Surah Aal Imran (191)
– Zain Ahmad (B.Sc. Chemistry, AMU)
ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًۭا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ١٩١
“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You have not created this in vain; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (2:191)
This verse is the second verse of last rukoo of this surah. The last part of this surah was revealed after the Battle of Uhud. “In the previous verse of this section, Allah ﷻ highlights His divine signs, emphasizing their significance. These signs act as powerful reminders of His presence and authority, encouraging believers to reflect, recognize, and always remember Him in every aspect of their lives.”
Through contemplation and pondering over the divine signs, those who are content are indeed wise, they can attain faith in Allah. Now, the next step after this is faith in the Hereafter, and the means to attain it is mentioned in this verse.
By deeply reflecting upon these signs, a person can indeed attain the truth, provided that they remain mindful of Allah and refrain from perceiving the signs of creation merely as animals do. Instead, they should contemplate and ponder over them with thoughtful consideration, keeping Allah ﷻ in mind at all times, and never losing sight of Him.
When they diligently and carefully observe the intricate system of the universe, the undeniable reality becomes clear to them that this is indeed a wise system, prompting them to exclaim in acknowledgment, ‘O Creator! You have not created all this in vain and without purpose.’ Whatever is before our eyes or concealed from us within this meticulously structured system serves a purpose, forming an integral and essential part of a robust and harmonious system, and You, O Lord!, are pure, ensuring that no actions are taken in vain.
“O Lord, You’ve not created all this in vain”
Then their attention shifts towards themselves, questioning, ‘What is the purpose of my life? For whom have I been created? Is my life just about eating, drinking, reproducing, and then departing from this world?’ It becomes undeniably clear that NO, there is indeed a profound purpose. In the creation, which is endowed with moral traits, given the power of discretion, and bestowed with intellect and reason, it should not be questioned about its life’s actions, nor should it be rewarded solely for goodness or punished merely for evil. It cannot, in any conceivable manner, be otherwise.
The inevitable consequences of human actions, whether deemed good or bad, should be glaringly evident, and individuals should face the outcomes of their deeds. However, it’s often noticed that in this world, the virtuous endure the burden of struggles, while the wicked seem to enjoy the unmerited comfort and success. This observation leads to the belief that there must be another existence beyond this life, where justice prevails, and every action, whether good or bad, is appropriately rewarded. This contemplation of the universe’s order fosters faith in the concept of the Hereafter, prompting individuals to seek refuge from Allah’s punishment and strive for righteousness in their daily lives.
