And among His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. In this there are clear signs indeed for those who are endowed with knowledge.
And among His signs is your sleep, at night and in daytime, as well as your quest for some of His bounty. In this there are clear signs indeed for people who listen.
And among His signs is that He displays before you the lightning, giving rise to both fear and hope, and sends down water from the skies, with which He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless. In this there are clear signs indeed for people who use their reason.(The Byzantines, Al-Roum: 30: 22-24)
“And among His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. In this there are clear signs indeed for those who are endowed with knowledge.” The Qur’an frequently mentions the great sign of creating the heavens and the earth, but we often pass it by without reflection, although it merits long contemplation.
When the Qur’an mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth it actually refers to this great expanse of the universe, with its fine and elaborate system, of which we know only very little. It includes countless numbers of planets, stars, orbits, celestial bodies and galaxies, in relation to which our earth seems no more than a weightless particle. This great and limitless expanse is coupled with remarkable harmony between its celestial bodies, orbits and motions, as well as the distances between them, ensuring that no collision occurs haphazardly, and that everything is kept functioning according to a set measure. This, however, relates to size and system. As for the essence of these great creatures, their respective natures, qualities, what occurs in or on them, the major laws that protect and regulate them, and how their affairs are conducted - these are beyond any human being’s knowledge. What we know of all this is very scanty indeed. In fact, our study of the small planet on which we live remains at a very elementary stage.
This is just a cursory look at the great sign that is the creation of the heavens and the earth. Very often though we speak about this carelessly, in passing, yet at the same time we speak at great length, expressing amazement and admiration, about a small machine scientists make. Yet the harmony the latter achieves between its component parts is such that it only works in unison for a short span of time. Still some people who are lost in error claim that this great universe, with its fine and elaborate systems, exists without a Creator. Not only so, but such people find scientists who are prepared to listen to such absurdity! Together with the great sign of the creation of the heavens and the earth, the surah mentions the amazing variety of human languages and colors. This must be related to the creation of the universe. Differences in climate and environment that result from the variations of the earth’s position in the cosmos have a marked influence in producing such variety in language and color, despite the single origin of mankind. Scholars and scientists today note the great variety of human languages and colors but they do not relate this to God and His creation of the heavens and the earth. Instead, they undertake an academic study of this phenomenon, but do not pause to glorify the Creator who plans everything, visible or hidden. This is due to the fact that most people are devoid of knowledge: “They only know the outer surface of this world’s life.” (Verse 7) Besides, the wonders of the creation of the universe and the great variety of language and color are only appreciated by those who have true knowledge: “In this there are clear signs indeed for those who are endowed with knowledge.”
“And among His signs is your sleep, at night and in daytime, as well as your quest for some of His bounty. In this there are clear signs indeed for people who listen.” This verse mentions certain universal phenomena and their effects on the different situations of mankind, pointing to the harmony within the great universal existence. It combines the two phenomena of night and day with people’s sleep and activity in pursuit of their livelihoods, which God grants in abundance. God has ensured that their lives are in harmony with the universe: Their need for work and activity is ensured by the light of day, and their need for relaxation and sleep is brought about by the night’s darkness. This also applies, in varying measures and degrees, to all living things on earth. They all find the universal system meets their needs and natures, allowing their lives to progress. “In this there are clear signs indeed for people who listen.” Sleep and movement are two conditions that are felt through hearing. Thus, the comment at the end of the verse fits well with the universal sign it discusses.
“And among His signs is that He displays before you the lightning, giving rise to both fear and hope, and sends down water from the skies, with which He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless. In this there are clear signs indeed for people who use their reason.” The phenomenon of lightning is part of the universal system. Some explain that it occurs from an electrical discharge between two clouds, or between a cloud and the ground, such as the top of a mountain, producing an air vacuum that gives the thunder that follows the lightning. In most cases, this is accompanied by rain. Whatever the cause, lightning is a natural phenomenon produced by the universal system God has set in operation.
As usual, the Qur’an does not give much detail about universal phenomena and their causes. It only uses these to establish a link between human hearts, the universe and its Creator. Hence, it states here that one of God’s signs is that He displays the lightning “giving rise to both fear and hope.” Both feelings are naturally experienced when lightning occurs. People fear a thunderbolt that results from lightning, one that could burn things and even people. There is also that obscure feeling of apprehension which lightning causes as people feel the presence of the great power that controls the universe. People also hope for plentiful harvests as a result of the rain that often accompanies thunder and lightning. Hence, it is mentioned in the same verse: “He displays before you the lightning, giving rise to both fear and hope, and sends down water from the skies, with which He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless.”