Section Al A’raf – Part 60

In our study of section Araf of the Quran, we last looked at what the names of God mean to us. What does it mean to be calling the names of God in our living? We also discussed not to distort His names by looking at creation, seeing the qualities and then attributing them to something imaginary rather than pointing to the Lord of the universe. The Quran is advising us to keep away from those that distort the names of God, i.e. I should not follow them. Those who distort the names don’t want to go beyond the capacity of the universe and they only look for a source within the universe. They name them something imaginary like “nature”, “accident”, “random”, and “laws” as if they exist externally. They put it in a way to say that the Creator is not the Owner of the universe but something else within the universe. Whatever descriptions, presentations that are provided relating to the universe do not make sense and there is no need to argue with them on what the nature of accident, randomness is because they do not have any evidence for their real existence, but their own invented baseless imaginary concepts within the material body of elements. 

If the thing is within the universe, it needs to be created as the whole universe needs to be created. The things cannot be the source of existence of themselves nor of each other as they depend on each other and are subject to the whole order of the universe. None of the things have any say in terms of the position that they are created in. Within their argument, the deniers of God cannot explain the existence of the thing. We have to watch out for ourselves not to be carried away by their explanations of existence.

We will continue with the next few verses of section Araf (Cognizant) that follow:

وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

7: 182 As for those who deny Our signs, We will gradually draw them to destruction in ways they don’t know.

The usage of the word “بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا”, translated as “Our signs” is not particularly related to the sentence of the Quran but more so in terms of the context of God’s beautiful names, the perfect qualities manifested in the universe. This verse must be referring to those denying God’s signs manifested in creation. I have to watch out for myself and should pay attention to the signs in creation. 

The phrase mentions that “سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ” translated as “We will gradually draw them to destruction in ways they don’t know”. One would say then, if they don’t know then they are not responsible. What does this mean here? Let’s focus first on “سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم”, “gradually draw them”. If I condition my mind that I am not going to accept that the signs belong to an Absolute Creator of the universe then I will try to explain the existence of the universe within the conditions of the universe. What happens as a result is the multitude of theories that follow to explain the signs of the universe. Their one common point is to explain the existence of the universe within the conditions of the universe. 

Let’s take an example using an analogy: the existence of the computer is within the computer, I won’t expect an external agent that is the engineer of the computer for making the computer. In a way they are saying that I am part of the universe and I don’t want to submit to anything other than the universe. They make up theories that we are the result of natural development or that things are evolving by themselves. In their philosophy, they are aware that by saying that we are a product of any part of the universe, then any part of the universe cannot claim any power over them. I am able to control the energy within an atom, use matter in different ways and tweak DNA which are some examples of things being under my control. At the end of the day, the universe is under my control. The arrogant attitude with a biased mind cannot see any harm to this egoistic tendency. They say that as a scientist, I can control the things in the laboratory, so I am superior to them. They work to control natural laws to claim superiority and are well aware that natural laws do not have any free will. This is the face of arrogance by denying the fact that the signs point to an Absolute Creator of the universe. 

The verse warns that this attitude will lead to one’s destruction in ways they don’t know. A human being is left free to do what he wants without any interference from God into one’s free will. All the opportunities are given to him in order to confirm the reality of the universe, but man is free to avail the opportunity or not. You can try one theory after the other to find the excuse to deny the Creator of the universe. This attitude leads to the gradual destruction where one is conditioning themselves to denial. If they knew what they were claiming was false, they would stop it. They are well aware and have decided not to accept the reality of the universe.

