By Kazi Wadud Nawaz, New Age Islam
20 August 2021
Nothing in the Universe Makes Sense Except in the Light of the Holy Quran
Main Points:
1. If you view the objective realities through the lens of the Holy Quran, you will understand the meaning and purpose of your life and the universe.
2. Holy Qur'an suggested a correct approach towards understanding of the Realities through integration of comprehensible and incomprehensible aspects of divine signs.
3. Ayat-e-Mutashabihaat is in essence the higher evolutionary stage of Ayat-e-Muhkamaat.
4. The Holy Qur'an provides mankind with a divine tool for evaluating and understanding the Attributes of Allah manifested in worldly life.
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"Nothing in the Universe Makes Sense Except in the Light of the Holy Quran"-says Prof. P.A. Wahid in his book "The Quran: Scientific Exegesis".
To be more specific, if you view the objective realities through the lens of the Holy Quran, you will understand the meaning and purpose of your life and the universe. The Holy Qur'an as a Divine Manual of Universal Governance has been revealed for guidance of mankind. It's a manual for transforming the world and building up individual and collective life of mankind on the basis of Islamic Laws and Code of Conduct just to make them worthy of the status of Allah's Caliph on earth. General approaches of the Holy Qur'an towards cognition of the objective realities are as follows:
A) Integrating 'Ayat-e- Mu'hkamaat' and 'Ayat-e- Mutashabihaat':
The Holy Qur'an through the verse (Qur'an:3:7) which is self-explanatory has clearly suggested a correct approach towards understanding of the Realities through integration of comprehensible and incomprehensible aspects of divine signs.
"He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say, "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding." [Qur'an:3:7].
The basic principles of Islamic Faith, religious ethics, social and family laws and all verses related to comprehensible divine Attributes or ‘Sifat' belong to the category of clear and comprehensible verses (Ayat-e-Muhkamat). Qur'anic verses that point to the miraculous events of the unseen occurring in the worldly life but related to the 'Essence or Zaat' of Allah beyond the cognitive ability of mankind, belong to the category of incomprehensible verses. (Ayat-e-Mutashabihaat).
The perceptible world forms the foundation of the clear and comprehensible domain of the Holy Qur'an (Ayat-e-Muhkamaat) that finds its extension in incomprehensible and non-visible reality (al-Gayeb) reflected by the allegorical domain of the Holy Qur'an. Ayat-e-Mutashabihaat is in essence the higher evolutionary stage of Ayat-e-Muhkamaat. The reflection of Ayat-e-Mutashabihaat on physical world and human consciousness might be a subject of scientific research as comprehensible 'Relative Truth' but in the final analysis Ultimate Reality or Absolute Truth will always remain outside the fold of science beyond human comprehension.
The universe with all its interconnected physical phenomena manifests divine attributes extending towards the domain of spirituality and collectively leads towards a Singular Eternal Entity, the ultimate cause of all creations. The same thing happens with Time as an all-pervasive Divine Attribute. Its manifestation and impact on the evolutionary process of life, universe and human consciousness constitute the comprehensible domain of divine signs in the physical world well within the cognitive capacity of Science. But the scientists are getting baffled and confused on the question of the origin of time, life, consciousness and the universe. Since all these points to the essence or ‘Zaat' of the Eternal Reality, they form the incomprehensible part of divine signs ie, "Ayat-E-Mutashabihaat". Their manifestations, impact and functional strategies all might come within the range of scientific endeavour as part of "Ayat-e-Muhkamaat" but the Ultimate Truth, in the final analysis, will be beyond the reach of science. And hence for the Modern Physics, Time is still an Illusion and so far as its beginning and origin are concerned will remain illusory beyond the cognitive ability of Science for all time to come.
B) Just Estimation of Allah’s Attributes and Greatness as the Creator
"No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him" - says the Holy Qur'an [verse- 39:67].
Just estimate of Divine attributes is a vital component of faith of a believer. The Holy Qur'an, from beginning to end has described and explained in details, the depth and intensity of divine blessings and mercy on mankind, to convince him of Allah's greatness as the Creator.
