1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

Dear brother student, citing evidences of Allah’s signs in this world for the Divine Lordship of the Exalted is the Quranic method that guides servants to their Lord, is the closest most compassionate, beneficial and easiest of ways. Knowledge of this method necessitates knowledge of Allah as it necessitates knowledge of the existence of the day on seeing the rays of the sun. If a sane person were to contemplate the cosmic signs of Allah and its perfection and precision, he would be able to reach through his intellect that there exists a manager who manages and a creator who fashioned it.

This is evidenced by a Bedouin who remarked: “Camel droppings tell of a camel, foot prints tell of voyage, days are tenebrous, and nights are tranquil, and the heavens with its planets; does it not tell of a fashioner?” Indeed all men share the understanding and inference of evidence from the worldly signs of Allah regardless of the variance of their knowledge, stature and mental capabilities for it collectively pertains to ocular witness. For this reason, it is largely used in Quran to give lessons and warnings and to testify to His Oneness and Divine Lordship.

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

Ibn Abi al-‘Iz al-Hanafi-may Allah show mercy on him-says:
“As for His ocular signs, its consideration and evidential inference on what is indicated through his verbal signs and reason combine between this and that (both forms of evidence) to certify the authenticity of what the Messengers brought. So the witness of sight, hearing, reason and natural disposition, for the All Glorious from His complete justice, mercy, righteousness, wisdom, love for forgiveness and establishing authoritative evidences, has not sent a Prophet except that he is accompanied by signs testifying to his honesty as Allah has said:

((

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالاً نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ * بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِ

))

[النحل:٤٣-٤٤]

And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the (We sent them) Message with Clear Signs and Books [16: 43-44]

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

Even the most concealed sign of the Messengers; the sign of Prophet Hud that Allah said:

[هُود:٥٣]

((

يَا هُودُ مَا جِئْتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٍ

))

They said: "O Hud! No Clear (Sign) that hast thou brought us… [11:53]

Even with this, his signs were indeed manifest for those who Allah chooses them for its contemplation. Allah has indicated to it through His words:

إِنِّي أُشْهِدُ اللَّهَ وَاشْهَدُوا أَنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ * مِنْ دُونِهِ فَكِيدُونِي جَمِيعاً ثُمَّ لا تُنْظِرُونِ *

))

[هود:٥٤-٥٦]

((

إِنِّي تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ مَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهَا إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

"… I call Allah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to Him, Other gods as partners! So scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.” [11:53]
Here ends his remarks.

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

The renowned scholar Ibn al-Qayyim-may Allah show mercy on him- has divided contemplating and meditating over Allah’s cosmic signs into two categories:

a) Contemplating the revealed signs of Allah as He has said:

[ص:٢٩]

((

كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الأَلْبَابِِ

))

(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may mediate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition. [38:29]

b) Contemplating the cosmic signs of Allah as He has said:

[يونس:١٠١]

((

قُلِ انْظُرُوا مَاذَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا تُغْنِي الْآياتُ وَالنُّذُرُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ

))

Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth"; but neither Signs nor Warners profit those who believe not. [10:101]

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

b) Contemplating the cosmic signs of Allah as He has said:

[آل عمران:١٩٠]

((

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لآياتٍ لِأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ

))

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding. [3:190]

So when man looks and contemplates these cosmic signs and his sight and intellect guide him to the Divine Lordship of Allah the Exalted, and that Allah is the manifest truth for which man naturally recognizes His Divine Lordship, Godship, Wisdom and Mercy.

Then distinguished Ibn al-Qayyim explains that contemplation of Allah’s cosmic signs through reason are of two types saying: “Contemplation of these signs are of two kinds:

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

Firstly: to visually perceive its outward appearance like the blueness of the sky, its start, height and expanse. Man shares with other animals in this vision and this alone is not what is intended by the address.

Secondly: vision with the internal eye for which the gates to the heavens open up to him therein he journeys its provinces and vast kingdom mingling therein with the angels. Door after door open until the journey of the heart reaches the throne of the Most Gracious in which he marvels at its expanse, greatness and awesome eminence. He witnesses the seven heavens and seven earths in relation to it as being a mere drop in the vast wilderness. Contemplate Allah’s creation in the kingdom of the heavens, its eminence, expanse and circular rotation, the greatness of its creation, perfect construction, the peculiarities of its sun, moon and stars in all its various measures shapes and sizes from east to west. No atom exists randomly but in its most perfect creation and precision. More wondrous than the intrigues of the human body is the miraculous intrigues of the heavens for which nothing on earth can compare to. The purpose is that Allah Most Glorious verily divided His creation according to the inherent qualities that bear testimony of His Oneness and Divine Lordship. Allah has praised those who contemplate through reason the creation of the heavens and earth just as He has also maligned those who object to such truths saying:

1.4 Macroscopical Rational Evidences

[الأنبياء:٣٢]

((

وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَاءَ سَقْفاً مَحْفُوظاً وَهُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ

))

And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs [21:32]

So look as this marvellously solid construction of such great expanse, raised to such great elevations and furnished with the best designs, just as it has also been adorned with the most miraculous signs.

“Glory be to He who created what all creation are incapable of and He who is above the throne is Individually One”