Secular Science vs Creation Faith

 

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.

Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.

Not He begets and not He is begotten.

And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."

[Al-Quran 112]

The scriptures inform us about the creation of the heavens and the earth, and about our creation. They outline the process and the objectives, and also the future outcomes. 

Science attempts to explore, understand, and put to use the world around us. It eliminates scripture-based beliefs about creation, replacing them with its own thought-constructs.   

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعۡبُدُوۡا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَكُمۡ وَالَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَ ۙ‏ 

O humanity! Worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become mindful ˹of Him˺.

الَّذِىۡ جَعَلَ لَـكُمُ الۡاَرۡضَ فِرَاشًا وَّالسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَّاَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَخۡرَجَ بِهٖ مِنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ رِزۡقًا لَّـكُمۡ​ۚ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُوۡا لِلّٰهِ اَنۡدَادًا وَّاَنۡـتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ‏

˹He is the One˺ Who has made the earth a place of settlement for you and the sky a canopy; and sends down rain from the sky, causing fruits to grow as a provision for you. So do not knowingly set up equals to Allah ˹in worship˺.

[Al-Quran 2:21-22, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab]

Scriptures speak about the six days of creation. 

Science insists upon billions of years. 

Scriptures speak about the creation of creatures. 

Science insists upon evolution of creatures. 

Scriptures glorify God as the source of all life. 

Science considers the Sun as the source of all life on the planet. 

Scriptures glorify God as the sustainer of all life. 

Science considers the Sun as the sustainer of all life on the planet. 

Scriptures speak about the laws decreed by God to govern all creation. 

Science seeks to replace scripture-based laws with human rationale. 

Scriptures speak about man as God's appointed representative to rule above all. 

Science attempts to equalise humans with rest of the creation. 

اَمَّنۡ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ وَاَنۡزَلَ لَـكُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً​ ۚ فَاَنۡۢبَتۡنَا بِهٖ حَدَآٮِٕقَ ذَاتَ بَهۡجَةٍ​ ۚ مَا كَانَ لَـكُمۡ اَنۡ تُـنۡۢبِتُوۡا شَجَرَهَا ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ بَلۡ هُمۡ قَوۡمٌ يَّعۡدِلُوۡنَ ؕ‏  

Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down rain for you from the sky, by which We cause delightful gardens to grow? You could never cause their trees to grow. Was it another god besides Allah?” Absolutely not! But they are a people who set up equals ˹to Allah˺!

اَمَّنۡ جَعَلَ الۡاَرۡضَ قَرَارًا وَّجَعَلَ خِلٰلَهَاۤ اَنۡهٰرًا وَّجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَاسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَ الۡبَحۡرَيۡنِ حَاجِزًا​ ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ ؕ بَلۡ اَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ؕ‏ 

Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who made the earth a place of settlement, caused rivers to flow through it, placed firm mountains upon it, and set a barrier between ˹fresh and salt˺ bodies of water? Was it another god besides Allah?” Absolutely not! But most of them do not know.

اَمَّنۡ يُّجِيۡبُ الۡمُضۡطَرَّ اِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكۡشِفُ السُّوۡٓءَ وَيَجۡعَلُكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ الۡاَرۡضِ​ ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ ​ؕ قَلِيۡلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ ؕ‏ 

 Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who responds to the distressed when they cry to Him, relieving ˹their˺ affliction, and ˹Who˺ makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god besides Allah? Yet you are hardly mindful!”

اَمَّنۡ يَّهۡدِيۡكُمۡ فِىۡ ظُلُمٰتِ الۡبَرِّ وَ الۡبَحۡرِ وَمَنۡ يُّرۡسِلُ الرِّيٰحَ بُشۡرًۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهٖؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ؕ تَعٰلَى اللّٰهُ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَؕ‏ 

Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who guides you in the darkness of the land and sea, and sends the winds ushering in His mercy? Is it another god besides Allah? Exalted is Allah above what they associate ˹with Him˺!

 اَمَّنۡ يَّبۡدَؤُا الۡخَـلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيۡدُهٗ وَمَنۡ يَّرۡزُقُكُمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ​ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ​ؕ قُلۡ هَاتُوۡا بُرۡهَانَكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِيۡنَ‏ 

Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who originates the creation then resurrects it, and gives you provisions from the heavens and the earth? Is it another god besides Allah?” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Show ˹me˺ your proof, if what you say is true.”

