Fate, Deeds, Omens & The Mercy of Allah

Abstract  

The Quran guides us and grants us the insights we need to understand how to live the life we have been given. We are in pledge for our deeds. Our fate has already been decreed by Allah. Neither others nor we ourselves can benefit or harm ourselves, except that it has already been decreed for us.
The Quran relates the stories of the great prophets and messengers of Allah. They all preached never losing hope in the Mercy of Allah. The Quran is a magnificent Grace and a Mercy from Allah to help us submit to His guidance, and never despair of the Mercy of Allah.  

The Quran concludes with two comprehensive prayers to seek Allah's protection.

Full Text 

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.

And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit ar-Ruh descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

[Al-Quran 97, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word ar-Ruh in italics)]

Surah al-Qadr informs us that all decreed matters are sent down on the night of al-Qadr. The Quran was also sent down in this night, in the month of Ramadhan. Surah ad-Dukhan terms it a flourishing (مُّبَارَكَةٍ) night in which is made distinct every wise أَمْرٍ. The Quran guides us and grants us the insights we need to understand how to live the life we have been given. Surah al-Hadid further informs us: 

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls nafs but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for God:

In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For God loveth not any vainglorious boaster,-

[Al-Quran 57:22-23, Translator: Yusuf Ali (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

Our Fate is with Us 
In Surah Yasin we read a conversation between the Messengers and the superstitious people they were sent to: 

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًا أَصْحَابَ الْقَرْيَةِ إِذْ جَاءَهَا الْمُرْسَلُونَ

إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ اثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ

قَالُوا مَا أَنتُمْ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا وَمَا أَنزَلَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَكْذِبُونَ

قَالُوا رَبُّنَا يَعْلَمُ إِنَّا إِلَيْكُمْ لَمُرْسَلُونَ

وَمَا عَلَيْنَا إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ

قَالُوا إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

قَالُوا طَائِرُكُم مَّعَكُمْ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُونَ

And present to them an example: the people of the city, when the messengers came to it -

When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you."

They said, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies."

They said, "Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you,

And we are not responsible except for clear notification."

They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment."

They said, "Your omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." 

[Al-Quran 36:13-19, Translator: Sahih International] 

Surah al-Isra further informs us about our omen/fate (طَائِرُكُم):

وَكُلَّ إِنسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَائِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنشُورًا

اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. 

[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is your nafs against you this Day as accountant." 

[Al-Quran 17:13, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

The word which is translated as omen in Q36:18-19, and fate in Q17:13, shares its root with the word for birds. There are various kinds of superstitions: events, people and even birds are considered to be good and bad omens. However, the following ayat informs us that matters are already decreed, and the Messengers are only sent to give a last chance, and to establish the evidence against the defiantly disobedient: 

وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيرًا

And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.
[Al-Quran 17:16, Translator: Sahih International]

In Surah an-Naml, we find a similar argument as posed in Surah Yasin by the disbelievers:

قَالُوا اطَّيَّرْنَا بِكَ وَبِمَن مَّعَكَ قَالَ طَائِرُكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ تُفْتَنُونَ

They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested."

[Al-Quran 27:47, Translator: Sahih International]

The Pharaoh also believed in such superstitions:

فَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا لَنَا هَٰذِهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُ أَلَا إِنَّمَا طَائِرُهُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Whenever something fine came to them, they said: "This is ours;" while if something evil afflicted them, they took it as an omen connected with Moses and whoever was with him. Did not their omen only lie with God? Yet most of them do not realize it.

[Al-Quran 7:131, Translator: T. B. Irving]

Everything from Allah 
Surah an-Nisa` informs us: 

أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ حَسَنَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَقُولُوا هَٰذِهِ مِنْ عِندِكَ قُلْ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ فَمَالِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ لَا يَكَادُونَ يَفْقَهُونَ حَدِيثًا

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا

Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allah "; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allah ." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement? 

What comes to you of good is from Allah , but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself nafs. And We have sent you, [O Muhammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allah as Witness. 

He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah ; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian. 

