Volume 10 Surah 12 - 15 - Enjoy Islam

Ibrahīm (Abraham) | GRACE AND GRATITUDE
equal to God, when it is God who creates, sustains and controls the universe and all
creatures therein: “It is God who has created the heavens and the earth, and who sends
down water from the sky with which He brings forth fruits for your sustenance. He has placed
under your service ships which by His leave sail through the sea, and He has made the rivers
subservient to [His law] for your benefit. And for your benefit He has made the sun and the
moon, both diligently pursuing their courses, subservient to [His law]; and has made the
night and the day subservient to [His law]. And He gives you of everything you ask of Him.
Should you try to count God’s blessings, you will never be able to compute them. Yet man is
persistent in wrongdoing, stubbornly ungrateful.” (Verses 32-34)
These verses represent an onslaught that employs such universal phenomena as
tools, or rather as whips with rhythm and sound to awaken the conscience of man, a
creature indulging in wrongdoing and lacking gratitude. One aspect of the unique
nature of the Qur’ān is the way it relates everything in the universe and every human
feeling to belief in God’s oneness. Thus, every flash of inspiration in the universe and
in man’s conscience becomes proof confirming this belief. The universe is
transformed into an exhibition of God’s signs where the magnificence of His hand
excels so as to leave its distinct mark in every image, feature and shadow. The basic
question of Godhead and servitude is not presented as a logical debate or an abstract
theological argument, or an issue of metaphysical philosophy. Such methods do not
appeal to, influence or inspire the human heart. The Qur’ān presents this central
issue within a framework of a multitude of inspiring scenes and facts from the great
universe, creation, human nature and basic thoughts and impressions, adding an
element of breathtaking beauty and superb harmony.
The great scene of God’s blessings that is presented here is painted with
fascinating skill, drawing its lines in the same directions the different blessings take
in relation to man. This is noticeable in the line of the heavens and the earth,
followed by that of water pouring down from the skies and plants and fruits
shooting up from the earth. We then have a line depicting the oceans with ships
sailing on their surface and rivers flowing with much bounty. A new line takes us
back to the skies to show us the sun and the moon, coupled with the line of the night
and day, which is closely connected to the sun and moon but remains firm on earth.
The final line is comprehensive, throwing its colour and shade over the whole
panoramic scene: “And He gives you of everything you ask of Him. Should you try to count
God’s blessings, you will never be able to compute them.” (Verse 34) Here we see a
harmony that incorporates every touch, line, colour and shade in a universal scene of
God’s blessings.
Is all this placed at man’s service? Is this whole world, with its heavens, earth,
seas, rivers, sun and moon, day and night, made subservient to the small creature
known as man? Is it so, and still man does not give thanks or even remember God’s
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