Proceedings of the Prayer Meeting — Page 7
The Sermon 7 the creation and sustenance of His creatures (which are beyond imagination and description and which fill the heavens and the earth). Unlike the parents, He does not seek any service or provi- sion [in return]. He creates them merely out of the decree of His Providence. Everyone will admit that planting a tree, watering it, taking care of it, and protecting it until it bears fruit, is indeed a great favour. So, if you reflect upon man and his condition and his sustenance, you will realize that God Almighty has bestowed a mighty favour by helping him through diverse upheavals, vicissi- tudes, and turns of fortune. The second aspect is the one I have mentioned above; namely, the complete provision of means for the proper functionality of civilized life and human faculties prior to our creation. Look at all of the means that were provided for us even before we were born. Would we be able to see without the bright shining sun that now rises, through which light disseminates all around? By what other means could we have derived the benefits and advantages associated with light? Eyesight would have been useless had there been no sun or moon, or any other source of light. While it is also true that eyes have an ability to see, it is of no use without external light. It is, therefore, a singular favour of God that He has already provided all the means essential for utilizing various faculties. And how merciful of Him to have bestowed such faculties [upon man] wherein He has placed the capacity which is necessary for the per- fection of man and the accomplishment of his goals! Allah has endowed the brain, the nervous system, and the vascular system with such properties that, when they are put to use, they achieve perfection. Thus He has also provided therewith the means of per- fecting these faculties. Thusly does the framework of the internal