[Al-Quran 4:78-80, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

For more on nafs and human misadventures, please read:

• Wronging the Nafs  
• Blue-Eyed Criminals 
• Evolution or Metamorphosis 

We are in pledge for our deeds. Our fate has already been decreed by Allah. Neither others nor we ourselves can benefit or harm ourselves, except that it has already been decreed for us. Therefore, we need to express gratitude for all the ease and all the good we are given, and pray for forgiveness and ease for all that's not according to our liking, without ever losing hope in the Mercy of Allah. 

Mercy of Allah 

The Quran relates the stories of the great prophets and messengers of Allah. They all preached not losing hope in the Mercy of Allah. Abraham was granted children in old age, while Jacob spent a lifetime awaiting the return of his beloved son Joseph. In spite of their prolonged wait, they never lost hope. The conversation between the Messengers who gave glad tidings to Abraham, and his response, is quoted in Surah al-Hijr: 

قَالُوا بَشَّرْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْقَانِطِينَ

قَالَ وَمَن يَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلَّا الضَّالُّونَ

They said, "We have given you good tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing."

He said, "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?"

[Al-Quran 15:55-56, Translator: Sahih International] 

Jacob advises his sons:  

يَا بَنِيَّ اذْهَبُوا فَتَحَسَّسُوا مِن يُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of relief rawḥi from Allah . Indeed, no one despairs of relief rawḥi from Allah except the disbelieving people."

[Al-Quran 12:87, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word rawḥi in italics)] 

A note on رُوحُ 
It is interesting to note the word (رَّوْحِ) used by Jacob in this advise. It is the same word used for what descends (الرُّوحُ) with the angels in the night of al-Qadr. Mary was sent the (رُوحَنَا) as mentioned in Q19:17; Jesus was able to perform his miracles with help of (رُوحِ الْقُدُسِ) as mentioned in Q5:110; The Quran was also brought by the (رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ):     

قُلْ نَزَّلَهُ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

Say, [O Muhammad], "The Pure Spirit رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ has brought it down from your Lord in truth to make firm those who believe and as guidance and good tidings to the Muslims."

[Al-Quran 16:102, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ in italics)]

However, Q17:85 is quite clear that we have been given very little knowledge about the (الرُّوحِ). The Quran is a magnificent Grace and a Mercy from Allah to help us submit to His guidance, and never despair of the Mercy of Allah.


Prayers to Seek Protection 
The Quran concludes with two comprehensive prayers to seek Allah's protection from the harm that others may try to cause us, and from the sins we may be incited to commit:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ

مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ

وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ

وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak

From the evil of that which He created

And from the evil of darkness when it settles

And from the evil of the blowers in knots

And from the evil of an envier when he envies."

[Al-Quran 113, Translator: Sahih International] 

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ

إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ

مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ

الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ

مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ

Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,

The Sovereign of mankind.

The God of mankind,

From the evil of the retreating whisperer -

Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind -

From among the jinn and mankind." 

[Al-Quran 114, Translator: Sahih International] 

Last updated on: August 1, 2019

Allah, badīʿ (بَدِيع) of the Skies and Earth

...  He has commanded that you worship not except Him. ... [Q12:40]

Mission of the Messengers - XXV 

Abstract

In its command to adhere to the right religion, Q12:40 states that Allah has commanded that only He is to be worshipped. Various mythologies have a pantheon of gods as the progeny of The One God. Allah creates through His Word, while procreation is a function that Allah has built into creation by which He increases them. The Quran uses the term badīʿ (بَدِيع)  as one of the steps in the act of creation by Allah. This term appears in the context of dismissing any false notions of lineage and worship.  

Full Text 

مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم

 مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ

 إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ 

أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ

 ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, 

for which Allah has sent down no authority. 

Legislation is not but for Allah . 

He has commanded that you worship not except Him. 

