| The Universe: Islamic View
The Islamic view toward the universe is an
intellectual, scientific view that creates the human emotions and feelings
toward the greatness of Allah the creator. It also creates emotions and
feelings toward the smallness of the human being and his weakness in front
of this universe, which leads to the necessity to submit to Allah (S.W.T.).
1. The universe as a whole is a creation
of Allah that created it for a purpose. Playing was not the cause for
creation.
Surat al Dukhan, Verses 38-39
"We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that is
between them, for mere play, We created them not except with truth, but
most of the do not know."
Surat al Anbiya’, Verses 16-17
"We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is
between them for mere play. If We wanted to create aimless things, we
would have done it if we were going to do (that)."
The holy Qur’an demands man to think and
reflect upon the creation of Allah, to reach to the oneness of Allah and
to submit exclusively to Allah. Allah (S.W.T.) says in
Surat A-Zummar, (Verses 62-63 & 67)
"Allah is the Creator of all things, and he is the Wakil, (Trustee,
Dospose of affairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things. To Him belong the
treasures of the heavens and the earth. And those who disbelieve in the
Ayat, (proofs, signs, etc.) of Allah, such are they who will be the
losers. They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And
on the Day of Resurrection the earth, as a whole will be grasped by His
fist and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right. Glorified be He, and
High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!"
There are important effects of this Islamic
view toward universe upon Tarbiyah (upbringing):
1- The attachment of the Muslim to the creator of this universe and to the
most noble goal in this life and that is the total submission to Allah.
2- Bringing the human being up with seriousness because the whole universe
was created upon the truth and was created for a purpose and to a certain
demise known only by Allah.
2. The universe is subjected to certain
absolute laws that Allah (S.W.T.) made according to certain predestination
prescribed by Allah.
Surat Yasin, (Verses 37-40)
"And a sign for them is the night, We withdraw there from the day,
and behold, they are in darkness. And the sun runs on its fixed course for
a term (appointed). That is
the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.
And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till
it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to
catch up with the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all
float, each in an orbit."
The fact that the sun and the moon are each
in a well-defined orbit is all made according to universal laws that Allah
created. Allah (S.W.T) says:
Surat al Hujur, (Verses 19-21)
"And the earth we made it unfolded and planted in it mountains and
made some plants in it to make balanced and made in it your living and
those whom you are not providing sustenance for. And there is nothing but
we have its treasures and we do not release but with a well known
portion."
Everything alive on earth has their share of sustenance well accounted for
by Allah who does not release it but with a well defined portion.
And also Allah (S.W.T.) taught man
reckoning, calculations from the alternations of the day and the night.
Allah (S.W.T) says:
Surat Al-Isra’, (Verse 12)
"And we made the night and day two signs; we erased the sign of the
night and made the sign of the day clear for you to make your living from
the blessings of Allah, and to know the number of years and reckoning
(calculations), and everything was well explained."
All this has a great and important effect
upon Tarbiyah; the Qur’an raised the mind of the Muslim upon the fact
that the occurrence of the same events is done according to fixed laws
made by Allah (S.W.T.) and He (S.W.T.) is the one who can change it if He
wants. Also, these laws of this universe and its events and its beings
were released by Allah (S.W.T.) with a well known portion. This way, the
Muslim mind is raised to be accurate and to base everything on a standard.
3. The universe is ruled and watched
over by Allah (S.W.T.): Allah (S.W.T.), who made the laws of the universe,
is still ruling it and watching over it.
Surat al Hajj, (Verse 65)
"And He withholds the sky from falling upon the earth except by His
permission."
Surat Fatir, (Verse 41)
"Allah withholds the skies and the earth from crumbling, and if they
crumble, who can hold them after Him, Indeed he is ever most Forbearing
and Oft- forgiving."
The human, a tiny part of this universe, is
also subjected in his life and death to the well defined ending of Allah.
Allah (S.W.T.) says:
Surat al An’aam, (Verse 61)
"And he is the Irresistible, Supreme over his servants, and he sends
to you guardians (angels) over you and when death comes to one of you, our
messengers (angels) would take his soul and they never neglect their
duty."
Also, Allah (S.W.T.) created social laws
for man’s life, and sends messengers to enforce them, and torture some
nations and perish others. Allah (S.W.T.) says:
Surat Al-Ra’ad, (Verse 11)
"Verily! Allah does not change the situation of a people as long they
do not change their state of themselves. And if Allah wants to harm some
people, no one can stop it and they will not find besides Him a
protector."
Surat Al-Imran, (Verse 137)
"Many similar events happened before you, so walk over the earth and
see the punishment of the disbelievers."
4. The whole universe is surrendered
with obedience to Allah:
Surat al Baqarah, (Verse 116)
"For him is all what is in the skies and what is on earth; all are
surrendered with obedience to Him."
Surat al Isra’, (Verse 44)
"The seven heavens glorify him, and so does the earth and what is in
them, and there is nothing but glorifies Allah, but you do not comprehend
their glorification."
This has a great effect on the Tarbiyah of
man because all beings are obedient and submissive to their Lord. So, man
should be the first to submit and obey Allah and to become a harmonious
part of the whole universe participating in the glorification of Allah.
5. The whole universe is in the service
of man:
Surat Luqman, (Verse 20)
"Do you not see that Allah made available for you all what is in the
skies and what is in the earth, flooded you with many blessings known and
unknown."
Surat Ibrahim, (Verses 32-34)
"Allah is the one who created the heavens and the earth and released
from the sky water from which he made fruits as a sustenance for you, and
made available for you the ships to float in the sea and made available
for you the rivers, and made available for you the sun and the moon
incessantly in motion and made available for you the night and the day,
and gave you everything you asked for, and if you count the blessings of
Allah, you will not be able to count them. Man is indeed oppressive and
disbelieving."
Surat al Nahal, (Verses 12-18)
"And He made available for you the night and the day and the sun and
the moon and the stars all obedient to him. Indeed, there are signs in
this to people who have minds. And
what he spread for you on earth of different colors. Indeed, there is a
great sign in this for people who remember, and He is the one who made
available the sea from which you eat soft meat and make from it garments
to wear. You see the ships sailing in it, and to make your living from His
blessings and so you may thank Him, and planted in the earth mountains so
that the earth will be stable and rivers and pathways so you may be
guided, and signs and with stars they are guided, Is that who does not
create like the one who does?! Do
you not remember, and if you count the bounties of Allah, you will not be
able to count them. Allah is the Forgiving and the Compassionate."
All these verses and others in the holy
Qur’an raise man to be grateful to Allah and to recognize His Care, His
Mercy and His Greatness so he will be driven to thank Allah, glorify Him
and submit to Him.
I have forgotten where I got this
article from... if anyone knows the source, please let me know so I can
credit the author. Thanks. Uzma Mazhar
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