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Juz 7: Al-Māʾidah 82 to Al-Anʿām 110

Section 16 of 17 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera

Signs of Allah in Nature

Allah's sovereignty over creation and His meticulous design of the natural world serve as profound evidence for those who contemplate. In Surah Al-An'am, Allah draws attention to remarkable signs embedded within nature, beckoning humanity to witness the undeniable testimonies of divine creativity and purpose.

The germination process represents one of the most subtle yet extraordinary manifestations of Allah's power:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَالِقُ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى

“Surely, Allah is the one who splits the grain and the date-stone." (6:95)”

This verse directs our attention to a phenomenon we often overlook. A seed, completely sealed with no visible openings, contains within itself an intricate blueprint for an entire living organism. When planted, it mysteriously splits open, draws nourishment from soil, and transforms into a specific species of plant according to its divinely programmed nature. This process cannot be attributed to blind chance or random occurrence; it represents deliberate engineering by the Creator.

The miracle of rainfall and its relationship to vegetation is highlighted in verse 99:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ النَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ

“And He is the One who sent down water from the heavens, then We brought forth with it vegetation of everything; then from it We brought forth a green stem, from which We brought forth compacted grain. And from the palm-trees, from their spathes, come forth bunches (of dates) at hand's reach. And (We brought forth) gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, either similar or not similar to each other.”

This verse invites deep reflection on the incredible diversity of fruits and vegetation Allah has created from the same water and soil. Every fruit is equipped with unique attributes perfectly designed for its purpose. Consider the watermelon with its refreshing texture and flavor, utterly different from the mango. The durian with its protective spikes and custard-like interior bears no resemblance to the lychee. Even common fruits like oranges reveal divine craftsmanship—their two-toned skin, segmented interior, and the delicate membranes encasing the juice-filled vesicles all demonstrate intricate design.

The pomegranate mentioned specifically in the verse exemplifies remarkable architecture—hundreds of perfectly arranged seeds, each with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, encased in a protective rind. The grape vine produces clusters of fruit different in every way from the date palm's bunches that hang within reach of the harvester.

Such diversity from the same elements—water and soil—cannot be explained through randomness. The olive tree produces fruit rich in beneficial oil, while nearby pomegranate trees yield fruit with entirely different properties. Some fruits may appear similar externally yet differ internally, while others bear no resemblance to one another in any aspect.

These observations should prompt believers to ponder: How can the same rain and soil produce such precisely differentiated fruits with unique tastes, textures, nutrients, and appearances? Each fruit provides specific benefits to human health in ways that scientific research continues to discover—all from the design of the All-Knowing Creator.

The verse concludes with an invitation to deeper awareness:

انْظُرُوا إِلَى ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكُمْ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

“Look at its fruit when it bears fruit and at its ripening. In all this, there are signs for a people who believe.”

This invitation to observe creation from seed to ripened fruit offers a pathway to deeper faith. The signs embedded in nature are not hidden; they are displayed openly for those willing to contemplate with sincerity. These natural wonders serve as divine signatures for those whose hearts are open to recognizing their Creator.