That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

[Al-Quran 12:40, Translator: Sahih International]

badīʿ (بَدِيع) in The Quran
The Quran uses the term badīʿ (بَدِيع)  as one of the steps in the act of creation by Allah. This term appears in the context of dismissing any false notions of lineage and worship:

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَانَهُ بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ

بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

They say, " Allah has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him,

بَدِيعُ of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

[Al-Quran 2:116-117, Translator: Sahih International]

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وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ الْجِنَّ وَخَلَقَهُمْ وَخَرَقُوا لَهُ بَنِينَ وَبَنَاتٍ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُ صَاحِبَةٌ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ

لَّا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصَارَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

قَدْ جَاءَكُم بَصَائِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِيَقُولُوا دَرَسْتَ وَلِنُبَيِّنَهُ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

But they have attributed to Allah partners - the jinn, while He has created them - and have fabricated for Him sons and daughters. Exalted is He and high above what they describe

[He is] بَدِيعُ of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He خَلَقَ all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing.

That is Allah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the خَالِقُ of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.

Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.

There has come to you enlightenment from your Lord. So whoever will see does so for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever is blind [does harm] against it. And [say], "I am not a guardian over you."

And thus do We diversify the verses so the disbelievers will they (may) say, "You have studied," and so We may make the Qur'an clear for a people who know.

Follow, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you from your Lord - there is no deity except Him - and turn away from those who associate others with Allah .

[Al-Quran 6:100-106, Translator: Sahih International; edited in italics]

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Root Word 

http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=bdE  

The triliteral root bā dāl ʿayn (ب د ع) occurs four times in the Quran, in three derived forms:

once as the form VIII verb ib'tadaʿu (ٱبْتَدَعُ)

once as the noun bid'ʿ (بِدْع)

twice as the noun badīʿ (بَدِيع)

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com 

In the Lexicon

http://www.tyndalearchive.com/tabs/lane/ Pages 166-167

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Screenshots from Lane's Lexicon

Various Facets of Creation
The Quran employs various words to convey the various steps in the act of creation of the Skies and Earth. بَدِيعُ and  فَاطِرُ  are used exclusively for Allah, and خَالِقُ for Allah, as well as others. Fatir (فَاطِرُ), Badīʿ (بَدِيع) and Khaliq (خَالِقُ) are all generally translated Creator. Fatir (فَاطِرُ) and Khaliq (خَالِقُ) are mentioned in several ayaat across The Quran, but badīʿ (بَدِيع) is mentioned in the only two ayaat quoted above.  

What is interesting in the context of both the set of ayaat is that the myth of Allah having a progeny is being strongly denounced; emphasising and explaining that it is Allah who innovates and creates whatever He wills, and that Allah does not procreate! Allah has created all things!!!


Creation through Sound 
Q2:117 informs us that when Allah decrees anything (أَمْرًا), He simply commands it to become  (يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن) and it becomes (فَيَكُونُ). As mentioned in Virgin Birth, new studies and experiments are revealing the ability of sound to arrange matter in various patterns and waves. Q3:45 informs us that the angels gave Mary glad tidings of a Word (بِكَلِمَةٍ) from Allah. The same word is used in Q19:17 (رُوحَنَا) and Q66:12 (رُّوحِنَا) to convey what was breathed into her. As explored in Human: Body or Soul?, Q17:85 informs us that الرُّوحُ is from the أَمْرِ of Allah: 

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

[Al-Quran 17:85]   

Creation vs Procreation

Various mythologies have a pantheon of gods as the progeny of The One God. The Quran strongly denounces this, and logically explains in Q6:101 that in the absence of a female companion procreation is not possible; the same ayat also reminds that Allah is the (خَالِقُ) of all things. Procreation is a function that Allah has built into creation by which He increases them. Q17:42 further reasons that had there been other gods, they would have found a way to The Throne: 

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ مَعَهُ آلِهَةٌ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذًا لَّابْتَغَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِي الْعَرْشِ سَبِيلًا

[Al-Quran 17:42]    

Polytheism

Q12:40 commands the worship of Allah alone, stating that it is the الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ. The surah concludes thus: 

وَكَأَيِّن مِّنْ آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

أَفَأَمِنُوا أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

And how many a sign within the heavens and earth do they pass over while they, therefrom, are turning away.

And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him.

Then do they feel secure that there will not come to them an overwhelming [aspect] of the punishment of Allah or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they do not perceive?

Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah ; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."

And We sent not before you [as messengers] except men to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. So have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? And the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah ; then will you not reason?

