The Fig, The Olive, Tur of Sinai & The Secure Land

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion. [Al-Quran 98:5]

Mission of the Messengers-XL

Disease & Cure - IX  

Purpose of Study

The oaths in Surah at-Teen, and their relation to the devolution of humans, and the Final Judgement.  

Full Text 

وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ

وَطُورِ سِينِينَ

وَهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ

By the fig, and the olive,

And (the) Mount Sinai,

And this [the] city, [the] secure,

[Al-Quran 95:1-3]

Surah atTeen begins with the mention of The Fig, The Olive, Tur of Sinai, and The Secure Land. Thereafter it reminds us of how excellent was The Human's original creation, and then his Fall:  

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ

فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدِّينِ

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ

Indeed, We created man in (the) best mould.

Then We returned him (to the) lowest (of the) low,

Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, then for them (is a) reward never ending.

Then what causes you to deny after (this) the judgment?

Is not Allah (the) Most Just (of) the Judges?

[Al-Quran 95:4-8]

The Surah concludes with the offer of a never-ending reward, and the mention of The Judgement (legal recompense) by Allah, the Most Just. So, how are the fig, the olive, Tur, and the secure land linked to this? 

The Torah and The Bible mention the Fig Tree, the Olive Tree, the raising of the Tur. It also speaks of the coming of the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem, and the Judgement. 

The Fig 

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

O Children of Adam! verily We have sent down unto you a garment covering your shame and as an adornment; and the garment of piety --that is the best. That is of the signs of Allah, that haply they may be admonished.

[Al-Quran 7:26, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi; typo edited]

As explored in earlier posts, The Quran 20:118 declares that Adam wasn't naked in The Garden. Iblis tempted him and convinced him to eat from The Forbidden Tree. The eating of it caused Adam to lose the Libas-e-Taqwa, which I understand was the original clothing provided for him in The Garden. The Quran informs us in Q7:22 and Q20:121 that Adam and his wife began to cover themselves with the leaves of The Garden (وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ). The Bible, Genesis 3 7 informs us that the leaves were of The Fig Tree. 

Links to some earlier posts: Evolution or Metamorphosis || Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation ||  Natural Clothing 

The Olive 

وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَاءَ تَنبُتُ بِالدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْآكِلِينَ

And a tree (that) springs forth from Mount Sinai (which) produces oil and a relish for those who eat.

[Al-Quran 23:20]

Surah al-Mu`minun (The Believers) begins with the salient features of the inheritors of Paradise, then draws attention to the excellence of Allah's creativity: it begins with a detailed mention of the stages of creation of  The Human (الْإِنسَانَ), and then His blessing His creation such that it flourishes (فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ); then causing us to die and then being raised; ... ;sending measured quantity of water from the sky (وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً), and the ability to take it away; the gardens ... ; the tree (شَجَرَةً) coming out of Tur-e-Sina (طُورِ سَيْنَاءَ), the cattle (الْأَنْعَامِ), the ship (الْفُلْكِ); and then Noah (نُوحًا) ... 

The Bible Genesis 8:11 informs us that after The Flood, the dove returned with a freshly plucked  olive leaf, so Noah knew that the waters were receding, or had receded, from the surface of the earth.

The Bible and The Quran mention the olive several times. Olive trees are known not only for their olives and the oil that is pressed from it, but also for their long life: some olive trees are known to live for centuries, and a few even thousands of years.     

The ayat in which The Quran describes Allah as the Nur of the skies and earth, explains it with an example which includes being lit by a flourishing olive tree ... (Q24:35) 

The Quran promises the nur emission (Q57:12-13; Q66:8) from the right and in front of the successful believers, the inheritors of The Gardens. The earth contains many examples of bioluminescent creatures. Though not enough to be visible to the naked eye, a very faint bioluminescence has been detected to emit from human beings as well. On the Day of Judgement, when the successful believers' nur will be emitting from them, they will pray to Allah to perfect their light for them!    

The Tur 

يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ

Children of Israel! remember My favour wherewith favoured you, and fulfil My covenant, and shall fulfil your covenant, and Me alone shall ye dread.

[Al-Quran 2:40, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi]

...

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

And recall what time We took your bond, and raised over you the Tur saying: hold fast to that which We have vouchsafed unto you, and remember that which is therein, that haply ye may become God-fearing.

