| Prodigia:These
were the Signs believed to have been received by Romans about
disorder between men and gods, contrary to their normal standards
of perception e.g., when `peace of gods' was disturbed. They
included various disasters, e.g., abnormal births, strike
by lightening, the rain of blood, milk or
stones or animals speaking. "Lists
survive from the republican period (509-31 BCE) of such prodigies,
reported year by year to the authorities so that the priests
could identify the god or goddess offended and recommended
appropriate measures (`remedia') to restore the balance. The
evil threatened was thus to be avoided . The lists
provide a valuable index of Roman categories of the `natural'
and the `supernatural' (disasters). They were no longer kept
under the Empire (after 31 BCE), when prodigies ceased to
be part of the state's routine, and were attached rather to
the lives of individuals or to great catastrophes."[Dictionary
of Religions, John R. Hinnells, has further referred to following
books: Grant, F.C., Ancient Roman Religion,(pp. 32-34) New
York, Liberal Art Press, 1957, Indianapolis, Ind., Bobbs-Merrill,
1957; and Bloch, R., Les Prodiges dans l’antiquite’
classique, Paris, Presses Universitaires de France, 1963.]
Examine, now, following verse of the holy Quran:
“So
We (Allah) sent (plagues) on them:
Wholesale death, Locusts, Lice, Frogs, and Blood:
Signs openly self-explained; But they were steeped
in arrogance,
A people given to sin.” 7-133
`Unity'
of Laws
Cosmology:Science
has proved that there are no separate creators or rulers for
different winds, hurricanes, avalanches, rains, etc. All environmental
phenomena, etc., are governed under the same physical laws of
the earth, the planetary system and the universe at large. Providence
- provision, sustenance, evolution and development - for all
creation is the Same, Who is revolving, merging
and cycling the whole system with compatibility and in unison.
There is simplicity in multiplicity and unity in diversity because
of the ultimate `unification of the laws’ into one unified
law of One Law Giver.
Scientists are now developing theories that laws
of physics do not break down even at the point of `Big Bang’,
`Big Crunch’, or from one plane of reference in the universe
to the other. But the laws work according to the “plane"
(with much wider implications than the word can explain) of
existence in the universe. Different universes exist in different
planes of the Megaverse. Physical laws of all universes and
different planes are ultimately unified and subject to one Supreme
Law – The heavens are built in different “planes”
yet with compatibility and harmony. The plural of ‘Aalamiin’
has been elaborated in the Quran variously, referring to heavens
as plurality, one higher than or over the other (in terms of
`plane’ or sets of laws applicable there) and supportive
of or harmonious to each other.
"It is He (Allah) Who created seven (several)
heavens,
closely fitting one another" 67-3
“We
(Allah) have built over you
seven (many) strong (heavens, canopies)”
78-12
“And
We (Allah) have made above you many tracts.” 23-17
“Lane has mentioned with reference to Bezawi
that Arabs use the word seven for plurality.”- (Abdul
Wadud, ‘Phenomena of Nature and The Quran’, Pp.
25-26). The word `Saba-a ’, used e.g., in verse 41-12,
gives an idea of plurality. It may not be possible to explain
this number exactly in the present limited range of information
available to man. The present state of scientific data does
not describe boundary conditions or limits of the Megaverse.
Our knowledge is still extremely limited.
Biology:Over
98% of our genes are identical to that of a chimp and to that
of a mouse – yet consider the “world” of
difference. It is so easy for Allah, be it genetic engineering
or anything! For example reflect into following verses: (transformation
into apes and swine) 5-60, 2-65, (changing faces beyond recognition,
hindwards) 4-47, (changing forms) 56-61.
Humangenome is identical for all humans, yet there
is enormous diversity in hues and habits. All variety of characteristics,
thus, goes to make the difference in appearances, responses,
behaviours, resulting into differences in cultures and civilizations,
at large scale. In the minutest detail, the basic blocks of
matter (sub-particles, electrons, etc) and those of the life
(cells etc., in plants and animals ) are the same, yet there
are different worlds of creations.
Different
Aspects of `Hamd'
Praying, praising, offering thanks are different
ways of remembering God. They do not go without recognition
and reward.
