2006, IV - The Muslim Sunrise

have explained the Signs indetail for a people whounderstand” (6:96-99).Diverse aspects of naturalphenomenon are named ingreat detail as Signs to provethat God the Creator exists andis in full control over all Hiscreation. In this category,several Signs are mentioned inthe Qur’an inviting us to studythem seriously and drawconclusion that a Benevolent,Wise and All-PowerfulCreator is worthy of ourworship. The following aresome of the natural Signs:“Plains,mountainsandrivers(13:4),(21:32); diversetracts adjoining one another(13:5); winds as bearers ofglad tidings (13:47);lightening and rain (30:25);dead land revived with waterdescending down from theclouds (57:18) — And thedead earth is a Sign for them:We quicken it and bring forththere-from grain, gardens ofdate-palms and grapes, and We havecaused springs to gush forth therein (36:34,35); crops and fruits of all kind (6:100);trees and pastures (16:11); things growingout of the earth in varying colors (16:14);various kinds of vegetation (20:54, 55);gardens of vines, corn-fields, and datepalms,growing together from one root andothers not so growing, being watered withthe same water and yet some of themexcelling others in fruits (13:5); intoxicatingdrinks and wholesome fruits (16:68); allsorts of animals (42:30); domesticatedanimals — the cattle, horses, mules andasses (16:6-9); honeybees (16:69); birds(16:80); sea, fish and pearls (16:15);creation of the universe from a closed upmass (21:31); water as the source of allforms of life (21:31); creation of humansfrom dust (elements of the earth) andpassing through evolutionary stages(30:21); creation of the two opposite sexes(13:4); creating of spouses to find peace ofmind, and putting the emotions of love andtenderness in between them (30:22);procreation from an insignificant drop offluid (16:5); diversity of tongues and colorsamong human races (30:23); sleep anddeath (39:43).”24 MuslimSunrise“And how many a Sign is there in theheavens and the earth, which they passby, turning away from it.”(12:106)Commenting on the situation that thereare many who ignore the Signs of Allah asevidence of a Creator, the Holy Qur’andeclares:“And how many a Sign is there in theheavens and the earth, which they pass by,turning away from it (12:106).”Asking for SignsThe Holy Qur’an details the skepticalattitude of those who remain determined toreject the truth. They keep on asking formore signs:“And those who have no knowledge say,‘Why does not Allah speak to us, or a Signcome to us?’ Even thus, as they now speak,spoke those (who were) before them. Theirhearts are all alike. We have made clear theSigns for a people who firmly believe. Wehave sent you with the Truth, and as a bearerof glad tidings and a Warner. And you willnot be questioned about the inmates of Hell(2:119-120). Nay, they say, “These are butconfused dreams; nay, he has forged it; nay,he is but a poet. Let him them bring us aSign just as the former Prophets were sentwith Signs.’ (21:6).”The rejecters do nothesitate demanding forsome peculiar Signs,such as asking theProphet to dig a deepchannel into the earth orto clime up a ladderunto heaven (6:37) or tocause pieces of sky tofall down on them(26:188). Demandingnew Signs seems to bean old habit of thedisbelievers. Forexample, in the NewTestament we readJesus being asked toshow a Sign:“The Pharisees alsowith Sadducees came,and tempting desiredhim that he would showa sign from heaven. Heanswered and said untothem, When it isevening, ye say, It willbe fair weather: for thesky is red. And in themorning, It will be foulweather to day; for thesky is red and lowering.O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face ofthe sky; but ye can not discern the signs ofthe time? A wicked and adulterousgeneration seeketh after a sign; and thereshall no sign be given unto it, but the signof the prophet Jonas. And he left them, anddeparted (Math.16:1); (Mark 8:11); (Luke11:29). (John 2:18).”To accede to the demand of showingmore Signs would be a futile exercise. Godseldom shows Signs on demand. Asking fora fresh Signs implies that the Signs alreadyshown were not enough and did not establishthe Prophet’s truth. Therefore, God requiresthe disbelievers to reflect on the past Signsand draw lessons.“And they say, ‘Why does he not bringus a sign from his Lord?’ Has there not cometo them the clear evidence what is containedin the former Book? (20:134).”Rejection of God’s SignsDenial of fresh Signs remained a seriousflaw for generation after generation ofdisbelievers. The Holy Qur’an not onlyidentifies the reasons of disbelief, but also