The Sun, The Moon & The Planets

  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]

Topic 

The Sun and Moon as Signs of Allah, and their appearance in dreams. 

Full Text 

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ لَا تَسْجُدُوا لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُون

And of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon; but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if it is in truth Him Whom ye worship

[Al-Quran 41:37, Translation: Pickthal]

Islam [Q22:26, Q22:78] is about acknowledging that there is only one deity: Allah, and to Him alone is complete submission and worship due. Worship of heavenly bodies and ancestors, particularly worship of the Sun and the Moon has been prevalent among various mythologies around the world. 

Prophet Abraham was a Hanif [Q2:135, Q3:67, Q6:161], from the group of Prophet Noah [Q37:83]. Abraham lived at a time when his father and nation were polytheists [Q6:74], and the King claimed absolute power over life and death [Q2:258]. Among the narratives in The Quran, we find two mentions of the Sun as regards to Prophet Abraham:  

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ أَنْ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّيَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْيِي وَأُمِيتُ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْتِي بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِين

Bethink thee of him who had an argument with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had given him the kingdom; how, when Abraham said: My Lord is He Who giveth life and causeth death, he answered: I give life and cause death. Abraham said: Lo! Allah causeth the sun to rise in the East, so do thou cause it to come up from the West. Thus was the disbeliever abashed. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk

[Al-Quran 2:258, Translation: Pickthal]

Allah has full control over all His creation, whether big or small. Though the Sun and Moon are among His Signs, yet they are not worthy of worship: 

6:74  وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ آزَرَ أَتَتَّخِذُ أَصْنَامًا آلِهَةً إِنِّي أَرَاكَ وَقَوْمَكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِين

6:74  (Remember) when Abraham said unto his father Azar: Takest thou idols for gods? Lo! I see thee and thy folk in error manifest

6:75  وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِين

6:75  Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he might be of those possessing certainty

6:76  فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَىٰ كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ الْآفِلِين

6:76  When the night grew dark upon him he beheld a star planet. He said: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: I love not things that set

6:77  فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِي رَبِّي لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّالِّين

6:77  And when he saw the moon uprising, he exclaimed: This is my Lord. But when it set, he said: Unless my Lord guide me, I surely shall become one of the folk who are astray

6:78  فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي هَٰذَا أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُون

6:78  And when he saw the sun uprising, he cried: This is my Lord! This is greater! And when it set he exclaimed: O my people! Lo! I am free from all that ye associate (with Him)

6:79  إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِين

6:79  Lo! I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, as one by nature upright, and I am not of the idolaters

6:80  وَحَاجَّهُ قَوْمُهُ قَالَ أَتُحَاجُّونِّي فِي اللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَانِ وَلَا أَخَافُ مَا تُشْرِكُونَ بِهِ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ رَبِّي شَيْئًا وَسِعَ رَبِّي كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُون

6:80  His people argued with him. He said: Dispute ye with me concerning Allah when He hath guided me? I fear not at all that which ye set up beside Him unless my Lord willeth aught. My Lord includeth all things in His knowledge. Will ye not then remember

6:81  وَكَيْفَ أَخَافُ مَا أَشْرَكْتُمْ وَلَا تَخَافُونَ أَنَّكُمْ أَشْرَكْتُم بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَانًا فَأَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ أَحَقُّ بِالْأَمْنِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُون

6:81  How should I fear that which ye set up beside Him, when ye fear not to set up beside Allah that for which He hath revealed unto you no warrant? Which of the two factions hath more right to safety? (Answer me that) if ye have knowledge

6:82  الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُون

6:82  Those who believe and obscure not their belief by wrongdoing, theirs is safety; and they are rightly guided

6:83  وَتِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَا آتَيْنَاهَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيم

6:83  That is Our argument. We gave it unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees of wisdom whom We will. Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware

[Al-Quran 6:74-83, Translation: Pickthal; edited in italics for clarity]

Joseph's Dream 

إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِين

When Joseph said unto his father: O my father! Lo! I saw in a dream eleven planets and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves unto me

...

وَرَفَعَ أَبَوَيْهِ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّدًا وَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ هَٰذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَايَ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَعَلَهَا رَبِّي حَقًّا وَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ بِي إِذْ أَخْرَجَنِي مِنَ السِّجْنِ وَجَاءَ بِكُم مِّنَ الْبَدْوِ مِن بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِي إِنَّ رَبِّي لَطِيفٌ لِّمَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيم

And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise

[Al-Quran 12:4, ..., 12:100; Translation: Pickthal]

In Surah Yusuf (Joseph), he dreams a dream in which he sees the sun (الشَّمْسَ), the moon (الْقَمَرَ) and eleven planets (كَوْكَبًا). When his dream is realised, the sun corresponds to his father, the moon to his mother, and the eleven planets are his eleven bothers. 

