Allah. He, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Whenever one of you eats, let him first mention the Name of Allah. However, if he forgets to mention the Name of Allah at the beginning, then let him say: 'In the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end. ))
[ Ibn Qayyim, Zad al-Ma'ad, classified as authentic (Sahih) Hadith ]
Also, when he, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, finished eating, he would say: "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds."
Although irrigated with the same water, there are various kinds of plants
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you. ﴿
So, there are different kinds of fruits although they are irrigated with the same water. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And in the earth are neighbouring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields etc.), and date-palms, growing out two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise (one stem root for every palm), watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs) for the people who understand. ﴿
For example, there are different types of peaches, with significantly different flavors. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. ﴿
At the greengrocer's, you can find cherries, radishes, different types of pistachios, lettuce, and other foods, each with its unique price, flavor, color, and health benefits. Thus, there are various kinds of plants despite being irrigated with the same water. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms. ﴿
In fact, palm trees can live for up to 6.000 years. Moreover, some palm trees date back to before the birth of Prophet 'Iesa (Jesus), peace be upon him; from the time of the Pharaohs.
One of my brothers in faith once visited me, and I offered him some dates from Al-Madinah. He said to me, "These dates (the palm trees of these dates) date back to the times of the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him." I affirmed this by saying, "Palm trees can live for up to 6.000 years." Similarly, olive trees can live for thousands of years. For example, there are olive trees that date back to the time of our Master Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.
Olives are one of the signs of Allah's Greatness in His Creation
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you… ﴿
This is a reference to all types of fruits:
﴾ …And whereof you eat. * And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai… ﴿
It is an indication to the olive tree.
It refers to the olive oil which is one of the healthiest fats.
﴾ …that grows oil, and (it is a) Sibgh 'relish' for the eaters. ﴿
The word 'Sibgh' here refers to basic food; you can either eat olives, which are a high-grade condiment with bread, or you can press the olives to use their oil, which is one of the healthiest fats. So, Allah the Almighty has made the olive tree as one of the Divine Signs that indicates His Greatness in His Creation.
In fact, fruits like the peach for example, contains water with dissolved sugars, whereas olive contains oil and fatty substances. So, oil is a vegetable fat. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ That grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters. ﴿
The word 'Sibgh', as some scholars say, is liquid condiments. The Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( What an excellent condiment vinegar is! ))
[ Al-Zurqani, classified as authentic (Sahih Hadith) ]
The liquid condiment could be referred to as 'Sibgh'. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And (it is a) relish for the eaters. ﴿
You can either dip the bread into olive oil or eat olives; either way, it's food of the highest quality. When we were high school students, in the 1960s, we learned that in our country, there are about 13 million olive trees. I think the number is much higher nowadays, since Syria is the 3rd largest producer of olive oil in the world. So, the olive tree is one of the Divine Signs that indicate Allah's Greatness in His Creation. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters. ﴿
It is as if this Noble Ayah refers to the existence of olive tree in Mount Sinai; the mountain in Palestine where Allah the Almighty spoke to Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him. Furthermore, the word 'Sinai' refers to a mountain covered with trees, which is a desirable feature.
There is a lesson for us in (the creation of) cattle
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And Verily! In the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. ﴿
From milk, we can make ice cream that we eat in summer, milk-based desserts that we eat in winter, cheese for breakfast, strained yogurt, ghee, Qishta (milk cream), colostrum, butter, and more. There are many dairy products and foods. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And Verily! In the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. ﴿
Each mammary gland of a cow requires about 400 liters of blood to circulate through it in order to produce just 1 liter of milk.
In fact, scientists still do not fully understand what occurs within a cow's mammary cell; the cow's mammary cell is dome-shaped cell surrounded by tiny arteries carrying blood around them. These cells absorb specific substances from the blood that they need to produce milk, and they release a drop of milk into the interior of this dome. It is as if this cell possesses more knowledge than all the most knowledgeable scientists on earth! Blood flows above it, and it absorbs proteins, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and other specific substances it needs to produce milk. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ From between excretions and blood, pure milk; palatable to the drinkers. ﴿
So, the mammary cell releases a drop of milk, and these drops then accumulate inside the cow's udder. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And Verily! In the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are, in them … ﴿
It is a reference to sheep and cows,
﴾ …numerous (other) benefits for you ﴿
Eventually, it is slaughtered and sold as meat; its skin is used to make shoes, and we can also make use of its intestines. The same goes for sheep, goats, and camels. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And there are, in them, numerous (other) benefits for you, and of them you eat. ﴿
﴾ So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. ﴿
The inimitability of the Quran is universal
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And on them, and on ships you are carried. ﴿
We ride animals on land and sail on ships across the sea. Allah the Almighty has created means for humans to travel on land and at sea. Furthermore, the phrase "(Other) things of which you have no knowledge" includes modern transportation means, such as modern jets. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge. ﴿
So, the inimitability of the Quran is universal; it covers all eras and places. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And on ships you are carried. ﴿
Next lesson, inshaAllah, we will reflect on the Noble Ayaat that follow the ones we discussed today, and which tell the story of Prophet Nuh, peace be upon him.
