Proofs of Resurrection and Its Commencement (1/4)
Shawna A. Aziz
In the initial verses of Soorah an-Naba, Allah cited four proofs we witness in this worldly life that testify to the Great Power and Ability of Allah to resurrect.
Imam Shanqitee (rahimahullah) enumerates these four proofs in his famous Tafseer, ‘Adwaul-Bayan,’ he writes, ‘It is known that the proofs of resurrection are four…’
Creation of The Earth And The Heavens
Allah informed us about them in the following verses of Soorah an-Naba, “Have We not made the earth as a bed,” and His Saying, “And We have built above you seven strong (heavens), And have made (therein) a shining lamp (sun).” [Soorah an-Naba (78): 6-7 and 12-13]
These verses speak about cosmology (a scientific study of the origin and structure of the universe) and testify to the Ability of Allah to recreate mankind as He says (in Soorah al-Ghafir (40): 57), “The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind; yet, most of the people do not know... Verily, the Hour is surely coming, there is no doubt about it, yet most men believe not.”
Additional Note
Imam Ibn Katheer writes in the Tafseer of the above-mentioned verse (40): 57, “Allah tells us that He will bring back His creation on the Day of Resurrection. That is very easy for Him, because He created the heavens and the earth... He, Who is able to do that (i.e., create heavens and earth), is able to do anything that is less than that (for example, resurrect his creation).
Allah says, “Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, was not wearied (tired) by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead. Yes, He surely is able to do all things.” [Soorah al-Ahqaf (46): 33]
“…Many of the (pagan) Arabs affirmed that Allah created the heavens and the earth, but they denied and rejected the idea of resurrection; they acknowledged something which was greater than that which they denied.” [end quote]
Revival of The Earth Through Vegetation
Concerning revival of the earth through vegetation, Allah says in Soorah an-Naba, verses 14-16, “And have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water. That We may produce therewith corn and vegetation, And gardens of thick growth.” and His Saying, “And among His Signs (is this), that you see the earth barren (and lifeless with no growth), but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetation). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, (He) is Able to give life to the dead. Indeed!HeisAbletodoall things.” [Soorah Fussilat (41): 39]
Additional Note
In Soorah al-A’raf (7): 57, Allah explains that revival of the earth by sending down rain is a Sign of Resurrection, He says, “And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy (i.e., rain). Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead, then We cause water (rain) to descend thereon. Then We produce every kind of fruit therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember or take heed.” meaning, just as We bring life to the dead land after rainfall, We shall raise up the dead on the Day of Resurrection.
After Allah sends down rain from the sky, the corpses will grow in their graves, just as the seeds grow in the ground on receiving rain, Abu Hurayrah related from the Prophet,
“…Allah will send down rain from the sky and the dead body will sprout just as a green plant sprouts. Every part of the last person will deteriorate except for one bone, and it is the coccyx bone (tailbone). From it, the creation will be assembled on the Day of Judgement.” [Quoted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Hence, Allah often mentions the similarity between bringing life to dead land through the sprouting of green plants/vegetation and the raising up of the dead on the Day of Judgement. “Allah is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spreads them along the sky as He wills, and then breaks them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall on whom of His slaves as He wills, lo! they rejoice! And verily before that (rain), just before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair! Look then at the effects (results) of Allah’s Mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily! That (Allah) Who revived the earth after its death shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things.” [Soorah ar-Rum (30): 48-50]
Origination of Man from ‘Adam’ (non-existence)
Regarding this Allah says in Soorah an-Naba, “And We have created youin pairs.” i.e., in categories as Allah says in Soorah Ya-Sin, “Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah. Yet behold, he (stands forth) as an open opponent. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says, “Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust.” Say, “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time!” [Soorah Ya-Sin (36): 77-79]
Additional Note
Repeating The Creation Is Even Easier
“And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it; and this is easier for Him.” [Soorah ar-Rum (30):27]
Mujahid said, “Repeating it is easier for Him than originating it, and originating it is (also) easy for Him.”
The Prophet said, “Allah says, “The son of Aadam denied Me, and he had no right to do so. And he reviled Me, and he had no right to do so. As for his denying Me, it is his saying, “He will not remake me as He originated me” - while originating the creation is not easier for Me than re-creating him. As for his reviling Me, it is his saying, “Allah has taken to Himself a son,” while I am the One, the Self-Sufficient Master; I beget not, nor was I begotten, and there is none comparable to Me.” [Reported by Saheeh al-Bukharee]
(Continued)