All Qur'anic Verses without exception in course of argumentation have adequately laid bare the logical basis of Allah's Sovereign Authority that demands acknowledgement and recognition of Divine Blessings from mankind on the stand-point of Faith and Morality.
The Holy Qur'an provides mankind with a divine tool for evaluating and understanding the Attributes of Allah manifested in worldly life. And Science in course of its advancement reveals step by step glories of Allah's creation unravelling underlying Laws of Nature as "Divine Tools for Universal Governance".
The Holy Qur'an considers the universe, the Heavens and the Earth as a Divine Book full of signs similar to the verses of the Holy Qur'an, stretched open for mankind to study and reflect on the manifestations of the Attributes of Allah as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. The Holy Qur'an through many of its verses has revealed close similitude between divine signs of the physical world and the Holy Qur'an itself. Allah says:
"On the earth, there are signs for those of assured faith. As also in your own selves: will ye not then see? And in Heaven is your Sustenance, as (also) that which you are promised. Then by the Lord of heaven and earth, this is the very Truth, as much as the fact that you can speak intelligently to each other." [Verses: 20, 21, 22 and 23].
Allah speaks to mankind, His Caliph on earth, in the language of divine signs pervading the physical world and also through the Books of Revelation.
Scientific knowledge as divine blessings has been bestowed on mankind by Allah to help the study of these two books, 'the Book of Nature and Revealed Scriptures' and to explore the mysteries of divine creations.
To see human life and the Universe in the light of the Holy Quran means to adopt an Integrated World-View that integrates both science and spirituality based on the concept of At Tawhid. At-Tawhid as an essential criteria of Islamic Faith constitutes the foundation of Quranic Theory of Knowledge. In short, total surrender to the Ultimate Reality, analysing all aspects of material and spiritual life of mankind on the basis of the Unity of Allah, and translating its basic principles in individual and collective life, are all part and parcel of "Quranic World-View".
C) Understanding the Norms of History: Observation, Analysis and Learning
I. Quranic Concept of History:
Materialistic and Western Concept of History builds up mainly on man's struggle for existence against adverse nature, unethical human endeavour and fierce fighting for accumulation of worldly resources. Marxist concept of 'Historical Materialism' holds human history as the 'History of Class Struggle'. This is no-doubt a partial truth and one-sided approach towards norms of history that upholds the Animal Instinct only to the utter disregard of innate rational and moral elements in human nature. And, from the viewpoint of Corporate Economy, history builds up on hypocrisy, aggression and genocide committed by Corporate Capital to monopolize world Resources and global Market.
But the case is different with the Holy Quran. Quranic concept of history is an integrated and holistic concept that covers entire life-cycle of mankind starting from the creation of man in Metaphysical Domain of 'Alam-e-Arwah', development and transformation of foetus in mothers' womb on earth, his struggle for existence in worldly life, his post death life in the grave, 'Alam -e Barzakh', and his life on and after the final Day of Judgement. The Quranic Concept of History encompasses both material and spiritual dimensions of human life.
The Holy Quran attaches great importance on learning from the history. Many a verse of the Holy Quran urges mankind again and again to learn from the Norms of History and assimilate the principles of historical evolution. "Al-Quran does not consider any worldly event to be without a cause or to be a mere manifestation of Allah's irresistible power. In contrast, it tells human intelligence that the field of history is governed by definite laws and norms, and that to be the master of his destiny man must know them." [Trends of History in Quran: Al-Islam.org]
Allah (SWT), in the overall interest of divine governance, parallel to the laws of nature, has also promulgated a number of principles for guiding evolutionary process of the history. These are as follows:
i) All divine creations have a limited life-span with pre-destined period of origin, development, decay, death or destruction.
ii) All divine creations of the heavens and the earths, on attaining their pre-destined evolutionary goals, will be brought back to their root or point of origin.
iii) Union with the "Ultimate Reality" is the highest stage of creative evolution prescribed for mankind by Allah
iv) 'Divine Command' is active and functional every moment at all stages of evolutionary process of the Universe, life, and consciousness.
v)Moral Stance of a Nation that is Collective Morality as expression of 'Taqwa' or Righteousness act as a powerful "Catalyst" that influence the Norms of History towards Rise and Fall of a Nation.