Isaac's Dream

The Testament of Abraham is regarded as a pseudepigraphic text of the Old Testament by the Jews, but is considered scripture by the Beta Israel. It has two versions: long and short. In Chapter 7 (long recension)/Chapter 7:1-18 (short recension), Isaac's dream is explained, in which the Sun represents his father Abraham, and the Moon represents his mother, both of whom are to be taken away by the very bright light that is brighter that seven suns. The interpretation of the dream is that they are soon to taken away by death.  

The Meeting with The Lord   

Returning back to Q41:37, night and day, Sun and Moon, are the Signs of Allah. The presence of parents is a wonderful gift of our Creator, but they are also creations, and can be taken away at any time. The Sun and the Moon are also wonderful gifts of our Creator, and while we enjoy and benefit from their presence, we must remember that the true Creator and Sustainer is Allah, and to Him alone is prostration and worship due. There awaits a reckoning, when the Sun and Moon are united: 

75:1  لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَة

75:1  Nay, I swear by the Day of Resurrection

75:2  وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَة

75:2  Nay, I swear by the accusing soul (that this Scripture is true)

75:3  أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنسَانُ أَلَّن نَّجْمَعَ عِظَامَه

75:3  Thinketh man that We shall not assemble his bones

75:4  بَلَىٰ قَادِرِينَ عَلَىٰ أَن نُّسَوِّيَ بَنَانَه

75:4  Yea, verily. We are Able to restore his very fingers

75:5  بَلْ يُرِيدُ الْإِنسَانُ لِيَفْجُرَ أَمَامَه

75:5  But man would fain deny what is before him

75:6  يَسْأَلُ أَيَّانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَة

75:6  He asketh: When will be this Day of Resurrection

75:7  فَإِذَا بَرِقَ الْبَصَر

75:7  But when sight is confounded

75:8  وَخَسَفَ الْقَمَر

75:8  And the moon is eclipse

75:9  وَجُمِعَ الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَر

75:9  And sun and moon are united

75:10  يَقُولُ الْإِنسَانُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَيْنَ الْمَفَرّ

75:10  On that day man will cry: Whither to flee

75:11  كَلَّا لَا وَزَر

75:11  Alas! No refuge

75:12  إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمُسْتَقَرّ

75:12  Unto thy Lord is the recourse that day

75:13  يُنَبَّأُ الْإِنسَانُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّر

75:13  On that day man is told the tale of that which he hath sent before and left behind

75:14  بَلِ الْإِنسَانُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَة

75:14  Oh, but man is a telling witness against himself

75:15  وَلَوْ أَلْقَىٰ مَعَاذِيرَه

75:15  Although he tender his excuses

75:16  لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه

75:16  Stir not thy tongue herewith to hasten it

75:17  إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه

75:17  Lo! upon Us (resteth) the putting together thereof and the reading thereof

75:18  فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه

75:18  And when We read it, follow thou the reading

75:19  ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَه

75:19  Then lo! upon Us (resteth) the explanation thereof

75:20  كَلَّا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَة

75:20  Nay, but ye do love the fleeting No

75:21  وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَة

75:21  And neglect the Hereafter

75:22  وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاضِرَة

75:22  That day will faces be resplendent

75:23  إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَة

75:23  Looking toward their Lord

75:24  وَوُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَاسِرَة

75:24  And that day will other faces be despondent

75:25  تَظُنُّ أَن يُفْعَلَ بِهَا فَاقِرَة

75:25  Thou wilt know that some great disaster is about to fall on them

75:26  كَلَّا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ التَّرَاقِي

75:26  Nay, but when the life cometh up to the throat

75:27  وَقِيلَ مَنْ رَاق

75:27  And men say: Where is the wizard (who can save him now)

75:28  وَظَنَّ أَنَّهُ الْفِرَاق

75:28  And he knoweth that it is the parting

75:29  وَالْتَفَّتِ السَّاقُ بِالسَّاق

75:29  And agony is heaped on agony

75:30  إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمَسَاق

75:30  Unto thy Lord that day will be the driving

75:31  فَلَا صَدَّقَ وَلَا صَلَّى

75:31  For he neither trusted, nor prayed

75:32  وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّى

75:32  But he denied and flouted

75:33  ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ يَتَمَطَّى

75:33  Then went he to his folk with glee

75:34  أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَى

75:34  Nearer unto thee and nearer

75:35  ثُمَّ أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَى

75:35  Again nearer unto thee and nearer (is the doom)

75:36  أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنسَانُ أَن يُتْرَكَ سُدً

