The Family of Imran, The House of Imran — Verse 190

The Proofs of Tawhid for People of Understanding, their Characteristics, Speech, and Supplications Allah said, إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ (Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the Earth,) 3:190, referring to the sky in its height and spaciousness, the earth in its expanse and density, the tremendous features they have of rotating planets, seas, mountains, deserts, trees, plants, fruits, animals, metals and various beneficial colors, scents, tastes and elements. وَاخْتِلَـفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ (And in the alternation of night and day), as one follows and takes from the length of the other. For instance, at times one of them becomes longer than the other, shorter than the other at times and equal to the other at other times, and the same is repeated again and again, and all this occurs by the decision of the Almighty, Most Wise. This is why Allah said, لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ (there are indeed signs for men of understanding), referring to the intelligent and sound minds that contemplate about the true reality of things, unlike the deaf and mute who do not have sound comprehension. Allah said about the latter type, وَكَأَيِّن مِّن ءَايَةٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ - وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ مُّشْرِكُونَ (And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom. And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him) 12:105,106. Allah then describes those who have good minds, الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَـماً وَقُعُوداً وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ (Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides) 3:191. Al-Bukhari recorded that `Imran bin Husayn said that, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «صَلِّ قَائِمًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْب» (Pray while standing, and if you can't, pray while sitting, and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side.) These people remember Allah in all situations, in their heart and speech, وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ (and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the Earth), contemplating about signs in the sky and earth that testify to the might, ability, knowledge, wisdom, will and mercy of the Creator. Allah criticizes those who do not contemplate about His creation, which testifies to His existence, Attributes, Shari`ah, His decree and Ayat. Allah said, وَكَأَيِّن مِّن ءَايَةٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ - وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ مُّشْرِكُونَ (And how many a sign in the heavens and the Earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom. And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him) 12:105,106. Allah also praises His believing servants, الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَـماً وَقُعُوداً وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ (Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth), supplicating; رَبَّنَآ مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَـطِلاً ("Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose,") You did not create all this in jest and play. Rather, You created it in truth, so that You recompense those who do evil in kind, and reward those who do righteous deeds with what is better. The faithful believers praise Allah and deny that He does anything in jest and without purpose, saying, سُبْحَـنَكَ ("glory to You,"), for You would never create anything without purpose, فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ("Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire."), meaning, "O You Who created the creation in truth and justice, Who is far from any shortcomings, or doing things without purpose or with jest, save us from the torment of the Fire with Your power and strength. Direct us to perform the deeds that make You pleased with us. Guide us to righteous work from which You admit us into the delightful Paradise, and save us from Your painful torment." They next supplicate, رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ ("Our Lord! Verily, whom You admit to the Fire, indeed, You have disgraced him;), by humiliating and disgracing him before all people on the Day of Gathering, وَمَا لِلظَّـلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ< ("and never will the wrongdoers find any helpers."), on the Day of Judgment, who would save them from You. Therefore, there is no escaping whatever fate You decided for them. رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِياً يُنَادِى لِلإِيمَـنِ ("Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to faith,"), a caller who calls to faith, referring to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, أَنْ ءَامِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَامَنَّا (`Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed), accepted his call and followed him. رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا ("Our Lord! Forgive us our sins"), on account of our faith and obeying Your Prophet فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا ("Forgive us our sins"), and cover them, وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَـتِنَا ("and expiate from us our evil deeds"), between us and You, in private, وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الاٌّبْرَارِ ("and make us die along with Al-Abrar."), join us with the righteous people. رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَى رُسُلِكَ ("Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers") for our faith in Your Messengers, or, and this explanation is better; grant us what You promised us by the words of Your Messengers, وَلاَ تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ("and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection,"), before all creation, إِنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ("for You never break (Your) Promise."), for surely, the promise that You conveyed to Your Messengers, which includes us being resurrected before You, shall certainly come to pass. It was the Prophet's tradition to recite the ten Ayat at the end of Surah Al `Imran when he woke up at night for (voluntary) prayer. Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "I slept one night at the house of my aunt, Maymunah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke with his wife for a while and then went to sleep. When it was the third part of the night, he stood up, looked at the sky and recited, إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ (Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding) 3:190. The Prophet then stood up, performed ablution, used Siwak (to clean his teeth) and prayed eleven units of prayer. When Bilal said the Adhan, the Prophet prayed two units of prayer, went out (to the Masjid) and led the people in the Dawn prayer." This was also collected by Muslim. Ibn Marduwyah recorded that `Ata' said, "I, Ibn `Umar and `Ubayd bin `Umayr went to `A'ishah and entered her room, and there was a screen between us and her. She said, `O `Ubayd! What prevents you from visiting us' He said, `What the poet said, `Visit every once in a while, and you will be loved more.' Ibn `Umar said, `Tell us about the most unusual thing you witnessed from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' She cried and said, `All his matters were amazing. On night, he came close to me until his skin touched my skin and said, `Let me worship my Lord.' I said, `By Allah I love your being close to me. I also love that you worship your Lord.' He used the water-skin and performed ablution, but did not use too much water. He then stood up in prayer and cried until his beard became wet. He prostrated and cried until he made the ground wet. He then laid down on his side and cried. When Bilal came to alert the Prophet for the Dawn prayer, he said, `O Messenger of Allah! What makes you cry, while Allah has forgiven you your previous and latter sins' He said, «وَيْحَكَ يَا بِلَالُ، وَمَا يَمْنَعُنِي أَنْ أَبْكِيَ، وَقَدْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ فِي هذِهِ اللَّيْلَة» (O Bilal! What prevents me from crying, when this night, this Ayah was revealed to me,) إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ (Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.) (Woe to he who recites it but does not contemplate it.)."

