Reflection On Some Verses of The Qur’aan Regarding Water!
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَٰشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ
O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verses 21-22]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
لَهُ ۥ دَعۡوَةُ ٱلۡحَقِّۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦۚ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬
For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke cannot respond to them with a thing, no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use). [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 14]
Imaam as-Sadi [may allaah have mercy upon him him] said: This is an excellent similitude regarding the invocation of the one who invokes other than Allaah, for he is like one who stretches his hand at the edge of a deep well [to get some] water, even though it is impossible to reach it by doing so. This is the case regarding the one who invokes false deities besides Allaah [The Most High], for he will not reach his goal. Allaah [The Most High] said in another Ayah:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡہَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمۡ أَبۡوَٲبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلۡجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلۡخِيَاطِۚ وَڪَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ
Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.). [7:40]
[وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ – and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use)]: Meaning: They invoke false deities; therefore their invocation is tantamount to misguidance. As for Allaah, He is the True King of the entire creation and the only deity worthy of worship, therefore, to worship Him alone is the truth and it is what will definitely benefit a person in this life and the next. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِيعَةٍ۬ يَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُ ۥ فَوَفَّٮٰهُ حِسَابَهُ ۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ
أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ فِى بَحۡرٍ۬ لُّجِّىٍّ۬ يَغۡشَٮٰهُ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ۬ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتُۢ بَعۡضُہَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ إِذَآ أَخۡرَجَ يَدَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَكَدۡ يَرَٮٰهَاۗ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن نُّورٍ
As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account. Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light. [Surah An-Noor. Verses 39-40]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
إِنَّ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجۡرِى فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَا وَبَثَّ فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ۬ وَتَصۡرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ
Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 164]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا مِنۡهُ خَضِرً۬ا نُّخۡرِجُ مِنۡهُ حَبًّ۬ا مُّتَرَاڪِبً۬ا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخۡلِ مِن طَلۡعِهَا قِنۡوَانٌ۬ دَانِيَةٌ۬ وَجَنَّـٰتٍ۬ مِّنۡ أَعۡنَابٍ۬ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشۡتَبِهً۬ا وَغَيۡرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍۗ ٱنظُرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦۤ إِذَآ أَثۡمَرَ وَيَنۡعِهِۦۤۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكُمۡ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ
It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [Surah Al-An’aam. Verse 99]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَسَالَتۡ أَوۡدِيَةُۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحۡتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيۡلُ زَبَدً۬ا رَّابِيً۬اۚ وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيۡهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ حِلۡيَةٍ أَوۡ مَتَـٰعٍ۬ زَبَدٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهُ ۥۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَٱلۡبَـٰطِلَۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذۡهَبُ جُفَآءً۬ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمۡكُثُ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ
He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface, and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood . Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief). [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 17]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ
And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky, and We gave it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its stores [i.e. to give water to whom you like or to withhold it from whom you like]. [Surah Al-Hijr. Verse 22]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ۖ لَّكُم مِّنۡهُ شَرَابٌ۬ وَمِنۡهُ شَجَرٌ۬ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ
يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَـٰبَ وَمِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَڪَّرُونَ
He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture; with it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought. [Surah An-Nahl. Verses 10-11]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَتُصۡبِحُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ مُخۡضَرَّةًۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ۬
See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and then the earth becomes green? Verily, Allah is the Most Kind and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 63]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَسۡكَنَّـٰهُ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابِۭ بِهِۦ لَقَـٰدِرُونَ
فَأَنشَأۡنَا لَكُم بِهِۦ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ۬ وَأَعۡنَـٰبٍ۬ لَّكُمۡ فِيہَا فَوَٲكِهُ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ وَمِنۡہَا تَأۡكُلُونَ
وَشَجَرَةً۬ تَخۡرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيۡنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهۡنِ وَصِبۡغٍ۬ لِّلۡأَڪِلِينَ
And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat. And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters. [Surah Al-Muminoon. Verses 18-20]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَوۡتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُۚ قُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِۚ بَلۡ أَڪۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ
If you were to ask them: “Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death?” They will surely reply: “Allah.” Say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah!” Nay! Most of them have no sense. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Verse 63]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ ثَمَرَٲتٍ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفًا أَلۡوَٲنُہَاۚ وَمِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ جُدَدُۢ بِيضٌ۬ وَحُمۡرٌ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٲنُہَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ۬
See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colours, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 27]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
