Say: "Praise be to Allah. He will show you His signs and you will
recognize them. Your Lord is notheedless of anything you do."(Surat
an-Naml: 93)
In the Qur'an, Allah invites people to reject blindly accepting the
beliefs and values society imposes on them and to ponder by pushing
aside all the prejudices, taboos and constraints on their minds.
Man must think on how he cameinto being, what is the purpose of his
life, why he will die and what awaits him after death. He must
question how he himself and the whole universe came into existence and
how they continue to exist. While doing this, he must relieve himself
of all constraints and prejudices.
By thinking, while isolating his conscience from all social,
ideological and psychological obligations, the person should
eventually perceive that the entire universe, including himself, is
created by a Superior Power. Even when he examines his own body or any
other thing in nature, he will see an impressive harmony, plan and
wisdom at work within its design.
At this point again, the Qur'an guides man. In the Qur'an, Allah
guides us as to what we should reflect on and investigate. With the
methods of reflection given in the Qur'an, he who has faith in Allah
will better perceive Allah's perfection, eternal wisdom, knowledge and
power in His creation. When a believing person starts to think in the
wayshown in the Qur'an, he soon realizes that the whole universe is a
sign of Allah's power and art, and that, "nature is a work of art, not
the artist itself". Everywork of art exhibits the exceptional skills
of the one whohas made it and conveys his messages.
In the Qur'an, people are summoned to contemplate numerous events and
objects that clearly testify to the existence and uniqueness of Allah
and His attributes. In the Qur'an, all these beings that bear witness
are designated as"signs", meaning "tested evidence, absolute knowledge
and expression of truth". Therefore, the signs of Allah comprise all
the beings in the universe that disclose and communicate the being and
attributes of Allah. Those who can observe and remember will see that
the entire universe is only composed of the signs of Allah.
This, indeed, is the responsibilityof mankind; to be able to see the
signs of Allah... Thus, such a person will come to know the Creator
Who created him and all other things, draw closer to Him, discover the
meaning of hisexistence and his life and so prosper.
Each thing, the breaths a humantakes, political and social
developments; the cosmic harmony in the universe, the atom, which is
one of the smallest pieces of matter, is each a sign of Allah and they
all operate under His control and knowledge, abiding by His laws.
Recognizing and knowing the signs of Allah calls for personal effort.
Everyone will recognize and know the signs of Allah in accordance with
his own wisdom and conscience.
Undoubtedly, some guidelines may also help. As the first step, one can
investigate certain points stressed in the Qur'an in order to acquire
the mentality that perceives the whole universe as an articulation of
thethings Allah created.
Allah's signs in nature are emphasized in Surat an-Nahl:
It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from
it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He
makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of
every kind. There is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect.
He has made the night and the day subservient to you, and the Sun, the
Moon and the stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly
signs in that for people who use their intellect. And also the things
of varying colors He has created for you in the earth. There is
certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed. It is HeWho made the
sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from it and
bring out from it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving
through itso that you can seek His bounty, and so that perhaps you may
show thanks. He cast firmly embedded mountains on the Earth so it
would not move under you, and rivers and pathways so that perhaps you
might be guided, and landmarks. And they are guided by the stars. Is
He Who creates like him who does not create? So will you not pay heed?
(Surat an-Nahl: 10-17)
Lives of the Prophets:
Allah Bestows Prophethood upon Abraham (as)
Prophets are special people whom Allah selected and endowed with
superior qualities.Their powerful faith, pleasing moral virtues,
superior character, and exemplary behavior always attracted those
around them, and eventually they were forced to move away from their
pagan and misguidedsocieties. One of the most important qualities
setting themapart is the fact that Allah revealed the truth to them.
As the Qur'an relates:
We have revealed to you, as We revealed to Noah and the prophets who
came after him. And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the
descendents, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And We gave David
the Psalm. Surat an-Nisa':163)
Allah's use of prophets to spreadHis revelation among their people was
a great blessing for humanity, for His revelation continues to show
people the way to the true path, teach them how to worship, describe
proper moral values, and makes His religion known to those people who
live after the time ofProphet Muhammad (saas)), the last prophet. Our
Lord informs us that He has revealed to the prophets how their
followers should behave and worship Him:
We made them leaders, guiding by Our command, and revealed to them how
to do good actions, perform prayer, and give alms. And they worshipped
Us. (Surat al-Anbiya':73)
Throughout their lives, the prophets sought to gain His good pleasure
and compassion, as well as His Paradise. Thus, they lived exemplary
lives by fully complying with His commands.
Allah bestowed prophethood, anhonorable position attained by His
chosen servants, upon Prophet Abraham (as) after a period of testing.
The Qur'an reveals this in the following verse:
Remember when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain words, which
he carried out perfectly. He [Allah] said: "I will make you a model
for humanity." He [Abraham] asked:"And what of my descendents?" He
[Allah] replied: "My contract does not include the wrongdoers." (Surat
al-Baqara: 124)
As stated in this verse, Prophet Abraham (as) obeyed our Lord during
this test and perfectly fulfilled all of His commands. Just like
Prophet Abraham (as), all believers have the same responsibility. His
unconditional obedience to Allah and submission to His commands are
fine models for all believers.
Allah endowed Prophet Abraham (as) with prophethood at an early age
(Surah Ta Ha:60), and revealed the truth to him:
Or do they in fact envy other people for the bounty Allah has granted
them? We gave the family of Abraham the Book andWisdom, and We gave
them an immense kingdom. (Surat an-Nisa':54)
Evolution Deceit:
The "Intelligent Design" Distraction
In the United States in the second half of the 1980s, a theory known
as "intelligent design" was launched against the theory of evolution,
maintaining that all living things came into being not by chance—as
Darwinism maintains—but as the result of an "intelligent design."
