SPIRIT OF ISLAM NOVEMBER 2019

12 Spirit of Islam Issue 83 November 2019 LESSONS FROM THE UNIVERSE An Islamic Perspective O UR universe is a beautiful work of the Creator and many of the beautiful names of God point to this phenomenon. God is called: Al-Khaliq (the Creator), Al-Bari (The Maker), Al-Musawwir (the Shaper), al-Muhiyy (The Giver of Life) and Al-Badi (The Innovative Creator). The universe was fashioned by God according to a well- conceived plan. When God decided to create something, He gave the divine command ‘Be’ and the thing was created. The Quran states: ‘Do they seek a religion other than the religion of God, when everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly or unwillingly? To Him they shall all return’. (3: 83) According to the above verse, the universe has been subjected to the code of monotheism— that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and that in Him alone are vested all powers. None besides Him has any sway over the universe. The entire cosmos, from the particles of dust to the gigantic galaxies, is under the direct domination of the One God Who alone, is the Master of all beings. This is the reason that the entire universe, with all its vast expanse, is exactly as it should be. No flaw in its functioning has ever been detected and its speed has not faltered even by a second during the innumerable of millions of years of its existence. This is the model that man is asked to follow, for it is a practical demonstration of the creed of monotheism. Total Submission The greatest and most salient characteristic of the universe is that it is fully obedient to its Creator (41:12) . Even after the elapsing of hundreds of millions of years, the sun, the earth and, the stars, moving at incredible speeds in their orbits, have not wavered even by a fraction of a second in their course, each one faithfully carrying out the duty assigned to it. Man is likewise required to demonstrate that same total submission. Man is called upon to make even his most fervent personal desires The entire cosmos, from the particles of dust to the gigantic galaxies, is under the direct domination of the One God Who alone, is the Master of all beings.