Part 35

This should be a compelling evidence that challenges all men, past and present, to refute in any sensible way, or to give a better explanation. It is only those who have failed to fathom it who try to criticise this evidence. It is only my caution against boring the reader that prevents me from elaborating the two proofs in the verses and unveiling the amazing mystery and glaring evidence they imply. But it is my intention, Allah willing, to write a separate book on the proofs of the Oneness of God.

Distribution of human beings:

Another sign of the Lord

One of the most striking signs and capturing miracles of the Lord is the seas which surround dry land, in the form of inlets and bays from the great ocean which engulfs the entire land. It is so extensive that the exposed land with all its mountains and cities is, in comparison with the water body, like a small island in the midst of a great sea. The rest of the land is submerged under water. It is only the Power and Will of the Almighty Allah that holds water from submerging land and rising over it — to rise like this is in fact in the nature of water, and that is what puzzles the more sensible naturalists who are baffled by the reason that causes the rising above the sea ofa certain part of land, though it is in the nature of water to rise over it and submerge it. They have no explanation of this but to attribute it to divine wisdom and the eternal mercy of the Lord who willed that circumstances should be smoothed for the land animals to exist. This is a truth, but it should lead one to submit to the Ability of the Lord; to His Will and Destiny; to His Knowledge, Wisdom and all His Attributes of perfection. The proofs are compelling in that respect.

A tradition of the Prophet's is relevant here. Imam Ahmad reports in his Musnad that the Prophet 3 said:

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“Not a day passes but the sea asks the Lord whether He permits that it drowns mankind.”' Some have taken this to be the interpretation of the Quranic verse:

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‘ Reported by Ahmad (1/43), but rated by Sheikh Ahmad Shaker, in his editing of the Musnad, as of ‘weak’ authenticity (See 1/33).

“And the sea kept filled.” (52:6) Ibn Attiah, among others, states that it is the held-back sea. This group supports this with a reference to the word ‘masjoor’ mentioned in the above verse. Another derivative of that word, ‘sajoor’, denotes a leash, made from plant or metal, used to control a dog. By affinity, they continue, if Allah had not held back the sea and restrained it, it would flood the land. The land, relative to the sea, is like a house relative to all dry land.

It is a source of exceeding wonder to observe the sea and all the wondrous creatures in it, displaying a very wide diversity of species, shapes, sizes, functions, benefits (and harm) and colours. There are in the sea animals that seem like mountains, so huge that nothing on earth compares with them. Some of these seem to voyagers like an island; the similarity is so close that they actually land to rest there, and start a fire; and when the animal feels the heat it moves, and it is only then that the travellers realize that it is an animal. There is no species on land but it has a counterpart in the sea, even man, the horse, the camel and so forth. There are, besides, so many species that have no counterparts at all on land. In addition to that are its precious stones, pearls and corals. You see how a pearl is encased in a casket, the shell, that serves as a nest for it, providing it with protection and safety. Some pearls are hidden, never touched by hands. Observe how the coral has grown at the bottom of the sea out of solid rock below water, similar toa tree. The sea also contains other things like amber and valuable things that are thrown out by the sea, or are fished out.

Observe also the miracle of the ships which sail the sea, cutting their way through it without the need for leader or driver - their leading force being only the wind that Allah directs to run them. If that leading force were held back, then the ships would stay idle on the surface of

water. In this respect, Almighty Allah tells us in the Quran:

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“And of His portents are the ships, like banners on the sea;

If he wills, He calms the wind so that they keep still upon its surface - Lo! herein verily are signs for every steadfast, grateful heart.” (42: _

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“And He it is Who has constrained the sea to be of service that you eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships ploughing it that you, mankind, may seek of His bounty, and that haply you may give thanks.” (16: 14)

Such a sign is this and such evidence! It is for this reason that this blessing is so often repeated in Allah’s Book. On the whole, the sea’s wonders and marvels are so numerous that no one but Allah is capable of making an inventory of them. And in this light we can understand a verse like the 2 ot kes

“Lo! when the waters rose, We carried you upon the ship, that We might make it a memorial for you, and that remembering ears might remember.” (69: 11-12)

Dusty Plain Regions. Some grass and palm trees due to occasional rain.