مِّن وَرَآٮِٕهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ وَيُسۡقَىٰ مِن مَّآءٍ۬ صَدِيدٍ۬
يَتَجَرَّعُهُ ۥ وَلَا يَڪَادُ يُسِيغُهُ ۥ وَيَأۡتِيهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ مِن ڪُلِّ مَكَانٍ۬ وَمَا هُوَ بِمَيِّتٍ۬ۖ وَمِن وَرَآٮِٕهِۦ عَذَابٌ غَلِيظٌ۬
In front of him (every obstinate, arrogant dictator) is Hell, and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment. [Surah Ibraaheem. Verses 16-17]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ۬ شَتَّىٰ
كُلُواْ وَٱرۡعَوۡاْ أَنۡعَـٰمَكُمۡۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّأُوْلِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
مِنۡہَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ وَفِيہَا نُعِيدُكُمۡ وَمِنۡہَا نُخۡرِجُكُمۡ تَارَةً أُخۡرَىٰ
Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation. Eat and pasture your cattle, (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding. Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again. [Surah Taha. Verses 53-55]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرۡسَلَ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ طَهُورً۬ا
لِّنُحۡـِۧىَ بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا وَنُسۡقِيَهُ ۥ مِمَّا خَلَقۡنَآ أَنۡعَـٰمً۬ا وَأَنَاسِىَّ ڪَثِيرً۬ا
وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَـٰهُ بَيۡنَہُمۡ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا ڪُفُورً۬ا
And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain), and We send down pure water from the sky, that We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We had created. And indeed We have distributed it (rain or water) amongst them in order that they may remember the Grace of Allah, but most men refuse (or deny the Truth or Faith) and accept nothing but disbelief or ingratitude. [Surah Al-Furqan. Verses 48-50]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ يُرِيڪُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَيُحۡىِۦ بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ
And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand. [Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 24]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ بِغَيۡرِ عَمَدٍ۬ تَرَوۡنَہَاۖ وَأَلۡقَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَوَٲسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمۡ وَبَثَّ فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ۬ۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ زَوۡجٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ
He has created the heavens without any pillars, that you see and has set on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with you. And He has scattered therein moving (living) creatures of all kinds. And We send down water (rain) from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein. [Surah Luqmaan. Verse 10]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا شَفِيعٍۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ
يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ثُمَّ يَعۡرُجُ إِلَيۡهِ فِى يَوۡمٍ۬ كَانَ مِقۡدَارُهُ ۥۤ أَلۡفَ سَنَةٍ۬ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
ذَٲلِكَ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحۡسَنَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقَهُ ۥۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلۡقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ مِن طِينٍ۬
ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسۡلَهُ ۥ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ۬ مِّن مَّآءٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ۬
ثُمَّ سَوَّٮٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَۚ قَلِيلاً۬ مَّا تَشۡڪُرُونَ
Allah it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. Then He Istawa (rose over) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). You (mankind) have none, besides Him, as a Wali (protector or helper etc.) or an intercessor. Will you not then remember (or be admonished)? He arranges (every) affair from the heavens to the earth, then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning (i.e. reckoning of our present world’s time). That is He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. Who made everything He has created good, and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of worthless water (male and female sexual discharge). Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allah for that person), and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give! [Surah As-Sajdah. Verses 4-9]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تُمۡنُونَ
ءَأَنتُمۡ تَخۡلُقُونَهُ ۥۤ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُونَ
Then tell Me (about) the human semen that you emit. Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator? [Surah Al-Waaqi’ah. Verses 58-59]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشۡرَبُونَ
ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنزَلۡتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُزۡنِ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنزِلُونَ
لَوۡ نَشَآءُ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ أُجَاجً۬ا فَلَوۡلَا تَشۡكُرُونَ
Tell Me! The water that you drink. Is it you who cause it from the rainclouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down? If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable), why then do you not give thanks (to Allah)? [Surah Al-Waaqi’ah. Verses 68-70]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَمَا يَسۡتَوِى ٱلۡبَحۡرَانِ هَـٰذَا عَذۡبٌ۬ فُرَاتٌ۬ سَآٮِٕغٌ۬ شَرَابُهُ ۥ وَهَـٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجٌ۬ۖ وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ
And the two seas (kinds of water) are not alike, this fresh and pleasant to drink, and that saltish and bitter. And from them both you eat fresh tender meat, and derive the ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships cleaving, that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 12]
Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This is news regarding Allaah’s Might, Wisdom and Mercy, that indeed He made the two seas as a source of welfare for all the creatures of the earth, but did not make them the same because the welfare related to them necessitates that the rivers should be fresh and pleasant to drink, so that those who drink from it and those who sow and grow crops would benefit. And sea should be salty and bitter, so that the air (or atmosphere) is not defiled by the stench of the animals that die in it, as well as the fact that it does not move in a manner similar to a river, and its saltiness stops it from changing so that its animals are in a better state and more tasty. This is why Allah said: [وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ – And from them both]- Meaning, from the salty sea and fresh river water, [تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا – you eat fresh tender meat]- Meaning, fish which is easy to catch. [وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ – and derive the ornaments that you wear]- Meaning, such as pearls, coral and other than them found in the sea. These are great sources of welfare for the people.