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the marvels contained in them and in the alternation of night and day coming and going increasing and diminishing there are signs indications of God’s power for people of pith for people possessing intellects.

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alterna- tion of night and day there are signs for people of pith. Those who remember God standing and sitting and on their sides The signs which the Real ������ presents to ordinary people are from the lessons and the vestiges [of people gone by] in the regions [of the heavens and the earth]. The signs which He presents to the elect are within their souls. [God] ������ said �We shall show them Our signs in the horizons and in their own souls� [41:53]. The outer signs lead to the knowledge of certainty ʿilm al-yaqīn while the inner signs lead to the eye of certainty ʿayn al-yaqīn. The alternation ikhtilāf of night and day alludes to the different responses ikhtilāf to the night among the servants. The nights of the people of communion are short and the nights of the people of separation are long. [Someone] said: Months pass- we have not noticed their midpoints nor their ends. And he said: For you morning is drunkenness and the night a hangover. You slept even as the days of happiness were short. A second [poet] said: After they departed the nights were long in so many ways- [once short] the night of the lovers is [now] long. A third [poet] had nothing to say about the length or brevity of the night for he said because of what had overwhelmed him: How should I know whether the night was long or notḍ How can one who is on fire know thatḍ If I had paid attention to the length of the night I would have been deprived of watching the stars. For people of pith: The people of pith ulū l-albāb are those whose intellects have been kept sound from the drunkenness of forgetfulness and inattention. The sign of one like this is that his gaze will be through the Real. When he gazes from the Real to the Real his gaze is in the right direction. But when he gazes from created beings and things to the Real his thoughts are thrown into upheaval which causes a state of confusion. Those who remember God standing and sitting: Remembrance dhikr permeates their every moment. If they stand it is in remembrance of Him.

