- Say: Who hath forbidden the adornment of Allah which He hath brought forth for His bondmen, and the good things of His providing? Say: Such, on the Day of Resurrection, will be only for those who believed during the life of the world. Thus do We detail Our revelations for people who have knowledge. (al-A’raaf)
When you see what does not benefit you, say, this is for me, but I don’t know the reason for creating it or how it will help me.
When you see harmful things like wild animals and dangerous reptiles, seek Allah’s protection from the trials of the world, the tribulations of the grave and the punishment of the Hereafter.
Moreover, His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments, and of all things, He hath perfect knowledge.
So, which was created first – all things on earth or the heavens?
- Are ye the harder to create, or is the heaven that He built?
- He raised the height thereof and ordered it;
- And He made dark the night thereof, and He brought forth the morn thereof.
- And after that He spread the earth, (An-Naazi’aat)
The heaven was first and the earth second in creation; Allah made it like an egg. So, mentioning the earth before heaven in creation in 29 of al-Baqarah means an arrangement in narration and not in order of creation.
Some said both the heavens and the earth were together before Allah split them:
- Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? (Al-Anbiyaa)
Allah is better aware than anyone concerning His creatures and what He created first.
“Moreover His design comprehended the heavens…” means then He establishes Himself in the heaven.
Again, this is another allegorical verse, part of the Mutashaabihaat. We read and believe in its contents but will not attempt to interpret it. We surrender what its real meaning is to Allah, the Most High, without trying to bring any anthropomorphic concept about Him to mind.
- The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplieth you. Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer. (Ash-Shuraa)
Imam Malik was delivering a lesson in the Mosque, the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah, when a man asked him concerning the verse:
- The Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne (Taa Haa)
The man asked, ‘How is Allah established on the Throne?’
Istiwaa is known, the how is unknown, belief in it is obligatory, and asking about it is heresy. I see you as nothing but an adherent of heresy. Expel him from the mosque!
Imam Malik ordered that the man be expelled from the mosque. He was a man of evil, asking unasked questions concerning Allah.
So, He established Himself in a way He knows, desires and befitting His Majesty. Period.
What concerns us here is Allah created seven heavens:
“…for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments;…”
What about the earth? Here, the earth is not mentioned, but in another place read:
- Allah it is who hath created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof. The commandment cometh down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is Able to do all things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge. (at-Talaaq)
“…and of all things, He hath perfect knowledge.”
He created all that with knowledge, and He is aware of whatever is there.
Verses 28 and 29 are proof of the resurrection:
How can ye reject the faith in Allah?
That was the question.
Now, the answer:
“…seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.”
One who created you out of nothingness can bring you to life again. That is the first proof.
It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth;
After creating you, He provided for you what will keep your body and soul together: your sustenance. That is the second proof.
Moreover, His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments, and of all things, He hath perfect knowledge.
How perfect is the arrangement of the heavens and other celestial bodies? Everything He made in its proper order.
- Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou (Muhammad) canst see no fault in the Beneficent One’s creation; then look again: Canst thou see any rifts?
- Then look again and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. (Al-Mulk)
“…and of all things, He hath perfect knowledge.”
Nothing is hiding from Allah!
28 How can ye reject the faith in Allah? – seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.
29 It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.
After creating all on earth for us, Allah calls our attention to the beginning – the creation of Adam, his admission into Paradise, how he and his wife were expelled therefrom, and how they started a new life on earth in which Allah has created everything for man.
30 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?” He said: “I know what ye know not.”
Is He consulting the angels? Is it fitting for our Lord to consult the angels on what He desires?
Some scholars said He is teaching us how we, as leaders, should consult even our subordinates when we intend to do something. Here, Allah, the Most High, permits the angels to speak their minds on what He plans to do. Then, who are you not to make consultation with others? We will be sure to say more on this later.
And angels answered:
“Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?”
Did Allah use this scene to bring out what was in the hearts of the angels? Was it a test? Was it a calamity? Was the question asked to bring to the fore the perception of the angels about man?
Yes, Allah knows what the response will be, but He still asked. Before the world’s creation, He knew who would go to Paradise or who would be in Hell, but, nevertheless, He went ahead to create it and put people here, on Earth, to allow them to choose their fate by their actions. Allah will judge, not with His knowledge but by the actions of the creatures. Thus, He will say on the Judgement Day:
- (And it will be said unto him): Read thy book. Thy soul sufficeth as reckoner against thee this day. (al-Israa)