| ‘Rubuubiyah’
is a continuous process. It is not mere existence, once the
creation takes place. It involves innumerable processes that
are employed by nature for providing with all that is needed
or required in every situation and at every stage, for all
and every one that has been created and exists. It includes
continuous development, distribution and delivery of all resources
for the benefit of each and all of the designated beneficiaries,
in the given time, as programmed. The process of creation
of necessary ingredients and conditions for formation of water
is an expression of divine mercy, whereas, according to the
Quran, it is His (Allah's) Rubuubiyat which sends it down
to the earth, in droplets as rain, and spreads it to reach
every corner of it, in measured quantities and in particular
time frame.
"And We (Allah) send down water from the
heavens
in its due degree, and We cause it to settle on
the earth and
We have power for its withdrawal too- and
by it, We cause gardens of palm trees and vineyards
to spring forth for you, in which you have plenteous
fruits, and whereof you eat”. (23- 18 & 19).
There is difference between divine creation of
provisions for life and function of Rubuubiyat.
There are materials and forces which in their different forms
and functions have physical, chemical and other values for
growth and sustenance of life. However, mere existence of
inventories and stores, can not be regarded as ‘Rubuubiyat’.
These are acts of Divine Creation, Mercy and Benevolence for
the requisite good things for life. ‘Rubuubiyat’,
in fact, is the method and manner of distribution, delivery
and utilization of them or the system into which they are
made to fit. It is under this system that whatever is needed
for existence and sustenance of every being, is provided at
appropriate time in appropriate quantities, so that entire
machinery of existence runs smoothly. Furthermore, it is not
just distribution and delivery of items of provisions and
sustenance but also functions and processes involved in application
of these and scientific working that sustains wonderful worlds
in the kaleidoscope of creations. "Kulla yaumin huwa
fii sha'nin"(55-29):
“Whosoever
is in the heavens and earth, begs of Him (Allah)
Every day in Splendour is He (Busy).”55-29
Some
Aspects of ‘Rubuubiyah’:The very
existence of his own `self' and continued development of man,
is a clear manifest evidence of the acts of Rubuubiyah of
his Rabb (Allah): 40- 67 & 68.
“Lo!
Allah is my Lord-Master-Sustainer-Cherisher-Owner
and your Lord-Master-Sustainer-Cherisher-Owner,..”
3-51
If man looks into himself, he finds that his
life, at every moment of its existence, discloses a world
of activity propelled by the ‘Rubuubiyah’
of Allah.
"On earth are signs for men of firm belief;
and also in your own selves:
Will you not then notice them? (51-20 & 21)
Everything
within itself, all things in the immediate environment around
and in the over all system at large, in relation to requirements
of living beings in the developing frame of space-time, are
all measured out, intrinsically and extrinsically, in perfect
proportion, co-relation and harmony; as planned and programmed
by the Providence.
"And
no one thing is there,
but with Us (Allah) are its storehouses (inventories);
and We send it not but in settled measure".
(15-21)
"With Him (Allah) everything is by measure".
(13-8)
"All things, We (Allah) have created with
a fixed degree." (54-49)
Also see:
30-48
Scientists and economists have been expressing
deep concern at the fast pace of consumption of non-renewable
sources of energy e.g., petroleum, natural gases, etc. At
the same time, history of development of science and technology
shows that inspite of wastages and mismanagement by man, discoveries
and inventions have always opened new opportunities to satisfy
his needs of the times, and mother-nature has played timely
role to nurture, nourish and provide for his necessities.
For example, depleting source of automobile fuel is one of
the biggest worry of politicians, scientists, economists and
everybody. But nature has already identified alternate sources
– rather it is at work for him to offer more of them.
Besides known alternates, depending upon their economics,
and bacteria working ceaselessly for renewing such resources,
now science is providing increasing evidence of other micro-organisms
working for meeting emerging and increasing needs of man in
the unfolding frame of time and space. For example, microscopic
algae have been found to turn sunlight into large quantities
of hydrogen gas which could be used as a renewable source
of automobile fuel.
Consider the Wisdom at work in creation, with
Benevolence and Mercy, - then scattering of creatures, their
development and dispensation - these are all functions of
Rubuubiyah. The factory of life and the supportive
service workshops are employed in a continuous and progressive
process where latent capacity and forces of nature are displaying
the utmost intelligence and talent in every cause and every
effect, scientifically. The goods and services for
satisfying essential needs of life are provided
profusely all over the globe. The Providence has put a system
in ceaseless operation, till the appointed moment, to sustain,
develop and protect, with care, the life and all that it needs
in the composite whole. Simultaneously, for the satisfaction
of specific social or economic wants and needs,
in specific circumstance or clime, the requisite resources
have been provided in due proportion for the population and
the place.