Desert Regions. Very hot climate but cold nights. Very little rain.

Hot in summer, cold in winter,

High temperatures year round. Lots of rain.

Tundra. Extreme cold with fierce winds.

Low temperatures all year round,

Grassy Meadows and Pastures.

if you regard the earth and its creation, you will sce that it is one of the most striking of the Lord’s miracles and a resting place, spread out for mankind, constrained it to serve His servants, supplied it with their provisions, food and means of survival. He provided it with ways that allow them to move around seeking their needs and manipulations; stabilized it with

mountains, which act like pegs that hold it, so that the earth does not sway with its inhabitants. He stretched it, paved it, levelled and flattened it and spread it out, extended it in all directions, made of it a receptacle for living creatures that will last as long as they last; made it a shroud for the dead that envelopes them in its belly once they are buried — its surface is for the living and its interior is for the dead. Its vital importance may be attested by the frequency of its mention by the Almighty in His Scripture. He urged His servants to contemplate it and reflect on its creation. Some of the verses concerning the earth are the following:

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“And the earth have We laid out; how gracious the Spreader thereof.” (51: 48)

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“Allah it is Who appointed for you the earth for a dwelling-place,” (40: 64)

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“will they not regard the camels, how they are created? And the heaven, how it is raised? And the hills, how they are set up? And the earth, how it is spread?” (88:

“Lo! in the heavens and the earth are portents for believers.” (45: 3)

And many similar verses. Observe, then, the land when it is barren, neglected and dead; and see then how, once the Lord lets down rain, it will quiver, sprout, rise, and become resplendent with growth, growing all kinds of marvellous crops. It brings out plants wondrous in appearance and quality, plants that please observers, and give liberally to the extended hand. It produces provisions diverse in quality, amount, shape, colour, and benefits; fruit, vegetables, medical plants, grazing plants for animals and food for birds.

You see how He causes the same rain to fall on various tracts of land, but each grows plants that are diverse in colour, shape, ordour, taste and benefit, despite the identical supply and locale. This fact is pointed out in a verse of the Qur’an: glohe od Site Jets Gis Sel 54 SSG Ey gh ahs BV 3 ?

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“And in the earth are neighbouring tracts, vineyards, ploughed lands, and date-palms, like and unlike, which are watered with one water. And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who have sense.” (13: 4)

How is it that those diverse germs grow from the same place, from the belly of the same mother, fertilized by the same substance? It is indeed the making of Allah, Who excelled in everything He did, beside Whom there is no other god. Had this not been one of His most compelling signs, He would not have called to it the attention of His servants, urging them to contemplate it!

He did that, for instance, in the following words of the Quran:

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“And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water thereon, it does thrill and swell and put forth every lovely kind of growth. That is because Allah, He is the Truth. Lo! He quickens the dead, and lo! He is Able to do all things;

And because the Hour will come, there is no doubt thereof, and because Allah will raise those who are in the

This sign and the preceding one concerning the embryo, are used by the Lord as evidence of the five matters listed in the verses, and a binding proof of taking heed of them.

Regard, too, how the Lord stabilized the earth with the high-rising, solid, established, and hard mountains. He established them well, elevated them, and destined them to be the most solid part of the earth; so that they do not erode over the ages and by the work of successive rains and winds. He crafted them well, placed them carefully, and provided them with diverse and ample benefits, minerals and springs; then he guided men to discover those minerals, inspired them to extract them, taught them how to make from them coins, jewelry, decoration pieces, clothes, arms and the various other useful tools. Without guidance from the Almighty, men would never have had the knowledge of that or the ability to manipulate it.