According to the Holy Quran Natural laws and Laws of history both manifest sovereign authority of Allah. Verses: 29:19 and 30:11 as shown below have clearly termed 'Historical Evolution' to be the principal strategy of Divine Creation.
"See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah"[Verse: 29:19]
"It is Allah Who begins the creation, then repeats it; then shall you be brought back to Him."[Verse: 30:11]
With the above two verses in view it can be safely said that, the history of mankind is in fact the history of evolutionary cycle of all divine creations, that starts from its point of origin and finishes at the same point after traversing the full evolutionary cycle. Quranic concept of history is an integrated and holistic concept that treats history as the continuity of evolutionary process of divine creations as a whole
The materialistic concept treats history to be totally independent of human consciousness and mankind to be a helpless victim swimming aimlessly in the vortex of history. As for them human values and morality have no role to play in Natural Science and History.
The Holy Quran treats Natural Science and History as most powerful instruments of divine governance. Quranic Concept of Natural Science and History builds up on the foundation of 'Meezan' or Universal Balance of Justice. That is why Al-Quran attaches so great importance to man's active role in history and natural science.
II) Historical Lessons from the Viewpoint of the Holy Quran
1. Allah's Strategy for Dealing with Transgressors and Rejecters of Truth Remains Unchanged in all ages.
True knowledge about grievous consequence of the rejecters of truth and transgressors of the past is a great lesson for moral education of mankind of all ages. Divine rules of punishment inflicted on evil-doers of all ages remain unchanged with no degree of variation. This is Law of the History. Lot of verses of the Holy Quran uphold this historical truth. Divine punishment inflicted on the community of Aad, Thamud, Lut, Nuuh and Pharao for acting in contravention to the fundamental Law of Nature, transgression and violation of human values and divine justice, is no doubt a severe warning and a great negative lesson for mankind of all ages. In all these cases natural calamities like flood, tornado, thunder-storm, earthquake, epidemic and pandemics were harnessed as medium of divine punishment.
Related Verses:
Nay, the evil results of their Deeds overtook them. And the wrong-doers of this (generation)- the evil results of their Deeds will soon overtake them (too), and they will never be able to frustrate (Our Plan)![Verse:L39:51]
"Do they not travel through the earth and see what the end of those before them was? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land, but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against Allah." [Qur'an:40:21].
See they not how of those before them We did destroy?---------generations We had established on earth , in strength such as We have not given to you, for whom We poured rain from the skies in abundance, and gave them streams flowing beneath their(feet). Yet for sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generation (to succeed them)” [Verse: 6:165].
"They swore their strongest oaths by Allah that if a warner came to them, they will be more rightly guided than any one of the nations: but when a warner came to them, it has only increased their aversion, on account of their arrogance in the land and their plotting of Evil. But the plotting of Evil will hem in only the authors thereof. Now are they but looking for the way the ancients were dealt with? But no change wilt thou find in Allah's way (of dealing): No turning off wilt thou find in Allah's way of dealing."[Verse: 35:42-43],
“And what will explain to you what the Day of Sorting Out is? And woe, that Day to the Rejecters of Truth! Did We not destroy the men of old (for their evil)?So shall We make the later (generation)s follow them. Thus We will deal with Rejecters of Truth.'[Verse: 77:14-18]
2) Every Soul is held in pledge for his deeds
"Every Soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds." [Verse: 74:38]
According to the Holy Quran mankind is held in pledge for his deeds. So any misfortune befalling him results as Backlash of his own activities.
