| The
Laws have been formulated with inbuilt Benevolence and Mercy
for operational ease and application. At the same time convenience
and comfort have been provided in consumption of provisions
for diversified multitude of creatures. Leaving aside all
the most sophisticated physical and chemical properties and
other aspects of water, e.g. ionic or electronic charge etc,
just consider if water does not have different states of its
existence, or particularly those properties which are only
specific to it or if there is no `water cycle’ and water
and wind driven systems!
‘Taqdiir’
and ‘Hidaayat’:The Laws are mercifully
judicious in their mechanism. But in this context two important
facts of life have been mostly misconceived, i.e `Taqdiir'
and `Hidaayat'. They have been amply clarified in the Quran.
"The Divine laws are bound by certain measures"
(33-38)
"Allah
has made a specific pattern (due proportion)
for everything that exists" (65-3)
"It is He (Allah) Who created all things,
and
bounded them by measures.
(measured out to each, its measure.)” (25-2)
The above verses throw ample light on the concept
of ‘Taqdiir’ which has been greatly confused and
misconceptualized. ‘Taqdiir’ is `to assign' a
particular role to each object or thing, whether quantitatively
or qualitatively. Therefore, every thing is bound internally
and externally, by description and dimensions commensurate
with its very nature and function conducive to its progressive
existence and development. All things in the environment are
compatible and where required, the nature takes care through
the process of adjustment and adoptability in a scientific
manner. These conditions are determined by nature in the very
interest of the object or the thing itself. This is applicable
to every and all things in the universe.
"The
sun rolls on along its prescribed path.
This is the ordinance of the Ever All-Mighty-the
Ever All Knowing." 36-38
So far `Hidaayat’
is concerned, all creation with its specific role, is provided,
besides its physical features and the requisite physically
supportive frame, all the requisite faculties and ingrained,
automatically operative, modules or sets of instructions,
instincts, aptitudes, intuition, reflexes, sensors and all
that is required for the assigned duty. They are further supported
by flashing messages, revelations, simulations and similitudes
for training and on-the-work opportunities for corrections.
(Musa) “said: `Our Lord-Master-Sustainer (Allah) is
He Who gave to each thing its form and nature,then
guided it aright.”
Everyday
Physical Management of the Universe:There
are different forces and forms of creation at work in the
universe. Translations of some verses and explanations by
Abdul Wadud, given in his book ‘Phenomena of Nature
and the Quran’, (pp.16-47), reproduced below, suggest
reference to some forces at work in nature. "Two different
roots of the word `Malaaikaa', as it occurs in the Holy Quran,
are described in Arabic dictionaries. One is “A L K”
(the letters: ALIF, LAAM, KAAF) which means to send messages.
The other is “M L K” (the letters: MIIM, LAAM,
KAAF) which means power or energy. All physical communication
between any one point in the universe to another is carried
out through the agency of radiation. On the other hand, all
energy in the universe becomes manifest through radiation.
The radiation waves, therefore, being the source of power
and means of communication truly-come under the heading of
the term `Malaaikaa', in so far as it relates to the physical
universe. Some of the functions of Malaaikaa, as described
in the Holy Quran are as follows: (i) The distribution of
tasks all over the universe (`Muqassimaati- Amran', 51-4),
as described below. (ii) The planning and readjustment of
the shape of innumerable contents of the universe (`Mudabbiraati-Amran').
The Holy Quran also describes means of communication other
than the radiation waves:
"Allah
chooses His messengers from amongst the `Malaaikaa'
and also from amongst the mankind.
Lo! Allah has infinite vision and hearing".
22-75
"By the (waves of Radiation)!
that are sent forth constantly for the benefit (of
humanity).
Those that turn into powder (all that is incapable
of survival):
and still those that diffuse and make things differentiated
one from the other; and make the law of (construction and
destruction) unveiled before the humanity,
so that one may be able to justify his existence
by a positive act or
take warning from the destructive effect of a
negative act.
Assuredly that which you are promised, must come
to pass". 77-1 to 7
"By (the
radiation waves)! that scatter (energy);
by the (centrifugal and centripetal forces) that lift heavy
weights;
by the ease and gentleness with which (energy
waves) flow; and by the distribution (of tasks) by Command;
verily, that which you are promised is true"
51- 1 to 5.
"By (the radiation waves)!
that undo (the bonds) with violence by penetrating
(into materials), and
by those that undo (the bonds) with ease, and
by those that smoothly float, one exceeding the
other
(in producing a particular type of effect) and
thus readjust the shape of things (in the universe)
by Command of their Lord:
that one day, everything that is in commotion,
will be in violent commotion." 79-1 to 6
Detailed interpretations
and explanations may be seen in his book, quoted above. In
this connection translations of other scholars should also
be seen. Different scholars have translated these verses differently.
It is generally interpreted that there is a reference to the
`Malaaikaa' (angels) who have been given different assignments
and duties in the universe. So far distant communication is
concerned it is becoming clearer that there are much faster
speeds than light, even as fast as `instant'. (`Wallaahu A’alamu'
- Allah Knows Ever All Best).
