READING THE SIGNS OF THE CREATOR

As we noticed in previous article of reflection, prophet Ibrahim was greatly honored and was even mentioned in the Quran as being the friend of Allah.
We also noticed in the Quran that Allah (S.W.T.) praised human beings who utilize their faculty of intelligence bestowed upon them to understand and take lessons from the many signs (ayaats) that surrounds them. We are told in the Quran that in the creation of the heaven and the earth and the alteration of the day and the night are sighs for men of understanding. Such men we are told remember Allah in different situation and contemplate the wonders of creation of the heavens and the earth and come to one clear and resounding conclusion. That this creation cannot be for nothing. That there must be a purpose behind it. And that purpose points to the inevitability of the day of judgement where each and everyone will be accorded what is truly due to them of reward or punishment and no soul will be wronged on that day.
We should ponder the incident in the Quran where prophet Ibrahim (prior to being appointed a prophet) looked to the heavens, noticed a bright star and said " this is my lord". His people used to worship idols and heavenly bodies. When the star set he said I do not like that which set. When he saw the moon rise in its splendor, he said this is my lord but when the moon set he said " if my lord does not guide me, I will be among those who go a stray." When he saw the sun rise in its splendor, he said this is my lord; this is bigger, but when it set, he said " oh my people, I am free from that which you associate with Allah. I turn my face truly to the Creator of the Heavens and the earth and I am not among those who associate partners with Allah.
We see here clearly how prophet Ibrahim pondered about the creations surrounding him and the practices of his people and how he comes to reject the practices of his people after reflecting on that which they worshiped. That which they devoted themselves to and that which they sacrificed their life for. They were all big objects, they were all gigantic objects which gave light, energy and other benefits to the whole world but which in the end were not permanent just like we are not permanent in spite of the illusion of permanence that surround us. Equally temporary are things which men and women brag about and which they have devoted all their lives to but which when the creator determines, will set their own sail and depart from them or they be made to depart, just like the star, the moon and the sun set their own sail and departed from the place prophet Ibrahim last saw them.
Then men and women who have invested their love and heart in these material worlds at the expense of the hereafter will wish they said in the manner of prophet " That we do not like that which set. That which desert. That which is not permanent That which you cannot rely on. That which will not be there for you the tomorrow, the day after and the day after that. It is only the Creator of the heavens and the earth that is truly permanent.
By Hussein Dayib
P.S.