Translation
In the name of God, the most Merciful and the Instiller of Mercy [to His creatures]
Let God, Who created the universe and the earth and intertwined light and darkness, be praised. Yet those who deny such reality wish to equate others to God. It is God Who created you all from clay and assigned a term [to each one of you], a term that is only known to Him; still you are in a state of self-doubt. God permeates everywhere in the universe and in the earth, knowing all that is secret or open, and He knows what you strive for. 326
And there comes to them no message from their Sustainer God except that they turn away from it; thereby, they reject the truth when it comes to them, but soon the news will come to them about what they have mocked previously. Do they not see and reflect how We removed generations before who were established on the earth in ways that were not given to you—an abundance of rain from the sky and waterways flowing in the midst of them. Yet We destroyed them for their deliberate sins (of denial and doing evil) and bring in their place another generation (to see how they behave).
If We had sent down to you a writing on a paper that you can touch [as opposed to revelations], and they could touch it with their own hand, it would still lead those who deny the truth to say: “This is nothing but a manifest illusion.” 327 Others say: “Why has not an Angel been sent to him?” If We had sent an Angel, then their term would have ended, and they would find no further opportunity to mend themselves. Moreover, if we had made him [the messenger] an Angel instead, we would have made him appear as a human, and they would still be confused the same way. Surely messengers before you were made fun of, and those who made such mockery were overwhelmed by that which they mocked. Say: “Travel the earth and see what the consequences of their denials were.” 328
Interpretation
326 The origin of the universe, the earth, the alternation of days and nights, the cycle of light and darkness, our humble beginning from earthly matters, the finite span of our lives on this planet, and so on are matters that we need to reflect on. People of intellect, philosophers, and prophets as well as ordinary human beings have all asked the question of why we are here, what our purpose is, and what will happen after we die. The Qur’an and other Books of Revelations are living exposition of those answers from God, Who is the source of real intent behind all creation and the creative power that makes all things possible. It is imperative to us as human beings to reflect, to ask questions, and to seek out meanings in our lives and to do so through various means at our disposal—spiritual discourse, revealed texts, science, anthropology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the application of our intellect, feelings, inspirations and things that motivates us and inner consciousness that moves us. The universe around us and the inner core of our beings, our consciousness, and our souls, which bear the semblance of godly qualities (“God breathed His essence into us”), are all tools given us freely that we need to use to create certainty in our mind about God and our purpose in life.
327 Avid readers of human history, historians, and even casual readers see the rise and fall of human civilizations from one group of humans to another group, the transient nature of a society and a nation in a manner similar to our own individual lives. No civilization has permanency but does have ups and downs just we experience in our lives. Each one of us goes through trials and tribulations, and so does a society and a nation. Human history is full of examples of the rise of the weak against the powerful on a large scale, but also in smaller spheres of our existence on a daily basis. As much as we need to reflect on the natural world, we also need to reflect on our human condition and what gives to rise and fall of human civilization to correctly guide us in our personal and collective lives.
328 People who do not have faith in God have come up with all kinds of excuses and demands. Followers of Moses asked to see God directly and for God to directly intervene in their fights against their adversaries, as is evident from the Old Testament. Jesus was challenged to produce miracles, and he had performed many of them during his lifetime. The Qur’an gives two more examples of the thoughts that go through the minds of those who have doubts in the Qur’an. If the Qur’an was paperbound and were to appear to people in a miraculous way, people who cannot read the essence of God from their own lives and from the natural world would still have doubts. If Angels were to come and guide people, God would have to make them as humans to interact with people in ways natural to human beings. Those who have doubts about God and revelations will continue to have doubts, no matter what miracles and unnatural or supernatural phenomena they are presented with.
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REFLECTION
In these verses, as in many different sections in the Qur’an, God brings to our attention the signs of the natural world such as our universe, the planet earth, the cycle of day and night, and the transient nature of our existence. In a similar vein, God draws attention to the human condition, the conditions that lead one nation to excel above another nation, and how one generation gets replaced by the next generation like the tidal waves that flow one after another. There are plenty of signs and clues in the natural world and in our own lives to understand the presence of God and the inner meanings of our existence. In the absence of such awareness, reflection, and sense of accountability, no amount of godly intervention, outside miracle or frivolous demands, will cure the heart and the human condition.
ACTION
We have all the tools and intellect given within us and all the signs of God and His purpose in our lives and in the world around us. Not taking advantage of such displays of God’s presence and not leveraging our godly instinct and intuitive understanding will lead to self-doubt and flawed assessment of our lives and our purpose. Our first order of priority is to confirm our faith in God and goodness of purpose.