This claim of the Holy Quran is undoubtedly a historic truth transcending all barriers of time and ages. The Holy Quran has clearly assigned a moral responsibility on mankind as Allah’s representative on the Earth to refrain from any sort of activities that endanger the very existence of man and divine creation as a whole. From the view-point of ecological Science over- extraction of renewable natural resources beyond sustainable limit causes ecological imbalance and erosion of bio-diversity on global scale. Over-use of chemicals in chemical-intensive farming system causes mass-scale pollution of soil, water and atmosphere. This results in elimination of beneficial bacteria and viruses with harmful microbes filling the vacuum to restore ecological balance. Production and testing of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons aggravate the situation all the more.
The Corporations and their Institutions have become powerful enough to grasp and plunder global resources on an unprecedented scale and dimension in violation of all scientific norms and moral values .This is tantamount to “defacing the fair nature” as the Holy Quran puts it. All these are Human activities that destabilize the stable ecosystem triggering ecological uncertainty beyond human control impacting adversely on life support system of the earthThe Corporate Media all over the world is now all out to manufacture Truth in accordance with their desire and thus in the language of the holy Quran has put ‘the heavens and the earth and all beings therein’, in the danger of ruin. The Corporate world nakedly pursues a strategy of violating human rights and Universal Balance of Justice in their own interest. They take resort to falsehood and go all-out for fabrication and ‘Manufacturing Truth’ turning in full-swing the wheels of Corporate Media.
The ongoing pandemic that is mass-scale Covid-19 Virus infestation,to be the reflection of a deep-rooted crisis inherent in Modern Development Paradigm.
The present world situation created by the Corporate Development Model mirrors Holy Quran’s moral concern as expressed in the following verses:
“If the Truth had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, will be in ruin. Nay, we have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from admonition” [Verse; 23: 71]
“Whatever Misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought and for many (a sin) He grants forgiveness”. [Verse: 42:30]
“Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them and taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evils)” [Verse: 30:41]
The disastrous situation as envisaged by the above mentioned Quranic Verses seems to devour the whole world today.
Just contrary to the Corporate Values, Moral Stance of the holy Quran is strong, specific, transparent and perfectly in tune with the basic laws of human nature.
The facts that all existing problems of mankind to-day; economic, political, cultural, whatsoever, including the disastrous situation arising out of Covid-19 virus, in spite of denial by all scientifically advanced countries of the world, are their own creation. All these proclaims the truth and authenticity of Verses: [74:38, 42:30, and 30:41] of the Holy Quran. Poverty, Natural Disasters, Famine, Epidemics, Pandemics, Wars and accompanying Catastrophe - all, in the language of the Holy Quran, are outcome of this immoral, disastrous development model. The present and past history bears testimony to these facts. At this critical juncture of humanity, the greatest responsibility assigned by the history on Muslim Community is to uphold and implement 'Active Quranic Morality'.
3) Historically Rise and Fall of Any Nation Has a Fixed Time-Frame;
Ranging from smallest micro-organisms to all living beings including mankind, from minutest particles to infinite galaxies and stellar systems- all have a fixed time-frame for its creation, development, decay and destruction. Death is the common lot and an inviolable destiny decreed by Allah for all His creations. There is no exception to it. So is the Rise and Fall of a nation. These are also time-bound. But the time-frame is a divine secret best known to Allah only. The following verses of the Holy Quran uphold this historical truth:
By the time! Lo! Man is in a state of loss; save those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and counsel each other to hold on to truth and counsel each other to be steadfast. [Verses: 103:1-3]
"I swear by the glow of the sunset, by the night and all that the night brings to life, and by the full moon, that you will move from your present existence to a different existence".[verses:84:16-19,]
"Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the earth and all that Allah hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they then believe? "[Verse: 7:34]
"If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds."[Verse: 7:96]
"Have they not considered the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what things Allah hath created, and that it may be that their own term draweth nigh? In what fact after this will they believe?"[Verse: 7:185,]
": Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. Neither can a people anticipate its Term, nor delay it" [verse: 15:4-5]
"And (all) those townships! We destroyed them when they did wrong, and We appointed a fixed time for their destruction."[Verse18:59]
"Were Allah to take people to task for their wrong-doing, He would not have spared even a single living creature on the face of the earth. But He grants them respite until an appointed term. And when that term arrives, they have no power to delay it by a single moment, nor to hasten it". [Verse: 16:61]
"If people were to keep firmly to the Right Way, We would have vouchsafed them abundant rain" [Verse:: 72:16]
"How many were the towns, We utterly destroyed because of their inequities, setting up in their places other people."[Verse: 21:11]
"How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong doing? They tumbled down on their roofs, And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built.
"Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their Eears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts which are in their breasts."[Verses: 22:45-46]
The above mentioned verses of the Holy Quran have adequately discussed about divine judgement in History that steers the Destiny of Nations. The Verses clearly confirm that righteousness and morality are determining factors for success or failure in individual and collective life of mankind. A nation how ever developed and powerful may be, is sure to fall down in case of moral degradation. Perpetual corruptions and Transgression of Universal Balance of Divine Justice, accelerate the downfall of a nation. This is an inviolable historical destiny for any nation irrespective of its Geographical, Linguistic and Cultural identity. From Quranic point of view, farther a nation moves away from 'Taqwa' or Righteousness, the faster it approaches its doom. This is the greatest lesson of the history.
4) Knowledge about human limitations as regards his origin and development is very vital for moral uplift of mankind.
Knowledge, intellect, strength, capacity and longevity of mankind are all limited and relative. On the other hand Allah's knowledge is unlimited, eternal and all-encompassing. But the Satan, the symbol of all evils, instigates him to forget his limitations. And he starts thinking himself to be all powerful, independent and sovereign. He forgets the history of his origin and that he is not owner even of his own self. He also forgets that he has no control over his life and death. He illusively considers the divine blessings of relative and limited freedom bestowed on him by Allah to be absolute and decisive. He forgets that his whole existence is intricately bound up with Universal Laws of Divine Governance. That is why the Holy Quran time and again reminds him of his limitations lest he should be confused and go astray.
Related Verses:
"The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until ye visit the graves. But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).Again, ye soon shall know! Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (Ye would beware!) Ye shall certainly see Hellfire! Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight! Then, shall ye be Questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in)!" [Verse: 103:1-8]
"Has there been for man a period of time when he was not anything worthy of mention?" [Verse: 76:1]
"And Allah has caused you to grow out of the earth so wondrously, and He will later cause you to return to it and will then again bring you out of it'. [Verse: 71:17-18]
“Proclaim! (or Read !) In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created— Created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord Is Most Bountiful,—He Who taught (The use of) the Pen, — Taught man that Which he knew not. Nay but man doth Transgress all bounds, In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient. Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all)". [Verse: 96:1-8]
"Accursed be man! How stubbornly he denies the Truth. Out of what did Allah create him? Out of a sperm-drop did He create him and then determined a measure for him, and then made the course of life easy for him, then He caused him to die and brought him to the grave, and then, whenever He wishes, He will raise him back to life". [Verse: 80: 17-22]
"Woe on that Day to the deniers! Did We not create you from a humble fluid, placing it in a secure place until an appointed time? 1 We ˹perfectly˺ ordained ˹its development˺. How excellent are We in doing so!" [Verse: 77:19-23]
5) Role of Man in History
[Union with the "Ultimate Reality" is the highest stage of creative evolution prescribed for mankind by Allah]
According to the Holy Quran, evolution and transformation of physical universe do not depend on tier-intra cause and effect relationship only. Al-Quran considers Marxist Doctrine of "Class struggle as the motive force of history" one-sided, unsubstantiated and fallacious.The Materialists deny the potential role of morality and spiritual bondage, as a powerful catalyst, that accelerate or retard the evolutionary process of the history.
