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.
And among His signs is that the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest. Then, in the end, when with one call He summons you from the earth, you will all rise.
To Him belongs all those in the heavens and the earth: All devoutly obey Him. It is He who creates (life) in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew; and most easy is this for Him. His is the most sublime attribute in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, the Wise. (The Byzantines, Al-Roum: 30: 24-27)
We explained the meaning of the first of these verses last week, but we have a little more to say about it. Therefore, it is useful to restate what we said about its meaning first.
“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.”
When life and death are applied to the earth, it makes the earth appear as a living entity which lives and dies. It is indeed so, as described by the Qur’an. The universe is a living entity that feels and responds. It obeys its Lord, the Creator of all, and it glorifies Him in complete submission. Man, who lives on earth, is one of God’s creatures, all of whom look up to God, the Lord of all the worlds.
Moreover, when water falls on earth, it makes it fertile, allowing plants to grow, so as to make its surface come alive first with vegetation, then with animals and man. Water is the means of life; wherever it is available, life prospers. “In this there are clear signs indeed for people who use their reason.” There is indeed much scope for people’s minds to reflect.
“And among His signs is that the skies and the earth stand firm at His behest. Then, in the end, when with one call He summons you from the earth, you will all rise.” The fact that the skies and the earth stand firm, following an elaborate system and moving according to plan, cannot come about except through God’s will. No one can ever claim that either he or anyone else brings this about, or that it happens without a plan. Hence, it is God’s great sign that the skies and the earth stand firm and function by His command, obeying Him, without deviation, hesitation or delay.
“Then, in the end, when with one call He summons you from the earth, you will all rise.” No one who sees the great and elaborate system of the universe, how it functions, and the power that controls its potentials and resources, will entertain any doubt that humans, weak as they are, will immediately respond to the great Creator’s order to rise from their graves.
The final note that concludes this statement shows that all creatures in the heavens and the earth submit to God in complete obedience: “To Him belongs all those in the heavens and the earth: All devoutly obey Him.” Although most people are neither devout nor obedient to God, the Qur’anic statement here means that all creatures in the universe are subject to His will. All act and function in accordance with His laws that never fail or deviate from their set course. They are subject to these laws even though they may be unbelievers. It is their hearts and minds that disbelieve or disobey, but they are nevertheless governed by God’s laws, and He controls them as He does all other creatures. They have no option but to obey and submit.
This great tour concludes by restating the essential question which people remain heedless of, namely resurrection: “It is He who creates (life) in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew; and most easy is this for Him. His is the most sublime attribute in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, the Wise.” The surah has already mentioned the initiation of creation and bringing creatures back to life after they had died. Now this is repeated after mentioning a galaxy of God’s signs, but there is also an addition here, “and most easy is this for Him.” There is indeed nothing that is easier or more difficult for God: “When He wills a thing to be, He but says to it, ‘Be’ - and it is.” (36: 82)
The Qur’an addresses people in a way they understand. According to their own standards, initiating creation should be more difficult than bringing it back to life. Why, then, should they deem it difficult for God when by the nature of things it should be easier?
“His is the most sublime attribute in the heavens and the earth.” His attributes are not shared with anyone else. Nothing is similar to Him in any way. “He is the Almighty, the Wise.” He does what He wills, having sway over all things, and in His wisdom, He conducts the affairs of all His creation.