[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Showing posts with label Devolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devolution. Show all posts

Friday, February 20, 2026

Devolution of Species

Bani Adam in The Hereafter 

The Inevitable (56:60-62)


نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ ٦٠


We have ordained death for ˹all of˺ you, and We cannot be prevented

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


We have appointed (the times of) death among you, and We cannot be frustrated

— T. Usmani


We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone

— Saheeh International


We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,

— M. Pickthall


We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not to be frustrated

— A. Yusuf Ali


ہم نے تمہارے درمیان موت کو تقسیم کیا ہے اور ہم اس سے عاجز نہیں ہیں

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


ہم نے تمہارے درمیان موت کو تقسیم کیا ہے،1 اور ہم اِس سے عاجز نہیں ہیں

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی تمہاری پیدائش کی طرح تمہاری موت بھی ہمارے اختیار میں  ہے۔ ہم یہ طے کرتے ہیں کہ کس کو ماں کے پیٹ ہی میں مر جانا ہے، اور کسے پیدا ہوتے ہی  مر جانا ہے، اور کسے کس عمر تک پہنچ کر مرنا ہے۔ جس کی موت کا جو وقت ہم نے مقدر  کر دیا ہے اس سے پہلے دنیا کی کوئی طاقت اسے مار نہیں سکتی، اور اس کے بعد ایک  لمحہ کے لیے بھی زندہ نہیں رکھ سکتی۔ مرتے والے بڑے بڑے ہسپتالوں میں بڑے سے بڑے ڈاکٹروں  کی آنکھوں کے سامنے مرتے ہیں، بلکہ ڈاکٹر خود بھی اپنے وقت پر مر جاتے ہیں۔ کبھی  کوئی نہ موت کے وقت کو جان سکا ہے، نہ آتی ہوئی موت کو روک سکا ہے، نہ یہ معلوم کر  سکا ہے کہ کس کی موت کس ذریعہ سے، کہاں، کس طرح واقع ہونے والی ہے۔


ہم نے تم میں مرنا ٹھہرا دیا ہے اور ہم اس (بات) سے عاجز نہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


ہم ہی نے تم میں موت کو متعین کر دیا[1] ہے اور ہم اس سے ہارے ہوئے نہیں ہیں.[2]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی ہر شخص کی موت کا وقت مقرر کر دیا ہے، جس سے کوئی تجاوز نہیں کر سکتا۔ چنانچہ کوئی بچپن میں، کوئی جوانی میں اور کوئی بڑھاپے میں فوت ہوتا ہے۔

[2]یا مغلوب اور عاجز نہیں ہیں، بلکہ قادر ہیں۔


ہم نے تمہارے مابین موت کو ٹھہرا دیا ہے اور ہم اس سے عاجز نہیں ہیں

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


ہم ٹھہرا چکے  تم میں مرنا [1] اور ہم عاجز نہیں

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]یعنی جلانا مارنا سب ہمارے قبضے میں ہے۔ جب وجود وعدم کی باگ ہمارے ہاتھ میں ہوئی تو مرنے کے بعد اٹھادینا کیا مشکل ہوگا۔


ہم نے تمھارے درمیان موت مقدر کی ہے اور ہم اس سے عاجز نہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan


عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَـٰلَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِى مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٦١


from transforming and recreating you in forms unknown to you.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


from replacing you with others like you, and creating you (afresh) in that (form) which you do not know.

— T. Usmani


In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.[1]

— Saheeh International

[1]- An alternative meaning has also been given:  '...in that We will replace the likes of you [with others upon the earth] and create you [in the Hereafter] in that which you do not know.'


That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not.

— M. Pickthall


from changing your Forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not.

— A. Yusuf Ali


کہ تم جیسے اور لوگ لے آئیں اور کسی ایسے جہان میں تمہیں پیدا کردیں جس کو تم نہیں جانتے۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


کہ تمہاری شکلیں بدل دیں اور کسی ایسی شکل میں تمہیں پیدا کر دیں جس کو تم نہیں جانتے۔ 1

