Overview (Verses 101 - 103)
 
Minds Shut to All Evidence

Before we move further we need to reflect briefly on the verse that says: “Say: ‘Consider all that there is in the heavens and the earth.’ But of what benefit could all signs and warnings be to people who will not believe?” (Verse 101)

The community which was the first to be addressed by the Qur’ān had very little scientific knowledge of what exists in the heavens and earth. But the fact is that human nature communicates with the universe in which we live in a language that is both rich and subtle at the same time. When human nature is alert and receptive, the universe has much to tell it and it listens carefully.

The Qur’ānic approach to the formulation of an Islamic concept in human consciousness makes use of what exists in the heavens and earth. It derives inspiration from the universe, and directs the human faculties of vision, hearing, perception and understanding to its discourse, without trying to disturb the balance and harmony that exist in the universe. It does not make of the universe a deity directing human life, as narrow-minded materialists claim with their ‘scientific socialism’. True science and knowledge have nothing to do with all their nonsense.

Reflection on what exists in the heavens and earth gives the human heart and mind a wealth of feelings, responses and influences, as well as meaningful interaction with the universe. All this helps man to be receptive to everything in the universe that points to God’s existence, majesty, power, planning, wisdom and perfect knowledge.

With the passage of time, human knowledge of the universe increases. A human being who sees God’s light and follows His guidance benefits greatly from increased knowledge. He is better able to know the universe and interact with it. He joins the universe in glorifying God, for: “There is nothing that exists but celebrates His praises, although you may not understand their praises.” (17: 44) Only a person whose heart nurtures its bond with God understands such praises. When human knowledge is devoid of the light of faith, it increases human misery as it leads people further away from God and deprives them of the happiness that comes with faith.

“But of what benefit could all signs and warnings be to people who will not believe?” (Verse 101) What is the benefit of signs and warnings when hearts are hardened, minds are shut, receptive faculties are left idle and the whole human being is isolated from the universe, unable to listen to its glorification of God?

The Qur’ānic method of explaining the nature of God shows the universe and life generally as a great exhibition in which the truth of God’s existence is seen most vividly through its extensive action. Its presence overwhelms all human faculties. This method does not make of God’s existence a topic for debate. Indeed the way the Qur’ān looks at the universe and what we see in it fills our hearts with the fact of God’s existence so as to leave no room for arguing about it. The Qur’ān speaks directly of the results of this existence in the whole universe, and its influence on human conscience and human life in general.

In its method, the Qur’ān relies on a basic element in the make up of human beings. After all, it is God who has created man and He knows best what He has created: “It is We who have created man, and We know the promptings of his soul.” (50: 16) There is a basic need in human nature to have faith and to believe in a deity. In fact, when human nature is uncorrupted, it experiences a strong inner feeling directing it towards belief in a single God. The purpose of true faith is not to initiate this need to believe in God. That feeling is basic to human nature. True faith seeks to put man’s concept of God on a proper footing, and to make the true God, who is the only deity in the universe, known to man, with all His attributes. It is to know God properly, not to establish His existence, that the true faith works. For it also aims to make man aware of the effects on human life of God’s existence, i.e. His Lordship and Sovereignty. Indeed the mere doubt of God’s existence, let alone denying it altogether, is indicative of an imbalance in human nature, and a malfunctioning of its faculties of perception. Such malfunctioning is not rectified by argument and logic.

This universe knows God, believes in Him and submits itself to Him. Every living thing in it celebrates God’s praises, except for a few humans. Mankind lives in this universe where the echoes of faith in God and submission to Him are heard everywhere, as are God’s praises and glorification. Therefore, someone whose nature does not perceive all this is one whose natural qualities of perception are not functioning properly. Argument is not the proper way to address such a heart and mind. The correct way is to try to alert man’s faculties of perception, and awaken his nature so that it may resume its proper function. Drawing man’s attention, as well as his heart and mind, to what exists in the heavens and the earth is one of the methods the Qur’ān uses to awaken human hearts.

Those unbelievers among the pagan Arabs, and others who adopt a similar attitude, neither responded nor reflected. What were they waiting for, then? God’s law will always remain in operation. The destiny of those who deny the truth is well known, and they cannot expect that God’s law will not apply to them. God may give them a chance, and may withhold their punishment for a while, but those who persist in denying Him will suffer in the end: “What are they waiting for except a repetition of the days [of calamity] experienced by those who have gone before them? Say: ‘Wait, then, if you will. I am also waiting”.’ (Verse 102) This is a threat that puts an end to all argument while it fills hearts with fear.

This passage is then concluded with the final outcome of every message and every opposition to it, making plain the lessons of the histories reported in the sūrah: “We save Our messengers and those who believe. Thus have We willed it upon Ourselves: We save those who believe.” (Verse 103) This is the promise God has made: the seed of faith will retain its healthy function. It will be safe after every type of persecution to which its advocates are subjected. It will survive every denial and every torture inflicted on its advocates. The stories related in this sūrah, and elsewhere in the Qur’ān confirm this. Hence, the believers should be reassured.