4) Nature
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What is present on earth in the
form of forests, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, oceans, and diverse plant and
animal species is truly something remarkable. It is not the dolphin that equips
itself with the most advanced and efficient sonar system on earth, nor is it
the eagle that equips itself with eyesight four or five times stronger than
that of humans – they both are the works of the Creator Who perfected
everything He made. Looking at His creation is one way to know how remarkable
and capable the Creator is.
God shows us signs in the animals He created to serve
us. Horses, mules, and donkeys are for humankind to ride on to faraway places
that otherwise would have taken longer to reach on foot. Cows, sheep, and goats
produce milk, and we use their hides and wool for clothing, and we slaughter
them for meat; while chickens lay millions of eggs daily – all of these are
signs so that we may acknowledge God’s blessings on us and be thankful to Him.
“And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a
lesson. We (God) give you drink from what is in their bellies – between digested food and blood – pure milk, pleasant to drink. And from the fruits of the
palm trees and grapevines you derive intoxicants and wholesome provision.
Indeed in this is a sign for those who understand.” (Quran 16:66-67)
Looking up to the sky above us; the earth’s atmosphere
was made with a unique protective layer. The sun gives us light that makes life
possible, its tilted axis gives us four seasons so that we may enjoy different
climates. The stars, comets, and everything that we can see in space are for us
to gaze at, admire their beauty, acknowledge that God created the universe, and
acknowledge that it surely must have been created for a purpose. In fact,
everything in our universe was made for us. “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and
the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships which sail through the
sea with that which benefits people, and what God has sent down from the
heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the
earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving
creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heavens and the earth – [in all of this] are surely signs for people of understanding.” (Quran
2:164)
Diversity of humans,
opposite genders, and everything good in life are also all signs of God’s
ability to do anything and of His kindness. “And of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves
so that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection
and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for
a people who give thought. And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of
your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.” (Quran 30:21-22)
Not only is rainfall a blessing and water the source of
all life, but the frequent mention of rainfall in the Quran is for a much
grander purpose. “And it is He
who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy (rain) until, when they
have carried heavy rainclouds, We drive them to a dead land and We send
down rain therein and bring
forth every type of fruit. Similarly, We will bring the dead to life, so
perhaps you will be mindful.” (Quran 7:57) “And of His signs is that you see
the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows.
Indeed, He who gives it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed! He is
Able to do all things.” (Quran 41:39)
After it rains one should remember that God (through the known biological and
chemical processes) turns a dead seed into living vegetation. This should make
one acknowledge that similar
to how God makes a dead seed come to life He will on the Day of Judgment bring
back to life and resurrect all of humankind for judgement. Knowing this should lead one to prepare for that
unprecedented Day by doing what pleases God and avoiding what angers Him.
Hence God shows humankind signs that if followed lead to
true guidance to Him; a guidance that is brighter than the sun. This guidance
is Islam. “And if they submit [in Islam],
they are rightly guided; but if they turn away – then upon you is only to deliver [the message]. And God is
Seeing of [His] servants.” (Quran 3:20) “This day I (God) have perfected for you
your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
religion.” (Quran 5:3) As for people who deny God’s signs, the signs
will be evidence used against them on the Day of Judgment. Whoever responds to
God’s signs and follows His path will be rewarded with the ultimate eternal
bliss, Paradise, and whoever denies God’s signs will be punished with the
ultimate eternal misery, Hellfire.