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی جس طرح ہم اس سے عاجز نہ تھے کہ تمہیں تمہاری موجودہ  شکل و ہیئت میں پیدا کریں، اسی طرح ہم اس سے بھی عاجز نہیں ہیں کہ تمہاری تخلیق کا  طریقہ بدل کر کسی اور شکل و ہیئت میں کچھ دوسرے صفات و خصوصیات کے ساتھ تم کو پیدا  کر دیں۔ آج تم کو ہم اس طرح پیدا کرتے ہیں کہ تمہارا نطفہ قرار پاتا ہے اور تم ماں  کے پیٹ میں درجہ بدرجہ بن کر ایک بچہ کی صورت میں برآمد ہوتے ہو۔ یہ طریق تخلیق بھی  ہمارا ہی مقرر کیا ہوا ہے۔ مگر ہمارے پاس بس یہی ایک لگا بندھا طریقہ نہیں  ہے جس کے سوا ہم کوئی اور طریقہ نہ جانتے ہوں،  یا نہ عمل میں لا سکتے ہوں۔ قیامت کے روز ہم تمہیں اسی عمر کے انسان کی شکل میں  پیدا کر سکتے ہیں جس عمر میں تم مرے تھے۔ آج تمہاری بینائی، سماعت اور دوسرے حواس  کا پیمانہ ہم نے کچھ اور رکھا ہے۔ مگر ہمارے پاس انسان کے لیے بس یہی ایک پیمانہ  نہیں ہے جسے ہم بدل نہ سکتے ہوں۔ قیامت کے روز ہم اسے بدل کر کچھ سے کچھ کر دیں گے  یہاں تک کہ تم وہ کچھ دیکھ اور سن سکو گے جو یہاں نہیں دیکھ سکتے اور نہیں سن سکتے۔  آج تمہاری کھال اور تمہارے ہاتھ پاؤں اور تمہاری آنکھوں میں کوئی گویائی نہیں۔ مگر  زبان کو بولنے کی طاقت ہم ہی نے تو دی ہے۔ ہم اس سے عاجز نہیں ہیں کہ قیامت کے روز  تمہارا ہر عضو اور تمہارے جسم کی کھال کا ہر ٹکڑا ہمارے حکم سے بولنے لگے۔ آج تم  ایک خاص عمر تک ہی جیتے ہو اور اس کے بعد مر جاتے ہو۔ یہ تمہارا جینا اور مرنا بھی  ہمارے ہی مقرر کردہ ایک قانون کے تحت ہوتا ہے۔ کل ہم ایک دوسرا قانون تمہاری زندگی  کے لیے بنا سکتے ہیں جس کے تحت تمہیں کبھی موت نہ آئے۔ آج تم ایک خاص حد تک ہی  عذاب برداشت کر سکتے ہو، جس سے زائد عذاب اگر تمہیں دیا جائے تو تم زندہ نہیں رہ  سکتے۔ یہ ضابطہ بھی ہمارا ہی بنایا ہوا ہے۔ کل ہم تمہارے لیے ایک دوسرا ضابطہ بنا  سکتے ہیں جس کے تحت تم ایسا عذاب ایسی طویل مدت تک بھگت سکو گے جس کا تم تصور تک  نہیں کر سکتے، اور کسی سخت سے سخت عذاب سے بھی تمہیں موت نہ آئے گی۔ آج تم سوچ  نہیں سکتے کہ کوئی بوڑھا جوان ہو جائے، کبھی بیمار نہ ہو، کبھی اس پر بڑھاپا نہ آئے  اور ہمیشہ ہمیشہ وہ ایک ہی عمر کس جوان رہے۔مگر یہاں جوانی پر بڑھاپا ہمارے بنائے  ہوئے قوانین حیات ہی کے مطابق تو آتا ہے۔ کل ہم تمہاری زندگی کے لیے کچھ دوسرے قوانین  بنا سکتے ہیں جن کے مطابق جنت میں جاتے ہی بوڑھا جوان ہو جائے اور اس کی جوانی و  تندرستی لا زوال ہو۔


کہ تمہاری طرح کے اور لوگ تمہاری جگہ لے آئیں اور تم کو ایسے جہان میں جس کو تم نہیں جانتے پیدا کر دیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


کہ تمہاری جگہ تم جیسے اور پیدا کر دیں اور تمہیں نئے سرے سے اس عالم میں پیدا کریں جس سے تم (بالکل) بےخبر ہو.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی تمہاری صورتیں مسخ کر کے تمہیں بندر اور خنزیر بنادیں اور تمہاری جگہ تمہاری شکل و صورت کی کوئی اور مخلوق پیداکردیں۔


کہ تمہاری مثل بدل کر لائیں اور تمہیں ایسی تخلیق میں اٹھائیں جسے تم نہیں جانتے !

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


اس بات سے کہ بدلے میں لے آئیں تمہاری طرح کے لوگ اور اٹھا کھڑا کریں تم کو  وہاں جہاں تم نہیں جانتے [1]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]حضرت شاہ صاحبؒ لکھتے ہیں 'یعنی تم کو اور جہان میں لیجائیں، تمہاری جگہ یہاں اور خلقت بسادیں'۔


کہ تمھاری جگہ تمھارے جیسے پیداکردیں اور تم کوایسی صورت میں بنادیں جن کو تم جانتے نہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan


وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ٦٢


You already know how you were first created. Will you not then be mindful?

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


And you certainly know the first creation; then why do you not take lesson?

— T. Usmani


And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?

— Saheeh International


And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect?

— M. Pickthall


And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises?