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alterna- tion of night and day there are signs for people of pith. Those who remember God standing and sitting and on their sides The signs which the Real ������ presents to ordinary people are from the lessons and the vestiges [of people gone by] in the regions [of the heavens and the earth]. The signs which He presents to the elect are within their souls. [God] ������ said �We shall show them Our signs in the horizons and in their own souls� [41:53]. The outer signs lead to the knowledge of certainty ʿilm al-yaqīn while the inner signs lead to the eye of certainty ʿayn al-yaqīn. The alternation ikhtilāf of night and day alludes to the different responses ikhtilāf to the night among the servants. The nights of the people of communion are short and the nights of the people of separation are long. [Someone] said: Months pass- we have not noticed their midpoints nor their ends. And he said: For you morning is drunkenness and the night a hangover. You slept even as the days of happiness were short. A second [poet] said: After they departed the nights were long in so many ways- [once short] the night of the lovers is [now] long. A third [poet] had nothing to say about the length or brevity of the night for he said because of what had overwhelmed him: How should I know whether the night was long or notḍ How can one who is on fire know thatḍ If I had paid attention to the length of the night I would have been deprived of watching the stars. For people of pith: The people of pith ulū l-albāb are those whose intellects have been kept sound from the drunkenness of forgetfulness and inattention. The sign of one like this is that his gaze will be through the Real. When he gazes from the Real to the Real his gaze is in the right direction. But when he gazes from created beings and things to the Real his thoughts are thrown into upheaval which causes a state of confusion. Those who remember God standing and sitting: Remembrance dhikr permeates their every moment. If they stand it is in remembrance of Him.

إن في خلق السموات والأرض على غير مثال سابق، وفي تعاقُب الليل والنهار، واختلافهما طولا وقِصَرًا لدلائل وبراهين عظيمة على وحدانية الله لأصحاب العقول السليمة.

قال الطبراني: حدثنا الحسين بن إسحاق التستري حدثنا يحيى الحماني حدثنا يعقوب القمي عن جعفر بن أبي المغيرة عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس قال: أتت قريش اليهود فقالوا: بم جاءكم موسى؟ قالوا عصاه ويده بيضاء للناظرين. وأتوا النصارى فقالوا كيف كان عيسى؟ قالوا: كان يبرىء الأكمه والأبرص ويحيى الموتى: فأتوا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالوا: ادع الله أن يجعل لنا الصفا ذهبا فدعا ربه فنزلت هذه الآية "إن في خلق السموات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار لآيات لأولي الألباب" فليتفكروا فيها. وهذا مشكل فإن هذه الآية مدنية وسؤالهم أن يكون الصفا ذهبا كان بمكة والله أعلم. ومعنى الآية أن الله تعالى يقول "إن في خلق السموات والأرض" أي هذه في ارتفاعها واتساعها وهذه في انخفاضها وكثافتها واتضاعها وما فيهما من الآيات المشاهدة العظيمة من كواكب سيارات وثوابت وبحار وجبال وقفار وأشجار ونبات وزروع وثمار وحيوان ومعادن ومنافع مختلفة الألوان والطعوم والروائح والخواص "واختلاف الليل والنهار" أي تعاقبهما وتقارضهما الطول والقصر. فتارة يطول هذا ويقصر هذا ثم يعتدلان ثم يأخذ هذا من هذا فيطول الذي كان قصيرا ويقصر الذي كان طويلا وكل ذلك تقدير العزيز العليم ولهذا قال تعالى "لآيات لأولي الألباب" أي العقول التامة الزكية التي تدرك الأشياء بحقائقها على جلياتها. وليسوا كالصم البكم الذين لا يعقلون الذين قال الله فيهم "وكأين من آية في السموات والأرض يمرون عليها وهم عنها معرضون وما يؤمن أكثرهم بالله إلا وهم مشركون.

