In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Most Merciful
Such is He who knows all that is beyond the reach of human perception, and all that can be witnessed, the Almighty, the Most Merciful, who makes most excellent everything that He creates. He begins the creation of man out of clay; then He causes his progeny to be begotten out of the essence of a humble fluid; then He fashions him and breathes into him of His spirit. Thus He endows you, mankind, with hearing and sight and hearts. Yet seldom are you grateful! (Prostration, Al-Sajdah: 31: 6-9)
We commented last week on the two verses that precede the present passage. These speak of creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and point out some of the attributes of God Almighty. We mentioned that the six days are not in any way similar to our earth days of 24 hours each. Our days are accidental, the result of the position of the earth in relation to the sun and the speed of its rotation in position. These two verses read: “God it is who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, and established Himself on the Throne. You have none to protect you from God, and none to intercede with Him for you. Will you not, then, reflect? He regulates and governs all that exists, from the celestial space to the earth; and in the end all shall ascend to Him (for judgment) on a day the length of which is one thousand years by your reckoning.” (Verses 4-5) Again the Day of Judgment is described as stretching in duration to equal one thousand years of our time. Yet this is merely indicative of its length.
Now the surah adds some of God’s attributes shared by none of His creatures: “Such is He who knows all that is beyond the reach of human perception, and all that can be witnessed, the Almighty, the Most Merciful.” (Verse 6) The Creator who regulates everything is the One who knows everything, whether absent or present. He is in complete control of all creation, and He is able to accomplish what He wills. But He is also Most Merciful in what He wills and plans for His creation.
“Who makes most excellent everything that He creates.” (Verse 7) My Lord! This is indeed the truth as we see and feel with our eyes, hearts and minds. This is the truth apparent in the shapes and functions of all things; in their individual natures, and in their harmony, complementarity, forms, different situations and actions, and in all that to which excellence applies.
All glory to Him. Such is His making that we see clearly in all creation. It reflects excellence and perfection. Nothing is made in excess and nothing falls short. Instead, complete perfection is maintained throughout, in size, shape, form and function. Nothing goes beyond the limit of perfect harmony, or takes place ahead of, or later than its proper time. Everything, from the tiny particle to the largest things, from the single cell to the most complex of bodies, reflects excellence and perfection. The same applies to actions, stages and events, which are all created by God. They take place in accordance with an elaborate plan, at the time and in the place and space determined for them. It all fits within the overall plan made for this existence from its beginning to its end.
Every creature, everything is brought into existence for a purpose. It is made for that purpose and given all the qualities and characteristics that enable it to fulfill that purpose. Indeed, a single cell is equipped to do its functions; a worm is given many legs, or capillaries, softness and flexibility so that it can move along without difficulty. Look at a fish, a bird, a reptile, an animal, and look at man, planet, star, and celestial bodies. Reflect on their accurate cycles and controlled movements. Look at anything and everything, wherever your eyes can stretch. You will find that everything is made with excellence and perfection.
An open eye, an alert feeling and a receptive heart see beauty and excellence in this existence as a whole and in its every component part. Reflection on God’s creation, wherever we look or think, gives us a complete range of beauty where everything is in harmony. When we so appreciate God’s great and beautiful creation we are indeed imbued with a sweet happiness. We look at aspects of perfection and excellence in everything we see, hear and encounter. What is more, this relates directly to the beauty of what God makes throughout the universe.
Our hearts and minds cannot appreciate any aspect of such beauty and happiness, however, unless we shed our sense of familiarity and listen to the music the universe produces. We need to look by the light God has given us so that things reveal the beauty inherent in them as a result of His making. We also need to remember God whenever we see any of His beautiful creation, so that we feel the link between the Creator and creation. This enhances our appreciation of beauty, because we see, behind everything, God’s own beauty and majesty.
The beauty of the universe is inexhaustible. We can appreciate and enjoy it without restriction, as much as we can or wish. This is indeed what God, the Creator of the universe, wants us to do.
This element of beauty in the universe is deliberate. The excellence of creation is such that the perfect functioning of everything generates immense beauty. Moreover, such perfect make-up is then reflected back in a beautiful image of every individual and every creature. Look at a bee, a flower, a star, the night, the dawn, shadows, clouds, and appreciate the music that plays throughout the universe. Such harmony allows no deviation or crookedness.
The Qur’an directs our attentions to this incomparable beauty so that we contemplate what we see and thus enjoy it. This is achieved through the statement: “Who makes most excellent everything that He creates.” (Verse 7) We are thus invited to look for beauty and excellence throughout the universe.
