Juz 22: Al-Aḥzāb 31 to Yā Sīn 27
Section 16 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
16. Signs of Allah in Nature
Surah Fatir contains some of the most beautiful and reflective verses in the Quran about Allah's signs in the natural world. These verses invite contemplation on the diverse manifestations of Allah's creative power visible throughout the universe. By directing our attention to these phenomena, Allah establishes undeniable proofs of His existence, wisdom, and unique divinity.
One of the most striking passages in this regard appears in verses 27-28:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ ثَمَرَاتٍ مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهَا ۚ وَمِنَ الْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ
“Did you not see that Allah has sent down water from the sky? Then We brought forth with it fruits having different colors. And among mountains there are tracks, white and red of different colors, and extremely black.”
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ
“And among humans and beasts and cattle as well, there are those of various colors. Only those of His servants who are knowledgeable fear Allah. Surely Allah is Mighty, Most-Forgiving.”
In these verses, Allah draws our attention to four distinct domains of creation showing remarkable diversity:
First, Allah mentions the water cycle and vegetation. Rain descends from the sky, causing fruits of various colors to emerge from the earth. The diversity of colors, tastes, and properties in fruits and plants – all emerging from the same water and soil – demonstrates Allah's infinite creative ability.
Second, Allah directs our attention to the mountains with their striking geological diversity – white paths, red streaks of different hues, and intensely black formations. This geological diversity, now confirmed by modern science, was highlighted in the Quran fourteen centuries ago when human knowledge of mountain formation was primitive.
Third, Allah points to the diversity among humans, animals, and livestock – all differing in colors, characteristics, and traits despite sharing common biological origins. This diversity in creation, from microscopic cellular structures to vast mountain ranges, all testifies to Allah's deliberate design and creative power.
Perhaps most profound is what follows this description of natural diversity. Allah