— A. Yusuf Ali


اپنی پہلی پیدائش کو تو تم جانتے ہی ہو ، پھر کیوں سبق نہیں لیتے ؟

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


اپنی پہلی پیدائش کو تو تم جانتے ہو، پھر کیوں سبق نہیں لیتے؟ 1

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی تم یہ تو جانتے ہی ہو کہ پہلے تم کیسے پیدا کیے گئے تھے۔  کس طرح باپ کی صُلب سے وہ نطفہ منتقل ہوا جس سے تم وجود میں آئے کس طرح رحم مادر  میں، جو قبر سے کچھ کم تاریک نہ تھا، تمہیں پرورش کر کے زندہ انسان بنایا گیا۔ کس  طرح ایک ذرہ بے مقدار کو نشو نما دے کر یہ دل و دماغ، یہ آنکھ کان اور یہ ہاتھ  پاؤں اس میں پیدا کیے گئے اور عقل و شعور، علم و حکمت، صنعت و ایجاد اور تدبیر و  تسخیر کی یہ حیرت انگیز صلاحیتیں اس کو عطا کی گئیں۔ کیا یہ معجزہ مردوں کو دوبارہ  جِلا اٹھانے سے کچھ کم عجیب ہے۔؟ اس عجیب معجزے کو جب تم آنکھوں سے دیکھ رہے ہو  اور خود اس کی زندہ شہادت کے طور پر دنیا میں موجود ہو تو کیوں اس سے یہ سبق نہیں سیکھتے  کہ جس خدا کی قدرت سے یہ معجزہ بھی رونما ہو سکتا ہے۔؟


تمہیں یقینی طور پر پہلی دفعہ کی پیدائش معلوم ہی ہے پھر کیوں عبرت حاصل نہیں کرتے؟[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی کیوں یہ نہیں سمجھتے کہ جس طرح اس نے تمہیں پہلی مرتبہ پیدا کیا (جس کا تمہیں علم ہے) وہ دوبارہ بھی پیدا کر سکتا ہے۔


اور تم نے پہلی پیدائش تو جان ہی لی ہے۔ پھر تم سوچتے کیوں نہیں؟

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


اور تم (اپنی) پہلی زندگی کے بارے میں تو جانتے ہی ہو

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


اور تم جان چکے ہو  پہلا اٹھان پھر کیوں نہیں یاد کرتے [1]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]یعنی پہلی پیدائش کو یاد کرکے دوسری کو بھی سمجھ لو۔

  

اور تم پہلی پیدائش کو جانتے ہو، پھر کیوں سبق نہیں لیتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/56/60-62]


The above ayaat are from the third set of description of Surah alWaqiah (The Inevitable Event)

When the inevitable event takes place, elevating some and debasing others, people will be divided into three sets of mates: 

  1. companions of the right (اَصۡحٰبُ الۡمَيۡمَنَةِ ؕ‏ ٨), 
  2. companions of the left (اَصۡحٰبُ الۡمَشۡـَٔـمَةِؕ‏ ٩‏),
  3. the foremost (وَالسّٰبِقُوۡنَ السّٰبِقُوۡنَۚ  ۙ‏ ١٠)  

Q56:11-26 describes the hereafter of the third category, who are the foremost (السّٰبِقُوۡنَۚ)
Q56:27-40 describes the (اَصۡحٰبُ الۡيَمِيۡنِؕ‏ ٢٧), which is also translated as companions of the right 
Q56:41-56 describes the (اَصۡحٰبُ الشِّمَالِؕ‏ ٤١) which is also translated as companions of the left

Q56:52-56 states that they will certainly taste of the Tree of Zaqqum, ..., on the Day of Recompense. 

Q56:57-59 onwards poses a series of questions (translation: M. Pickthall):

  • We created you. Will ye then admit the truth?
  • Have ye seen that which ye emit? 
  • Do ye create it or are We the Creator? 

Then the ayaat quoted at the beginning of this post (Q56:60-62) warn (translation: M. Pickthall):

  • We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun,  
  • That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not. 
  • And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect?   

We know from The Quran, Surah at-Teen, that humans were created in an excellent form (Q95:4), and then reduced to a 'lowest of the low' form (Q95:5). 

From the story of Adam, we know that Iblis (Satan) deceived the couple with false promises and made them commit a legal mistake, by eating from a Forbidden Tree, causing their devolution, causing darkness to come upon their nafs, and they also lost their natural clothing. 

We know the present form of humans. 

We learn from The Quran (Q2:130) that Abraham was chosen in this world, and in the Hereafter, he will be from among the reformed (وَاِنَّهٗ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏  ١٣٠). 

The aim and prayer of all pious people is to be among the reformed (الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏) in the Hereafter. 

We believe that Allah will reform the people destined to enter the Gardens of Eternity, recreating them in an excellent form, and granting them perfect health and immortality. These will be from:

  • Q56:11-26 describes the hereafter of the third category, who are the foremost (السّٰبِقُوۡنَۚ)
  • Q56:27-40 describes the (اَصۡحٰبُ الۡيَمِيۡنِؕ‏ ٢٧), which is also translated as companions of the right  

Then what about the third category who are destined to taste from the Tree of Zaqqum on the Day of Recompense:
  • Q56:41-56 describes the (اَصۡحٰبُ الشِّمَالِؕ‏ ٤١) which is also translated as companions of the left 

From The Quran, we learn that the jews who violated the Sabbath restrictions were devolved into apes (Q2:65-66, Q7:164-166).

From The Quran, we also learn of a devolution into apes and swine (Q5:60). 