[Al-Quran 2:63, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi]

The Tur was raised and The Torah was entrusted to the Bani Israel. Surah at-Tur begins with the mentions of The Tur, the Inscribed Book, in parchments unscrolled, and goes on to warn of the coming punishment from Allah for the deniers, and the promise of The Gardens to those who are God-fearing. 

The Secure Land 

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

And, lo, Abraham prayed: "O my Sustainer! Make this a land secure, and grant its people fruitful sustenance - such of them as believe in God and the Last Day." [God] answered: "And whoever shall deny the truth, him will I let enjoy himself for a short while -but in the end I shall drive him to suffering through fire: and how vile a journey's end!"

[Al-Quran 2:126, Translation: Muhammad Asad]

When Abraham was shown the location of The Kaaba, he and his son Ishmael were tasked with purifying the sanctuary for the worshippers. Abraham prayed for the security of the land (بَلَدًا). He also prayed for a Messenger to be raised from among them (Q2:129).

Prophet-Messenger Muhammad ﷺ was Abraham's descendant through his son Ishmael. Born in Makkah, he received his mission at the age of 40. As he began to preach, he met resistance and finally had to migrate to Medina. Towards the conclusion of his mission, notice of war was served to the polytheist State of Makkah by the Messenger of Allah (Q9:1-5), and the city eventually secured (Q48:27).

وَقَالُوا إِن نَّتَّبِعِ الْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَا أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا آمِنًا يُجْبَىٰ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَاتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

And they say: If we follow the guidance with you, we shall be carried off from our country. What! have We not settled them in a safe, sacred territory to which fruits of every kind shall be drawn?-- a sustenance from Us; but most of them do not know.

[Al-Quran 28:57, Translation: Shakir]

The Judgement 

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ

فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدِّينِ

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ

Indeed, We created man in (the) best mould.

Then We returned him (to the) lowest (of the) low,

Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, then for them (is a) reward never ending.

Then what causes you to deny after (this) the judgment?

Is not Allah (the) Most Just (of) the Judges?

[Al-Quran 95:4-8]

Many world religions believe in the Last Day, a Day of Judgment, or the Last Judgment. According to Wikipedia: 

The Last Judgment^[a] or The Day of the Lord (Hebrew: יום הדין‎, romanized: Yom Ha Din, Arabic: یوم القيامة‎, romanized: Yawm al-Qiyāmah, lit. 'Day of Resurrection' or Arabic: یوم الدین‎, romanized: Yawm ad-Din, lit. 'Day of Judgement') is part of the eschatological world view of the Abrahamic religions and in the Frashokereti of Zoroastrianism.

Humans have gone from being excellent in form, knowledge, and comforts, to lowly creatures suffering from weakness, disease, ignorance and want. 

The Fig should not only remind us of the Fall of Adam and his consequential exile from The Garden, but also Allah's promise of guidance and deliverance: 

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

We said, "Go down from it all (of you), and when, comes to you from Me Guidance, then whoever follows My Guidance, [then] no fear (will be) on them and not they will grieve.

And those who disbelieve[d] and deny Our Signs, those (are the) companions (of) the Fire; they in it (will) abide forever."

[Al-Quran 2:38-39]

The Olive should remind us of not only Allah's first punishment through The Flood, but also of deliverance of Noah and the believers, and the saving of the species, and reform of the earth. It should also be a source of hope in the rekindling and perfection of our nur on the Day of Judgement.

The Tur of Sinai should not only remind us of the olive leaf, but also of Moses and his conversations with Allah; The Ratification of The Covenant with the chosen people, and their personal and public responsibility regarding The Book that was entrusted to them; as well as of the covenant taken from Adam, from the prophets, and from the believers. It should remind us of the pledge taken from all the descendants of the sons of Adam. On the Day of Judgement, the people who are judged successful will be chosen to inherit The Gardens of Eternity.

The Secure Land should not only remind us of Allah's promise to Abraham, but also of Allah's entrusting the secure land to another set of people: also descendants of Abraham, through Ishmael, and entrusting The Quran with them.

Prophet-Messenger Muhammad ﷺ was sent to all mankind:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

And not We have sent you except to all mankind (as) a giver of glad tidings and (as) a warner. But most [the] people (do) not know.

