Wednesday 6 November 2013

Recognizing Allah Ta'ala, The Creator

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

THERE ARE SIGNS of Allah Ta'ala's Greatness and power in everything, if a person reflects and contemplates the creation' himself included.


“On the earth are signs for those of assured faith, as also in your own selves: Will you not then see?”
[Surah Az-Zaariyaat 51 : 20 / 21]


“Verily in the Creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for the people of wisdom. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and earth…”
[Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 190/1]


From millions and billions of examples, let us just take two little creatures that offer beautiful insight to Allah Ta'ala's marvelous design and creation.

The bees and the flowers initiated an amazing business: manufacturing honey. And how successful a venture!

The bee collects nectar from its suppliers – the flowers; then stores it in honeycombs and in this manner, manufactures a substance which is in high demand by man – because of its wonderful curative and other properties.

Allah Ta’ala chose the bee – a small, little creation – to be a means of the mass production of honey, throughout the world. However, the bee did not go to any school or university to learn the method of making honey.  It is Allah Ta’ala who taught and inspired the bee. This establishment, this operation, is on the permission of Allah Ta’ala.

“And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses and among the trees and (in) that which they construct.

Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down (for you). There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colours, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."

[Surah An-Nahl 16 : 68/69]


We also see how the silkworm and the mulberry leaf have founded an extraordinary enterprise: producing silk. SubhanAllah! …And how prosperous and lucrative the trade!

As is known to all of us, the silkworm is the chief producer of silk and silk is considered the queen of textiles, which fetches a high price in the markets of the world. However, the skill of the silkworm was not developed in any university or college. Its skill is on the Command, guidance and power of Allah Ta’ala. 

Man takes the silkworm to be in his employment, but its skill was not due to man’s effort and training.  It is due to Allah Ta’ala’s Infinite Power and Guidance – Allah Ta’ala not only creates, but also programmes His Creation for some specific task.


“Our Lord is He who gave everything its shape, then guidance.”
[Surah Ta Ha 20: 50]

“Who created (everything), then made (it) well, and who determined a measure (for everything), then guided (it).”
[Surah Al-A’la 82 : 2 / 3]

 
Allah Ta’ala chose a worm – another small, little creation - to produce the most beautiful fabric in the world! …Had Allah Ta’ala not disclosed this secret enterprise, would the mind of man, have ever conceived that a worm would have such ability?

Scientific research also discovered that the spider manufactures silk. Its silk is considered the toughest material on the surface of the earth. So strong and malleable is the spider’s silk that it is able to withstand immense pressure before breaking. Due to this, scientists and researchers consider it an ideal material for the manufacture of bulletproof vests and other protective clothing – and are seeking ways to generate productivity for man’s benefit.

When Allah Ta'ala mentions the spider's house, He describes it as:


“Truly the filmiest of houses is the spider's house...”
[Surah Al-Ankaboot 29:41]

The weakness and frailty are within the spider’s house and not the spider’s threads. The spider’s web does not protect from heat or cold, does not provide shade or offer protection. Rain can wash it away and human beings can easily trample or destroy it.  However, the threads are considered exceptionally strong, as mentioned.

…Who guides the spider – so small in comparison to man – to manufacture such strong material? …Everything directs to the Creator, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu.


…In spite of their intelligence, scientists, professors, students and others, have to go to the beehives, go to the silkworm and the spider, to learn from them, about their expertise. Even then, man can only make use of the silkworm and bee, but cannot achieve the remarkable abilities to do what the silkworm does, or what the bee does – without the silkworm and without the bee. SubhanAllah!

It is due to both the silkworm and the bee that huge industries have been set up, with these products being imported and exported throughout the world. …Remove these two little entities from the equation and there would not be these highly profitable trades. What great signs of a Creator!

Another lesson we learn is that silkworms are reared in captivity, and as they grow and mature, they begin to spin their cocoons, with silk threads which are secreted from their bodies. …In man’s quest and greed for commercial gain from producing silk, the cocoons are steamed or baked or plunged into boiling water, killing the silkworms inside them and softening the silk gum. The boiling water unravels the silk fibres for silk manufacturing, and man enjoys the luxury of silk and the profits of silk.

The silkworm is sacrificed for the benefit of man. It offers a noble service and is “thanked” by being killed. However, if the worm is allowed to grow, it turns into a butterfly and is freed from the confines of the cocoon. 

Man is the slave and servant of Allah Ta’ala, born in a state of Fitrah (Islam) – to be nurtured for servitude and submission to Allah Ta’ala.  Islam is innate and inborn in every one of us. Thus, human beings naturally incline to belief in Allah Ta’ala and worshipping Allah Ta’ala.

“And I created not the Jinn and mankind except they should worship me.”
[Surah Zariat 51 : 56]


If man surrenders his life for Allah Ta’ala – obeying His Creator, working towards righteousness, and sacrificing his evil desires, seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala does not destroy man, does not deprive man, does not allow his efforts to go in vain. Allah Ta’ala, in turn, graciously rewards man with spiritual life and eternal life in the Hereafter, to enjoy the everlasting bounties of Jannah.

Like the butterfly which is freed from the confines of the cocoon; when man is released from the confines of Dunya, he is granted everlasting freedom in the Hereafter, in Jannah. …In this world also, Allah Ta’ala grants a beautiful and good life (Hayaatan Tayyibah).


 “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”

[Surah An-Nahl 16 : 97]

As has been said:

“The clouds and winds, the moon, the sun and
the sky are continually at work,
So that you earn your living and do not eat in forgetfulness.
The entire creation is engaged in working
for you, in submission;
The law of justice will not be accomplished if you
fail to submit to and obey Allah.”


By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)