وبعد أن بين - سبحانه - أن ملك السموات والأرض بقبضته ، أشار - سبحانه - إلى ما فيهما من عبر وعظات فقال : { إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السماوات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار لآيَاتٍ لأُوْلِي الألباب } .أى : إن فى إيجاد السموات والأرض على هذا النحو البديع ، وما فيهما من الآيات المشاهدة العظيمة من كواكب وبحار وزروع وأشجار . . . وفى إيجاد الليل والنهار على تلك الحالة المتعاقبة ، وفى اختلافهما طولا وقصرا . . فى كل ذلك لأمارات واضحة ، وأدلة ساطعة ، لأصحاب العقول السليمة على وحدانية الله - تعالى - وعظيم قدرته ، وباهر حكمته .وصدرت الجملة الكريمة بحرف " إن " للاهتمام بالخبر ، وللاعتناء بتحقيق مضمون الجملة .أى إن فى إيجاد السموات والأرض وإنشائهما على ما هما عليه من العجائب ، وما اشتملتا عليه من البدائع ، وفى اختلاف الليل والنهار . . . إن فى كل ذلك من العبر والعظات ما يحمل كل عاقل على الاعتراف بوحدانية الله ، وكمال قدرته وحكمته .والمراد بأولى الألباب : أصحاب العقول السليمة ، والأفكار المستقيمة ، لأن لب الشىء هو خلاصته وصفوته .ولقد قال الزمخشرى فى صفة أولى الألباب : " هم الذين يفتحون بصائرهم للنظر والاستدلال والاعتبار ، ولا ينظرون إليها نظر البهائم غافلين عما فيها من عجائب الفطرة . وفى الحكم : املأ عينيك من زينة هذه الكواكب ، وأجلهما فى جملة هذه العجائب متفكرا فى قدرة مقدرها ، متدبرا فى حكمة مدبرها قبل أن يسافر بك القدر ، ويحال بينك وبين النظر " .هذا ، وقد أورد المفسرون كثيرا من الآثار فى فضل هذه الآيات العشر التى اختتمت بها سورة آل عمران ، ومن ذلك قول ابن كثير - رحمه الله - :وقد ثبت أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقرأ هذه الآيات العشر من آخر آل عمران إذا قام من الليل لتهجده فقد روى البخارى - رحمه الله - عنابن عباس - رضى الله عنهما - قال : بت عند خالتى ميمونة ، فتحدث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مع أهله ساعة ثم رقد : فلما كان ثلث الليل الآخر قعد فنظر إلى السماء فقال : { إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السماوات والأرض } . . . الآيات .ثم قام فتوضأ واستن ، ثم صلى إحدى عشرة ركعة ، ثم أذن بلال فصلى ركعتين ثم خرج فصلى بالناس الصبح .وروى مسلم وأبو داود والنسائي عن ابن عباس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خرج ذات ليلة بعد ما مضى شطر من الليل فنظر إلى السماء وتلا هذه الآية { إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السماوات والأرض } إلى آخر السورة .ثم قال : " اللهم اجعل فى قلبى نوراً ، وفى سمعى نوراً ، وفى بصرى نوراً ، وعن يمينى نوراً ، وعن شمالى نوراً ، ومن بين يدى نوراً ، ومن خلفى نوراً ، ومن فوقى نوراً ، ومن تحتى نوراً . وأعظم لى نوراً يوم القيامة " .وروى ابن مردويه عن عطاء قال : " انطلقت أنا وابن عمر وعبيد بن عمير إلى عائشة - رضى الله عنها - فدخلنا عليها وبيننا وبينها حجاب فقال لها ابن عمر : أخبرينا بأعجب ما رأيته من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ؟ فبكت وقالت : كل أمره كان عجبا!! أتانى فى ليلتى حتى مسَّ جلده جلدى ثم قال : يا عائشة : ذرينى أتعبد لربى - عز وجل - قالت : فقلت والله أنى لأحب قربك وإنى أحب أن تعبد ربك .فقام إلى القربة فتوضأ ولم يكثر صب الماء ، ثم قام يصلى فبكى حتى بل لحيته ، ثم سجد فبكى حتى بل الأرض ، ثم اضطجع على جنبه فبكى . ثم إذا أتى بلال يؤذنه بصلاة الصبح قالت : فقال : يا رسول الله ما يبكيك وقد غفر الله لك ما تقدم من ذنبك وما تأخر؟ فقال : ويحك يا بلال!! وما يمنعنى أن أبكى وقد أنزل الله على هذه الليلة : { إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السماوات والأرض } إلخ الآيات .ثم قال : ويل لمن يقرأها ولم يتفكر فيها " .