Devolution into lower creatures is a concept found in ancient mythologies as well. However, in their philosophies, the belief is associated with reincarnation of the soul, in a different body, in this world. They seem to believe in an endless cycle of re-births and re-deaths, with immediate consequences (karma) in the next life, but not in a permanent hereafter. Their ultimate aim is to liberate the soul from the body. 

The Arabic word for the soul is 'nafs'. The Quran mentions it 295 times. It is the main subject of The Quran. It is clearly stated that it is the 'nafs' that is granted death. 

The Quran makes it very clear that death, after this life, is a separation from this world, till the Day of Resurrection. On the Day of Compensation (Deen), the successful will get their nafs reinstalled into their reformed bodies, for a blissful ever after in the The Gardens of Eternity. 

The worst loss on the Day of Resurrection is a body's loss of its nafs, and the consequent forever after burning in the eternal The Fires of Hell. 

Surah Qaf clearly states that whatever the earth consumes (the body) is in a well-preserved record, and our dust will be re-created. It also makes it clear that the 'nafs' whispers to the 'insaan', establishing the nafs' independence from the body, and potential separation.  

Surah al-Bayyinah clearly states:

The Clear Proof (98:6-7)


إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ ٦


Indeed, those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, to stay there forever. They are the worst of ˹all˺ beings.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


Surely those who disbelieved from among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Jahannam , in which they will be living forever. Those are the worst of all human beings.

— T. Usmani


Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.

— Saheeh International


Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.

— M. Pickthall


Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures.

— A. Yusuf Ali


” اہل کتاب اور مشرکین میں سے جن لوگوں نے کفر کیا ہے وہ یقینا جہنم کی آگ میں جائیں گے اور ہمیشہ اس میں رہیں گے ، یہ لوگ بدترین خلائق ہیں۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


اہلِ کتاب اور مشرکین میں سے جن لوگوں نے کُفر کیا ہے 1 وہ یقیناً جہنّم کی آگ میں جائیں گے اور ہمیشہ اس میں رہیں گے ، یہ لوگ بدترینِ خلائق ہیں۔ 2

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی خدا کی مخلوقات میں اُن سے بد تر کوئی مخلوق نہیں ہے  حتیٰ کہ جانوروں سے بھی گئے گزرے ہیں ، کیونکہ جانور عقل  اور اختیار نہیں رکھے، اور یہ عقل اور اختیار  رکھتے ہوئے حق سے منہ موڑتے ہیں۔

[2]یہاں کفر سے مراد محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو ماننے سے  انکار  کرنا ہے۔ مطلب یہ ہے کہ مشرکین اور  اہلِ کتاب میں سے جن لوگوں نے اُس رسول کے آجانے کے بعد اُ کو نہیں مانا جس کا  وجود خود ایک دلیلِ روشن ہے اور جو بالکل درست تحریروں پر مشتمل پاک صحیفے  اُن کو پڑھ کر سنا رہا ہے، اُن کا  انجام وہ ہے جو آگے بیان کیا جا رہا ہے۔


بیشک جو لوگ اہل کتاب میں کافر ہوئے اور مشرکین سب دوزخ کی آگ میں (جائیں گے) جہاں وه ہمیشہ (ہمیشہ) رہیں گے۔ یہ لوگ بدترین خلائق ہیں.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یہ اللہ کے رسولوں اور اس کی کتابون کا انکار کرنے والوں کا انجام ہے۔ نیز انہیں تمام مخلوقات میں بدترین قرار دیا گیا۔


جو لوگ کافر ہیں (یعنی) اہل کتاب اور مشرک وہ دوزخ کی آگ میں پڑیں گے (اور) ہمیشہ اس میں رہیں گے۔ یہ لوگ سب مخلوق سے بدتر ہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


بیشک وہ لوگ جنہوں نے کفر کی روش اختیار کی خواہ وہ اہل کتاب میں سے تھے خواہ مشرکین میں سے  وہ ہوں گے جہنم کی آگ میں اس میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے۔  یہی لوگ بدترین خلائق ہیں۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


اور جو منکر ہوئے اہل کتاب اور مشرک ہونگے دوزخ کی آگ میں سدا رہیں اُس میں [1] وہ لوگ ہیں سب خلق سے بدتر [2]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]کفّار خلائق میں بدترین ہیں:یعنی بہائم سے بھی زیادہ ذلیل اور بدتر کما قال فی سورۃ الفرقان اِنۡ  ہُمۡ   اِلَّا  کَالۡاَنۡعَامِ  بَلۡ ہُمۡ اَضَلُّ  سَبِیۡلًا (الفرقان۔۴۴)۔

[2]یعنی علم کا عویٰ رکھنے والے اہل کتاب ہوں ، یا جاہل مشرک، حق کا انکار کرنے پر سب کا انجام ایک ہے وہی دوزخ جس سے کبھی چھٹکارا نہیں۔


بے شک اہل کتاب اور مشرکین میں سے جن لوگوں نے کفر کیا وہ جہنم کی آگ میں پڑیں گے، وہ ہمیشہ اس میں رہیں گے، یہ لوگ بدترین خلائق ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan



إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَيْرُ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ ٧


Indeed, those who believe and do good—they are the best of ˹all˺ beings.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, they are the best of all human beings.