However, the proponents of this movement do not openly state that it
is Allah, the Lord of the worlds, Who created all living things.
In describing the concept, Michael Behe, one of its most prominent
advocates, says, "The theory of intelligent design is not a
religiously based idea, even though devout people opposed to the
teaching of evolution cite it in their arguments…" (See "Design for
Living," New York Times, February 7, 2005.)
No Muslim Would Ever Say,"There Is Intelligent Design" Instead of
"Allah Created"!
There are also proponents of thetheory of "intelligent design" in
Turkey. Notably, however, in defending this theory, they seek to
imitate the style employed by their Western counterparts, and are
careful to avoid any reference to the name of Allah.
Instead of saying, "Allah created the entire universe and everything
in it, living and non-living" in their accounts, they resort to vague
expressionsalong the lines of "There is an intelligent design in the
universe"—creating the impression that they deliberately avoid
mentioning the name of Allah.
Of course, there is nothing strange in non-Muslims, atheists, or some
philosophers employing such a style.
However, it is unacceptable for anyone who claims to be a Muslim to
constantly avoid saying, "Allah created" and instead using terms such
as "A power created…" or "the work of intelligent design." That is an
approach no Muslim can adopt, because it means, "I do not wishto say
'Allah', I mean 'There is a power, and there is an intelligent
design'." And nothingin that is compatible with Islam and the Qur'an.
Avoiding saying "Allah created all things," and "Everything came into
being with Allah, the Lord of the worlds, saying 'Be!'," and merely
referring to "an intelligent design in the universe" can only be the
product of a mindset that lacks true faith in the existence of Allah.
Even children at primary school know that it is Allah, and
not"intelligent design," Who created the sky, gazelles, fish, lambs,
apples, bananas, grapes and oranges.
Who Else, Apart from Allah, Could Expressions Like "Intelligent
Design" and "An Intelligent Power" Refer To?
To put forward any claim of "intelligent design," while ignoring the
existence of Allah (He is surely beyond that) is exceedingly
irrational and illogical.
After a moment's reflection, anyone of normal intelligence and
possessed of a conscience will understand that if the perfection in
the universe appears to have been designed, then the Creator of that
perfection can be none other than Allah.
He will see that all entities in the universe, living or otherwise,
are manifestations of Allah's infinite wisdom, knowledge, might, and
creative artistry.
In consequence, he will say, "Allah exists; Allah created" rather
than "There is intelligent design," or "There exists an intelligent
power."
As we know, the pagans in pre-Islamic Mecca attached the names of
Allah to statues they carved out of stone and wood and took these as
their idols.
They maintained that these idols--to which they attached such names
as al-Lat, Manat and al-'Uzza--had created them, had provided for
them and had power to protect them. In short, they ascribed partners
to Allah by ascribing His attributes to them.
Today, similarly, some people are trying to turn others away from a
belief in Allah by imposing His superior attributes onto such
abstract concepts as "intelligent design" and "intelligent power."
This is virtually the same as adopting an idol by the name of
Intelligent Design.
The Qur'an tells us the following about this attitude of the pagans:
They are nothing but names which you yourselves have given, you and
your forefathers. Allah has sent down no authority for them. They are
following nothing but conjecture and what their own selves desire. And
that when guidance has reached them from their Lord! (Surat an-Najm:
23)
Freemasons, using the same logic, maintain in their writings that a
"total power" or "a consciousness" directs the universe, but what
they are referring to is definitely not Allah (Allah forbid).
Obviously, the "intelligent design" adherents are employing exactly
the same logic as that to be found in Masonic accounts.
Quick Grasp of Faith:
What is the concept of sincerity in the Qur'an?
"Sincerity", literally, has the meaning of being pure and
unadulterated. The concept of sincerity mentioned in the Qur'an
denotes turning to Allah in devoutness. A sincere believer devotes all
his deeds throughouthis entire life to seeking the pleasure of Allah
and expects his reward only from Him. He does not make devious
calculations orientated around the opinions of other people or trying
to find favor with them. Therefore all ofhis actions are sincere and
candid, such as would earn the pleasure of Allah.
A sincere person is honest first with Allah and then with
people;because he well knows that Allah hears and sees all things, and
that he will be judged in His presence and will be held responsible
for all of his deeds, words and thoughts. For this reason the
sincerity and candor of believers are among the mostsignificant signs
of the firmness of their faith.
Allah has made the sincere attitudes of the messengers, who always
sought to earn the good pleasure of Allah, an example for believers:
And remember Our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya'qub, men of true
strength and inner sight.We purified their sincerity through sincere
remembrance of the Abode. In Our eyes they are among the best of
chosen men. (Surah Sâd: 45-47)
Those who turn to Allah in sincerity are praised in the Qur'an. The
Qur'an heralds the good outcome of these people as follows:
Those who shun the worship of false deities and turn towards Allah
will have good news. So give good news to My servants. Those who
listen well to what issaid and follow the best of it, they are the
ones whom Allah has guided, they are the people of intelligence.
(Surat az-Zumar: 17-18)
The importance of deeds performed solely for Allah's sakeis mentioned
in the hadith below:
Allah accepts those deeds which were performed purely for His sake
and which were meant to seek His pleasure. (Abu Dawud)
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