 قُلْ لَّا يَعۡلَمُ مَنۡ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ الۡغَيۡبَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ​ؕ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَ اَيَّانَ يُبۡعَثُوۡنَ‏ 

 Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “None in the heavens and the earth has knowledge of the unseen except Allah. Nor do they know when they will be resurrected.

بَلِ ادّٰرَكَ عِلۡمُهُمۡ فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ​ بَلۡ هُمۡ فِىۡ شَكٍّ مِّنۡهَا بَلۡ هُمۡ مِّنۡهَا عَمُوۡنَ‏ 

No! Their knowledge of the Hereafter amounts to ignorance. In fact, they are in doubt about it. In truth, they are ˹totally˺ blind to it.

[Al-Quran 27:60-66, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab]

Scriptures seek to save humans. 

Science seeks to transcend humans. 

Scriptures seek to maintain original forms of creation. 

Science encourages experiments leading to corruption of creation. 

Scriptures decree moral laws so human families can flourish in society. 

Science does away with moral laws in the name of equality and freedom.  

Scriptures glorify the one and only, true God. 

Science has historically often led to polytheism. 

Scripture informs us that we have been sent to stay temporarily on this Earth. 

Science dreams of colonising space. 

Scripture teaches us how to save our soul (nafs / nephesh). It warns against making changes in the nafs. 

Science refuses to acknowledge the existence of the nafs. When it discovers the soul (nafs), in the absence of guidance from the scriptures, the danger is that it may try to make changes in it also. 

Scripture warns us that we risk losing our soul (nafs) permanently, terming it as the greatest loss. 

Science encourages us to take risks to attain worldly benefits. 

Scripture informs us of true knowledge, and God willing, results in technological advancements, as in the Kingdom of Solomon. 

Science bases it progress on false premises, and results in technological advancements with polytheistic beliefs, as in the Kingdom of Saba (Sheba). 

Scripture informs us of a resurrection, and an accountability. 

Science cannot inform anything about afterlife. 

Scripture is not subject to change. 

Science changes its 'faith' continuously. 

Scripture insists on the worship of the one and only, true God. 

Science goes from displacing God as the deity to be worshipped, to secular beliefs about chance and accident, and a thus a deity-less world, to recognising fine-tuning and precision in creation. Most technologically advanced ancient civilisations thus resorted to a techno-theology worship of creation instead of, or along with God. 

...

سَنُرِيۡهِمۡ اٰيٰتِنَا فِى الۡاٰفَاقِ وَفِىۡۤ اَنۡفُسِهِمۡ حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ اَنَّهُ الۡحَـقُّ​ ؕ اَوَلَمۡ يَكۡفِ بِرَبِّكَ اَنَّهٗ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ شَهِيۡدٌ‏ 

We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this ˹Quran˺ is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things?

اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمۡ فِىۡ مِرۡيَةٍ مِّنۡ لِّقَآءِ رَبِّهِمۡ​ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهٗ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ مُّحِيۡطٌ

They are truly in doubt of the meeting with their Lord! ˹But˺ He is indeed Fully Aware of everything.

[Al-Quran 41:53-54, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab]

Last updated on: May 2, 2023

....

... if you slip

… 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. [12:40]
Mission of the Messengers-XXXV 


Abstract 

Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty. Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It also lists powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers. In between the two extremes, it relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah.
We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing. 

Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?

[Al-Quran 38:28; typos & translation edited]

Full Text 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ

O you who believe[d]! Enter in submission/Islam completely, and (do) not follow footsteps (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, he (is) for you an enemy open.

Then if you slip from after [what] came to you (from) the clear proofs, then know that Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Are they waiting [except] that comes to them Allah in (the) shadows of [the] clouds, and the Angels, and is decreed the matter? And to Allah return (all) the matters.

[Al-Quran 2:208-210]

Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty (هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ). The surah narrates to us some of Adam's story which include him being taught all the names by Allah Himself, all angels except Iblis, the Shatiaan, prostrating to Adam, the Khalifah of the Earth, and then:  

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

And We said, "O Adam! Dwell you and your spouse (in) Paradise, and [you both] eat from it freely (from) wherever you [both] wish. But do not [you two] approach this [the] tree, lest you [both] be of the wrongdoers."

Then made [both of] them slip the Shaitaan from it, and he got [both of] them out from what they [both] were in [it]. And We said, "Go down (all of you), some of you to others (as) enemy; and for you in the earth (is) a dwelling place and a provision for a period."