[Al-Quran 34:28]

As time passes, closer and closer comes the Day of Judgement. Satan's enmity has caused loss and ruin to many people since the time of Adam, yet Allah's has been extremely gracious and forgiving with the Believers, granting a lifetime of chances to any who would sincerely repent and attempt to reform morally. However, we also need Allah's protection from Satan and his troops. Surah al-Mu`minun (The Believers) offers just such a prayer:

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ

وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

And say, "My Lord! I seek refuge in You from (the) suggestions (of) the evil ones,

And I seek refuge in You, My Lord! Lest they be present with me."

[Al-Quran 23:97-98]

May our resurrection and judgement be a happy one! May Allah grant us His Forgiveness and His Mercy, and may we be reformed within and without, and redressed beautifully, and granted the inheritance of The Gardens of Eternity.  

Images / Slides from:
Adam Facts
The Mighty Ancients (presentation)
The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day
The Ancient House 
Signs of Allah


References 

Wikipedia: Figs in the Bible 

Wikipedia: Olive
When Mount Sinai Was Lifted Up
Wikipedia: Last Judgment  

Last updated on: June 7, 2020

... 

Reading The Book

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion. [Al-Quran 98:5]

Mission of the Messengers-XXXIX

Disease & Cure - XIII 

Abstract 

The Quran is a guidance for all humans, but who takes what guidance from it, and when, varies from individual to individual. Most humans have a tendency to become less religious, or even abandon it, when they are in a state of prosperity, or even when opportunity presents itself. Swarming locusts are solitary grasshoppers who change physiologically when the environmental conditions and population densities are favourable for swarming behaviour.
Surah at-Teen informs us that humans were created excellently, and then returned to the lowest of the low. Yet, there is hope for those who believe and do reformative deeds for an uninterrupted reward.
The Quran also contains cure for the believers. However, the same causes loss to the unjust!
The Quran is meant to be recited in the contact prayers, and Surah al-Muzammil specially advises night vigil for protection during the end times.
Surah az-Zumar extensively discusses sincerity in The Deen. 

Full Text 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلًا يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيرًا وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلَّا الْفَاسِقِينَ

الَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allah intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,

Who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.

How can you disbelieve in Allah when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.

[Al-Quran 2:26, Translation: Sahih International]

Allah has sent The Quran for our guidance. Many people take guidance from The Quran, while many people are led astray by the very same scripture. Q2:26 informs us that it is Allah Himself who guides and misguides with the same revelation, and clarifies that Allah misguides only the defiantly disobedient. Q2:27 defines the الْفَاسِقِينَ (defiantly disobedient), and the next ayat draws attention to our alternate non-living and living states of existence.   

Brief History: The Quran then takes us through a brief introduction of Adam's story, his change of state, being sent to Earth, and Allah's promise of sending guidance. Then, we read in detail about the Bani Israel, with whom Allah had ratified a covenant with The Torah. It then takes us back to Allah trying Abraham, and then appointing him an Imam. He prays for imamat to continue in his progeny, and Allah accepts the prayer, while excluding the wrongdoers. Abraham is the father of many nations. The Bani Israel descend from his sons Isaac and Jacob, while the Bani Ismael descend from his son Ismael. Prophet Muhammad is a descendant of Abraham through Ismael. Prophet Abraham had especially prayed that Allah raise a messenger from among them, after he and Ismael had raised the foundations of the Kaaba in Mecca and prayed for the food and security for the land and those who dwell there.  Also read: The Torah & The Quran     

Guidance for The Living 

وَمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ الشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنبَغِي لَهُ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ وَقُرْآنٌ مُّبِينٌ

لِّيُنذِرَ مَن كَانَ حَيًّا وَيَحِقَّ الْقَوْلُ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ

And We did not give Prophet Muhammad, knowledge of poetry, nor is it befitting for him. It is not but a message and a clear Qur'an

To warn whoever is alive and justify the word against the disbelievers.

[Al-Quran 36:69-70, Translation: Sahih International]

The Quran is sent for those who are alive. A clear difference between non-living and living states of existence is the reading of the code in the DNA. Each cell of the living body has its own copy of the DNA which it reads. Various cells at various stages of development, and function, read from the same DNA, and take appropriate instructions to differentiate, specialise and perform. The cells collectively form the human organism. The Quran is a guidance for all humans, but who takes what guidance from it, and when, varies from individual to individual.
 