“So
you remember Me (Allah), I shall remember you” 2-152
“If you are grateful, I will add more (favours)
unto you”14-7
It is not
possible for the created being in the finite dimensions of
his creation, bound by physical co-ordinates of matter, in
the limited space-time to comprehend fully Allah’s Countenance
and Grace, outside the scope of his faculties, physical frame
of reference and reach of reflection. Therefore Allah has
kindly disclosed not only His High Greatness but also His
Kindness in the relationship with His creation. He has Himself
prescribed the mode of submission by His creation to Him.
Naturally, then it is desirable to follow the line dotted
and the Path indicated by Him, for which He has graciously
encouraged in many ways.
"Fall
prostrate and draw near to Allah!" 96-19
A.M. Yaqoob,
quoting from Imam Ghazali’s Minhajul Abidin, in his
Translation of the Holy Quran (p.27) explains ‘Hamd’,
‘Shukr’ and ‘Sabr’: “Thanks
to Allah may be offered in the form of ‘Hamd’,
‘Shukr’ and ‘Sabr’. These words are
quite distinct from each other but they are interconnected.
‘Hamd’ in a way includes ‘Shukr’ and
‘Sabr’. ‘Hamd’ literally means sincerely
thankful praise and it may be offered to Allah in a direct
manner, in the course of prayers in all forms. ‘Shukr’
may be offered to Allah by completely abstaining from sins
and transgressions. ‘Sabr’ may be exercised in
misfortunes of all kinds. A highly evolved Muslim may even
offer ‘Shukr’ when he is beset by misfortunes,
by relying on the verse:
“It is possible that you dislike a particular
thing and
Allah may have kept some blessing in it for you
.” 2-216
“For
such a `believer' (Mu'min), there is no misfortune. Everything
is a blessing for him. Accordingly, he is always grateful
and full of praise to Allah.”
When we look at different shades of meaning of
the word ‘Hamd’, and apply method of scientific
enquiry into natural phenomena, which are the manifestations
of the Most Beautiful Attributes of Allah, it leads to amazing
aspects of various works of sciences of the
Creator- Omnipotent-Almighty-Most High Exalted-Intelligent-Inventor-Scientist.
It impels man, instinctively, to fall in prostration with
thankful praises to Him (Allah), Who Alone Himself is the
Originator (first time creation), the Creator (creation of
different objects and creatures from primeval matter through
various processes of development, evolution, upgradation,
re-creation etc), the Designer (perfect proportion, geometry,
symmetry etc), Fashioner (every creation clad in colour and
beauty, seems to be in a high fashion parade), Modeler (creation
of everything e.g., cosmos, without any previous model or
copy), Sustainer (in harmony), Cherisher (with all tastes,
varieties, abundance, etc).
If all seas and even more were ink and all wood
and even more were pens, all the wonders in the sciences of
Allah can not be reduced to our writing. Therefore, reflection
into wondrous creations and phenomena of nature with thankful
praises to the Creator-Sustainer, has a very special place
in worship and its acceptance. It is recorded in Muslim that
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be
upon him) said:
“Allah said,` I have divided the prayer
into two halves between Myself and My servant; one half is
for Me and one half for My servant. My servant shall have
what he asks for.”
Man has a
natural tendency to hope for and seek His succour. When suppliant
actually experiences acceptance of his prayer, receives glad
tidings and favours from the Ever All-Beneficent, it further
inspires thankful praises for Him Alone. See 3-191. Also examine
19-2 to 9 and 14-39.
LILLAAH:
For Only Allah Alone One. In ‘Lillah’,
(in the phrase `Alhamdu lillaah’) the preposition ‘Li’
means `for’ and is used for particularization, showing
exclusive possession of a thing or quality. The phrase, therefore,
signifies that all thankfully sincere praise is strictly,
only and only for Allah Alone, since all benevolence, beauty
and perfection are His and proceed from Him. From the term
‘Hamd’, although it is clear, yet it has been
re-emphasized by using `Lillaah’, that essentially all
sincerely thankful praises are for Only Allah Alone One; as
such they belong to Him (Alone) as Ever All-Owner-Possessor
of these. The deep appreciation and praise with sincere thanks
forms foundation of devoted worship-service. ‘Lillaah’
further confirms dedication of the prayer. This raises higher
the ranking of the offering. This is not like a mail `via’,
`through’ or `care of’ any body. Delivery at the
destination, along with its acceptance is assured because
the Addressee Himself has inscribed His Address on the communication.