— T. Usmani


Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds - those are the best of creatures.

— Saheeh International


(And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.

— M. Pickthall


Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.

— A. Yusuf Ali


جو لوگ ایمان لے آئے اور جنہوں نے نیک عمل کیے ، وہ یقینا بہترین خلائق ہیں۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


جو لوگ ایمان لے آئے اور جنہوں نے نیک عمل کیے ، وہ یقیناً بہترین خلائق ہیں۔ 1

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی وہ خدا کی مخلوقات میں سے سے، حتیٰ کے ملائکہ سے بھی  افضل و اشرف ہیں، کیونکہ فرشتے نافرمانی کا اختیار نہیں رکھتے اور یہ اُس کا  اختیار رکھنے کے باوجود فرمانبرداری اختیار کرتے ہیں۔


بیشک جو لوگ ایمان ﻻئےاور نیک عمل کیے یہ لوگ بہترین خلائق ہیں.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی جو دل کے ساتھ ایمان لائے اور جنہوں نے اعضا کے ساتھ عمل کیے، وہ تمام مخلوقات سے بہتر اور افضل ہیں۔ جو اہل علم اس بات کے قائل ہیں کہ مومن بندے ملائکہ سے شرف وفضل میں بہترین ہیں ۔ ان کی ایک دلیل یہ آیت بھی ہے۔ الْبَرِيَّةُ، بَرَأَ ( خلق) سے ہے۔ اسی سے اللہ کی صفت البارئ ہے۔ اس لئے بَرِيَّةٌ، اصل میں بَرِيئَةٌ ہے،ہمزہ کو یا سے بدل کر یا کایا میں ادغام کردیاگیا۔


(اور) جو لوگ ایمان لائے اور نیک عمل کرتے رہے وہ تمام خلقت سے بہتر ہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


(اس کے برعکس) وہ لوگ جو ایمان لائے اور جنہوں نے نیک عمل کیے یہی بہترین خلائق ہیں۔

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


وہ لوگ جو یقین لائے اور کئے بھلے کام وہ لوگ ہیں سب خلق سے بہتر [1]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]صالح مومنین مخلوق میں سب سے بہتر ہیں:یعنی جو لوگ سب رسولوں اور کتابوں پر یقین لائے اور بھلے کاموں میں لگے رہے وہی بہترین خلائق ہیں حتّٰی کہ ان میں کے بعض افراد بعض فرشتوں سے آگے نکل جاتے ہیں۔


جو لوگ ایمان لائے اور انھوں نے اچھے کام کيے ،وہ لوگ بہترین ِ خلائق ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/98/6-7]


From a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad  , we learn that:

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: " يَلْقَى إِبْرَاهِيمُ أَبَاهُ آزَرَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَعَلَى وَجْهِ آزَرَ قَتَرَةٌ وَغَبَرَةٌ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ: أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكَ: لَا تَعْصِنِي؟ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أَبُوهُ: فَالْيَوْمَ لَا أَعْصِيكَ. فَيَقُول إِبراهيم: يَا رب إِنَّك وَعَدتنِي أَلا تخزني يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ فَأَيُّ خِزْيٍ أَخْزَى مِنْ أَبِي الْأَبْعَدِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ: مَا تَحْتَ رِجْلَيْكَ؟ فَيَنْظُرُ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِذِيخٍ مُتَلَطِّخٍ فَيُؤْخَذُ بقوائمه فَيُلْقى فِي النَّار ". رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ


Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, "On the day of resurrection Abraham will meet his father Azar with blackness and dust on Azar's face and ask him if he did not tell him not to disobey him. His father will reply that now he will not disobey him, and Abraham will say, `My Lord, Thou hast promised not to put me to shame on the day when men are resurrected, but what shame is greater than my father being farthest from Thy mercy?' God most high will reply, `I have debarred the infidels from paradise.' Abraham will then be told to look and see what is under his feet, and he will see a bespattered hairy hyena which will then be taken by its legs and thrown into hell [*]." *Abraham's father will be turned into the form of a hyena so that Abraham will not see him being thrown into hell in his own form.

Bukhari transmitted it.


Mishkat al-Masabih 5538

https://sunnah.com/mishkat:5538


Related Posts 

Snails, Slugs & The Devolution of Adam 

Humans & The Human Condition 

The Death of The Soul 

Sawab, Siyab & Libas (Q18:31) 

No Evolution, No Change 

Orientation: Right or Left 

Wronging the Nafs 

Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation 

Evolution or Metamorphosis 

When the People of the Book Wronged 

Human Devolution 

The Cursed Tree 


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 Last updated on: February 24, 2026


Tuesday, October 15, 2024

No Evolution, No Change

The Standing Law of Recompense

30:30

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٣٠


So be steadfast in faith in all uprightness ˹O Prophet˺—the natural Way of Allah which He has instilled in ˹all˺ people. Let there be no change in this creation of Allah. That is the Straight Way, but most people do not know.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fiṭrah[1] of Allāh upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allāh.[2] That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., let people remain true to their fiṭrah within the religion of Islām.