Relief & Good Times -> Ingratitude & Indifference

وَإِذَا أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَأَىٰ بِجَانِبِهِ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ فَذُو دُعَاءٍ عَرِيضٍ

And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.

[Al-Quran 41:51, Translation: Sahih International]

When We bestow Our favour upon man, he turns away and waxes proud; but when a misfortune touches him, he is full of supplication.

[Al-Quran 41:51, Translation: Maududi]

Most humans have a tendency to become less religious, or even abandon it, when they are in a state of prosperity, or even when opportunity presents itself. They either take the comforts as a birthright, or attribute their worldly success to their own hard work, falsely thinking themselves to be self-made:

فَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَاهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ بَلْ هِيَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know.

[Al-Quran 39:49, Translation: Sahih International]

Surah al-Jummah records the behaviour of some people in this community of converts when business or entertainment opportunities are available:

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ

But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muhammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers."

[Al-Quran 62:11, Translation: Sahih International]

Earlier in the surah, the example of Jewish people not taking The Torah seriously is compared to:

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ     

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah . And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

[Al-Quran 62:5, Translation: Sahih International]

Moral Transformation: from solitary grasshoppers to swarming locusts  

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

وَقَالُوا مَهْمَا تَأْتِنَا بِهِ مِنْ آيَةٍ لِّتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا فَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الطُّوفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ وَالدَّمَ آيَاتٍ مُّفَصَّلَاتٍ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ

But when good came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allah , but most of them do not know.

And they said, "No matter what sign you bring us with which to bewitch us, we will not be believers in you."

So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.

[Al-Quran 7:131-133, Translation: Sahih International]

Swarming locusts are solitary grasshoppers who change physiologically when the environmental conditions and population densities are favourable for swarming behaviour, and then they cause immense damage: devouring crops, devastating food sources and causing widespread famine!

Desert Locust

Image Attribution

By Compton Tucker, NASA GSFC - An Insect’s Alter Ego, 

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=526037

According to available research, this physiological transformation is brought about by a surge in serotonin, sometimes known as the happy chemical, as it is associated with happiness and wellbeing. This change is caused by the tactile stimulation of the hind legs in crowds.

The flourishing ancient Egyptian civilisation, which was probably the mightiest world power then, are described in Q7:133 as arrogant and criminal. One can draw parallels between their behaviour and that of serotonin-intoxicated locusts.  

As regards their omen being with them, please see these posts: Fate, Deeds, Omens & The Mercy of Allah || Our Record in Our Neck 

Resurrection like Locusts 

وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُم مِّنَ الْأَنبَاءِ مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ

وَحِكْمَةٌ بَالِغَةٌ فَمَا تُغْنِ النُّذُرُ

فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ يَوْمَ يَدْعُ الدَّاعِ إِلَىٰ شَيْءٍ نُّكُرٍ

خُشَّعًا أَبْصَارُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ

مُّهْطِعِينَ إِلَى الدَّاعِ يَقُولُ الْكَافِرُونَ هَٰذَا يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ

And there has already come to them of information that in which there is deterrence -

Extensive wisdom - but warning does not avail [them].

So leave them, [O Muhammad]. The Day the Caller calls to something forbidding,

Their eyes humbled, they will emerge from the graves as if they were locusts spreading,

Racing ahead toward the Caller. The disbelievers will say, "This is a difficult Day."

[Al-Quran 54:4-8, Translation: Sahih International]

Surah al-Qamar compares resurrection of billions of humans emerging from their graves to locusts spreading. When a nymph is born, it is wingless. It can be solitary or gregarious, or even change from solitary to gregarious later in life. In other places in The Quran, we learn that the criminals will lose their nafs and their families on the Day of Judgment, while the successful will be reunited with the successful among their ancestors, spouses and progeny, and will be able to ascend to the Gardens of Eternity, while some will have to wait, and many will enter Hell forever. Ayaat and links in these post: Authorised to Fly || Until The Camel Passes Through The Eye Of The Needle || Fuel of Hell: Humans and Stones  

فَاعْبُدُوا مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِ قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss."