القول في تأويل قوله : إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لآيَاتٍ لأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ (190)قال أبو جعفر: وهذا احتجاج من الله تعالى ذكره على قائل ذلك، وعلى سائر خلقه، بأنه المدبر المصرّف الأشياء والمسخِّر ما أحب، وأن الإغناء والإفقار إليه وبيده، فقال جل ثناؤه: تدبروا أيها الناس واعتبروا، ففيما أنشأته فخلقته من السموات والأرض لمعاشكم وأقواتكم وأرزاقكم، وفيما عقَّبت بينه من الليل والنهار فجعلتهما يختلفان ويعتقبان عليكم، (27) تتصرفون في هذا لمعاشكم، وتسكنون في هذا راحة لأجسادكم= معتبر ومدَّكر، وآيات وعظات. فمن كان منكم ذا لُبٍّ وعقل، يعلم أن من نسبني إلى أنّي فقير وهو غني كاذب مفتر، (28) فإنّ ذلك كله بيدي أقلّبه وأصرّفه، ولو أبطلت ذلك لهلكتم، فكيف ينسب إلى فقر من كان كل ما به عيش ما في السموات والأرض بيده وإليه؟ (29) أم كيف يكون غنيًّا من كان رزقه بيد غيره، إذا شاء رزقه، وإذا شاء حَرَمه؟ فاعتبروا يا أولي الألباب.----------------------الهوامش :(27) عاقب بين الشيئين: راوح بينهما ، لهذا مرة ولذاك مرة. واستعمل الطبري"عقب" مشددة القاف ، بنفس المعنى ، كما يقال: "ضاعف وضعف" ، و"عاقد وعقد". و"اعتقب الليل والنهار" جاء هذا بعد هذا ، دواليك.(28) في المخطوطة: "يعلم أنه أن من نسبي إلى أني فقير وهو غني ، دادب معى" ، وهو كلام مصحف مضطرب ، والذي في المطبوعة أشبه بالصواب إن شاء الله.(29) في المطبوعة: "فكيف ينسب فقر إلى من كان..." ، أخر"إلى" ، والصواب الجيد تقديمها كما في المخطوطة.

( إن في خلق السماوات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار لآيات لأولي الألباب ) أخبرنا الإمام أبو علي الحسين بن محمد القاضي ، أنا أبو نعيم عبد الملك بن الحسين الاسفراييني ، أنا أبو عوانة يعقوب بن إسحاق الحافظ ، أنا أحمد بن عبد الجبار ، أنا ابن فضيل ، عن حصين بن عبد الرحمن ، عن حبيب بن أبي ثابت ، عن محمد بن علي بن عبد الله بن عباس ، عن أبيه عن عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما أنه رقد عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرآه استيقظ فتسوك ثم توضأ وهو يقول : ( إن في خلق السماوات والأرض ) حتى ختم السورة ثم قام فصلى ركعتين فأطال فيهما القيام والركوع والسجود ، ثم انصرف فنام حتى نفخ ثم فعل ذلك ثلاث مرات ست ركعات كل ذلك يستاك ثم يتوضأ ثم يقرأ هؤلاء الآيات ، ثم أوتر بثلاث ركعات ثم أتاه المؤذن فخرج إلى الصلاة وهو يقول : " اللهم اجعل في بصري نورا وفي سمعي نورا وفي لساني نورا واجعل خلفي نورا وأمامي نورا واجعل من فوقي نورا ومن تحتي نورا اللهم أعطني نورا " .ورواه كريب عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما وزاد : " اللهم اجعل في قلبي نورا وفي بصري نورا وفي سمعي نورا وعن يميني نورا وعن يساري نورا " .قوله تعالى : ( لآيات لأولي الألباب ) ذوي العقول ثم وصفهم فقال :

