Does Allah have power over all things? What does islam say about the universe?
Let us look at an atom: The electrons constantly turn around the nucleus.
Electrons of a hydrogen atom rotate around the nucleus at the speed of 2 thousand kilometers per second.
Let us look at the world of planets: The galaxies, the stars, the planets, and the satellites. All of them flow in an orbit and they are in a constant effort and activity.
Allah Almighty ordered us to feel and live this rotation by circumambulating around Ka’bah during hajj and umrah. All beings are in a state of moving and turning…
Our heart never stops. The processes such as inhalation, blood circulation, and cell rejuvenation continue even when we are asleep.
Our heart does not demand an annual leave. The sun does not rest for one or two days in a week.
The messages given by all these are that we should be constant in our lives of worship and servitude.
Because Allah Almighty guides both the universe and the people by means of divine laws. This is expressed in the Qur’an as follows:
They allege that the human beings emerged as a result of evolution. However, as it is known, there are many kinds of monkeys ranging from the little ones to the gorillas and orangutans. Let then the evolutionists choose the closest one of these species to the humankind and transform them to the human being by injecting them human hormones and genes!.. Is this possible?
“And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance.” (al-Rahman, 55: 7-8)
In other words, man should be integrated with the divine harmony in the universe. Just as movement and effort are essential in the vast realm of existence, the constant active servitude must be the center of the life of a Muslim.
It is stated in the Qur’an that:
“Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labor hard, And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention.” (al-Inshirah, 94: 7-8)
The life of our Prophet (pbuh) is the application of this verse to life. His 24 hours were full with individual devotion and the struggle for familial and social issues.
Ibn al-Mas’ud who grew up the Prophet’s (pbuh) care says:
“I am amazed when I see an idle person who works neither for this world nor for the hereafter.”
Ibn al-Mas’ud:
“I am amazed when I see an idle person who works neither for this world nor for the hereafter”
Muhammad b. Ali (may Allah show mercy on him) says:
“Laziness and tedium are the main reason of the evil. Because, when you act too lazy to do something, it means you are neglecting a right, when you act in tedium, it means you are patient about a right.”
On the other hand, love brings about excitement and liveliness which results in dedication and self-sacrifice. Consequently, there can be no tiredness or laziness when there is love.
A believer may have a long-term holiday and a break only in the grave after the end of a life full of blessings and servitude.
Another issue which is as important as working and striving is to avoid unnecessary and useless things. One of the characteristics of the believers who are successful is mentioned in the Qur’an as follows:
“The believers (must (eventually) be successful indeed) who avoid vain talk.” (al-Mu’minun, 23: 3)
Consequently, one should think…
He must think because every corner of this universe is a material for contemplation… The remnants of the earlier nations are a material of contemplation…
Muhammad b. Ali says:
“Laziness and tedium are the main reason of the evil. Because, when you act too lazy to do something, it means you are neglecting a right, when you act in tedium, it means you are patient about a right.”
The micro worlds which only can be seen under a microscope and the macro worlds which can only be seen through a telescope… All of them make the man say,
“I glorify Allah Almighty whose artistry astonishes the minds and whose might makes the most prominent scholars powerless and helpless…”
One of the marvelous aspect of the astonishing art of Allah Almighty is the magnificence that He exhibits both in the micro worlds, i.e. the worlds of atoms and the macro worlds i.e. in the universal level.
When an atom is examined under an atomic microscope, it is seen a nucleus and electrons rotating around it at a very high speed.
If this small realm is to be enlarged, one would see a system like our solar system comprising of a star at the center and planets turning around it.
Magnificence in the micro cosmos… Magnificence in the macro cosmos…
Those who examine an elephant can find a big hose and a brain controlling it. When they examine a tiny mosquito, they will see a hose and a wondrous brain. Consequently, the human mind observes the limitlessness of the divine might both in micro and macro world with great admiration.
Friends of Allah say:
“Allah Almighty is so obvious that His existence is hidden because of the heaviness of his appearance.”
An illness caused by an invisible bacterium can easily defeat a strong wrestler.
This is why this universe which is filled with scenes of contemplation is called as the Book of Universe.
Just as the Holy Qur’an is the verses that Allah Almighty revealed to our Prophet’s heart, the universe is full of signs and miracles to contemplate.
The perfect human being watches the worlds through an open eye, that is through the eye of the heart and reads the pages of the universe that is full of wisdom. On the other hand, the poor heedless man places the finger of heedlessness in front of his eyes and cannot see anything.
As in the depiction of man and the universe being mirrors reflecting each other, the world and the Qur’an are twins. By helping the interpretation of each other, each one of them leads to make progress towards the knowledge of Allah.
Source: The Universe, The Qur’an And The Human, Osman Nuri Topbaş, Erkam Publications