Quranic Passage 7

Surah 2.21–22 (Al-Baqarah)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Translation

21. O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, so that you may have the chance to learn righteousness; 22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and by it brought forth fruits for your sustenance; then do not set up rivals to Allah, when you know.

Main Theme(s)

The main themes are: God’s relationship with the created world and tawhid; God as Creator and Sustainer; being grateful to God.

This passage is from the theme of God’s relationship with the creation. This passage emphasises that God is the Creator of everything including what is for the benefit of humankind (guidance, fertile earth, shade and water from sky), so they should be grateful to God, and worship none other than Him, and use the environment with respect. He is also Sustainer of all living things as He has made all necessary provisions for them to survive. As the creator, He is the most deserving of worship. The Holy Qur’an states:

“…there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” (21:25, Al-Anbya)

This surah also suggests that humankind should not commit the greatest sin of associating partners or rivals with God, for He is the only Creator and Sustainer.

Importance of these Themes in a Muslim’s life today

This passage represents the themes of God and His creation, and His oneness, through the natural world. ‘…earth your couch…’ and ‘…brought forth fruits for your sustenance…’ are two phrases that are being used to show how the natural world is a comfort for humankind, and so they should look after it. God provides the world for humankind so humans should be responsible for looking after their environment, which can be done in many ways. They could reflect upon the natural world and the benefits it holds for them. Humans should acknowledge who their sustenance has come from as He is the only creator of everything. The best way to be grateful to God is to obey and worship him by rejecting shirk. The Holy Qur’an says:

“…Fear Allah as He should be feared…” (3:102, Ali ‘Imran)