هذا غرض أُنف بالنسبة لما تتابع من أغراض السورة ، انتُقل به من المقدّمات والمقصد والمتخلِّلات بالمناسبات ، إلى غرض جديد هو الاعتبار بخلق العوالم وأعراضها والتنويه بالذين يعتبرون بما فيها من آيات .ومِثْل هذا الانتقال يكون إيذاناً بانتهاء الكلام على أغراض السورة ، على تفنّنها ، فقد كان التنقّل فيها من الغرض إلى مشاكله وقد وقع الانتقال الآن إلى غرض عامّ : وهو الاعتبار بخلق السماوات والأرض وحال المؤمنين في الاتّعاظ بذلك ، وهذا النحو في الانتقال يعرض للخطيب ونحوه من أغراضه عقب إيفائها حقّها إلى غرض آخر إيذاناً بأنّه أشرف على الانتهاء ، وشأن القرآن أن يختم بالموعظة لأنّها أهمّ أغراض الرسالة ، كما وقع في ختام سورة البقرة .وحرف ( إنّ ) للاهتمام بالخبر .والمراد ب { خلْق السماوات والأرض } هنا : إمّا آثار خَلْقِها ، وهو النظام الذي جعل فيها ، وإمّا أن يراد بالخلق المخلوقات كقوله تعالى : { هذا خلق اللَّه } [ لقمان : 11 ] . و { أولو الألباب } أهل العقول الكاملة لأنّ لبّ الشيء هو خلاصته . وقد قدّمنا في سورة البقرة بيان ما في خلق السماوات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار من الآيات عند قوله تعالى : { إن في خلق السموات والأرض واختلاف اللَّيل والنهار والفلك } [ البقرة : 164 ] إلخ .

يخبر تعالى: { إن في خلق السماوات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار لآيات لأولي الألباب } وفي ضمن ذلك حث العباد على التفكر فيها، والتبصر بآياتها، وتدبر خلقها، وأبهم قوله: { آيات } ولم يقل: "على المطلب الفلاني"" إشارة لكثرتها وعمومها، وذلك لأن فيها من الآيات العجيبة ما يبهر الناظرين، ويقنع المتفكرين، ويجذب أفئدة الصادقين، وينبه العقول النيرة على جميع المطالب الإلهية، فأما تفصيل ما اشتملت عليه، فلا يمكن لمخلوق أن يحصره، ويحيط ببعضه، وفي الجملة فما فيها من العظمة والسعة، وانتظام السير والحركة، يدل على عظمة خالقها، وعظمة سلطانه وشمول قدرته. وما فيها من الإحكام والإتقان، وبديع الصنع، ولطائف الفعل، يدل على حكمة الله ووضعه الأشياء مواضعها، وسعة علمه. وما فيها من المنافع للخلق، يدل على سعة رحمة الله، وعموم فضله، وشمول بره، ووجوب شكره. وكل ذلك يدل على تعلق القلب بخالقها ومبدعها، وبذل الجهد في مرضاته، وأن لا يشرك به سواه، ممن لا يملك لنفسه ولا لغيره مثقال ذرة في الأرض ولا في السماء. وخص الله بالآيات أولي الألباب، وهم أهل العقول؛ لأنهم هم المنتفعون بها، الناظرون إليها بعقولهم لا بأبصارهم."

قوله تعالى : إن في خلق السماوات والأرض تقدم معنى هذه الآية في " البقرة " في غير موضع . فختم تعالى هذه السورة بالأمر بالنظر والاستدلال في آياته ; إذ لا تصدر إلا عن حي قيوم قدير وقدوس سلام غني عن العالمين ، حتى يكون إيمانهم مستندا إلى اليقين لا إلى التقليد .لآيات لأولي الألباب الذين يستعملون عقولهم في تأمل الدلائل . وروي عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أنها قالت لما نزلت هذه الآية على النبي قام يصلي ، فأتاه بلال يؤذنه بالصلاة ، فرآه يبكي فقال : يا رسول الله ، أتبكي وقد غفر الله لك ما تقدم من ذنبك وما تأخر ! فقال : يا بلال : أفلا أكون عبدا شكورا ، ولقد أنزل الله علي الليلة آية إن في خلق السماوات والأرض واختلاف الليل والنهار لآيات لأولي الألباب - ثم قال : ( ويل لمن قرأها ولم يتفكر فيها ) .قال العلماء : يستحب لمن انتبه من نومه أن يمسح على وجهه ، ويستفتح قيامه بقراءة هذه العشر الآيات اقتداء بالنبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ثبت ذلك في الصحيحين وغيرهما وسيأتي ، ثم [ ص: 291 ] يصلي ما كتب له ، فيجمع بين التفكر والعمل ، وهو أفضل العمل على ما يأتي بيانه في هذه الآية بعد هذا . وروي عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - كان يقرأ عشر آيات من آخر سورة " آل عمران " كل ليلة ، خرجه أبو نصر الوائلي السجستاني الحافظ في كتاب " الإبانة " من حديث سليمان بن موسى عن مظاهر بن أسلم المخزومي عن المقبري عن أبي هريرة . وقد تقدم أول السورة عن عثمان قال : من قرأ آخر آل عمران في ليلة كتب له قيام ليلة .

