Overview (Verses 59 - 61)
 
Following closely after those episodes of the histories of Moses, David, Solomon, Şāliĥ and Lot (peace be upon them all), this final passage is closely related to its opening verses. As clearly seen, the stories that occur in between the opening and concluding passages are also closely related to both. Every story serves an aspect of the overall issue that the sūrah tackles. This final passage begins with praising God and offers the greeting of peace to His chosen prophets and messengers who include in their ranks many that have not been mentioned in this sūrah. Thus, the passage begins a new discussion of faith. This round portrays scenes of the universe and shows aspects of the inner self, and things that are beyond our world. It also refers to the signs that announce the approach of the Last Hour, and shows scenes of the hereafter and the hardship people experience on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, apart from those excepted by God, all creatures in the heavens and the earth dread the arrival of the Last Hour.
 
In this passage people are made to contemplate what they see in the universe around them, and also what is within themselves. They cannot deny these and cannot explain their existence unless they acknowledge God as the sole Creator who has planned it all and who is able to accomplish His purpose in full. These scenes are shown in succession, with a perfect rhythm, rendering all counter argument futile. Successive questions are put to them: who has created the heavens and the earth? Who brought rain from the skies to bring forth pleasant gardens? Who has stabilized the earth, caused rivers to run through it, placed mountains on it and a barrier between seas? Who responds to a supplicant praying in desperation and removes harm? Who causes human succession on earth? Who guides you in the darkness on land and at sea? Who sends the wind heralding His grace? Who originates and repeats creation? Who provides sustenance for you from the heavens and the earth? Time after time they are hammered with the question: can there be another deity alongside God? They cannot utter such a claim, yet they worship objects claiming for them a share of God’s divinity!
 
The passage then looks at their denial of and confusion about the hereafter. It comments by directing them to reflect on the end met by earlier communities which, like them, denied the truth. This is followed by a scene of the resurrection and what it involves of fear and hardship. It returns them for a moment to life on earth before resuming its account of the Day of Judgement, as if to shake their hearts and souls.
 
As the passage approaches its end it acquires an awesome rhythm. Having directed the unbelievers’ attentions to scenes of the universe and the horror of the Day of Resurrection, the Prophet abandons them to their fate which they have chosen, defining his own code and method: “I am only bidden to worship the Lord of this City who has made it sacred. To Him all things belong. And I am bidden to be one of those who submit themselves [to God]. And to recite the Qur’ān. So whoever chooses to follow the right path does so for his own benefit, and if any chooses to go astray, say: I am only a warner.” (Verses 91-92)
 
The passage and the round conclude in the same way they started: with praising God, the only One who is worthy of praise. The unbelievers are left to their Lord who is sure to show them His signs, and who is certainly aware of all they do in public and in private: “And say: All praise is due to God. He will indeed make you see His signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is never heedless of what you do.” (Verse 93)
 
Who Else?
 
Say: All praise be to God, and peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen. Who is more worthy: God or the false [deities] they associate with Him? (Verse 59)
 
In this verse God orders His Messenger (peace be upon him) to say the most suitable word with which to open and conclude his discourse preaching God’s message. All praise be to God who deserves praise for all the blessings He has bestowed on His servants, not least guiding them to believe in Him and follow the system and code of living He has chosen for them. Thereafter, a greeting of peace is offered to His servants whom He has chosen to deliver His message and outline the system He wants implemented.
 
Following this opening, the sūrah highlights its effects on hearts that deny God’s signs. It begins with a question that admits only one answer: “Who is more worthy: God or the false [deities] they associate with Him?” (Verse 59) These false deities may be statues and figures, angels or jinn, or some other created being. None of them, however, aspires to a position of being similar to God Almighty, let alone to being more worthy than He. No one endowed with a mind to think could ever draw such a comparison. Hence the question appears to ridicule their position, or rebuke them for what they say. It is not a question to be asked in earnest, nor does it require an answer.
 
Therefore, a different question is put to them, derived from the nature of the universe around them and what they see of it:
 
Or, who is it that has created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water from the skies, with which We cause to grow gardens of delightful beauty? You could have never caused such trees to grow. Could there be any deity alongside God? Nay, they are people who swerve from justice. (Verse 60)
 
The heavens and the earth are undeniable facts, yet no one can claim that other deities have created them, when such deities are nothing but statues, angels, devils, stars or planets. Simple facts are enough to show the fallacy of such a claim. None of the idolaters in Arabia made the absurd claim that the universe came into existence by itself, without a creator, like latter day unbelievers do. Hence, it was sufficient to remind people of the existence of the heavens and earth, and to direct them to reflect on who had created them. This was sufficient to prove the case of faith and show unbelief as something truly absurd. This question, however, does remain valid. The creation of the heavens and earth in the way they are, with deliberate planning clearly evident, could never have come about by blind coincidence. Indeed, the perfect harmony apparent in the heavens and the earth forces any thinking person to acknowledge that it is all the work of the One and only God. Indeed, God’s oneness is evident through His work: there is one harmonious design running throughout the universe, with a single nature and direction. Hence, it must have been made by the One originator whose aim is clear in everything He creates and designs.
 