Only Allah Himself is the Addressee. The close communication,
which can assume the status of `communion’, with the
depth of devotion, precludes all chances of intermediaries
and interferences. Allah in All His Greatness has provided
closer than the closest address with all time availability.
“Then,
I (Allah) am indeed close” 2-186
In the very same verse it is emphatically clarified
that
“I (Myself) grant the prayer of the suppliant,
when he calls on Me.” 2-186
For praising any created being for excellence
in quality, deed or creation of anything by using available
resources, material and mental, the word ‘Madah’
is used and not ‘Hamd’, which is exclusively for
the wonders of Allah as explained above which no one else
can do. Therefore, the very nature of the word ‘Hamd’
is such that it is for Only Allah Alone. It is not only that
all praises are for Allah but all the praises are Only for
Allah Himself Alone One. Furthermore ‘Al-Hamd’
(the thankful praises) has to be with full faith and confidence.
It is offered with devotion as duty - this is what constitutes
worship. Therefore undue praise of any created being in any
of the sense of the word ‘Hamd’ is violative of
this Surah Al-Faatihah, amounting to ‘Shirk fil Hamd”
(association in sincerely thankful praises which are for Allah
Alone). Self praise by the created being is also not desirable
and not permissible, because even his person, qualities, skill
and excellence are not his own creation, but those of Allah.
“Do not pretend to be pure; He (Allah) knows
best,
who is really God-fearing (pious)”. 53-32
Similarly the prostration, which constitutes the
zenith of all forms of worship and submission of thankful
praises sincerely unto Allah Alone, is strictly prohibited
before any created being or body. It is the natural way and
the deepest of all liturgical expressions of all sincere thanks,
praises and adoration before Allah Himself. Therefore, the
prostration is unto Only Allah Alone: 13-15, 16- 48 &
49, 22-18, and 41-37.
All that
is in the heavens and the earth belong to Allah Alone:2-255,
3-109, 4-126, 4-132, 6-13, 10-55, 20-6, 22-64, 23-84 to 87,
31-26, 34- 1 & 2, 38-66, 42-4, 44-7, 45-36 & 37
All
that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Allah:7-206,
13-13, 13-15, 16-49, 17-44, 21-19 & 20, 24-41, 30-26,
37-164 to 166, 41-38, 57-1, 59-1, 61-1, 62-1.
All praise, therefore, naturally,
belongs to Allah Alone. Ayah 1-2, emphasizes the other side
of the belief also that none else is worthy of praise, and
none else is worthy of worship. It, thus, cuts at the very
root of all sorts of polytheism and worship of anything, any
object or any one else. All countless creations in physical
worlds, with very attractive and impressive qualities of beauty
and benefit, which attract attention or admiration, are all
created by Him Alone.
The
Best of Supplications:The Praise of Allah
has been accorded a very high rank among all forms of prayer
and worship. The Prophet is reported to have said that when
on receiving any blessing from Allah, His servant says ‘Alhamdulillaah’
(the praise is for Only Allah Alone), it is like giving something
better in return for what he has taken. [Qurtubi, from Ibn
Majah, as narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him),
M.M.M.Shafi ,Ma’ariful Quran]
Traditions:i. Allah very much likes to hear His
Own Praise.
ii. The Prophet (Pace be upon him) considered ‘Alhamdulillaah’
as the best form of prayer.
iii. Allah increases His blessings when you recite
this prayer.
(A.M. Yaqoob, Translation,
p.28)
It has been
reported in Traditions that “as `Laaillaaha Illallaah’
is `Afzaluz-Zikr’ (best of the remembrance), similarly
`Alhamdulillaah’ is `Afzalud-Duaa ’ (best of the
supplication). (Tafsir Ahsanul Bayan, Salahuddin Yusuf.)
According to one Hadith, if a man, on receiving
blessings, says “Alhamdulillaah”, his act is superior
to all those blessings. Al-Qurtubi says, the ability to repeat
‘Alhamdulillaah’ with one’s tongue is in
itself a blessing of Allah. According to another Hadith, saying
this phrase fills half the scale on the side of good deeds
in the balance. When one receives some gift from Allah , he
should first of all recognize the Benefactor and His favour,
be content with it and never disobey Him till there is life
and some strength in the body, which again are gifts from
Allah. (M.M.M.Shafi ,Qurtubi, Ma’ariful Quran).
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