The universe with its whole existence is a silent declaration of God’s presence. When man removes the man-made veils from his eyes and unstops his ears, he starts seeing and hearing this silent announcement all around him. It then appears improbable to him that, in a universe where the stars and the planets have continued to exist for millions of years, man may cease to exist within fifty or a hundred years, taking with him to his grave all his desires and aspirations. In a world which abounds in the beauties of nature, with the fragrance of flowers, where countless meaningful blessings, like air, water and the sun have been provided, should man’s end be nothing but only sorrow and suffering? Then he also finds it unthinkable that, in a world of limitless possibilities where, just by sowing seeds in the ground, a whole forest of trees comes into existence, one should fail to receive the fruits of virtuous actions; that in a world where the sun shines daily after the dark night, centuries go by without being illuminated by the lustre of fairness and justice; that in a world where earthquakes and tempests lie dormant, man should continue to perpetrate tyranny and oppression without ever being checked.

Verse 189 appearing immediately earlier particularly and strongly stressed upon Tauhid, the Oneness of Allah. So, the verse (190) which follows here, presents the proof of Tauhid and, along with it, mentions the merit of those who act strictly in accordance with the dictates of Tauhid and, by implication, it also motivates others to do the same. In addition, the earlier mention of pain caused by the disbelievers bears congruity to the verses appearing presently. This can be under-stood in the background in which the disbelievers, out of hostility, requested the Holy Prophet ﷺ that he should turn Mount Safa into solid gold. Thereupon, this verse was revealed indicating that there were so many proofs confirming the Truth all around them - why would they not deliberate in them? As for the reality of their request to the Holy Prophet ﷺ it was not motivated to find out the Truth. Instead, it was out of hostility - so, they would have still not believed, even if their request was granted. Commentary The background of Revelation Commenting on the background of revelation concerning these verses, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih and Ibn ` Asakir in his History have reported that the Companion ` Ata ibn Abi Rabah ؓ went to Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ and said to her: 'Of the things about the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، tell me what you saw as most unique out of the many states of his life.' Thereupon, Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ said: 'Which state are you talking about? In reality, everything about him was unique. Yet, I would tell you about one very unique event. It so happened that the noble Prophet, may Allah bless and protect him, came to me one night and entered into the comforter with me. Then, he said: 'Allow me to worship my Lord.' He rose from the bed, made وضو Wudu and stood up for Salah. And in this standing position of قیام Qiyam, he wept, so much so that his tears trickled down his blessed chest. Then, he bent down for Ruk’ u رکوع and there too he wept. Then he did his Sajdah and kept weeping in the Sajdah very much like before. Then, he raised his head and continued weeping until came the morning. Sayyidna Bilal ؓ came in and informed him about the time of the صلاۃ الفجر Fajr Salah. Sayyidna Bilal ؓ says: I submitted: 'my master, why do you weep like that? Is'nt it that Allah Almighty has forgiven you all your past and future sins?' He said: 'So then, should I not continue to be a grateful servant of Allah? And in offering this gratitude of mine, why should I not shed tears, especially tonight when Allah Almighty has revealed this blessed verse to me: --- إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْ‌ضِ Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth... (190) After that he said: "Ruined is the person who recited these verses but failed to deliberate therein." So, in order to deliberate into this verse, let us begin by answering some questions first. What does 'the creation of the heavens and the earth' mean? Since خَلْق Khalq is a verbal noun which signifies creation or origination, it means that there are, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, great signs of Allah Almighty. Therefore, all those Divinely created beings and things in the heavens and the earth also get to be included therein. Then, among