“Or, who is it that... sends down for you water from the skies, with which We cause to grow gardens of delightful beauty? You could have never caused such trees to grow.” (Verse 60) Rain is also a clear undeniable fact. One cannot be explained in any way other than acknowledging the Creator of the heavens and earth. He enables all in accordance with a system that permits the sending down of rain, in set quantities that allow for the emergence of life as it is. None of this could have come about by coincidence or accident. It is because of meeting such special needs that the Qur’ān uses the phrase “sends down for you...” The Qur’ān directs people’s attentions to the fine effects of sending rain in suitable measure to meet their needs: “With which We cause to grow gardens of delightful beauty.” (Verse 60)
 
Gardens warm hearts with endearing vigour and activity. To look at natural beauty is enough to bring hearts alive. To contemplate all the aspects of creation in gardens is sufficient to make a person glorify the Maker of such inimitable beauty. Indeed, even the best artists fall short of matching the colours of just a single flower. The use of shades of the same colours, the intricate lines and the arrangement of little petals within the same flower appears to be a miracle that defies the ingenuity of all art. Add all this to the miracle of growth reflected in trees, and you have a secret the human mind cannot fathom: “You could have never caused such trees to grow.” (Verse 60) For certain, the secret of life remains unknown to all humanity. Up to this moment in time, no one has been able to say how life started and how it was attached to plants, animals and people. To have a proper answer, we need to refer to some source beyond our visible world.
 
When the sūrah dwells on life growing in delightful gardens, and by means of this heightening interest and causing reflection, it surprises its listeners with the question: “Could there be any deity alongside God?” (Verse 60) No one can claim that there is. All have to admit the fact. Hence, their attitude of equating their alleged deities with God and worshipping them on an equal footing appears to be most unjust: “Nay, they are people who swerve from justice.” (Verse 60)
 
The Arabic word ya`dilūn used in this verse to describe these people carries two meanings. The first means ‘to equate’, which renders the sentence as “Nay, they are people who equate,’ meaning equating others in their worship with God. The other meaning is the one chosen in our translation, which is “to swerve from justice.” Thus, by associating others with God in their worship they actually swerve from justice. This because God is the only One worthy of worship: He is the only Creator. Whichever meaning we choose, however, makes their action derisive.
 
The sūrah then highlights another universal truth, placing it to the forefront of their vision:
 
Or, who is it that made the earth a stable abode and caused rivers to run in its midst, and has set upon it firm mountains, and has placed a barrier between the two great bodies of water? Could there be any deity alongside God? Nay, most of them are devoid of knowledge. (Verse 61)
 
The preceding verse spoke about the fact of the heavens and earth’s creation. This verse refers to how the earth was made. God has made it stable, steady and solid so that it can support growing life. If the earth’s position in relation to the sun and moon, or its shape, size, atmosphere, speed of rotation or orbital movement, or the speed of the moon as it circles it in orbit, or any other aspect which could not have come about by coincidence, were different to what it actually is, the earth would not sustain life.
 
Those unbelievers who were first addressed by the Qur’ān could not understand the meaning of “who is it that made the earth a stable abode”. But they realized that it was, overall, a very suitable abode for the emergence and continuity of life. They could not claim that any of their alleged deities had a part in the earth’s creation. This is sufficient for them. Thereafter, the question remains open for future generations who, with increased knowledge, would be better able to appreciate its great significance. This is an aspect of the Qur’ānic miracle as it addresses all standards of intellect, generation after generation.
 
“Or, who is it that made the earth a stable abode and caused rivers to run in its midst.” (Verse 61) In relation to the earth, rivers are the veins that carry the fluid of life. They are everywhere, running north and south, east and west, bringing fertility and growth. Rivers are the result of rain water gathering and running according to local geography. The Creator of the universe is the One who has determined the formation of clouds, rain and rivers. No one can say that anyone other than this single Creator has taken part in forming the universe. Running rivers are a phenomenon seen by the unbelievers themselves. So who has made them? “Could there be any deity alongside God?”
 
“And has set upon it firm mountains.” (Verse 61) The mountains are placed firmly in their positions. They are often the starting points of rivers, as rain water runs from them at high speed to the valleys below so as to form the riverbeds in which water flows. Thus the firm mountains provide contrast with the running water in this panoramic scene. Contrasting images are often employed in the Qur’ān.
 
“And has placed a barrier between the two great bodies of water?” (Verse 61) These two bodies of water are the salty seas and the rivers carrying sweet water. Both have water as their main material. The barrier between them is a natural one which prevents the sea from overpowering the river and spoiling its water. The level of water in rivers is higher than sea level, and this causes the barrier between them despite the fact that many rivers wind their way to the sea. Nevertheless, the riverbed remains unaffected by the sea. Even when a river’s water level drops below sea level, the barrier remains effective, due to the different degrees of viscosity of the two waters. River water is lighter than sea water, which helps to keep them separate. This is one aspect of God’s elaborate design in creating the universe.
 
Who has done all this? “Could there be any deity alongside God?” When we look at the unity of design we cannot but acknowledge the unity of the Creator. “Nay, most of them are devoid of knowledge.” (Verse 61) Knowledge is mentioned here because this universal fact needs knowledge to be properly contemplated and for its meticulous aspects to be made clearly apparent to all. Moreover, knowledge is emphasized throughout the sūrah, as we have already explained.