Page 6 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 6 Page 7 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 6 “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth.” (Qur’an 46:15) On the authority of Asma’a bint Abu Bakr Al- Siddiq (R.A.), who said; “My mother came to Medina from Mecca to see me, while she was still an unbeliever. She had come to demand something from me. I inquired with the Prophet (S.A.W.): ‘My mother has come to see me and she is expecting something from me. May I oblige her?’ He said: ‘Yes, be kind to your mother.’” -(Bukhari and Muslim) Note: This Hadith has two main points: Be kind to your parents, no matter what their religion is. A Muslim must be kind to other people no matter what their religion is. For example: The Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) used to visit his Jewish neighbors in Medina. Also the Prophet (S.A.W) used to give charity to his poor Jewish neighbor. On the Authority of Abu Hurairah (R.A.),who said: A man asked the Messenger of God (S.A.W.) who amongst his near ones had the greatest right over him, the Prophet (S.A.W.) replied: “Your mother”. He asked, “Then who is next?” The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied: “Your mother”. He again asked, “Then who is next?” The Prophet (S.A.W.) replied: “Your mother”. He asked: “Then who is next?” The Prophet replied: “Your father.” -(Bukhari and Muslim) On the authority of Al-Mughirah (R.A.), who said: The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “God forbids all of you to disobey your mothers.” -(Bukhari and Muslim) Note: It is very important to obey and respect one’s mother in the Islamic religion for the following reasons: A mother carried her baby for nine months in her womb. During pregnancy, the mother experiences great hardship. Then during delivery of the child, the mother suffers extreme pain. Many woman die in childbirth. The mother is the one who feeds and nurtures the baby. It is an innate instinct for mothers to care more for their children than fathers do. A continuation from our previous issue The Prostration of the Magicians Each messenger brought to his people a miracle commensurate with the kind of knowledge they most excelled in. Thus, because the people to whom Moses was sent excelled in magic, the form of the miracle which he challenged them with was of a magical nature. The magicians who observed Moses performing his miracle were among the first to believe in him and in God. Being in a better position than others to judge that the miracle was the supernatural work of a divine power and not the result of a magical skill, they were overwhelmed by what they witnessed. In recognition of the true faith that Moses was commanded to convey to them they fell on their knees in prostration. The Quran says: “But the sorcerers fell down prostrate, in adoration. Saying, “We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, the Lord of Moses and Aaron.” (Qur’an Al-A’raf 7:120-2) Being better acquainted with the art of magic, the magicians could distinguish between what was artifice and what was a divine miracle. And so they were the first to declare their faith in the God of Aaron and Moses. Overwhelmed by the new revelation, the magicians forgot the Pharaoh’s promise of gold and silver, as well as the torture that awaited them for their failure to defeat Moses. Pharaoh’s might and oppression paled before the power of this true God and His faith. This was the greatness of the divine miracle and its holding power on people’s minds and souls. Through such miracles, the vehement antagonists were instantaneously converted into faithful believers, ready to relinquish all mundane wealth and power. Similarly, the challenging miracles of Jesus focused on medical phenomena because his people were well advanced in medicine. He restored sight to the blind, cured lepers, revived the dead and demonstrated powers beyond human knowledge. Because the Arabs at the time of Muhammad (pbuh) were masters in elocution, the miracle therefore came in the form to challenge their understanding from the vantage of their linguistic skills. The Quran with its literary inimitability was all the more astonishing because Muhammad (pbuh) himself was illiterate when the Quran was revealed to him. When the Arabs failed to match the language of the Quran, they accused Mohammed (pbuh) of sorcery and even of being insane. The miraculous features of the Quran are not confined to its linguistic inimitability. Indeed, it is filled with miraculous signs that will remain a challenge to mankind for eternity. One of the miraculous features of the Quran lies in the ever-expanding nature of the meanings contained in its verses and their inexhaustible capacity to accommodate even the most recent scientific discoveries. A miracle can transcend the laws of nature or defy the characteristics of natural phenomena without posing a specific challenge to man. In this kind of miracle, God does not seek to