Then received Adam from his Lord words, So (his Lord) turned towards him. Indeed He! He (is) the Oft-returning, the Most Merciful.

[Al-Quran 2:35-37; typos edited from translation]

The Deen & Universal Peace 
Surah al-Ara`f and Surah Taha inform us that Adam had disobeyed Allah in pursuit of a desire. The Shaitaan had tempted him with the desire:

• to become angels or immortals (Surah al-Ara`f)
• for immortality and a kingdom that never decays (Surah Taha) 

Surah ar-Rum warns us that there should be no change in the creation of Allah:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[Al-Quran 30:30]

Allah creates and governs perfectly. To retain the perfection, it is essential to maintain everything as is, free of corruption. There are so many aspects of our life: biological, financial, familial, social, political, legal, etc. where we face choices between what Allah has commanded and other ways of doing things. Submitting to Allah's legislation and commands is essential for any hope to return to The Gardens of Eternity. Our temporal life now is but a test and an opportunity to repent and reform, turning back to Allah in submission. Those who repent and submit can look forward to Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays, while those who insist upon their crimes and evil ways will eventually be contained forever in Hell.  The Quran defines the three laws (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ):

Universal Peace can only be achieved when all criminals are contained, and all acquitted are reformed, and the Deen is entirely Allah's, the True King.



Turning Back to Allah  

ص ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ

بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ

كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ

Saad. By the Quran full (of) reminder.

Nay, those who disbelieve (are) in self-glory and opposition.

How many We destroyed before them of a generation, then they called out when there (was) no longer time (for) escape.

[Al-Quran 38:1-3]

...

قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعْدَ حِينٍ

Say, "Not I ask you for it any payment, and not I am of the ones who pretend.

Not it (is) except a Reminder to the worlds.

And surely you will know its information after a time."

[Al-Quran 38:86-88]

Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It reminds the reader of powerful leaders of magnificent nations who rejected their messengers and were destroyed. It also cites a list of powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl. The former strove only for this dunya, while the latter group's focus was on the remembrance of the permanent home in the Hereafter!

In between the two extremes, it also relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah: David, Solomon and Job. The surah concludes with the story of Adam and Iblis, and his being granted permission to mislead for a limited time:

قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ

إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ

قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ وَالْحَقَّ أَقُولُ

لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

He said, "My Lord! Then give me until (the) Day they are resurrected."

He said, "Then indeed, you (are) of those given respite,

Until (the) Day (of) the time well-known."

He said, 'Then by Thy might I will surely mislead them all.

Except Your slaves among them the chosen ones."

He said, "Then (it is) the truth and the truth I say,

Surely I will fill Hell with you and those who follow you among them all."

[Al-Quran 38:79-85]

The wonderful news is that the chosen ones are those who are able to overcome the tricks of Satan and are able to repent and reform while there is still time! The focus of the narratives is on their earnest repentance and Allah's acceptance of it.


The Responsibility of Khilafat 
The Quran (38:20) mentions David's Kingdom, wisdom and decisive speech (وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ). He was asked to judge (Q38:22) between two brothers, one of whom was outwitting the other with his speech (وَعَزَّنِي فِي الْخِطَابِ). David realised that actually it was he who was being tried. Other sources narrate some details, but The Quran is silent on the background of this. However, very eloquently, The Quran informs us that David realised the lesson there was in it for him and he repented:

قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْخُلَطَاءِ لَيَبْغِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩

فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ

He said, "Certainly, he has wronged you by demanding your ewe to his ewes. And indeed, many of the partners certainly oppress some of them [on] another except those who believe and do righteous deeds and few (are) they." And became certain Dawood that We (had) tried him, and he asked forgiveness (of) his Lord and fell down bowing and turned in repentance.

So We forgave for him that. And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.

"O Dawood! Indeed, We [We] have made you a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between [the] men in truth and (do) not follow the desire, for it will lead you astray from (the) way (of) Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from (the) way (of) Allah, for them (is) a punishment severe because they forgot (the) Day (of) Account."

[Al-Quran 38:24-26]

Priority of Allah over Everything Else 

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ

وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

هَـٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, an excellent slave. Indeed, he (was) one who repeatedly turned
When were displayed to him in the afternoon excellent bred steeds.

