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The heavens and the earth are full of proofs for the believers. (45:3)
What does God mean when He tells us that there are proofs all around us? I think it's something we need to reflect on. I think it's a great gift that He has given us. When He gave us this final chance at redemption, He might have simply left us here with only our instinctive knowledge that He is our Lord and we need to worship Him (7:172, 30:30). Very, very few would ever make it back to Him with no guidelines at all. In His incredible mercy, He provided much more than that. He sent messengers, He sent scripture, and He continuously shows us proof everywhere, in everything we see and do and touch.
The Quran is one of the most miraculous proofs God has provided for us. Not only is it a scripture containing guidance and light, but we have solid proof that it is from God and that it is protected.
O people, a proof has come to you from your Lord; we have sent down to you a profound beacon. (4:174)
Those who have rejected the Quran’s proof when it came to them, have also rejected an Honorable book. No falsehood could enter it, in the past or in the future; a revelation from a Most Wise, Praiseworthy. (41:41-2)
S. (Saad), and the Quran that contains the proof. (38:1)
Suras 10, 12, 13, 15, 26, 27, 28, and 31 all say essentially the same thing: These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom. They are proofs but still most people do not believe.
He is the One who continuously shows you His proofs….(40:13)
And what about all the people all over the world who do not have access to the Quran? God doesn’t shut them out. He tells us in 2:62 and 5:69 that Christians, Jews, and anyone who believes in God alone can reach Heaven. To make this possible, God has provided proof everywhere.
In Sura 30 there is a series of verses, beginning with verse 20, that begin with the phrase “Among His proofs…” Such things as the creation of the heavens and the earth, the various languages and colors of the human race, lightning, wind and rain. In many other places throughout the Quran proofs are spelled out. The night and the day, the sun and the moon, mountains and rivers, crops, plants, livestock, birds, ships that roam the sea—all of these things are proofs. But, they are only proofs for people who hear, people who reflect, people who understand, people who think, people who possess intelligence and people who are appreciative.
So many proofs in the heavens and the earth are given to them, but they pass by them, heedlessly! (12:105)
We can go through life with blinders on, unaware of all the signs and gifts around us, or we can open our eyes and use the signs as opportunities to praise and thank God.
In several places God tells us He made the night for our rest (27:86, 10:67) and He tells us that He is the one who sends down peaceful slumber (3:154). So when we wake up from a good night's sleep, it's a chance to remember God and thank Him for that gift. The night and the day also provide so many other signs. A beautiful sunrise or sunset, the stars on a clear dark night, the moon as it passes through its phases, a storm moving in. The lightning is a source of fear as well as hope. The clouds bring welcome rain to revive a dead land or they bring disastrous retribution. These are signs of God's awesome power and we need to be appreciative.
Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors. In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable. (30:22)
And (He created) for you on earth things of various colors. This is a (sufficient) proof for people who take heed. (16:13)
God tells us that the colors are among His proofs. This pertains to all the colorful things on earth—the flowers, the trees,
the birds—and it also applies to people. When we meet someone of a different race or color we need to appreciate the differences and learn from one another. We make language a barrier that separates us; instead, it should be a "sign for the knowledgeable."
He committed in your service everything in the heavens and the earth; all from Him. These are proofs for people who reflect. (45:13)
All of the natural things on this earth are part of God’s proofs. The variety of plants and animals—that some creatures are wild and some are domesticated for our enjoyment and our service.
Eat and raise your livestock. These are sufficient proofs for those who possess intelligence (20:54)
Do they not see the birds committed to fly in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up in the air except God. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who believe. (16:79)
Plants grow into delicious food for our use:
On earth, there are adjacent lots that produce orchards of grapes, crops, palm trees - dioecious and non-dioecious. Although they are irrigated with the same water, we prefer some of them over others in eating. These are solid proofs for people who understand. (13:4)
With it, He grows for you crops, olives, date palms, grapes, and all kinds of fruits. This is (sufficient) proof for people who think. (16:11)
This is why it’s so important to recognize and appreciate these blessings. When we peel an orange and enjoy the sweet juicy fruit, we need to see this as a proof of God’s blessings. When we pet a dog, listen to a cat purring or ride a horse, we must understand that these animals are submitting to God and we can learn a lot from their willing submission. When a flower opens and we see the bee gathering its nectar and we consume the honey the bee produces—all these things are proofs for people who reflect (16:69).
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