In order to understand the Qur’an properly, one has to appreciate language at the very least. The Qur’an has been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) via language, the language that the Arab people used to speak. However, it is a divine speech, verbatim and word-for-word from God. It is the highest and the most perfect forms of communication via language.
The Qur’an communicates effectively. It uses the best way to convince people. It gives the best and most meaningful examples. It uses imagery. It compels the audience to use the brain in order to get the message rather than conveying the message directly because probably this way the meaning will be grasped better.
For example, in order to convey the fact that human beings are greedy and stingy, Allah gives the most eloquent example, “Say to them, O Prophet, “Even if you were to possess the infinite treasuries of my Lord’s mercy, then you would certainly withhold them, fearing they would run out—for humankind is ever stingy!” [17:100] Nothing can express the stinginess of people than this example. No matter how much one can possess, even it were the unlimited treasures of God, people are still afraid of running out of them.
When it comes to the application of logic, the examples are many. For example, with regard to the belief in the Resurrection, the Qur’an often uses a logical method in order to convince people. Allah says in the context when someone is dying, “If you claim that you will not be held accountable after death, bring that soul back if what you’re saying is true.” [56: 86-87]
Apparently, one might argue that there is no logical connection between not believing in the resurrection and not being able to stop someone from dying. Well, there is a logical argument here. The Qur’an demands that people should use a fact that they can witness as a logical basis in order to approach the unseen or what is more complicated.
In this case, the Qur’an is saying to those who deny the Resurrection: do you accept that you do not have power to stop someone from dying? If this is the case, which means you are very weak and very limited in power and ability, how dare you then make such a bold claim that there is no resurrection after death. The Qur’an is telling people to be humble and think as opposed to making confident claims, such as the denial of the day of judgement, while they know very well that they are very limited in capability, such as not being able to stop someone from death.
If you don’t have the power to stop someone from dying, which is a well agreed upon fact, don’t speak with confidence that there is no judgement or no resurrection. You don’t know what’s going to happen after death because you don’t know how to stop someone from dying, so your knowledge and power are very limited. Therefore, listen to the One Who has that ability and knowledge – the Creator.
Sabri Lushi