They get excited on coming up with new theories that they say explains the universe. They publish papers with interpretations that are completely corrupt and celebrate their achievements along with their colleagues. They don’t know that all their explanations, celebrations, and getting excited leads to their destruction. For example, there is the possibility of having multiverses in the universe to continue existence. That is fine but is there eternity in the universe? If there was eternity then there would be no change in the universe. An eternal being does not let anything else operate on it so that it would not be subject to the will of something else. With the arrogant language, they cover things up to make the point that they know and you don’t know. So what, that there are other galaxies? They are dying just like any being who is subject to death where their “spirit” is separated from the material body. In the view of the serious Muslim scholars, the universe is alive particular to their capacity and will die too as it has the material aspect and the meaningful aspect (spirit) that points to the qualities of their Maker. Both the human being and the universe will face what is known as doomsday for the body, where the body is separated from the spirit. The mistake of the arrogant ones is from the beginning where they condition themselves by making up their mind before even starting their investigations that they will not accept a Creator and this leads them to their destruction. 

How does their arrogance destroy them? When one closes the door to a reasonable explanation by claiming that this reasonable explanation takes them into theology and restricts themselves to what they call “scientific research.”  But after doing their research they start interpreting that the matter is acting by itself or “naturally”. This interpretation is nothing but a baseless claim. For example, if someone decided to kill a man out of jealousy. All the steps he takes are actually the gradual steps of his destruction, all the while thinking how he will be successful by murdering the other person. In a way, they close the intelligence by not asking at every stage, am I right in this? They are expected to question at every stage but because of their pre-conditioned mind, they don’t. Without realizing they are digging their own graves. Why does the Quran keep arguing with the obstinate deniers, saying that they will be destroyed? Don’t they know what they are doing? It is not an innocent interpretation as they are well aware of it. In the example above, all the steps that the murderer takes, he is well aware of it and doesn’t feel that he is going towards his own destruction. Another example, for the sake of the country’s interest, they attack another state. After deciding that I am ready to do anything for the benefit of my country, they can take every step with excitement as if they are being successful in accomplishing their purpose. They don’t know that every step they take puts them into their own destruction. They don’t see what kind of harm they are doing, they don’t want to lose their credibility among others. They start losing their precious human values in this world which gets extended to the next world. These verses cannot be taken lightly as they tell me either I keep busy in my destruction or come to take the revelation to heart, to realize and discover the reality of my life. 

وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ

7: 183 I [only] delay their end for a while, but My planning is exceedingly firm.

The gradual destruction that they are putting themselves in is to fulfill their arrogance. They will be given some time for a while. Although not explicitly mentioned in the verse, their end is delayed as in the opportunity to repent is there for them to realize the reality and come back to their senses. God says that I will give you the opportunity to practice the truth to accept your reality and not try to be the master, not that I am pushing you but it is your decision to deny Me and physically experiencing this terrible situation. 

For example, in college, the administration encourages the students to listen to the instructors, learn and graduate with certain abilities to practice. However, the college administration does not force mature individuals but gives them the freedom to be responsible for their actions. They should be able to make their schedule, do research, i.e. many opportunities are given to the student to either learn or waste his opportunities. The college administration is aware whether the student is doing their work or being wasteful. If they force the student to attend classes, the student would not really put his heart into the classes and just attend them under pressure. A good college administration would set up programs for these students in order to encourage them to be students fulfilling their duties. The students get their grade at the end of the semester which teaches them what they deserve. The universe works in this way where a particular time period is given full of opportunities for me to practice my purpose of existence.

أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ ۗ مَا بِصَاحِبِهِم مِّن جِنَّةٍ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌ

7: 184 Do they not consider that there is nothing of madness about their companion? He is only a plain warner?

At first, we may see this as referring to the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as we know the prophet to have received the message of God with the mission to transfer the message to human beings. Additionally, it may refer to any prophet that conveys the message of God to other human beings. If I say it refers to the prophet, then how do I apply this for me right now?  This verse should also include anyone that shares the message which makes sense. In a way, the verse is saying: You know that your companion, friend has been with you since birth, he is only warning you not to go on the wrong path, there is no madness in this person. If a person talks about something and makes mistakes in interpreting the subject matter, I would not call him a mad person. To further emphasize the case, let’s say that there is a blunt denier of God with whom I would disagree. I still shouldn’t call him mad or crazy but more so of being biased and not using one’s human qualities. The person conditioned himself, put a chain on his intelligence to not accept reality. The person is destroying himself, depriving himself from happiness, pleasure, having a guaranteed existence by his Creator. 