And he said, "Indeed, I [I] preferred (the) love (of) the good over (the) remembrance (of) my Lord." Until they were hidden in the veil;

"Return them to me." Then he began (to) pass (his hand) over the legs and the necks.

And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We placed on his throne a body; then he turned.

He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom, not (will) belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You [You] (are) the Bestower."

Then We subjected to him the wind to flow by his command, gently, wherever he directed,

And the devils, every builder and diver,

And others bound in chains.

"This (is) Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."

And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.

[Al-Quran 38:30-40; typos edited]

Even though an excellent slave of Allah, Solomon was negligent in performing his contact prayers on time, and the love of the good that Allah had bestowed upon him was dearer to him than the timely remembrance of Allah. In spite of realising his negligence, he continued doing what he was doing, till he almost lost his kingdom! It was then that he realised the seriousness and repented, and his Lord bestowed upon him much more than what he was going to lose.


Enduring Suffering with Patience
In the story of Prophet Job, we read his prayer that:

وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ

ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا 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 remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."

[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."

And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].

[Al-Quran 38:41-44, Translation: Sahih International]

The Bible relates to us that Shaitaan had taken express permission from God to inflict immense suffering upon Job, with permission for everything except to kill him. The Bible informs us that Job was very upright and grateful, and this suffering was not a consequence of any sin committed by Job, but rather to see if he would continue to remain grateful and upright even when experiencing extreme suffering and loss. The Quran informs us that Job endured patiently and he repeatedly turned back to Allah. He was eventually granted a cure and given more than the loss that he had suffered during this trial.  


In David, Solomon, and Job, we have inspirational examples of hope in the Mercy of Allah! We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran and prior scriptures, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing.

 وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

And not We created the heaven and the earth and whatever (is) between them without purpose. That (is the) assumption (of) those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve, from the Fire.

Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?

(This is) a Book We have revealed it to you, blessed (flourishing with knowledge and guidance), that they may ponder (over) its ayaat and may be reminded those of understanding.

[Al-Quran 38:27-29; typos & translation edited]

Credits: 

Arabic text copied from: https://www.searchtruth.com/

Translation copied from: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/ 

Last updated on:  January 23, 2020

Lessons in Surah al-Kahf

Science behind the Story

People of the Cave
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/05/people-of-cave.html

Water Disappearing Underground
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/water-disappearing-underground.html

Miraculous Subterranean Escape of the Fish
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/miraculous-subterranean-escape-of-fish.html

Dhu-al-Qarnayn Visited the Polar Regions
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/06/dhu-al-qarnayn-polar-regions-of-earth.html

Patterns in  Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/pattern-in-surah-al-kahf-cave-quran.html

Satan's Enmity: Origin & Objective
http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/11/mission-of-messengers-ii.html

Snake Symbols
https://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2018/10/snake-symbols.html 

جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn)
https://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2018/08/snake-jinn.html

Text Format
Lessons in Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) 

Attribution:
Bismillah Calligraphy on Title Slide
By Warraich Sahib (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Last updated on: October 19, 2018

Divine Will and Human Free Will

In Surah Fussilat / chapter titled: Explained in Detail, it states: 

[Al-Qur’an 41:53, translator: Sahih International] We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?

Scientific Research & Findings

Previously the realm of theology and philosophy, neuroscience is now researching on Free Will, providing some elementary yet interesting insight on whether there is such a thing or not, and if and what we are free to choose or refuse. 

Some interesting tests have been performed and brain responses measured, according to which it appears that the brain’s processing of an action begins prior to the conscious choice of a person to do something. Hence, it seems, that a person can ‘freely choose to not to’ do something, and thereby stop the execution of the process already initiated by the brain, that is, there seems to exists a ‘free won’t’  rather than a free will! [Tracking the Unconscious Generation of Free Decisions Using UItra-High Field fMRI: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0021612 ] However, it is also possible that there is a lower consciousness at all levels, where decisions are taken, and no such thing as the unconscious.  

Some other links for an overview of free will:   

Free Will: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_will 

Philosophy: http://www.iep.utm.edu/freewill/  ; http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/V014 

Neuroscience of Free Will: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroscience_of_free_will

Taking Aim at Free Will: http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110831/pdf/477023a.pdf 

Research in the light of Scripture 

The scripture offers some insights into free-will and predetermination/predestination, and examining the scientific research in the light of the verses of the Quran, these apparently contradictory concepts seem to co-exist and fit together like pieces of a puzzle! Though the puzzle is far from complete, we can begin to understand some of it. 