[They continued] until, when the messengers despaired and were certain that they had been denied, there came to them Our victory, and whoever We willed was saved. And Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.

There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur'an a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe. 

[Al-Quran 12:105-111, Translator: Sahih International]

Originate & Re-create
While بَدِيع means to originate something new, a similar triliteral root is bā dāl hamza (ب د أ), which is also used in the sense of originating creation, and then repeating the process:

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com  

List of Related Posts 

Last updated on: September 8, 2019

Specific Medical Cases & their Treatment

And when I am ill, then He cures me, [Al-Quran 26:80] 

Disease & Cure - III 

The Qur'an narrates some specific cases of disease, and in each case some action is taken or prescribed to cure the condition:

Jonah (Yunus)

The Quran informs us that a gourd plant was grown to cure Jonah:

وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

 إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى الْفُلْكِ الْمَشْحُونِ

 فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُدْحَضِينَ

 فَالْتَقَمَهُ الْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ

 فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحِينَ

 لَلَبِثَ فِي بَطْنِهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

 فَنَبَذْنَاهُ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ

 وَأَنبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ

 وَأَرْسَلْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ

 فَآمَنُوا فَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

And indeed, Yunus (was) surely of the Messengers. When he ran away to the ship laden. Then he drew and was of the losers. Then swallowed him the fish, while he (was) blameworthy. And if not that he was of those who glorify Certainly, he (would have) remained in its belly until the Day they are resurrected.

But We cast him onto the open shore while he (was) ill. And We caused to grow over him a plant of gourd.

And We sent him to a hundred thousand or more. And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a while.

[Al-Quran 37:139-148]

 Job (Ayub)

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

 فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ  

وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِينَ

And Ayub, when he called (to) his Lord, "Indeed, [I] has touched me the adversity, and You (are) Most Merciful (of) the Merciful."

So We responded to him and We removed what (was) on him of (the) adversity.

And We gave him his family and (the) like thereof with them (as) Mercy from Ourselves, and a reminder for the worshippers.

[Al-Quran 21:83-84]

The Quran informs us that Job (Ayub) was provided with something cool to drink and to bathe with. It does not specifically use the word water, but translators assume it. Q38:41 also informs us that the distress and suffering was caused by Satan. Ayub was cured, his family was returned to him and also increased.

   وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ 

أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ

 ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ

 وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

 وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ 

إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

             And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying):

Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment.  

(And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink. And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding. And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath.

Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).   

[Al-Quran 38:41-44, Translator: Pickthall]

Mary (Maryam) Labour Pains & Childbirth 

When Mary was sufering the labour pains and delivering the baby Jesus (Isa), Q19:23-26 informs us that:

   فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ

 قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا

 فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا

وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا

فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا 

فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا

Then drove her the pains of childbirth to (the) trunk (of) the date-palm.

She said, "O! I wish I (had) died before this and I was (in) oblivion, forgotten."

So cried to her from beneath her, "That (do) not grieve verily, (has) placed your Lord beneath you, a stream. And shake towards you (the) trunk (of) the date-palm, it will drop upon you fresh dates ripe. So eat and drink and cool (your) eyes.

And if you see from human being anyone then say, "Indeed, I [I] have vowed to the Most Gracious a fast, so not I will speak today (to any) human being."

[Al-Quran 19:23-26]  

Emerging medical research recommends similar exercises during labour, and consumption of similar food and drink post-labour.  

Procreation

Both Abraham and Zechariah were given good news of a child while they and their spouses had grown very old, well past the age of procreating. No fertility treatment was prescribed, nor were they given any details about how it would be made possible; they were simply  informed that it is easy for God.

Abraham (Ibrahim)  & his wife:

وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ

 فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ

 قَالَتْ يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ أَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا عَجُوزٌ وَهَٰذَا بَعْلِي شَيْخًا إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عَجِيبٌ

 قَالُوا أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَّجِيدٌ

And his wife (was) standing and she laughed.

Then We gave her glad tidings of Ishaq, and after Ishaq (of) Yaqub.

She said, "Woe to me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman and this, my husband, (is) an old man? Indeed, this (is) surely a thing amazing."