By submitting myself to the Creator of the universe, I really don’t lose anything. My honor is still there for being chosen to exist and witnessing the reality being presented to me. With belief in God, I become a very precious being made by the Creator of the universe that preferred my existence. I should keep this treasure sacred, keep a respectful connection with my Lord. I should not disregard the value that I am given. 

Belief in God by submitting to Him does put a person in the position of a slave; one is not going to be oppressed by God. I become free from begging or expecting from other created beings like me. I would no longer need to say that other beings are satisfying me and helping me. All the other beings are created beings like me. For example, the tree, the sun, my parents are all created beings like me. My feelings will feel the freedom from the slavery to this universe, the shackles of this material valuing civilization. I declare my freedom from anything in the universe only by declaring that my existence belongs to the Creator of everything, the Source of existence. Nothing in the universe can subjugate me, I am created to be a free human being with consciousness, reasoning and feelings. My feelings can only be satisfied with the Infinite Creator. The universe is constantly changing and it is the slave to the will of its Creator. My spirit is free and it is from Him, He is my honor. He is an Absolute being who has given me existence, given me life, feelings, and all the things I am living with so that I may see and experience the satisfaction that the things are coming from Him. He doesn’t need anything from anyone. He provides freely everything I need, the only thing He expects of me is not to be ungrateful to His infinite favors by denying that they are His gifts to me. 

أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُوا۟ فِى مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍۢ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْ ۖ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ

7: 185 Have they ever reflected on the wonders of the angelic, meaning carrying aspect [Malakoot] of the heavens and the earth, and everything God has created, and that perhaps their end is near? So what message [explanation/ news] after this [Quran] would they believe in?

The word “فِى مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ’ translated as “meaning carrying aspect of whatever is in the heavens and earth means, i.e. the whole universe.” The morphology of the word “مَلَكُوتِ” coincides with the word “Malak” which signifies the angelic side. There are words from the root such as “Maalik” which has the connotation of ownership and “Malik” which is more of lordship, by taking care of everything in the universe. The things of the universe don’t own any of the qualities by themselves but in the meaning of their existence refer to the Creator of the universe.

Everything existing in the universe has a meaning and we are asked to consider and reflect on what they mean to exist, i.e. see the meaningful side of this universe. We already do interact with the qualities in the universe whether we know it or not. For example, I enjoy eating something because of the qualities, the sceneries we enjoy such as by looking at the sky and stars that look exciting is not because of the material side. I love the qualities such as beauty, art, design. We don’t love a book because of the material book but the meaning that it carries. It is the qualities and meaning in the things that I communicate with. 

Those who deny God are also interacting with the qualities in creation. It is their choice whether to attribute the meaning as referring to God or not. The phrase “ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْۖ” translated as “and that perhaps their end is near?”. If one takes the denying attitude, the verse hints: don’t you see that it is an arrogant attitude. You want to be independent! Don’t you know that you are going to die, you cannot escape death, you are completely dependent on the will of the Creator of the universe. Everyone is bound to the order of the universe as it has been established by the One who orders it according to His will. Is it worth it to deny the Creator of the universe? Can I be independent or am I bound to what the Creator has created. Within the order, I am bound to die in this world. 

The phrase “فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ”, translated as “So what message [explanation/news] after this [Quran] would they believe in?”. The word “حَدِيثٍۭ” means to give refreshing news about something permanent. It is not like “akhbar/khabar” which is news of current trends which are temporary. The Quranic message gives news of a permanent reality. Apart from the permanent reality, which kind of news am I expecting to receive? Everything is subject to death in this world, my end is coming nearer and nearer so I have to watch out.