75:36  Thinketh man that he is to be left aimless

75:37  أَلَمْ يَكُ نُطْفَةً مِّن مَّنِيٍّ يُمْنَى

75:37  Was he not a drop of fluid which gushed forth

75:38  ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقَ فَسَوَّى

75:38  Then he became a clot; then (Allah) shaped and fashioned

75:39  فَجَعَلَ مِنْهُ الزَّوْجَيْنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَى

75:39  And made of him a pair, the male and female

75:40  أَلَيْسَ ذَٰلِكَ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَى

75:40  Is not He (Who doeth so) Able to bring the dead to life

[Al-Quran 75, Translation: Pickthal; typos corrected]

References & Links 

https://www.thetorah.com/article/yhwhs-war-against-the-egyptian-sun-god-ra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_deity 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_worship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parents%27_Worship_Day 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Abraham

...

Last updated on: December 16, 2020

Gratitude & Its Manifestation

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ 

[Al-Quran 57:25] 

Mission of the Messengers - XXXI

Abstract 

The need, wisdom, purpose and manifestation of gratitude in the worship of Allah ﷻ   

Full Text 

وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

And if you should count the Favors of Allah, not you could enumerate Indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 

[Al-Quran 16:18] 

Surah anNisa` poses the question: 

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ 
وَكَانَ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا

What would Allah do by punishing you if you are grateful and you believe? And Allah is All-Appreciative, All-Knowing. 

[Al-Quran 4:147] 

The Wisdom of Gratitude
Surah Luqman explicitly declares the wisdom of gratitude:

  

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ

And verily, We gave Luqman the wisdom that, "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever (is) grateful then only he is grateful for himself. And whoever (is) ungrateful, then indeed, Allah (is) Free of need, Praiseworthy.

[Al-Quran 31:12]

The next two ayaat of Surah Luqman distinguish between gratitude and worship: 

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ 
يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ

And when said Luqman to his son while he (was) instructing him, 
"O my son! (Do) not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, associating partners (is) surely an injustice great."

And We have enjoined (upon) man for his parents - carried him his mother (in) weakness upon weakness, and his weaning (is) in two years that "Be grateful to Me and to your parents; towards Me (is) the destination.

[Al-Quran 31:13-14] 

The subsequent ayaat of Surah Luqman continue to detail the importance of gratitude, the need to distinguish between gratitude and shirk, and to guard against associating partners (shirk) with Allah ﷻ 

Gratitude for Worship 

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And not I have created the jinn and the mankind except that they worship Me.  

[Al-Quran 51:65]

The purpose of our creation is worship of Allah ﷻ , perhaps the most prestigious jobs in the entire creation. Worship implies serving with obedience, reverence and adoration, that is, loving the job, holding the highest regard for Allah ﷻ , having full faith in the purpose, correctness and perfection of all His works and commands, implementing the directives, grateful for the opportunity to serve in the divine government, and consequently, happy in all situations and conditions. Its a highly-privileged position in the grand scheme of things. Surah al-Fajr gives glad tidings to the satisfied NAFS:

يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ

ارْجِعِي إِلَىٰ رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً

فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي

وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي

"O NAFS! who is satisfied,

Return to your Lord well pleased, and pleasing.

So enter among My worshippers,

And enter My Paradise."

[Al-Quran 89:27-30, Translation edited (in italics)]

Satisfaction with what we have allows us to enjoy all that we have been given, whether less or more. We become pleased, happy and grateful. Satisfaction also enables patience (sabr) over what is not pleasing. The satisfaction of the NAFS with the decrees of Allah ﷻ is in sharp contrast to the NAFS which is unhappy with whatever has been decreed for it. The unhappy NAFS is unsatisfied*, and constantly strives for change. Surah az-Zumar, which emphasises sincerity in DEEN, commands:

بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

Nay! But worship Allah and be among the thankful ones. 

[Al-Quran 39:66]

* Dissatisfaction manifests itself in a variety of ways: personal appearance and abilities, family, financial position, material possessions, status, racism, nation, planet, life, death, ...


Gratitude for the Guidance 
To be able to worship Allah ﷻ , we need to know why we are here and what is expected of us. We owe our utmost gratitude to Allah ﷻ for The Quran: 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Month (of) Ramadhaan (is) that was revealed therein the Quran, a Guidance for mankind and clear proofs of [the] Guidance and the Criterion. So whoever witnesses among you the month, then he should fast in it, and whoever is sick or on a journey then prescribed number (should be made up) from days other. Intends Allah for you [the] ease and not intends for you [the] hardship, so that you complete the prescribed period and that you magnify Allah for [what] He guided you so that you may (be) grateful.