[2]The natural inborn inclination of man to worship his Creator prior to the corruption of his nature by external influences.  Thus, Islāmic monotheism is described as the religion of fiṭrah - that of the inherent nature of mankind.


So, set your face to the Faith uprightly, this (faith) being the nature designed by Allah on which He has created the mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. That is the straight faith, but most of the people do not know.

— T. Usmani


So [Prophet] as a man of pure faith, stand firm and true in your devotion to the religion. This is the natural disposition God instilled in mankind- there is no altering God’s creation- and this is the right religion, though most people do not realize it.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem


So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -

— M. Pickthall


So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.

— A. Yusuf Ali


So set you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) your face towards the religion (of pure Islâmic Monotheism) Hanîf (worship none but Allâh Alone). Allâh’s Fitrah (i.e. Allâh’s Islâmic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illâh (i.e. the religion of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism): that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.[1] [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[1](V.30) See the footnote of (Verse 10:19): (V.19) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Every child is born on Al-Fitrah [true faith of Islâmic Monotheism (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone)], but his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.2, Hadith No.467). [See also the Qur’ân, Verse V.30:30]


The true, correct religion (the standing law of recompense) clearly declares that: 

... لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ...

... No change in the creation of Allah ...

[Al-Quran 30:30]

Modern science holds evolution of species as an article of faith. 

Islamic monotheism, the Religion of Abraham, must hold 'No change in the creation of Allah' as an article of faith. 

So it follows that:

  1. all creatures, all species, were created as is by Allah 
  2. we do not have the liberty to make changes in any of Allah's creation 
  3. we should especially not make changes in humans, as that will lead to a corruption that we may not be able to reverse 
  4. changing creation is against the standing law, and will be recompensed accordingly 
  5. Adam's attempt to change himself resulted in his devolution
  6. we humans are presently in a devolved state 
  7. directing our face towards Allah's Deen, the Truth, will have a restorative outcome 
  8. just like Allah separated the skies from the earth, He also separated humans from other creatures, making humans in His Image (Fitrat-Allah)
  9. humans were created to rule over other creatures, as Allah's vice-regent (khalifa) 
  10. as responsible agents, endowed with freewill, we are accountable for our actions, and will be compensated accordingly   
  11. most humans are not even aware of this fact 

When Adam disobeyed Allah, he (Adam) put his soul (nafs) in a state of darkness, and suffered bodily harm, slipping out of what he was in, as well as being stripped of his superior natural clothing. Further misadventures by our ancestors have also added to more weakness and diseases to the humans, and corruption of the earth. Though Allah forgives and restores, undoing much of our corruption, we do suffer from some of the individual and collective consequences of others' mistakes, in this world. Thus are made evident, and explained in detail, the signs in the horizons, and within our soul (nafs). With grateful patience, we need to endure what we must suffer, while believing and doing good (acts of reform), sincerely adhering to Allah's Deen. 

Allah wills that each human willingly adheres to Allah's Deen, worshipping Him with a grateful heart, delighted to be honoured with the lofty job of worshipping Allah, in complete submission to Allah, i.e. being in a state of Islam. Allah's revelations guide to how to enter into Islam completely.   

On the Day of Deen, when each soul (nafs) will be recompensed according to what it has earned in this life, each individual will enjoy or suffer the consequence of its deeds that it sent forth for its afterlife. Every soul (nafs) is in pledge for what it earns. Those who direct their face towards the Deen-e-Hanif, inclining to the truth, will be reformed and restored to the perfect initial state and will inherit the Paradise that was lost. Those who look the other way, and choose falsehood instead of the truth, will suffer further devolution, completely losing their soul (nafs), and their family, to consciously suffer in the fires of hell, continuously.  

On the Day of Deen, Allah, the Fatir of the skies and earth, will separate the people of the gardens of eternity from the people of the fires of eternity permanently. The doors in the sky will be opened, and the people of the gardens of eternity will be allowed to enter through them, ascending to their gardens. The doors will not be opened for the people of the fires of eternity, nor will they be granted permission to ascend. We need to believe and put our trust in Allah, who has separated us, even in this world: 





Hadith of Prophet Muhammad 

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ، طُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا، فَلَمَّا خَلَقَهُ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ النَّفَرِ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ جُلُوسٌ، فَاسْتَمِعْ مَا يُحَيُّونَكَ، فَإِنَّهَا تَحِيَّتُكَ وَتَحِيَّةُ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَزَادُوهُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ، فَكُلُّ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى صُورَةِ آدَمَ، فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْخَلْقُ يَنْقُصُ بَعْدُ حَتَّى الآنَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet () said, "Allah created Adam in His picture, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), "Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring." Adam (went and) said, 'As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).' They replied, 'AsSalamu-'Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you) So they increased 'Wa Rahmatullah' The Prophet () added 'So whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and picture of Adam Since then the creation of Adam's (offspring) (i.e. stature of human beings is being diminished continuously) to the present time."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6227




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Last updated on: October 18, 2024

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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Evolution or Metamorphosis

Abstract 
The transformation of Adam and his progeny.   



