The Message of Islam — Page 9
Universal Guidance 9 and the natural, moral, and spiritual laws (see Surah al-Kahf, 18:55, Surah az-Zumar, 39:28, and Surah al-Hashr, 59:22). The Quran reasons from the physical and tangible to the spiritual and intangible. For instance: اَهاَيْحَا ِيْحُمَل ىٰتْوَمْلا ١ؕ ٗهَّنِا ىٰلَع ِّلُك ٍءْيَش ٌرْيِدَقَو ْنِم ٖۤهِتٰيٰا َكَّنَا ىَرَت َضْرَاْلا ًةَعِشاَخ ۤاَذِاَف اَنْلَزْنَا اَهْيَلَع َءٓاَمْلا ْتَّزَتْها َو ْتَبَر١ؕ َّنِا ْۤيِذَّلا Among His Signs is that thou seest the earth lying with- ered, but when We send down water on it, it stirs and swells with verdure. Surely, He Who quickens the earth can quicken the dead. Verily, He has power over all things. ( Surah Haa Meem as-Sajdah, 41:40) Here, by quickening of the dead is meant the revival and rebirth of a people. As the dead earth is quickened by life-giving rain from heaven, a people that appears to be dead in all respect is revived and regenerated through spiritual water from heaven, that is to say, through Divine revelation. This idea is expounded in the Quran in several places. Both resurrection and renaissance are explained with reference to the phenomenon of the dead earth being revived through life-giving rain. (see Surah al-Hajj, 22:6–8) The Quran repeatedly urges observation and reflection, the exercise of reason and understanding (see Surah Aal-e-‘Imraan, 3:191–192, and Surah al-Hajj, 22:270). Whenever attention is drawn in the Quran to God’s Signs, the object is to urge reflec- tion upon the events or phenomena cited, that we may proceed to draw lessons therefrom which would help us grasp the truth; to understand the operation of Divine attributes and of the Divine laws; to appreciate spiritual values and to adjust and order our