Juz 18: Al-Muʾminūn to Al-Furqān 20
Section 15 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
15. Evidence of Allah's Power in Creation
Allah (swt) presents in these verses powerful cosmic evidences that point to His absolute sovereignty and wisdom. After establishing the moral guidelines for the believers in previous verses, the discourse shifts toward contemplation of Allah's signs in creation, which serve as foundations for strengthening faith.
In verse 41, Allah (swt) draws our attention to one of the most magnificent displays of submission to the Divine will:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالطَّيْرُ صَافَّاتٍ ۖ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُ وَتَسْبِيحَهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
“Did you not see that Allah is glorified by all those in the heavens and the earth, and by the birds with their wings spread out? Everyone knows one's prayer and one's way of glorifying. Allah knows well what they do.”
This verse reveals a profound reality that extends beyond human perception – all creation, animate and inanimate, participates in the glorification of Allah (swt). The birds, specifically mentioned with their wings spread out in flight, exemplify this universal worship. Every creature knows its own unique form of prayer and glorification, though humans may not comprehend these expressions. This establishes that worship is not limited to humankind but is the essential purpose of all existence.
The cosmic evidence continues as Allah (swt) emphasizes His absolute dominion:
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ
“To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and towards Allah is the final return.”
The sovereignty of Allah (swt) over all creation is absolute. Everything in existence falls under His domain, and all creation will return to Him for judgment.
Among the most visible and magnificent signs of Allah's power is the phenomenon of rainfall and its life-giving properties:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُزْجِي سَحَابًا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيْنَهُ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ رُكَامًا فَتَرَى الْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَالِهِ
“Did you not see that Allah drives the clouds, then joins them together, then turns them into a heap? Then you see the rain coming out from their midst.”
Allah (swt) describes with remarkable precision the process of cloud formation and rainfall. He drives the clouds, joins them together, piles them in heaps, and then causes rain to emerge from them. This description provides a vivid image of meteorological processes that was scientifically advanced for the time of revelation.
The verse continues describing how Allah (swt) sends down hail from the sky:
وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِن جِبَالٍ فِيهَا مِن بَرَدٍ فَيُصِيبُ بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَصْرِفُهُ عَن مَّن يَشَاءُ ۖ يَكَادُ سَنَا بَرْقِهِ يَذْهَبُ بِالْأَبْصَارِ
“And He sends down hail from the sky (that looks like) mountains, then He afflicts with it whomsoever He wills and turns it away from whomsoever He wills. The flash of its lightning seems to snatch away the eyesight.”
The description of hail as "mountains from the sky" vividly portrays the impressive magnitude and force of hailstorms. Allah (swt) controls who is afflicted by this phenomenon and who is spared, demonstrating His complete authority over natural forces. The lightning associated with these storms is so intense it nearly blinds those who witness it.
Culminating this cosmic tour, Allah (swt) presents the alternation of day and night as another profound sign:
يُقَلِّبُ اللَّهُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ
“Allah alternates the night and the day. Surely, in that there is a lesson for those who have vision.”
This constant, precise alternation of darkness and light offers tangible evidence of divine design and control that should inspire reflection among those who observe with insight.
Through these verses, Allah (swt) calls believers to look beyond human constructs to witness His majesty in the natural world. The precision with which these phenomena operate, their beauty, and their life-sustaining properties all testify to the existence of a wise, powerful Creator who deserves worship and obedience.