Full Text 

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ

ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ

We have created the human being from an extract of clay
which was then turned into a living germ and placed in safe depository.
The living germ, then, was turned into a shapeless lump of flesh from which bones were formed. The bones, then, were covered with flesh. At this stage, We caused it to become another creature. All blessings belong to God, the best Creator.
Thereafter you will certainly die
and you will be brought back to life again on the Day of Resurrection.
[Al-Quran23:12-16, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]


Blessings 
The words formed with ṣād lām wāw (ص ل و) are generally translated as prayer. However, when يُصَلِّي is used for Allah, it is also translated as 'sends His blessings'. The words formed with bā rā kāf (ب ر ك) are generally translated as blessed, as can be seen at this link at corpus.quran.com:     
The triliteral root bā rā kāf (ب ر ك) occurs 32 times in the Quran, in five derived forms:
eight times as the form III verb bāraka (بَٰرَكَ)
nine times as the form VI verb tabāraka (تَبَارَكَ)
three times as the noun barakāt (بَرَكَٰت)
four times as the nominal mubārakat (مُّبَٰرَكَة)
eight times as the form III passive participle mubārak (مُبَارَك) 
One of the meanings this particular root conveys is blessings which continue and increase, that is, to go from a present state into a better state. In the case of living organisms, this could mean evolution or metamorphosis: 

As can be seen in the translation of Q23:14, quoted above, the human النُّطْفَةَ passes through many stages and evolves into a human baby! Similarly, all other living creatures go through various stages of development, evolving from a seed or egg into something that resembles the parent. This process is even more markedly visible in creatures that undergo metamorphosis in their development from a 'child' into an 'adult'. The following is a delightful short documentary:    




Something Different 
Contrary to the theory of evolution, as generally understood by scientists, we learn from the scriptures that God, the best of creators, created all living things, and they emerge on this Earth as and when they are supposed to. However, seeing the stages of development and change that these creatures undergo on this planet, its easy to believe that upon resurrection, our bodies will transform into something different:

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
   [Al-Quran 56:60-62, Translation: Sahih International]


Transformation  
The scriptures inform us that we were created excellently, but have been reduced to a much lower form. As the story goes, Adam was dwelling in comfort and luxury in The Garden, but Satan was able to tempt him with false promises of immortality and/or becoming an angel. However, Satan was only trying to bring harm to Adam and his wife... and so, in pursuit of desire, instead of metamorphosing into an angel, they lost their natural clothing! Moulting, the shedding of skin, is a process that snakes and some other creatures undergo periodically. Grasshoppers which turn into locusts are a clear case of genetic transformation:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/a-brain-chemical-changes-locusts-from-harmless-grasshoppers-to-swarming-pests
Locusts belong to the grasshopper family but unlike their harmless relatives they have the unusual ability to live in either a solitary or a gregarious state, with the genetic instructions for both packaged within a single genome.

The progeny of Adam is also similarly challenged, facing the temptations and false promises of Satan, who is the sworn enemy, bent on taking along as many as he can to an eternal Hell. As mentioned in Wronging the Nafs,  we now also have fossil and genetic evidence pointing towards the transformation of some humans into apes and pigs, as claimed by The Quran.

While the criminals are expected to suffer a worse state, as a consequence of their faith and deeds, in the Hereafter, as discussed in Blue-Eyed Criminals and The Cursed Tree; there is great hope for a wonderful future for the people whose repentance is accepted by Allah. 

The Quran describes the beautiful clothes that the dwellers of The Gardens will be adorned in. It is interesting to note that the description varies according to the level of piety achieved in this life, and the consequent grade of dignity in the Hereafter. Two of the following five descriptions mention green silk: 


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا
أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا

As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed. 
For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good t he recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!
[Al-Quran 18:30-31, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 



إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
وَهُدُوا إِلَى الطَّيِّبِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَهُدُوا إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِ الْحَمِيدِ

God will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk
For they have been guided (in this life) to the purest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthy of (all) Praise.
[Al-Quran 22:23-24, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 



ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ
جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
الَّذِي أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِن فَضْلِهِ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ

Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our Servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by God's leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace. 
Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.
And they will say: "Praise be to God, Who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service):
"Who has, out of His Bounty, settled us in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein." 
[Al-Quran 35:32-35, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 



إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ
فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ
يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَقَابِلِينَ

As to the Righteous (they will be) in a position of Security,
Among Gardens and Springs;
Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other; 
[Al-Quran 44:51-53, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 



وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًا وَمُلْكًا كَبِيرًا
عَالِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌ وَحُلُّوا أَسَاوِرَ مِن فِضَّةٍ وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا
إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَاءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا

And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent. 
Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy. 
"Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognised."
[Al-Quran 76:20-22, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 



Repent & Return 
Allah has blessed us with guidance in the scriptures, to help us through the tests of this life, repent and return. May Allah accept our repentance, correct and purify us, and make us grow into a beautiful form. 