[Al-Quran 39:15, Translation: Sahih International]

Alternate Form of Creation 

The Quran informs us that the violators of the Sabbath were turned into apes. There is scientific evidence which supports this devolution. Ayaat and links in the post: Wronging the Nafs

The Quran also tells us that we will be resurrected in alternate form. Ayaat and links in the post: Alternate Biochemistry

The Metamorphosis of Adam 

Surah at-Teen informs us that humans were created excellently, and then returned to the lowest of the low. Yet, there is hope for those who believe and do reformative deeds for an uninterrupted reward. Ayaat and links in the post: Evolution or Metamorphosis || Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation ||  Natural Clothing 

Al-Quran: Shifa for The Believers 

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا

And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.

[Al-Quran 17:82, Translation: Sahih International]

The Quran also contains cure for the believers. However, the same causes loss to the unjust!
The Quran is meant to be recited in the contact prayers, and Surah al-Muzammil specially advises night vigil for protection during the end times.
Ayaat and links in these post:
Prayer & Remembrance of God
The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day!

From ancient ruins, researchers are discovering that the ancients were using advanced sound technology, in building and in the purpose those buildings served, and The Quran also hints at it:

أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ  

Has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them, [as] they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs; then do they not hear?

[Al-Quran 32:26, Translation: Sahih International]

Emerging communication and related technologies are making extensive use sound technologies, and are being made widely available. Even the most illiterate person is now equipped with communication devices. From Surah al-Kahf, we learn that one of the protection provided to the people who were hiding in the cave is that their hearing was prevented. A bit on this at: People of the Cave. It is believed that recitation of Surah al-Kahf will be a protection for the believers when the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) appears. The disbelievers try to use sonic and electromagnetic wavelengths to achieve their purposes, while it is Allah to whom all power truly belongs! He creates with His Words, and has written the code of life in the double helix, shaping creation as He wills; He flings the thunderbolts, and is sustaining the entire creation. Allah is in full control of everything, be it any form of matter, or energy, or something else. Just as Allah has sent The Quran, similarly He promises to send a minor punishment in the form of a smoke from the sky engulfing humans:

بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ 

فَارْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِي السَّمَاءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

يَغْشَى النَّاسَ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

رَّبَّنَا اكْشِفْ عَنَّا الْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ

But they are in doubt, amusing themselves.

Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke.

Covering the people; this is a painful torment.

[They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers."

[Al-Quran 44:9-12, Translation: Sahih International]

And then in ayat 15, it goes on to state: 

إِنَّا كَاشِفُو الْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَائِدُونَ

يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ الْبَطْشَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ

Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].

The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution.

[Al-Quran 44:15-16, Translation: Sahih International]

Pilgrimage 

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."

[Al-Quran 2:125, Translation: Sahih International]

Masabatun (مَثَابَةً) is generally translated as a place of return, or something similar in meaning. It shares its root (ث و ب) with words meaning reward and garments. Sarah al-Kahf presents a beautiful link between garments as reward in:

أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا

Those will have gardens of perpetual residence; beneath them rivers will flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, reclining therein on adorned couches. Excellent is the reward, and good is the resting place.

[Al-Quran 18:31, Translation: Sahih International]

In the pilgrimage ayaat 2:200-210, we read two invocations and their outcomes:

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

And when you have completed your rites, remember Allah like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.

But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.

[Al-Quran 2:200-202, Translation: Sahih International]

Some ayaat about The Ancient House in Mecca.

Sincerity (Ikhlas) in Deen (Law of Recompense)   

Surah az-Zumar extensively discusses sincerity in The Deen:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

فَاعْبُدُوا مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِ قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عِبَادَهُ يَا عِبَادِ فَاتَّقُونِ

وَالَّذِينَ اجْتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ

الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account."

Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion.

And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims."

Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

Say, " Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion,

So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss."

They will have canopies of fire above them and below them, canopies. By that Allah threatens His servants. O My servants, then fear Me.

But those who have avoided Taghut, lest they worship it, and turned back to Allah - for them are good tidings. So give good tidings to My servants

Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.

[Al-Quran 39:10-18, Translation: Sahih International]

Worshipping Allah alone means keeping The Divine Law. The Quran defines the three laws as:

Posts related to The Religion 

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.