Allah initiated a long-drawn protracted moral warfare against Satan, the symbol of all evils, through creation of Adam. And He assigned the heavy responsibility of leadership in that war on to his progeny. Allah bestowed on mankind the honour as His Caliph on earth for shouldering the responsibility of fighting injustice, transgression and evils .Creating highly potential mankind from an insignificant, detestable fluid drop, keeping infinite potential of oceans dormant within a tiny droplet-therein lies the greatness, charisma and inherent beauty of Allah's art of creation. But realization of this dormant human potential needs a life-long battle from cradle to the grave on the part of mankind. Allah’s strategy for creative evolution constrains him to fight for his existence against adverse nature, against falsehood, transgression and injustice. At every step of his life he needs to prove his mettle, sincerity, and loyalty to safe-guard his faith and morality. The issue of human freedom unshackling the bondage of slavery raised in the verses :(90:8-13) is not confined only to the question of setting any individual free from the bondage of slavery, rather it commands human freedom from any slavery other than that of Allah. It’s a clear instruction for severing all human bondage and lighting up human consciousness with ideological fire of At-Tawhid. This freedom is an essential criterion for imbibing "Taqwa" or Righteousness in human heart. The path is really tortuous and tire-some that calls for sincere endeavour and relentless struggle for emancipating human heart from selfish mean desire, and consciousness from human bondage. There is no room for opportunism and hypocrisy in this moral war-fare.
"Islam aims to free the human ego from the bonds of material and social habits and norms so that the individual’s deepest self is in contact with the ‘Most Real’ or God in other words. This contact with the ‘Most Real’ or the Creator who is upon a new creation at all times, opens the individual to a process of continuous growth, challenge, struggle and creation." [Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts In Islam by Allama Iqbal]
So, from Quranic point of view the history of mankind is the history of evolution of human endeavour towards safe-guarding universal justice and attainment of highest degree of morality "Taqwa" for Union with the Supreme Ideal.[refer:Verse:84:6]
The following Verses have clearly upheld this Historical Truth.:
"O you man! Verily you are ever toiling on towards your Lord painfully toiling, but you shall meet Him." [Verse: 84:6]
"Verily We have created man into toil and struggle"[verse: 90:4]
"Have We not made for him a pair of eyes/ And a tongue and a pair of lips? And shown him two highways? But he has made not haste on the path that is steep. And what will explain to you the path that is steep? It is freeing the bondman." [Verses: 90:8-13]
6) Man's Active Role in History: Struggle for Implantation of Universal Balance of Justice-- Jihad
Quranic Morality is based on Truth and Justice. It is the moral responsibility of all members of Muslim Community to practise it in their individual, social and national life. According to the Holy Quran Self-purification of a Muslim is only possible through constant practice of such moral pursuits in worldly life. Islam never permits of any self-purification bid in isolation from realities of life.
There is no room for any passive morality in the Holy Quran. ": Taqwa', as the highest level of Quranic Morality can be attained only through relentless struggle against evils to establish Divine Justice. And this human endeavour towards establishment of "divine justice" is known as "jihad", the highest testing ground for faith of a believer . The Qur’anic concept of ‘Jihad’ in its true spirit refers to human endeavours for self-purification and transformation of the world to ensure divine justice, peace and security. To sum up, Jihad constitutes the revolutionary essence of the Holy Qur’an
'Repelling evils with the good deeds 'is the essence of active Quranic Morality. And this is also the Core Message of Islam-
"Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better--" [Verse: 41:34] And Jihad is the most powerful instrument for repelling evils.
The following two verses of the Holy Qur’an express clearly the Quranic stand of on Jihad as a determining factor between a believer and a hypocrite drawing a clear line of demarcation between these two
“And why should you not fight in the cause of God and the utterly helpless men, women and children who are crying, ‘Our Lord! Deliver us from this land whose people are oppressors and send forth to us, out of Your grace, a protector and send us one that will help us.’” (Qur’an: 4:75).
Those who believe fight in the cause of God, and those who reject the faith fight in the cause of evil. Fight, then, against the friends of Satan. Feeble indeed is the Cunning of Satan.” (Qur’an: 4:76).
The verses have clearly revealed material and spiritual perspectives, needs, justification and objectives. ‘Jihad’ calls for a decisive battle of truth against falsehood- it’s a clarion call and divine response to the heart-rending cry of endangered and distressed humanity. [Qur’an:4:75]. It is an instrument for setting aright the fulcrum of universal balance. It is the acid test for the faith of a believer.
