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Juz 17: Al-Anbiyāʾ and Al-Ḥajj

Section 5 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera

5. Cosmic Signs of Allah's Oneness and Creation

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala follows His refutation of the polytheists with powerful cosmic evidence that establishes His absolute oneness. The Qur'an presents natural phenomena observable to all humans as clear signs of Allah's existence and sovereignty. These signs are particularly significant because they appeal to human intellect and observational capacity, making divine truth accessible through rational contemplation.

In Surah Al-Anbiya, Allah draws attention to six compelling cosmic evidences. The first involves the very structure of the heavens and earth:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا

“Have the disbelievers not seen that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We separated them?" (21:30)”

This profound verse alludes to the primordial state of the universe when all matter existed in a single, unified mass before being separated. Modern cosmological theories about the origins of the universe, including the Big Bang theory, appear to align with this Quranic description made fourteen centuries ago, long before telescopes or advanced scientific instruments existed.

The second cosmic sign relates to the aquatic origins of life:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

“And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" (21:30)”

This remarkable declaration asserts that all living beings originate from water, a fact confirmed by contemporary science which acknowledges that water constitutes the majority of living organisms' composition and is essential for all biological functions. This scientific reality serves as a powerful testament to the divine origin of the Qur'an.

The third evidence addresses the stabilizing function of mountains:

وَجَعَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ

“And We placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them." (21:31)”

Mountains serve as stabilizers for the earth's crust, preventing excessive movement that would make life impossible. Their deep roots penetrate the earth's layers, functioning as anchors that minimize seismic disturbances and stabilize the continents.

The fourth sign relates to the accessibility of mountain passes:

وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

“And We placed therein broad pathways so that they may find their way." (21:31)”

Despite mountains' imposing nature, Allah has designed them with valleys, passes, and natural pathways, allowing humans to traverse them rather than forming impenetrable barriers across the earth.

The fifth evidence points to the protective canopy of the sky:

وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَاءَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوظًا

“And We made the sky a protected ceiling." (21:32)”

The atmosphere serves as a protective shield, filtering harmful cosmic radiation and shielding Earth from meteorites while maintaining temperatures suitable for life. This celestial canopy also contains the sun, moon, and stars that both adorn our universe and serve essential functions.

The sixth sign discusses celestial bodies and their orbits:

وَكُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ

“Each one is floating in an orbit." (21:33)”

Allah describes planetary movement as "swimming" (yasbahun) through space—an apt metaphor for celestial bodies moving through the vast ocean of space in their precisely calculated orbits.

These magnificent signs reveal Allah's perfect design and overwhelming majesty. They establish that such precision cannot result from random chance or multiple deities, as the latter would inevitably lead to cosmic chaos and disorder:

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا

“Had there been in them (the heavens and the earth) any gods other than Allah, both would have fallen into disorder." (21:22)”

The harmonious operation of the universe proves the existence of a single, supreme Creator who maintains perfect order throughout His creation. These ayat effectively dismantle polytheistic arguments while offering humanity clear signs that lead to faith for those who reflect.