Human free will is about freedom of faith. We are free to accept or reject faith, but we are not free from the consequence of our choice. 

According to the Quran, faith is a matter of free will: God grants faith to the willing heart and withholds from the unwilling heart [2:186]. There is no compulsion in religion [2:256]. God does not Will and therefore does not compel mankind into submission [10:99]. Non-believers try to fix the blame on God for their own unwillingness, while rejecting the messengers and the Message [16:35]. However, all this is being recorded, and humans will be called to account for their actions [16:93]. On that day, the truthful will benefit from their truth [5:119]. 

The above seems to tally with the research findings of Free Won’t: it appears that though faith and guidance are available, it is not imposed, even at an internal level, on any who is not willing to receive it [4:137]. 

Free Will / Free Won’t is therefore about the individual’s choice regarding belief and faith. This probably is at some very deep level of the lower consciousness, or sub-consciousness, as the Quran also states that we cannot convince the disbelievers as God has prevented them from it due to their unwillingness to believe [2:6, 16:22,33]. However, there is still a chance that they might choose to believe, so the directive to warn with the Quran [50:45]. 

Why:

Why have we been granted free-will or free-won’t to begin with, or did humans choose it? 

[Al-Qur’an 33:72,73, translator: Pickthall] Lo! We offered the trust unto the heavens and the earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it and were afraid of it. And man assumed it. Lo! he hath proved a tyrant and a fool. So Allah punisheth hypocritical men and hypocritical women, and idolatrous men and idolatrous women. But Allah pardoneth believing men and believing women, and Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. 

Free Will: 

[Al-Qur’an 2:186, translator: Yusuf Ali] When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. 

[Al-Qur’an 5:119, translator: Sahih International] Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. 

[Al-Qur’an 2:256, translator: Yusuf Ali] Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

[Al-Qur’an 10:99, translator: Yusuf Ali] If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe! 

[Al-Qur’an 16:35, translator: Yusuf Ali] The worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But what is the mission of messengers but to preach the Clear Message? 

[Al-Qur’an 50:45, translator: Sahih International] We are most knowing of what they say, and you are not over them a tyrant. But remind by the Qur'an whoever fears My threat.

Free Won’t: 

[Al-Qur’an 2:6, translator: Sahih International] Indeed, those who disbelieve - it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them - they will not believe.

[Al-Qur’an 4:137, translator: Sahih International] Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way. 

[Al-Qur’an 7:146, translator: Yusuf Ali] Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right - them will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error, that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs, and failed to take warning from them. 

[Al-Qur’an 16:22, translator: Sahih International] Your god is one God. But those who do not believe in the Hereafter - their hearts are disapproving, and they are arrogant. 

[Al-Qur’an 16:33, translator: Sahih International] Do the disbelievers await [anything] except that the angels should come to them or there comes the command of your Lord? Thus did those do before them. And Allah wronged them not, but they had been wronging themselves. 

The Importance of Action: 

[Al-Qur’an 16:93, translator: Yusuf Ali] If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions. 

[Al-Qur’an 52:21, translator: Yusuf Ali] And those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith,- to them shall We join their families: Nor shall We deprive them (of the fruit) of aught of their works: (Yet) is each individual in pledge for his deeds.

[Al-Qur’an 53:39:41, translator: Shakir] And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for- And that his striving shall soon be seen- Then shall he be rewarded for it with the fullest reward- 

[Al-Qur’an 57:18, translator: Sahih International] Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward. 

[Al-Qur’an 91:7-10, translator: Sahih International] And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption] 

Lessons in Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)

Related posts:

Patterns in  Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) 

People of the Cave

Water Disappearing Underground

Miraculous Subterranean Escape of the Fish

Dhu-al-Qarnayn Visited the Polar Regions

Surah Al-Kahf [Quran Chapter 18]  is a fascinating chapter containing fantastic lessons for patient perseverance in trials of faith, wealth, knowledge and power!   

By drawing attention to scientific phenomenon, [1] [2] [3] [4], discovered by scientists only recently, it seems to me that the underlying, unifying message is that possibility and impossibility are merely limitations of our human minds: for God, nothing is impossible. God calls, guides, promises and delivers!  The trials of faith, wealth, knowledge and power are meant to test the sincerity of belief, trust in God and assurance of the hereafter. Truth triumphs over falsehood, eventually and always! God completely controls and prevails over everything.   