[Al-Quran 2:185] 

Purpose of the Guidance

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

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

[Al-Quran 38:29] 

The Quran guides the believers in all matters personal, social, economic and state. It informs us that this world is temporary, and that humans have been made 'khalaaif' of the Earth to be tested who is the best in deeds. The Hereafter is permanent. Forgetting this fact changes the human focus to this world as the only life, and ultimately the challenges of this life coupled with a lack of faith make humans lose their balance, opting for human philosophical systems of theology and economy, which eventually turn out to be unjust and harmful in the long run: 

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ

But among men there is many a one that prefers a mere play with words [to divine guidance], so as to lead [those] without knowledge astray from the path of God, and to turn it to ridicule: for such there is shameful suffering in store. 

[Al-Quran 31:6]  

The materialist outlook, and all the evils that pervade society, capitalise on the ingratitude for and dissatisfaction with what we already have: 

إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا

Indeed, the spendthrifts are brothers (of) the devils. And is the Shaitaan to his Lord ungrateful.

[Al-Quran 17:27] 

As power increases, human greed and the consequent social injustice goes from individual consumerism to the domination of entire nations in pursuit of economic resources and worldly power. Instead of serving the people in the name of God, the rulers become tyrants and oppressors, as Satan's representatives, regardless of which philosophical, economic system they adopt.

The Quran informs us that eventually the DEEN of Allah ﷻ will be established, and encourages patience and perseverance, in anticipation of the Days of Allah ﷻ . Prophet-King David (Dawood عليه السلام) was appointed Khalifa and iron was made pliable for him. The importance of iron in technological advancement is fundamental. Technology can be used for both good and evil. The grateful uphold the DEEN, while the unsatisfied ingrates try to corrupt creation. David (Dawood عليه السلام)'s son Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) inherited from his father, and a mighty kingdom was bestowed upon him. The Jinn worked for him. The House of David was advised: 

يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ

They worked for him what he willed of elevated chambers and statues and bowls like reservoirs and cooking-pots fixed. "Work, O family (of) Dawood! (in) gratitude." But few of My slaves (are) grateful.

[Al-Quran 34:13] 

Prayer for Gratitude

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

So he smiled - laughing at her speech and said, "My Lord! Grant me (the) power that I may thank You (for) Your Favor which You have bestowed on me and on my parents and that I may do righteous (deeds), that will please You. And admit me by Your Mercy among Your slaves righteous." 

[Al-Quran 27:19] 

The Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) prayed for gratitude when he heard the (Queen) Ant warn her ants against the forces of Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام). Surah an-Naml goes on to relate how this Prophet-King used his power to invite the sun-worshipping mighty kingdom of Saba to the worship of the One, True God. Both of them had great power and magnificent kingdoms, yet what Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) had was far superior to what had been given to the Queen of Saba.

All of us need to be grateful, and to express it through our words and deeds, in whatever capacity personal or social we have been placed in:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ نَتَقَبَّلُ عَنْهُمْ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا وَنَتَجَاوَزُ عَن سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ فِي أَصْحَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَعْدَ الصِّدْقِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يُوعَدُونَ

And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."
Those are the ones from whom We will accept the best of what they did and overlook their misdeeds, [their being] among the companions of Paradise. [That is] the promise of truth which they had been promised. 

[Al-Quran 46:15-16, Translation: Sahih International] 

The phrase ' وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ' reminds us that we must repent from our individual and collective mistakes and misadventures, and submit willingly to the DEEN, if we wish to serve Allah ﷻ eternally. The perks and privileges awaiting those who serve in the divine government have been detailed across The Quran, and even more unimaginable rewards are promised. The key to it all is being grateful to Allah ﷻ , and cherishing all His gifts as is. Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) was chosen because of his gratitude:   

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Indeed, Ibrahim was a nation obedient to Allah upright, and not he was of the polytheists.

Thankful for His favors. He chose him and guided him to the way straight.

And We gave him in the world good, and indeed, he in the Hereafter (he) will surely (be) among the righteous.

Then We revealed to you, that, "You follow (the) religion (of) Ibrahim upright; and not he was of the polytheists."

[Al-Quran 16:120-123] 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

O you who believe! bow down and prostrate yourselves and serve your Lord, and do good that you may succeed.
And strive hard in (the way of) Allah, (such) a striving a is due to Him; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you an hardship in religion; the faith of your father Ibrahim; He named you Muslims before and in this, that the Messenger may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; therefore keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and hold fast by Allah; He is your Guardian; how excellent the Guardian and how excellent the Helper! 
[Al-Quran 22:77-78; Translation: Shakir]

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ

Indeed, the righteous (will be) in gardens and river,

In a seat (of) honor near a King Most Powerful.

[Al-Quran 54:54-55]

List of Related Posts 

Last updated on May 10, 2024

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

...

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  

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Last updated on: September 8, 2019

Rethink Genetic Engineering in the Light of the Quran (a presentation)

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