[Al-Quran 57:16, Translation: Sahih International]

References & Links 

DNA
Genetic code
Grasshopper
Locust
Serotonin

National Geographic: Locusts
YouTube: Incredible Example of Locusts in The Quran
Swarm Of Locusts DEVOUR Everything In Their Path | Planet Earth | BBC Earth

Archaeoacoustics in ancient sites
Sacred Sounds, Sacred Places: The Harmonic Earth
National Geographic: Ancient Maya Temples Were Giant Loudspeakers?
World Pilgrimage Guide
Sound Tourism

Last updated on: May 21, 2020

The Observer & The Existence of Reality

 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]

... Our Lord (is) the One Who gave (to) every thing its form, then He guided (it). [Al-Quran 20:50]
And of His signs is that the heaven and earth remain by His command... [Al-Quran 30:25]
... Allah eliminates falsehood and establishes truth with His Words... [Al-Quran 42:24]

Abstract 

Scientists are realising that there must be an All-Seeing Observer constantly observing for matter to behave like a particle. One of the names of Allah is Al-Baseer, the All-Seeing. Another name of Allah is Al-Haseeb. It is Allah who upholds the skies and the earth, and that no one other than Him can uphold it. The most important point is that Allah is the only Ilah, the only one who is worthy of worship. He is also constantly watching everything that everyone of His creations is doing.

Full Text 

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيرٌ

Do not they see [to] the birds above them spreading (their wings) and folding? Not holds them except the Most Gracious. Indeed, He (is) of every thing All-Seer.

[Al-Quran 67:19]

Surah Al-Mulk (The Kingdom) ayaat: 3,4 & 23 draw attention to our ability to see / observe {root: bā ṣād rā (ب ص ر)}. Q67:3-4 challenge us to find any flaw in the creation of Allah. Q67:23 lists our ability to see / observe as one of the three special abilities which should evoke gratitude in us. Alas, we give little thanks! 

Quantum physics postulates that matter behaves as both a wave and a particle. Some scientists are realising that there must be an All-Seeing Observer constantly observing for matter to behave like a particle. One of the names of Allah is Al-Baseer, the All-Seeing. However, quantum physics imagines the All-Seeing External Observer as passive, while from The Quran, we know that Allah is actively involved and busy (Q55:30), being not only Al-Qadeer (able to do all things), but also Al-Muqtadar (the One who does all things). Allah is actively involved in the management of His Kingdom, which has been created by Him. He has created non-living and living states to test who is the best in deeds. This leads to another function of the Observer: measurement and its record. Another name of Allah is Al-Haseeb:  

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا

And when you are greeted with a greeting, then greet with better than it or return it. Indeed, Allah is of every thing an Accountant.

[Al-Quran 4:86]

وَعِندَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْلَمُهَا إِلَّا هُوَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْأَرْضِ وَلَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَىٰ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

وَهُوَ الْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ تَوَفَّتْهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمْ لَا يُفَرِّطُونَ

ثُمَّ رُدُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ مَوْلَاهُمُ الْحَقِّ أَلَا لَهُ الْحُكْمُ وَهُوَ أَسْرَعُ الْحَاسِبِينَ

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

And it is He who takes your souls by night and knows what you have committed by day. Then He revives you therein that a specified term may be fulfilled. Then to Him will be your return; then He will inform you about what you used to do.

And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take him, and they do not fail [in their duties].

Then they His servants are returned to Allah , their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants.

[Al-Quran 6:59-62]

Surah Fatir begins with the statement that Allah is The Separator of the skies and earth. Ayat 19 mentions Al-Baseer, contrasting it with the blind. The next ayat contrasts the darknesses with An-Noor. As discussed in another post, if anyone had gamma vision, nothing would be hidden from them. Allah describes Himself in Q24:35 as the Noor of the skies and earth.

Later on in Surah Fatir, we read:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا وَلَئِن زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِهِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

Indeed, Allah upholds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, not can uphold them any one after Him. Indeed, He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. 

[Al-Quran 35:41]

If reality exists due to the observation of the observer, then if the observer ceases to observe, reality should collapse. In the above ayat, attention is drawn to the fact that it is Allah who upholds the skies and the earth, and that no one other than Him can uphold it. Also, attention is drawn to Allah being the Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving, which is why Surah Fatir concludes with the statement that:

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا

And if Allah (were to) punish the people for what they have earned, not He would leave on its back any creature. But He gives them till a term appointed. And when comes their term, then indeed, Allah is of His slaves All-Seer.