This Surah contains four unique stories with wondrous scientific phenomenon, each with a subterranean reference. In the first story, God delivers the faithful from religious persecution through prolonged sleep in a cave, in the second story, wealth is but a means of trial, and can suffer decline whenever God wills, such as the disappearance of the water of flourishing orchards; in the third, no matter how knowledgable a person is, there is so much of knowledge and wisdom beyond human comprehension, the story begins with the strange phenomenon of a fish returning to the water by a rock; and in the last, containing lessons in how faith complementing power benefits mankind, the powerful Dhu-al-Qarnayn contains the corruption of the land by sealing the opening in between the mountain-sides where the mischief-makers were coming from.    

Surah Al-Kahf contains 110 verses. In the middle of the chapter, verses 54 and 55 read: 

[Al-Quran 18:54-55, translator: Yusuf Ali]: We have explained in detail in this Qur'an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious. And what is there to keep back men from believing, now that Guidance has come to them, nor from praying for forgiveness from their Lord, but that (they ask that) the ways of the ancients be repeated with them, or the Wrath be brought to them face to face? 

The Trial of Faith

The people were guided to seek refuge in the cave as they were being persecuted for their faith. According to the following verses, the reason for their persecution is their open declaration of faith.

[Al-Quran 18:13-15, translator: Pickthall]: We narrate unto thee their story with truth. Lo! they were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance. And We made firm their hearts when they stood forth and said: Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We cry unto no Allah beside Him, for then should we utter an enormity. These, our people, have chosen (other) gods beside Him though they bring no clear warrant (vouchsafed) to them. And who doth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah? 

They feared being stoned or forced to change their faith, as the following verse informs us: 

[Al-Quran 18:20, translator: Pickthall]: For they, if they should come to know of you, will stone you or turn you back to their religion; then ye will never prosper. 

God blessed their willing hearts with faith, and then advanced them in guidance and firmness. God showed that God’s promise is true, both of deliverance and of resurrection: that nothing is impossible for God, and just as he caused these people to wake up after sleeping in the cave for 300 years, so will be the resurrection! 

Advice for Believers 

[Al-Quran 18:27-28, translator: Pickthall]: 

And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Scripture of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him. Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morn and evening, seeking His Countenance; and let not thine eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who followeth his own lust and whose case hath been abandoned.

The Trial of Wealth 

The intoxication of wealth and might leads one to arrogance and ingratitude. The prosperous owner of the two gardens erroneously assumed that he was infallible, as he states in the following quote: 

[Al-Quran 18:35-36, translator: Pickthall]: And he went into his garden, while he (thus) wronged himself. He said: I think not that all this will ever perish. I think not that the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back unto my Lord I surely shall find better than this as a resort. 

Then, when he suffered loss, he laments: 

[Al-Quran 18:42, translator: Pickthall]: And his fruit was beset (with destruction). Then began he to wring his hands for all that he had spent upon it, when (now) it was all ruined on its trellises, and to say: Would that I had ascribed no partner to my Lord! 

Advice for Believers 

[Al-Quran 18:45-46, translator: Pickthall]: And coin for them the similitude of the life of the world as water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingleth with it and then becometh dry twigs that the winds scatter. Allah is able to do all things. Wealth and children are an ornament of the life of the world. But the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better in respect of hope.

The Trial of Knowledge 

Most people contend faith and belief, questioning God’s mercy and wisdom, arguing that there is too much suffering and pain in this world, which cannot be the work a loving God. However, there is so much that we do not know that it is not possible for us to understand or even rationalise suffering. Yet, it does not become of us to question or judge God. 

[Al-Quran 18:66-70, translator: Shakir]: Musa said to him: Shall I follow you on condition that you should teach me right knowledge of what you have been taught? He said: Surely you cannot have patience with me And how can you have patience in that of which you have not got a comprehensive knowledge? He said: If Allah pleases, you will find me patient and I shall not disobey you in any matter. He said: If you would follow me, then do not question me about any thing until I myself speak to you about it  

In Prophet Moses’ quest to seek knowledge from one endowed with greater knowledge and wisdom, Moses is warned that he will not be able to bear patiently with actions which his knowledge does not compass. Yet, each of the three ‘apparently outrageous’ actions had a rationale behind it. There is simply so much more than what meets the eye! 

[1] The apparent loss caused by the hole in the boat saved it from being seized by the tyrant King. 