Anybody reluctant to fight against evil forces on earth may be anything but a Muslim, rather a ‘Munafiq’ (hypocrite) as per the verdict of the Holy Qur’an. Jihad, that is fighting the evil forces in this world, is an active instrument of justice and faith-based human endeavour.
Unflinching support for the good and uncompromising struggle against the evils and evil forces at social, national and international levels as per the instructions of the Holy Qur’an is Jihad. Allowing evil forces to continue with their misdeeds without protest and resistance in worldly life, is tantamount to fleeing back from the field of Jihad, and certainly is an act of hypocrisy.
Reluctance and negligence towards divine responsibilities on earth as viceroy of Allah is an act of opportunism and hypocrisy. A peaceful and secure life in the hereafter cannot be ensured without the performance of divine responsibilities on earth. The enemies of Islam have been instigating terrorism and committing all sorts of inhuman crimes in the name of "Jihad" to vilify Islam on one hand and take resort to distortion of the basic Qur’anic principles of Jihad on the other. Non-believers have been taking advantage of such ideological weakness among Muslims worldwide.
The paid agents of different Western and Eastern Intelligence Agencies in the guise of so-called Islamic thinkers and intellectuals, support injustice in the name of Jihad, just to create confusion and try to strip Islam off the very revolutionary essence of Quranic Jihad for their own interests.
Quranic concept of Jihad is very dynamic and powerful ideological weapon for changing the objective world for ensuring the balance of justice for all humanity.
The existing socio-economic and political systems of the world based on materialistic values have given overemphasis on physical needs and denied the moral and spiritual aspects of human life. This is tantamount to a denial of the unique position granted by Allah to mankind amongst all His creations and bringing down humanity to the status of a beast.
Philosophical and moral values based exclusively on material interests may create a temporary illusion of peace, unity and stability in the world, but are sure to devalue spiritual status of humanity and destined to end up in rivalry and lust for worldly wealth, rift, disunity, violence and bloodshed among nations in the long run. And this has been the historical destiny of all hitherto socio-economic and political systems, theories and practices of the modern world.
The conspiratorial activities of enemies of Islam sow the seeds of discord and disunity within Muslim community and instigate violence through their agents in the name of Jihad to serve their economic and geopolitical interests. Then they turn their propaganda machines on in full swing to put the blames of fanaticism on Muslim community. The existing world situation is very critical for the Muslim Community. Then what is to be done? The World Muslim Community Must hold fast on to the "Rope of Allah and His Messenger “and hold aloft the flag of Active Quranic morality.
D) 'Divine Command' is active and functional every moment at all stages of evolutionary process of the Universe, life, and consciousness
This Universe as a Divine creation is not an end in itself but a single link of an infinite chain of divine creations passing sequentially towards the future phase by phase as per divine will.
Evolutionary process of Divine Creation unfurls with forward movement of TIME while its reversal with rolling up of the scroll that is Space and Time will result in ultimate completion of one phase opening up a new phase in the evolutionary process of divine creations.[Verse:21:104]The Master Plan of the process of divine Creation and Destruction is well-documented clearly in the Record Perspicuous.[Verse: 34:3].
In the opinion of materialist Philosophers and Scientists, "the universe it self is self-emerging and self-sustaining, so does not need any creator. Its origin is a one-time affair and an accident subsequently guided exclusively by the laws of physics."