these created beings there are kingdoms after kingdoms - each having different types and states - yet each and every such created being is comprehensively pointing out to its Creator. Then, going a little deeper, one would discover that 'the heavens' is inclusive of all heights and 'the earth' covers all lows. Thus, high or low, all dimensions owe their existence to Allah Almighty. The different forms of 'the alternation of the night and day' Let us now determine the meaning of 'the alternation of the night and day'. The word اخْتِلَاف 'Ikhtilaf translated here as 'alternation' is derived from the Arabic usage: اَختلفِ فلان فلاناً (Such and such person arrived after such and such person). So, the Arabic expression translated as the alternation of the night and day' means that the night goes and the day comes and when the day goes, night comes. The word اخْتِلَاف Ikhtilaf translated here as 'alternation' could also be taken to mean increase or decrease. For example, during winter, the night is long and the day is short; while during the summer, the order is reversed. Similarly, the difference between the night and day is also mused by the difference in the geographical location of countries. For example, countries closer to the North Pole have longer days as compared to areas farther away from it. So, it should not be difficult to infer from each such phenomena the essential proof of the most perfect power of Allah Almighty. What is the meaning of the word, آیت Ayat ? Ayat (آیت) is the plural of Ayah (آیہ) and is used to express more than one single meaning. Miracles are known as آیت Ayat. It is also applied to the verses of the Holy Qur'an. It is also used in a third sense, that of proof and sign. Here, in the present context, this very third sense is what is intended - meaning that, in these manifestations, there are great signs of Allah, and the proofs of His power. Wise are those who believe in Allah and always remember Him To determine the meaning of the expression أُولِي الْأَلْبَاب ، we look into the word 'albab' which is the plural of لُب lub. Lexically, it means the essence. Since the essence of everything is its sum-total and the key to its nature and uses, therefore, human wisdom has been called lub, for wisdom is the essence of human nature. Thus, أَلْبَاب 'albab' means the people of wisdom'. Now the problem before us is how to identify the people of wisdom because the whole world claims to be wise. Not even a moron would be ready to admit being devoid of wisdom, reason or sense. Therefore, the Holy Qur'an has told us about some signs which are, in fact, the most sound criterion of wisdom. The first such sign is Faith in Allah. Think of the knowledge which comes from the senses such as hearing, seeing, smelling and tasting and communication, something also found in non-rational animals. Now, it is the job of wisdom or reason to arrive, through signs, circumstantial evidence and proofs, at a particular conclusion which is beyond sense-perception and through which it may become possible to grasp the final link of the chain of causes. Keeping this rule in view, just think about this universe around us. It should not be too difficult to realize that this wonderfully organised system - comprising the heavens and the earth and containing the whole of creation in between them which is further streamlined by the most deft management of everything, big or small, existing therein - certainly points out to a special Being that has to be the highest and the foremost in terms of Knowledge, Wisdom, Power and Authority. A Being who originated and fashioned all these components with the wisest of consideration and under Whose intention and will this whole system keeps operating. That Being, as obvious, can only be that of the most-exalted Allah. How well some spiritual master has put it in a few words: ہر گیا ہے کہ از زمین روید وَحدَہُ لَا شَرِ‌يكَ لَهُ گوید Every blade of grass sprouting from the earth Says: He is One; there are no partners in Him.

Allah then exposited on the sign of His ability to the unbelievers of Mecca when they said: " O Muhammad, bring us a clear sign to prove what you are saying " , saying: (Lo! In the creation of the heavens) in that which We created in the heavens of angels, the sun, moon, stars and clouds (and the earth) and in the creation of the earth and what is in it of mountains, seas, trees and beasts (and (in) the difference of night and day) and in the alternation of day and night (are tokens (of His sovereignty)) signs of His divine Oneness (for men of understanding) for those among them who have reasons,