"How many are the creatures, that carry not
their own sustenance!
It is God Who feeds them and you.
He is the Ever All-Hearer, the Ever All-Knower".
29-60
“He
(Allah) set on the (earth) mountains,
standing firm, high above it.
And bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured
therein all things
to give them nourishment in due proportion, in
four days,
in accordance with (the requirements of)
of those who seek (need).” 41-10
Rabb
is the Exclusive Attribute of Allah:M.M.M,Shafi
has given a brief explanation of the term ‘Rabb’
in ‘Ma'ariful Quran’,(p.85): "The Arabic
word ‘Rabb’ (Lord) is applied to a person who
not only possesses a certain thing, but is also fully capable
of and responsible for nurturing it properly. Obviously
no one can act as `Rabb' with regard to the whole universe
except Allah. So the word used in an absolute sense,
is exclusive to Allah, and it is not permissible to address
or describe anyone, in this sense, other than Allah as `Rabb'.
A Hadiith in the Sahiih of Muslim explicitly forbids a slave
or servant to call his master a rabb. The word may, however,
be employed in the case of a man too in a relative sense --
that is , in relation to a particular thing, for example,
`rabb ad-daar' (master of the house) etc. (Qurtubi)"
-
The
Science of Rubuubiyah:History shows that each
age appeals to its most impressive technology or science as
a metaphor of cosmos, or even of God. Similarly, now attempts
are being made not only by theologians but by scientists also
to explain the ‘revealed statements’ in the light
of latest available scientific information. After the first
science of Physics came into existence, with the Big Bang,
as the scientists like to put it, (some of them would like
to put the so called idea of ‘Mathematical Singularity’
before the idea of the ‘Physical Singularity’),
all other sciences also came into play, in a sequence to satisfy
unfolding and emerging needs of the universe; one developing
itself and developing into the other - Chemistry, Biology,
and so on. The Humanities being the latest, with function
of social assignment to Adam and his offspring. When creation
of universe and further creations like that of man were explained
by the Revelation in the Holy Quran in 7th century C.E., there
existed no consistently acceptable theory about creation of
universe except references to some facts and phenomena in
the Bible and some mythologies like Greek, Egyptian, Indian,
etc. There were even those, like Aristotle and other Greek
philosophers, who did not like the idea of `creation’.
They believed that human race and world around it had always
existed and would exist for ever. Besides conjecture about
creation, there were unfounded ideas about composition of
universe, earth and its environment. For example Aristotle
believed that everything was made out of four elements: Earth,
Air, Fire and Water. Ptolemy (2nd century C.E.) presented
Aristotle’s ideas about the universe in a model, showing
five planets known at that time. The Church had adopted the
above as the picture of the universe in accordance with the
Scripture! Such unfounded ideas, without basis on observation
and experimentation, had sway in the West, till Polish Priest
Nicholas Copernicus, in 1514 C.E. (at first anonymously!)
proposed a modified model in which the sun was shown stationary
at the center and Earth and planets moved around it. Nearly
a century passed when Kepler and Galileo supported the above
theory. But still the core issue of `creation’ was far
from the reach of human `conception’ or perception.
Modern man, by and large, does not believe in
mere conjecture. The theoretical statement has to be supported
by scientific investigation or empirical verification. By
distancing from the belief in the Existence of Allah, Oneness
of Creator-Providence and denial of the Here-after, modern
man has come to depend entirely on worldly success and happiness
as the be-all and end-all. Obsession with science and empiricism
has landed him in such a dilemma that he has failed to understand
the very high ideal and the purpose of his creation. C.E.M.
Joad says: “No age has been so completely barren of
norms and values as has been this modern age.” The dilemma
is doubled by the very nature of body of science that it is
an ever progressing probe, always subject to verification
and refinement. It mainly embodies many assumptions and theories
constantly under examination. All equations are not free from
‘constants’ which make the equations themselves
non-constant. Laws of science are not the last word. They
can always be challenged. In these circumstances the Quran
presents facts, with appeal to reflect, reason, understand
and apply the right option against wrong. C.E.M. Joad points
to the Law-Giver Who lays down the moral law and order for
the universe. He further clarifies that all creation and morality
get their existence and meaning from the Creator Who is the
Only Creator. He is Ever All-Powerful and All-Knowing.
"To Him
(Allah) is due, the primal origin of the heavens and the earth."
2-117
"And
He (Allah) has subjected to you all that there is in the heavens
and all that there is in the earth: all is from
Him.
Verily, herein are signs for those who reflect.”
(45-13)
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