Power and proofs
“They said, “Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?”
Quran 21:62-70
He said: “Nay, this was done by – this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!”
So they turned to themselves and said, “Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!”
Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), “Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!”(Abraham) said, “Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?
Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allah. Then will you not use reason?”
They said, “Burn him and support your gods – if you are to act.”
Allah said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”
And they intended for him harm, but We made them the greatest losers.
Faith has a strong argument. Many people think that the argument of faith is: belief in God, just in case there is a hell and heaven-a safety net to protect one from the worst case scenario. That is simply not true.
The attached video on the wisdom of trials and tribulations is by Shaykh Ash Sharaawy. He mentions the proof that Prophet Abraham, upon him peace presented to his people and the importance of understanding this proof. I will not translate the whole video; however, if one is interested – they can listen to the entire video as he explains the wisdom in trials and tribulations. He gives a great point on power and proof.
When a trial happens, know there is a pearl of great wisdom. Is it a punishment or a test? Look at your actions, not feelings. If they align with the sacred law, there is higher wisdom that you must surrender to. If not, then you might have violated the sacred law, and God is waking you up to repent, which is a blessing and a sign of His loving concern for you.
People always see accountability by God as a bad thing. Instead, it is a good thing. A case in point is Satan. If God lets you go after you did something wrong, it is because – He saw nothing good in you and does not wish to purify you, so delusion is your punishment in this world and hellfire in the hereafter.
The prophets came with proofs as clear as day to humanity. At first, people had to bear witness to their character and honesty. They would acknowledge they were a noble and trustworthy citizen amongst them. The prophets were not common folk who lived unethical lives and suddenly decided to preach God to people for attention.
Proofs – were of the kind that showed the power of God over His creation and the universe. They cannot be replicated. For example, if Abraham fell in the fire, and wind or rain blew out the fire, that is not proof. Another example he gave is if Prophet Ibrahim, upon him peace, escaped them and the chiefs could not throw him in the fire, then this is not proof. Both can be replicated. However, for Prophet Ibrahim, upon him peace, to be thrown into the fire, and the fire which is known to burn people – to be ordered by God to be cool to Ibrahim – that is a proof of God’s power and that Prophet Ibrahim, upon him peace, is speaking the truth. It cannot be replicated.
We studied the mechanics of creation and the biological matter that we are made of, yet, we cannot bring a soul back to life. We can freeze embryos or implant them in surrogate mothers, yet we cannot bring them back to life. Jesus, upon him peace, was given the power to bring the dead back to life – to show He was sent by God. We cannot replicate this.
“O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”
The fire is under the command of God. The community bore witness with their own eyes that the fire only burned the ropes that bound Ibrahim, upon him peace. The fire was peaceful and cool as the smoke suffocated them. The fire kept burning, its smoke darkening their faces, a reflection of their dark hearts, as they waited for it to burn out. When it did, to their amazement, Prophet Ibrahim, upon him peace, walked out of the fire, face bright with spiritual light, untouched by the fire as if he was walking out of a garden.
“And they intended for him harm, but We made them the greatest losers.”
Imagine working very hard to harm someone, and it backfires in your face in front of everyone. The same happened with the Pharaoh and Moses, upon him peace. Despite the evidence right before them, and their souls acknowledging that they were wrong, they could not surrender to the truth witnessed as clear as day. In this way, God guards the message He sends with His Prophets to humanity. If you look through the Quran, people plot and plan, and God allows their plans to unfold; however, they only unfold to the command and power of God. In this way, truth is separated from falsehood.I mentioned in earlier blogs that God allows falsehood to prevail before the truth comes and knocks out its brains.An example would be if someone kills you or a loved one in this day and age. Well, one day, they too will die. We will all die.
“And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth];
Quran 21:34-35
so if you die – would they be eternal?
Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.”
So, getting rid of someone in this life simply pushes the person into the next world as Joseph’s brothers threw him into the well or into slavery. Eventually, we will die, and just like Joseph’s brothers were forced to seek help in Egypt – coming face to face with Joseph, we will also die and come face to face with those that killed or harmed loved ones or us, or vice versa. The oppressors will be under the mercy and power of those they oppressed.
The Shaykh goes into more detail on trials and tribulations from Chapter 18. However, I will not discuss the examples he gave. You are welcome to listen to them for greater understanding. The critical point or lesson to derive is that trials and tribulations manifest God’s power over His creation and universe. They are reminders to turn to Him or surrender to His Divine Plan. When people’s evil plans hit the prophets, God allows them to do so, to verify, confirm, and strengthen the argument of truth and faith.