“It is believed”, says Ibn Majaah,
“that the angels are of a simple substance (created
of light), endowed with life, and speech, and reason; and
that the difference between them, the Jinn and Shaitaan is
a difference of species. Know”, he adds, “that
the angels are sanctified from carnal desire and the disturbances
of anger: they disobey not God in what He hath commanded them,
but do what they are commanded.. their pleasure; His worship,
and they are created in different forms and with different
powers.” [(Arabian Nights, Lane’s edition, Notes
to the Introduction, p.27), Thomas Patrick Hughes, ‘A
Dictionary of Islam’, (p.15]
Scholars have given different explanations in
this regard. One from Adel M.A.Abbas, from his book, ‘His
Throne was on Water’, Amana Publications, Beltsville,
Maryland USA, pp.65-71), may be quoted here. “The supernatural
by definition, must elude natural science no matter how perfect
that science may be. Just because one cannot see angels does
not mean that they do not exist.. A well-programmed computer
can work astronomical calculations as well as command robots
to manufacture cars or handle radioactive material that cannot
be touched. They are indispensable to modern life, for they
control such functions as supplying electricity to cities,
telephone networks, aircraft controls, spaceships, satellites,
and so on..Thus it is not surprising that God would have creatures
capable of handling…matters of the universe…Such
beings are called angels… they can fly (35-1), and serve
as messengers on God’s behalf (22-75). Although they
are `not suited to walk peacefully among humanbeings’
(17-95), they nevertheless have numerous tasks to perform
on Earth,,(13-11, 82-10, 86-4)… Angels also seem to
act as observers who note what one does, says, or thinks (43-80,
50-17&18)..Another important task entrusted to angels
is to `collect our spirits and visit death on us’ (16-28).
In the afterlife (they are tasked with jobs like punishment,
guarding of the hell, etc. 21-103, 8-50, 15-44).. They are
obedient…and worship Him (Allah) continuously. When
He asked them to kneel to man (15-28 & 29)..(they did
obediently).
“The Angels of Mons, 1914: .During the First
World War, the London Evening News (26 August 1914) reported
the memorable – some would say miraculous – Battle
of Mons. Despite being outnumbered three to one by the Germans
and suffering heavy casualties, the British retreat was extremely
successful. According to some reports the `Angels of Mons’
suddenly stood between the two forces, and German army fell
back in confusion. A British officer who survived said that
a troop of angels stood between them and the Germans and terrified
the latter’s horses, which stampeded in all directions.
According to German records, their men refused to charge a
point where the British line was broken because of the presence
of many troops. According to Allied records, there was not
a single British soldier in the area. The event was commemorated
by a waltz entitled `Angels of Mons’”.
Examine the above report in the light of accounts of the Battle
of Badr narrated in the Quran and recorded by history.
Self-explanatory
Science Vocabulary:Natural phenomena have
been presented in very simple and scientific words. They bear
very exhaustive scientific explanations which are unfolding
with progress of science with time. The Quran is full of such
terminology which presents mountains of meaning as if compressed
and condensed in a molecule. Only a few may just be mentioned
as examples, e.g.: The gradual process of nature has been
called ‘Takwiir’: 39-5. The law of producing a
thing by `twos’, or by `pair-mates’ or by `pairs’
is called ‘Tazwiij’ and ‘Tathnia’.
"And
Allah did create you from dust (inorganic matter), then from
semen droplet, then He made you pair-mates" 35-11
"And
it is He (Allah) Who spread out the earth,
and made therein mountains and streams;
and fruits of every kind, He made in pairs, two and two."
13-3
Also see 51-49,
36-36. `Setting things in right perspective' has been termed
as ‘Taswiyaa’, e.g., 87- 1 to 3 , 82- 6 to 8.
The term ‘Itiqaan’ has been used to denote that
everything in the universe is properly set and there is no
defect or flaw in its setting. 27-88.
Evidence
of Unity in the Order of Creation and Providence Order In
Creation:The Quranic descriptions are elaborate
and explanatory:
“O mankind! If you are in doubt about the
Resurrection, then
Verily We (Allah) have created you from dust,
then from a semen drop-let (Nutfah), then from
a zygote,
then from a little lump of flesh – some
formed and some unformed –
that We may make clear to you.
And We cause whom We will
to remain in the wombs for an appointed term,
then We bring you out as infants,
then, that you may reach your age of full strength.
And among you there is he who dies (young), and
among you there is he who is brought back to
the miserable old age,
so that he knows nothing after having known.
And you see the earth barren,
but when We send down water on it, it is stirred
(to life),
and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind.”
22-5
"O men!
Bear in mind the favour of God towards you.
Is there a creator other than God who nourishes
you
with the gifts of heaven and earth?
There is no god but He (Allah)!
How then are you turned aside from Him?"
35-3
Also see 2-21 & 22.
|