challenge mankind, but to show His domination over the universe and man’s incapacity to understand such occurrences in terms of cause and effects. Consequently, a true believer should always be prepared to attribute those happenings which he cannot find an accountable cause to the will of God. Zoology The science of animal life receives no less attention in the Qur’an than those of other aspects of life. Again, this aspect of life reveals the Glory and Majestic of the Creator in new dimensions and draws man’s attention to the animal kingdom so that he may observe, study and reflect upon the Wonders of The Almighty, benefiting from them as well as Glorifying Almighty’s Name for immeasurable Bounties and Gifts. There are numerous passages in the Holy Qur’an which sheds light on the animal life in various contexts. The verse in Surah AlNur,”And God has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs: and some that walk on four. God creates what He wills; for verily God has power over all things.” (Qur’an 24:45) The Holy Qur’an mentions some of the animals, their uses and benefits for mankind and describes the animal kingdom, with its wonderful diversity, beauty and charm. A few passages of the Holy Qur’an reflect the Grace and the Beneficence of The Creator to Man. The production process in the animal world is referred to in these words,”That He did create the pairs,-male and female, from a sperm-drop when lodged (in its place).” (Qur’an 53:45-46) In Surah Al-Zukhruf, we read, “And Who has created pairs in all things, and has made for you ships and cattle on which ye ride.” (Qur’an 43:12) In Surah Al-An’am, different kinds of cattle are mentioned in which are great benefits for mankind. “Of the cattle are some for burden and some for meat.” (Qur’an 6:142) In Surah Al-Nahl, we read, “And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat. And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning. And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful. And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge. The Almighty alone can show the right path but there are ways that turn side; if God had willed, He could have guided all of you.” (Qur’an 16:5-9) The Holy Qur’an mentions the existence of animal communities like those of humans which are well-developed in their organization and planning. It describes the community of bees in these words, “And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and follow the ways of Thy Lord made smooth: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily this is a sign for those who give thought.” (Qur’an 16:68-69) The community of spiders and their behavior is mentioned in these words, “The parable of those who take protectors other than God is that of the Spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the Spider’s house; - if they but knew.” (Qur’an 29:41) And the Holy Qur’an mentions yet another most revealing and inspiring benefit in the cattle in these words, “And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive Sign. From what is within their bodies, between excretions and blood, We produce, for drink, milk, pure agreeable to those who drink it.” In this verse is a reference “to the most wonderful process of the formation of the pure milk in the bellies of the she-cattle, for the fodder they eat turns to blood, filth and pure milk, which is altogether different from the first in its nature, color and usefulness.” The Qur’an devotes considerable attention to the origin of man and mentions the facts of his creation on several occasions in different contexts for the benefit of mankind. “Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?” (Qur’an 71:14) He is also reminded of his humble and lowly origin. “O Man! What has seduced thee from Thy Lord Most Merciful? Him Who created thee, fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias.” (Qur’an 82:6-7) And in Surah Al-Tar’iq, we read, “He is created from a drop emitted-preceding from between the backbone and the ribs.” (Qur’an 86:6-7) The fertilization process takes place with a very small quantity of liquid, not visible to the naked human eye. “Then We place him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed; then we made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be God, the Best to create!” (Qur’an 23:13-14) All these references to the process of egg fertilization and its growth by stages in the womb is a clear indication that Mohammed (S.A.W) was given this knowledge by the Creator Himself so that man may realize, and reflect on, his position in relation to God Almighty and learn a lesson for his right guidance and follow the Right Path. Deep study of animal life and its process of creation brings man straight to His Creator because without the existence of The Almighty, The Omnipotent and All-Merciful, such a wonderful animal kingdom is beyond human comprehension and understanding. Miracles of the Qur’an
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