Also among these sources of welfare and useful things in the sea is that Allaah has subjugated it to the people to carry the vessels, such as ships and other means of marine transportation, so you see them traversing the sea and cleaving – travelling from one region to another region, from one place to another place, whilst carrying passengers, their belongings and merchandise, so that by way of this they receive a lot from Allaah’s bounty and kindness. This is why Allaah stated: [لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ – that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks].
يُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيۡلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ
He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night are added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day are added to the hours of the night). And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone). [Surah al-Faatir. Verse 13]
And amongst these bounties is that Allaah merges the night into the day and the day into the night- one enters the other and whenever one arrives the other disappears; one increases and the other decreases, then they become equal. So, by way of this, people attain welfare for their bodies, animals, trees and vegetations.
Also, Allaah subjugated the sun and the moon, the sun a shinning thing with heat, the moon a light, their movements and disappearance, and thus the people may disperse to seek His bounty [i.e. livelihood], as well as what they [i.e. the sun and moon] facilitate to make the fruits ripe (and plants, crops ready for harvest) and others become dry due to the sun’s heat, and other necessities whose absence would have brought harm to the people.
And the statement of Allaah [ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ – each (i.e. the sun and moon) runs its course for a term appointed]- Meaning, the sun and the moon run their course for a period by the will of Allaah, but they will cease when the end of the world arrives, the ability given to them to do what they do will stop, the moon will eclipse, the sun will wound round and lost its light and is overthrown and the stars will fall.
So, after clarifying what He (Allaah) clarified regarding these mighty things, which He created, and the lessons within them, which shows His perfection and kindness, He then stated: [ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ – Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom]- Meaning, He alone is the One Who created these things that have been mentioned and subjugated them for service to humankind. He is the true deity, who alone has the right to be worshiped and to Him belongs absolute dominion. [وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ – And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone)]- Meaning, the deified images and the idols do not own anything- neither a little nor a lot, and not even the thin membrane over a date stone which is a thing of the lowest value (or importance). This statement is related to the specific mention of something by way of which all other things are included, so how can you invoke these deified images and idols when it is the fact that they do not own anything found in the heavens and the earth?
إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُواْ دُعَآءَكُمۡ وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ۬
If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 14]
[إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ – If you invoke (or call upon) them]- Meaning, on top of that if you invoke them, they cannot hear your call because indeed they are either inanimate objects, dead things or angels that are busy in obedience to their Lord (Allaah). [وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ – and if (in case) they were to hear you]- Meaning, even if we were to say that this impossibility is possible (i.e. that they can hear you), [مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ – they could not grant it (your request) to you]- Meaning, because they do not own anything. [وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ – And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them]- Meaning, they will free themselves from you and say: [سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ- Glorified be You (Allaah)! You are our Wali (Lord) instead of them (Surah Sabah. Verse 41)]. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]
[وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ – And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]- Meaning, the knower of everything by Himself. [Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ النُّشُورُ
And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection! [Surah Al-Faatir. Aayah 9]
Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah informs us of His perfect power and vast generosity – that He sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, drive them to a dead land and revive the dead land therewith; a source of life for the people, the animals are provided with sustenance and enjoy that good. Likewise, the one who revive the earth after its death will resurrect the dead from their graves after they had been dust. He will send rain upon them just as He sends it upon a dead land, so it falls on them, the bodies and souls return back to life from their graves and come to stand in the presence of Allaah to judge between them based on His just ruling. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]