But according to the Holy Quran the very idea of self-sustainability of the Universe is hypothetical, unrealistic and fallacious. The Universe all through its evolutionary process inevitably needs divine intervention for its onward movement towards a predestined evolutionary goal. Allah's Command remains active and functional at every stage of its development.[Verse:55:29]
Natural Calamities, Epidemic, and Pandemics, all as part of divine planning, are most powerful instruments of Allah's Creative Evolution and Universal Governance system. Modern Science also holds that natural calamities and known and unknown disease vectors resulting from interaction of different physical forces and physic-chemical processes constitute most powerful and sustained Evolutionary Agents. Michael Brooks in his book “New ideas in Science” has said:
“Disease is still a big driver of human evolution: people with particular genetical arrangements are more likely to survive Malaria and HIV, for example. And almost all humans have lost the Caspase 12 gene from their genomes, probably because those who have it are more susceptible to Bacterial Infection. It happens slowly but we are still changing”
It is clear from the verses given below that uninterrupted process of transformation as an integral part of creative evolution, serve twin purposes-
as a strategy of Divine Creation and as a tool for Divine Punishment and establishment of Divine Justice.[ Refer Verses: 55:29, 29:19, 30:11, 21:104,6:6, 56:60-61, 70:40-41]
The 'Creative Evolutionary Process' of the objective world initiated by Allah the Ultimate Reality manifests itself-
Firstly, in the emergence of Free-willed, Intelligent, Conscious Beings anywhere in the divinely selected part of the Cosmos like mankind on earth, marks the highest stage or culminating point of divinely engineered Creative Evolution of the whole Universe.
Secondly, Final stage of evolution of man or any other conscious being, that is to be attained through their union with the supreme Ideal or Reality.
'Adam' as the first man and the Quranic description of divine process of his creation, are all allegorical in essence that marks the culmination of creative evolution of the physical universe executed under divine command.
According to Allama Iqbal's theory of creative evolution,
"the Ultimate Ego manifests itself, from the lowest forms of matter to the highest evolutionary form of the spiritually most advanced human personality. The trust or the challenge which man accepted, is to become conscious of his own true fiṭrah or nature. Man’s Fitrah has its roots in the Divine Life and it is part of his nature to grow and evolve towards greater and greater perfection by using his creative will and power."
The "Promised Day" or the "Day of Resurrection “marks the culminating point of Creative Evolution of the Universe ie its Union with the "Supreme Ideal".
Through His Command "Kun": Allah set the Evolutionary Wheel of His creations move towards culminating points firstly, in the emergence of the conscious beings like mankind in the selected regions of the Cosmos and secondly, leading the whole process towards union with the Ultimate Reality or the Supreme ideal, that is in the language of Allama Iqbal through attainment of 'the highest evolutionary form of the spiritually most advanced human personality'.
Relevant Verses of the Holy Quran:
a) "For to Allah belong the forces of the skies and the earth, and Allah is exalted in Power,Full of Wisdom" [Verse; 48:7]
b)"Of Him seeks *(the need) every creatures in the skies and on earth, every day He is in a state of action" [Verse: 55:29]
c)" See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah" [Verse: 29:19]
d) "It is Allah Who begins the creation; then repeats it; then shall you be brought back to Him". [Verse: 30:11]
e) "The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed), even as We produce the first Creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken :truly shall We fulfil it "[Verse: 21:104]
f) "See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?- Generations We had established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you- for whom We have poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave streams flowing beneath their (feet):yet for their sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed them)" [Verse:6:6]
g) "We have decreed Death to be your common lot, and We are not be unable, From changing your forms and creating you (again) in (Forms) that you know not." [Verses: 56:60-61]
h) "{Whatever is in the skies and on earth, declares the Praises and Glory of Allah :for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. To Him belongs the dominion of the skies and the earth; it is He Who gives Life and Death; and He has power over all things. He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Hidden: and He has full knowledge of all things."[Verses: 57:1-3]
i) Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly- Substitute for them better (men) than they- and We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan) [Verses:70:40-41]
References:
.Re-construction of Religious Thoughts in Islam-by Allama Iqbal
2. "Understanding Pandemics and Natural Calamities: Conceptual Options in the Holy Quran"- by Kazi Wadud Nawaz, posted in New-age Website on 27.1.2021
3'.Quranic Concept of Jihad" -by Kazi Wadud Nawaz, Published in two parts in the Daily Sun, Dhaka on 17.03.2017 and 24 March, 2017
4. Facing the Corporate Menace" -by Kazi wadud Nawaz, posted in the Newage-Islam Website on 16.7.2014
5. “New Ideas in Science ”-by Michael Brooks.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/holy-quran-universe-human-life/d/125248
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