[Al-Quran 35:45]

This Observer is able to do all things, for example, instantaneous transportation:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Exalted (is) the One Who took His servant (by) night from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa which We blessed its surroundings, that We may show of Our Signs. Indeed He, He (is) the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. 

[Al-Quran 17:1]

The above ayat begins with the declaration that Allah is free from all imperfections. So, He could and did indeed transport His servant in reality, and not in illusion. In this ayat, we are again being introduced to Allah's All-Seeing and All-Hearing attributes. The Quran informs us that when Allah wills to do anything, He simply says His Command, and it gets done.

Allah, the Best of All Creators, has given everything its form and guidance:

قَالَ رَبُّنَا الَّذِي أَعْطَىٰ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلْقَهُ ثُمَّ هَدَىٰ

He said, "Our Lord (is) the One Who gave (to) every thing its form, then He guided (it)."

 [Al-Quran 20:50] 

Scientists are debating about consciousness and the existence of reality as dependant upon the observer. If reality is relatively constant regardless of whether we are looking at it or not looking, then there must be the external observer who is the cause of creation and the sustained existence of reality. Also, there must be only one such external observer, otherwise there may have eventually arisen conflicts and power struggles between the observers, such that each would have taken his creation away:

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

Say, [O Muhammad], "If there had been with Him [other] gods, as they say, then they [each] would have sought to the Owner of the Throne a way."

[Al-Quran 17:42; Translation: Sahih International]

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah , they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah , Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

[Al-Quran 21:22; Translation: Sahih International]

Allah, established on His Throne, is constantly observing all creation, and what they are observing as well:

لَّا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصَارَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

(Can) not grasp Him the visions but He (can) grasp (all) the vision, and He (is) the All-Subtle, the All-Aware.

[Al-Quran 6:103]

The most important point is that Allah is the only Ilah, the only one who is worthy of worship. This not only refutes atheism, all forms of polytheism and dualism, but also monotheist beliefs in anyone other than Allah, be it the god-self, or the Pharaoh, or Nimrod, or anyone other than Allah.

As defined in Surah Yusuf:

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; Translation: Sahih International]

Allah has promised the final reckoning on The Day of Judgement. The very fact that the Sky and Earth stand according to Allah's command is from His Signs:  

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَن تَقُومَ السَّمَاءُ وَالْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ إِذَا أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ

وَلَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَهُ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَىٰ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

And of His signs is that the heaven and earth remain by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will come forth.
And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and earth. All are to Him devoutly obedient.
And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest attribute in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
[Al-Quran 30:25-27; Translation: Sahih International]

After presenting examples from our own experience, ayat 30 of Surah ar-Rum defines the religion (universal standing law of recompense) as: 

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

مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

مِنَ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the separation of Allah upon which He has separated [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.
[Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allah
[Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.
[Al-Quran 30:30-32; Translation: Sahih International; edited in italics for clarity; typo removed]

The word ad-Deen (الدِّينُ) is generally translated as the religion, and so we tend to think of it as different for each religious group. The Quran negates that concept and informs us that the deen, that is, the standing universal laws of recompense are the same, preached by all prophets and messengers of Allah:

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ

He has ordained for you of the religion what He enjoined upon Nuh, and that which We have revealed to you, and what We enjoined upon Ibrahim and Musa and Isa. To establish the religion and not be divided therein. Is difficult on the polytheists what you call them to it. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides to Himself whoever turns.

[Al-Quran 42:13]

Allah is not only maintaining the skies and earth through constant observation, He is also constantly watching everything that everyone of His creations is doing. He allows the exercise of free-will, but when the corruption of the criminals exceeds certain bounds, He does visit the criminals with annihilation. Many mighty civilisations have indeed passed away! Our promised time is The Hour (السَّاعَةُ). Meanwhile:

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ

Indeed, your Lord (is) surely Ever Watchful.

[Al-Quran 89:14]

Allah, Al-Khaliq, Al-Baseer, Al-Haseeb, has everything written down precisely. Many calendar systems exist within the world religions, and some religious leaders make calculations and adjustments or even changes in it.  The first of the three standing laws of recompense defined in The Quran is:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong your nafs during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].

Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

[Al-Quran 9:36-37; Translation: Sahih International; edited in italics for clarity]

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Last updated on: April 14, 2025