Surah al- Lesson

Baqarah 23

﷽
‫الس َما ِء‬ َ ْ‫ُه َو ا َّل ِذ ْي َخ َل َق َل ُكم َّما ِفي أ‬
ْ ‫ض َج ِم ْي ًعا ُث َّم‬
َّ ‫است ََو ٰٓى إِ ٰلى‬ ِ ‫ال ْر‬ ْ
)29( ‫ات َو ُه َو بِ ُك ِّل َش ْي ٍء َع ِل ْي ٌم‬ ٍ ‫َف َس َّو ُاه َّن َس ْب َع َس ٰم َو‬
‫ ال قوة اال باهلل‬- ‫ما شاء اهلل‬

It is He alone who created for you all that the earth contains
and provides, and then focused to the firmament and
fashioned them perfectly into seven heavens. And He is All-
Knowing and completely aware of everything.

The cycles and phases of existence were discussed in the previous

ayah. Reflecting on the wonderful creation of the human being - a
microcosm of the universe - one could easily deduce the existence and
omnipotence of Allah Azza wa-Jall and conclude that the revival of
humans beings for a second, permanent existence is not beyond the
ability of Allah Azza wa- Jall at all. Deliberating on His bounties, one
realises that rejecting Allah is truly the only unforgiveable crime.

Sustaining our physical and spiritual existence

Attention is now drawn to the manner in which Allah Azza wa-Jall has
provided everything for us on earth, to sustain our physical existence.
This discussion then leads on to the creation of Adam Alayhis Salam, his
appointment as the vicegerent of Allah on earth, the divine knowledge
granted to human beings through him and the rest of the prophets of
Allah, to nurture the human soul and elevate its spiritual condition.
In the absence of divine
‫قوة اال باهلل‬knowledge,
‫ ال‬- ‫ ما شاء اهلل‬humans have no sublime
purpose for existing and no greater meaning to life. Therefore Allah
Azza wa-Jall says: 'O you who believe, respond to Allah and His
messenger when they invite you to that which would bring you to life
and revive you.' [8:24]

The bountiful earth

Everything is primarily created for human beings and placed at their
disposal. Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Allah Azza wa-
Jall created the layers of soil on Saturday; mountains on Sunday; trees
and the plant kingdom on Monday; all unpleasant things on Tuesday;
Nur on Wednesday and all living creatures on Thursday. As for humans,
the creation of Adam Alayhis Salam occurred on Friday between Asar
and sunset.1 The fascinating plant, animal and mineral kingdoms reflect
the magnanimity of Allah and the diversity of his provisions for us.
Whilst all this is placed at our disposal, we have been created to devote
our existence to the worship of Allah Azza wa-Jall and secure such bliss,
which makes the fleeting world and all its glamour pale in comparison.

1 Ibn Kathir
Inexhaustible treasures
Imam Qurtubi Rahimahullah relates on the authority of Sayyiduna Umar
Ibn al-Khattab Radiallahu Anhu that a man once came to Rasulullah
 seeking financial assistance. Rasulullah  excused himself saying,
'I have nothing at the moment ‫ قوة اال باهلل‬but
‫ ال‬- ‫اهلل‬you
‫ما شاء‬could purchase against my
name and I will settle the debt when I receive something.' Thereupon
Sayyiduna Umar Radiallahu Anhu remarked, 'You always spend liberally
from your resources. However, Allah Azza wa-Jall does not obligate you to this
degree.' Rasulullah  was disturbed by the words of Umar Radiallahu
Anhu. Thereupon a man from the Ansar said, 'Spend liberally and fear no
shortage from the Lord of the magnificent throne.' This remark gave joy to
Rasulullah  and he smiled. He said, 'This is exactly what I have been
ordained to do.'

Based on this ayah and the incident of Rasulullah , Allah's blessings

and treasures are inexhaustible. The fear of shortage is a condition of
the human heart, arising either from rejecting Allah or underestimating
His capacity. Alternatively, one who covets this material world remains
apprehensive of shortages and experiences an ever-increasing desire for
more. May Allah protect us!
‫وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين‬
‫ أستغغرك وأتوب إليك‬، ‫ أشهد أن ال اله اال أنت‬، ‫سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك‬