Living The Quran
From Issue: 940 [Read full issue]
Colours in Creation
Fatir (The Originator) Sura 35: Verses 27-28
"Are you not aware that God sends down water from the skies, with which We bring forth fruits of different colours? In the mountains, there are streaks of white and red of various shades, as well as others jet-black. Similarly, human beings, beasts and cattle have various colours. It is those who are endowed with knowledge that stand truly in awe of God. Indeed, God is Almighty, Much-Forgiving."
This is a remarkable touch confirming the source of the Quran. It looks at the entire world with a special focus on colour, pointing out its great variety in fruits, mountains, people, animals and cattle. It only takes a few words to group together animate and inanimate objects throughout the earth, leaving us in full amazement at this wonderful exhibition.
The universe is thus shown as a splendidly colourful book that the Quran opens and looks through. It then says that scholars who read, appreciate and comprehend this book are the ones who have a true God-fearing sense. The universe is a superb book of which the surah has shown but a few pages. It takes a good measure of knowledge to appreciate this wonderful book and to get to truly know God through His creation and power. People who do so realize the measure of His greatness by appreciating His work. Therefore, they are truly God-fearing, and they worship Him in true submission. This is not the result of a mysterious feeling that we sometimes experience when we look at a splendid natural scene; rather, it is the product of true and direct knowledge. The pages of this universal book that the surah has shown are only a sample. The great diversity of colour it has mentioned serves only as an indicator of the great variety and meticulous harmony available everywhere in the universe. It can however only be appreciated by people endowed with knowledge and by those who feel the value of their knowledge deep in their hearts, and who do not leave it in a cold, dry academic corner.
God is certainly able to create all sorts of fine and beautiful creatures, as also to requite people for their actions. At the same time, He forgives much, overlooking the mistakes of those who fall short of appreciating His beautiful work.
Compiled From:
"In The Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 14, pp. 178-180