WHEN JUST LOOKING AT THE THINGS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH BUT ACTUALLY HOW ONE WILL PONDER UPON THEM, WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE- SURAH AL-MURSALAT-77 (PART-II)

 

The man is reminded to reflect upon the favors of Allah. If the man just looks at his own creation, he will simply recognize His lord. “Did We not create you out of a humble fluid” (Quran 77:20). “which We then let remain in (the womb's) firm keeping” (Quran 77:21). “for a term pre-ordained?” (Quran 77: 22). Mankind is reminded of a time when it was weak and despised and Allah placed it in a safe place – the mother’s womb. Neither can a harmful thing enter it nor can it be seen from the outside. It stays there and is nourished for a determined time. Only Allah knows when is the right time for the baby to enter this world. “Thus have We determined (the nature of man's creation): and excellent indeed is Our power to determine (what is to be)!” (Quran 77:23). Here is a reminder that man’s position in comparison to Allah’s power is weak. The process of man's coming into being clearly point to God's creative activity and, hence, to His existence. Consequently, lack of gratitude on man's part amounts to what the Qur'an describes as "giving the lie to the truth".  “Woe, on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!” (Quran 77: 24). Just like He created us the first time, He is All-Capable of recreating us one more time. Therefore, woe to the deniers of the Day of Resurrection!

 

    This earth has been created by Allah such that it fulfills all the requirements of a man to survive and even gives him a place after death. “Have We not caused the earth to hold within itself” (Quran 77:25). “The living and the dead?” (Quran 77: 26). This refers not merely to the fact that the earth is an abode for living and dead human beings and animals, but is also an allusion to the God-willed, cyclic recurrence of birth, growth, decay and death in all organic creation - and thus an evidence of the existence of the Creator who "brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of that which is alive.  “and have We not set on it proud, firm mountains, and given you sweet water to drink?” (Quran 77: 27).   He gave man cold and delicious water from the clouds or from what He causes to gush forth from the springs of the earth. This is there for the sustenance of life. Allah is the creator of inanimate

matter, He is the Maker of the universe in all its manifestations, both organic and inorganic. “Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!” (Quran 77: 28). So woe to those who reject their Creator even after reflecting upon these signs and keep on disbelieving Him.

      The deniers are informed about the punishment that lies ahead for them. They will be ordered to proceed to what they would have denied “GO ON towards that (resurrection) which you were wont to call a lie!” (Quran 77: 29). “Go on towards the threefold shadow” (Quran 77:30). This implies to the death, resurrection and God's judgment, all three of which cast dark shadows, as it were, over the sinners' hearts. They will get no protection in whatever form, their hearts would desire. “that will offer no (cooling) shade and will be of no avail against the flame” (Quran 77: 31). “which behold! - will throw up sparks like (burning) logs” (Quran 77: 32), “like giant fiery ropes!” (Quran 77:33). Like the yellow twisted ropes, yellow being "the color of fire”.   The trajectory of shooting stars fully justifies the rendering "giant fiery ropes" which will not let anyone escape this. When a person learns such details about the punishment that lies ahead and does not change his way, then certainly: “Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth” (Quran 77:34). Quran offers a harsh warning to the disbelievers that once their guilt be proven, no room be left for any excuses “that Day on which they will not (be able to) utter a word” (Quran 77:35), “nor be allowed to proffer excuses!” (Quran 77:36).  “Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth” (Quran 77: 37).  “that Day of Distinction (between the true and the false, when they will be told)” "We have brought you together with those (sinners) of olden times” (Quran 77: 38).  This will be the time when all the mankind be gathered by His power on one common plain. “and if you (think that you) have a subterfuge left, try to outwit Me!" (Quran 77:39). In this world man may have successfully used every kind of deception and trick in self-interest, but then no one be able to escape this punishment. As certainly no one can defeat Allah’s plan. So the Quran woes them time and again “Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!” (Quran 77:40).