|
Cont'd from page 2
[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace. [25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate. [25:65] And they say, “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous. [25:66] “It is the worst abode; the worst destiny.”
We have to work very hard to avoid hell. It’s worth it.
[94:5] With pain there is gain.
[94:6] Indeed, with pain there is gain.
[94:7] Whenever possible you shall strive.
[94:8] Seeking only your Lord.
* * * * *
Think about the great gift of Nature that God has so kindly provided us with. Think of our earth and its perfect address, i.e., where it has been placed in the Universe. We have just the right combination of chemical elements to support life. If we were farther out, the elements would be too scarce and if farther in, the location would be too dangerous due to the greater amount of potentially lethal radiation. Up to 99% of radiation is absorbed by God’s “ozone layer”. Praise God, for making us live in “prime real estate”.
[14:33-34] He has committed the sun and the moon in your service, continuously. He has committed the night and the day to serve you.
And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count GOD’s blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.
[51:48] And we made the earth habitable; a perfect design.
God has created the universes and everything within and without.
[40:57] The creation of the heavens and the earth is even more awesome than the creation of the human being, but most people do not know.
All power belongs to God. We are but custodians of what God has provided us with. Thus, we are accountable to God. We recognize that God created the earth for all creatures (55:10) and we should not use God’s gifts of Nature in a way that would have a detrimental effect on its role. Whatever we use of Earth’s resources should be done in a manner that it should not deprive others of God’s provisions.
[28:77] “Use the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD to seek the abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in this world. Be charitable, as GOD has been charitable towards you. Do not keep on corrupting the earth. GOD does not love the corruptors.” We should not let our greed overshadow the natural sharing of the earth’s resources, which should be equitably used and distributed and not wasted.
The Quran showcases the blessings and bounties of the Universe. God has granted us a brain with which we can detect natural resources which could prove advantageous to us. At the same time, we must avoid harmful exploitation so we do not deplete and wipe out the resources God blessed us with. We should work to preserve these natural gifts from God.
Plants and animals are a source of food, transport, medicine, clothing and many other uses. God grants us vast authority to use all the flora and fauna, rivers and mighty oceans, the mountains and the valleys, etc. But this permission is to utilise and appreciate, not to pollute and destroy.
[14:32] GOD is the One who created the heavens and the earth, and He sends
down from the sky water to produce all kinds of fruit for your sustenance. He has committed the ships to serve you on the sea in accordance with His command. He has committed the rivers as well to serve you.
God created everything. His bounties provide service to all the earth’s inhabitants.
[41:10] He placed on it stabilizers (mountains), made it productive, and He calculated its provisions in four days, to satisfy the needs of all its inhabitants. We don’t just live on the land but it contains the soil we use to cultivate crops, vegetation and fruit which we and the livestock consume. We derive benefit from the land and soil including energy rich resources like oil and various minerals. Thank You God.
Observe the Creator’s handiwork—the natural beauty of the earth with snow-capped mountains and lush forests. Deforestation (several billion trees per year) for so-called development has not only destroyed natural habitat but has also increased emissions of greenhouse gases and we now have the ever-increasing consequences of global warming. The effects would be worse, but we can thank God for the oceans, a natural air conditioner covering about 71 % of the Earth’s surface playing a major role in climate control.
Reckless activity leads to the natural distribution of wildlife and vegetation being disturbed. Animals and plants are an essential part of life on earth. We depend on them; they depend on us. We use the oxygen plants produce and they use our carbon dioxide. Animals provide us with food, transport, clothing and medicine.
[55:10-13] He created the earth for all creatures. In it there are fruits, and date palms with their hanging fruit. Also grains and the spices. (O humans and jinns,) which of your Lord’s marvels can you deny?
Cont'd on page 4