Welcome to our weekly program "Path towards Enlightenment" in which we present you a fluent and easy-to-understand explanation of the ayahs of the holy Qur’an.

We start with ayah 12 of Surah Fatir.

 “Not alike are the two seas: this one sweet and agreeable, pleasant to drink, and that one briny and bitter, and from each you eat fresh meat and obtain ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through them, that you may seek of His grace, and so that you may give thanks.”

If you remember, two weeks ago, in the last programme of this series, we talked about the powers of the Almighty Creator, the All-Wise Who created this wonderful universe and made mankind the best of creation by bestowing upon them gift of the intellect and the power of speech. The ayah that we now recited refers to the one of the most manifest signs God, that is, the bodies of water, which are of two kinds, either salty and saline, or sweet and drinkable. But in both of them, God has provided fresh food and ornaments for human beings, in the form of varieties of fish and the pearls that emerge from sea shells.

In this ayah, three benefits out of the abundant benefits of the seas and oceans have been mentioned: that is, foodstuff, means of ornament, and the subject of transportation. We know that the seas are one of the important sources of man’s foodstuff, and every year millions of tons of fresh fish are taken from them for human consumption. God Almighty has arranged a perfect programme in this regard so that men can enjoy this vast blessing.

Different kinds of ornaments, such as: shell, pearls and coral are drawn harvested from the seas. The emphasis of the holy Qur’an on this subject is to point out, that contrary to the animals, the human being is multi-dimensional and appreciates beauty in the world of creation.

As for the subject of transportation, which is one of the most important aspects of human civilization including social life, the seas and oceans that cover the main part of the surface of the earth, are a source of blessing for mankind.

The amount of the goods that are transported on the seas and the number of passengers ferried from one place to another is so large that they cannot be compared with any other means of vehicle. Of course, the benefits of the seas are not limited to what was said in this ayah. The formation of clouds, the rains, and the substances we derive from the seas for the industry are among the countless Divine favours, for which we ought to be thankful to God Almighty.

From this ayah we learn that:

1. Seas and oceans are one of the important sources of procuring food that God has provided for humans free of charge, but of course, with proper toil.
2. The course of human life, like large water bodies, is sometimes sweet and sometimes salty and bitter.
3. The sea also yields ornamental objects likes pearls, corals, etc.

Now we listen to ayah 13 of Surah Fatir:

“He makes the night pass into the day and makes the day pass into the night, and He has disposed the sun and the moon, each moving for a specified term. That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs all sovereignty. As for those whom you invoke besides Him, they do not control so much as the husk of a date stone.”

This ayah refers to another sign of nature that determine day and night as the spherical earth rotating on its orbit revolved around the sun, so that all inhabitants avail of both light and darkness that are essential part of life. The ayah refers to the orderly functioning of the heavenly bodies, including the earth, the sun, and the moon. This orderly functioning determines the four seasons of the year, and the growth of plants, trees, and other forms of vegetation that provides human beings with fruits, vegetables, and flowers for fragrance and decoration. This is all indication of the Infinite Power and Wisdom of God Almighty.

In the darkness of the night, the moon, like a great mirror, reflects light and in the absence of sunshine, it does not allow absolute darkness to engulf the earth, so that travelers, whether on land or sea, chart out their ways.

Of course, mankind must not make the fatal mistake of indulging in polytheism by worshipping the heavenly bodies or the phenomena of nature, all of which have a specified life, and will perish, including the torrid sun, the luminous moon, and the sparkling stars.

The gist of the ayah is monotheism, coupled with divine justice and divine favours. It is a warning to the polytheists that no person or object has absolute power of its own except God Almighty, while the seemingly powerful things do not control so much as the husk of a date stone.

From this ayah we learn that:

1. The laws of nature are based on Divine Will and nothing happens without the commandment of the One and Only God.
2. The orderly cycle of day and night, and the seasons of the year, is not something accidental, but indicates the purpose of creation and the wisdom of God.
3. The whole universe functions in an orderly manner, and has a specified period of life that will end as per Divine Will.
4. Only the One and Only Creator is worthy of worship, and beside Him no one else, since none has any independent existence or power of its own.

FK/AS/SS