[2] The apparent loss of a child was to bless the parents with a better child 

[3] The apparent service of building a wall free-of-charge for people not inclined to charity was actually to protect the treasure of two orphans    

As we are ignorant of many higher truths and facts, we just have to trust God’s Will, hold on to the guidance and patiently persevere. Our responsibility is to faithfully and righteously do deeds which make the world a better place, and accumulate these good deeds for our Hereafter. That's our test, and that's what we are accountable for, playing our role, instead of questioning God and His reasons and methods.  

The Trial of Power 

Dhu-al-Qarnayn had enormous power and access to everywhere on Earth. He travelled to and conquered various lands, and had full authority over the people. He used his power to contain evil and encourage good. A key lesson from Dhu-al-Qarnayn’s handling of the ‘yajuj majuj’ problem is that he used his power to contain corruption of the land, and thereby bring peace to a people suffering lawlessness. 

Elsewhere in the Quran, oppression has been identified as worse than slaughter, and therefore the importance of being prepared in military might and warfare to be able to deter, contain and neutralise corruption and oppression. The purpose of power is  to bring peace to the world, and that is what we should strive for at all levels!  

Caution  

[Al-Quran 18:103-106, translator: Yusuf Ali]: Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?” They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any weight. That is their reward, Hell, because they rejected Faith, and took My Signs and My Messengers by way of jest. 

Conclusion 

Surah Al-Kahf, which contains references to wondrous phenomenon, sums up the chapter in the  last two verses with the following words: 

[Al-Quran 18:109-110, translator: Pickthall]: Say: Though the sea became ink for the Words of my Lord, verily the sea would be used up before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even though We brought the like thereof to help. Say: I am only a mortal like you. My Lord inspireth in me that your Allah is only One Allah. And whoever hopeth for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and make none sharer of the worship due unto his Lord. 

Last updated on: October 10, 2014

Pattern in Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave) [Quran Chapter 18]

Surah Al-Kahf has a total of 110 verses. Verse 1 contains the statement: Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant the Book, and hath allowed therein no Crookedness [Translator: Yusuf Ali]. Following this powerful statement of accuracy are some amazing, mind-boggling stories, containing lessons for trials in faith, wealth, knowledge and power!  

This Surah is titled Al-Kahf meaning The Cave, and the first of the four stories related in this surah is about the people of the cave, who took refuge in the cave when they fled religious persecution (verses 9-26). The second story is about the two flourishing gardens whose owner was an ingrate. The question posed is that what if the water sinks in the ground and cannot be found (verses 32-43). In the third story about Moses’ travel (verses 60-82), the fish strangely disappears near a rock, and the poor fisherman’s boat is saved from being confiscated by making a hole in the boat. In the last story (verses 83-98), Dhu-ul-Qarnayn, visits three places: the first visit is to the Arctic Ocean in autumn (verse 86), and second to Antarctica, where there is a hole in the ozone in spring (verse 90), and the last in which he seals an opening in between the mountains to keep the mischief-makers from coming out.  

It is interesting that this Surah contains four unique stories, each with subterranean references. In the first story, the people are rescued from religious persecution by being made to sleep in a cave; in the second story about the two flourishing gardens, with water flowing between the two, the question posed is what if the water disappears underground; in the third, the fish escapes miraculously by a rock; and in the last, the opening between the mountain-sides is sealed to contain the mischief-mongers within. 

Observing the pattern of verses ending with one, the following pattern emerges: 

Verse	Mention	God...
1	Allah allowed no crookedness in the Book	God sent the Book to His Servant
11	cave: subterranean sleep	God sealed their hearing in the cave, so they slept unaware
21	promise of Allah is true	God delivers
31	subterranean rivers	God will provide
41	water disappearing underground	God can take away
51	misguiders not made to witness or taken as helpers	God doesn’t accept misguiders and doesn’t allow them to see
61	rock: subterranean disappearance of fish	God can make a way in spite of apparent impossibility
71	made a hole in the boat	God saves from loss through an apparent loss
81	Lord may give better in exchange	God might replace with something better
91	We completely knew / had full knowledge	God encompasses everything in His Knowledge
101	unbelievers under a veil or cover from My reminder	God will not guide the unbelievers

The surah ends with the following statement [Verse 110]: Say: I am only a mortal like you. My Lord inspireth in me that your Allah is only One Allah. And whoever hopeth for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and make none sharer of the worship due unto his Lord. [Translator: Pickthall]