They said, "Are you amazed at (the) decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His blessings (be) upon you, people (of) the house. Indeed, He (is) All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious."

[Al-Quran 11:71-73]

فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِي صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ

 قَالُوا كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ

Then came forward his wife with a loud voice, and struck her face and she said, "An old woman barren!"

They said, "Thus said your Lord.

Indeed, He [He] (is) the All-Wise, the All-Knower."

[Al-Quran 51:29-30]

Zechariah (Zakariya) & his wife:

   هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

 فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ

 أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

 قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ اللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ

There only, Zakariya invoked his Lord, he said, "My Lord grant [for] me from Yourself offspring pure. Indeed, You (are) All-Hearer (of) the prayer

Then called him the Angels when he (was) standing - praying in the prayer chamber. 

"Indeed, Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya, confirming [of] a Word from Allah and a noble and chaste and a Prophet among the righteous.

He said, "My Lord how can (there) be for me a son, and verily has reached me [the] old age and my wife (is) [a] barren?" 

He said, "Thus; Allah does what He wills."

[Al-Quran  3:38-40]

   كهيعص

 ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا

 إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا

 قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا

 وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا

 يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا

 يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا

 قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا

 قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا

 Kaaf Ha Ya Ain Sad.

 (A) mention (of the) Mercy (of) your Lord (to) His servant Zakariya

When he called (to) his Lord a call - secret.

He said, "My Lord! Indeed, [I] (have) weakened my bones, and flared (my) head (with) white, and not I have been in (my) supplication (to) You my Lord unblessed. And indeed, I [I] fear the successors after me, and is my wife barren. So give [to] me from Yourself an heir Who will inherit me and inherit from (the) family (of) Yaqub. And make him my Lord, pleasing."

"O Zakariya! Indeed, We [We] give you glad tidings of a boy his name (will be) Yahya, not We (have) assigned [for] it before (this) name."

He said, "My Lord! How can I have a boy, while is my wife barren, and indeed, I have reached of the old age extreme?"

He said, "Thus, said your Lord, 'It (is) easy for Me and certainly I (have) created you before, while not you were anything.'"

[Al-Quran 19:1-11]

Mary (Maryam) & the conception of Jesus(Isa):

Mary's virgin body became pregnant with a male child upon receiving a command from God. When she was given the news, she wondered:

  إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ

 وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ 

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

When said the Angels, "O Maryam! Indeed, Allah gives you glad tidings of a word from Him, his name (is) the Messiah, Isa, son (of) Maryam, honored in the world and (in) the Hereafter, and of those brought near (to Allah). And he will speak (to) the people in the cradle and (in) maturity; and (he will be) of the righteous."

She said, "My Lord how is [it] for me a boy, and (has) not touch(ed) me any man?"

He said, "Thus Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter then only He says to it, "Be," and it becomes.

[Al-Quran 3:45-47]

قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا

 قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَامًا زَكِيًّا

 قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا

 قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا

 فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا

She said, "Indeed, I [I] seek refuge with the Most Gracious from you if you are God fearing."

He said, "Only I am a Messenger (from) your Lord, that I (may) bestow on you a son pure."

She said, "How can be for me a son, when not has touched me a man, and not I am unchaste?"

He said, "Thus; said your Lord, 'It (is) for Me easy, and so that We will make him a sign for the mankind and a Mercy from Us. And (it) is a matter decreed.'"

So she conceived and she withdrew with him (to) a place remote.

[Al-Quran 19:18-22]

Excerpt from  Virgin Birth

What is noteworthy in all three cases is that they were not asked to have any fertility treatment. In fact Q4:1 warns us to guard the womb:

Excerpt from Guarding the Womb

In fact, the people who are surprised to see Mary carrying a baby are quoted as saying that:

  

 فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ 

قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا

 يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا

Then she came to her people carrying him (Isa).

They (her people) said, "O Maryam !you have come with a strange thing. O sister of Harun ! your father was not a bad man nor your mother was one who exceeded the limits."

[Al-Quran 19:27-28, Translator: Mir Aneesuddin]

Links to posts in the series Disease and Cure