A Prayer 
With Allah's help, we can make it through:  


ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
 
Repel, by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We are most knowing of what they describe.
And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils,
And I seek refuge in You, my Lord , lest they be present with me."
[Al-Quran 23:96-98, Translation: Sahih International]




References & Links 

Related posts in this blog: 

Monday, May 12, 2014

Until The Camel Passes Through The Eye Of The Needle

Matthew 19:24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Luke 18:25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ ۚ وَكَذَ‌ٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُجْرِمِينَ

Indeed, those who denied Our Verses and (were) arrogant towards them, (will) not be opened for them (the) doors (of) the heaven, and not they will enter Paradise until passes the camel through (the) eye (of) the needle. And thus We recompense the criminals.  
A few ayaat later, the men on heights are mentioned, who would be hopeful of ascending into the Gardens of Heaven, while also looking at the people in the Fire of Hell, praying that they be spared of that dreadful fate. Eventually, they will be granted entry into the Gardens of Eternity through the Mercy of Allah  (Q7:49). 
[Al-Quran 7:46-56] And between them (will be) a partition, and on the heights (will be) men recognizing all by their marks. And they will call out (to the) companions (of) Paradise that "Peace (be) upon you." Not they have entered it but they hope. And when are turned their eyes towards (the) companions (of) the Fire, they (will) say, "Our Lord! (Do) not place us with the people - the wrongdoers." And (will) call out (the) companions (of) the heights (to) men whom they recognize by their marks saying, "Not (has) availed [to] you your gathering and what you were arrogant (about)." Are these the ones whom you had sworn that Allah (will) not grant them Mercy? "Enter Paradise. (There will be) no fear upon you and not you will grieve." And (will) call out (the) companions (of) the Fire (to the) companions (of) Paradise [that], "Pour upon us [of] (some) water or of what Allah has provided you." They (will) say, "Indeed, Allah has forbidden both to the disbelievers, Those who took their religion (as) an amusement and play and deluded them the life (of) the world." So today We forget them as they forgot (the) meeting (of) this Day of theirs, and [what] (as) they used to reject Our Verses. And certainly We had brought (to) them a Book which We have explained with knowledge - a guidance and mercy for a people who believe. Do they wait except (for) its fulfillment (The) Day (will) come its fulfillment, will say those who had forgotten it before, "Verily had come (the) Messengers (of) our Lord with the truth, so are (there) for us any intercessors so (that) they intercede for us or we are sent back so (that) we do (deeds) other than that which we used to do." Verily, they lost themselves, and strayed from them what they used to invent. Indeed, your Lord (is) Allah the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six epochs, then He ascended on the Throne. He covers the night (with) the day seeking it rapidly and the sun and the moon and the stars - subjected by His command. Unquestionably for Him (is) the creation and the command, blessed (is) Allah, Lord (of) the worlds. Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He (does) not love the transgressors. And (do) not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation. And call Him (in) fear and hope. Indeed, (the) Mercy of Allah (is) near for the good-doers. 

Interpretation
A future event, generally understood by translators as an impossibility, something that will never happen, is the mention of the camel passing through the eye of the needle. Why would an impossible event be mentioned in The Quran, when it could simply have been stated that it will never happen? Perhaps, in some very distant future, the camel may reduce in size and become tiny enough to pass through the eye of the needle! 

Evolution and Devolution
Similar to the Big Bang and Big Crunch theory in Cosmology, biologists study the theories of Evolution and Devolution. Big Bang tries to theorize the beginning of the Universe, and Evolution theorizes about the beginning of living things. Similarly, Big Crunch is a theory about how the expansion of the Universe will halt, and then contraction will begin, leading to a return to the singularity from which the Big Bang started. Similarly, Devolution is about species reverting to their earlier forms.
Considering the reversibility of the Arrow of Time according to the fundamental Laws of Physics, it is postulated that[1] ‘if someone knew the paths of all the particles in the universe and flipped them around, energy would accumulate rather than disperse: Tepid coffee would spontaneously heat up, buildings would rise from their rubble and sunlight would slink back into the sun.’
According to Wikipedia[2], the earliest known camel was about the size of a rabbit. Over time, it has evolved in height. Non-conclusive evidence for devolution has been observed in Seattle fish and reported in National Geographic[3].
Reversibility of creation, both living and non-living is not an impossibility rather plausible. In Quran(36:68), we read that: And he to whom We grant long life We reverse in creation; so will they not understand?[4]

Time-Bound?
Perhaps the Hereafter is also not eternal, and will eventually come to an end or change. An interesting point to note is that the word ‘khaliduna’, generally translated as eternal or forever, has been used for the length of time that humans will abide in the Garden or the Fire. The same word has not been used anywhere in relation to God, who we believe is eternal, i.e. without beginning and without end.  For God, the only word implying eternal that has been used is ‘as-Samad’ which has been used only once and exclusively for God in the Qur’an 112:2

And Allah ﷻ knows best!
Related Posts: 



[1] Time’s Arrow Traced to Quantum Source By : Natalie Wolchover April 1 6, 2014, Quanta Magazine, Simonsfoundation.org
[4] Translation by Sahih International 


Last updated on November 20, 2022