In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

 

SIGNS OF ALLAH

 

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), his household, companions and all followers of the right guidance till the Day of Judgment.

 

Allah, the Exalted, says: "Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day there are indeed ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for men of understanding. Men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting and lying down on their sides and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth (with the thought): "Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose! Glory to thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the fire."" Q3:190-1. "We will show them Our Signs in the Universe and in their ownselves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord do witness all things?" Q41:53

 

In the Holy Qur'an, Allah, the Exalted, calls our attention to his creatures like the sun, moon, star, rain, ocean, heaven, earth,, animals and human being. He appeals to us to study them closely in order that we may know that He is the Most Powerful, Most High, so that we can reference and worship Him. "Thus do We explain the signs in detail! Perchance they may turn (unto Us)". Q7:174. "And He shows you always His Signs; then which of the Signs of Allah will you deny?" Q40:81.

 

Those who study medicine will appreciate the complexity and wonders of human systems. Allah praises Himself on these wonders, "So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators." Q23:14. Allah did not stop at this wonderful creatures but He gave mankind the intellect to explore them so as to get benefits from them. "It is Allah Who has subjected the sea to you that ships may sail through it by His command that ye may seek of His Bounty and that ye may be grateful. And He has subjected to you as from Him all that is in the heavens and on earth, it is all as a favor and kindness from Him. Verily in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect." Q45:12-3.

 

On Wednesday, August 11, 1999 Allah, the Exalted showed everybody one of His signs, the eclipse of the sun. It will be an evidence against those who saw it or heard about it yet continue in their disbelief in Allah. Allah has power over everything and He can change whatever He wishes at any time. Allah, the Exalted, says: "And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day and behold they are plunged in darkness; And the Sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him) the exalted in Might the All-Knowing. And the Moon We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of date-stalk. It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon nor can the Night outstrip the Day: each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)."Q36:37-40. "Only those believe in Our Signs who when they (the signs) are recited to them fall down in adoration and celebrate the praises of their Lord nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride." Q32:15

 

During the lifetime of our beloved prophet (PBUH) about 1420 years ago when there was no telescope and people were engulfed in superstitions the solar eclipse occurred. Abu Bakra narrated: "In the lifetime of the Allah's Apostle (PBUH) the sun eclipsed happened and he went out dragging his clothes till he reached the Mosque. The people gathered around him and he led them and offered two Rak'at. When the sun (eclipse) cleared, he said, "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because of the death or birth of someone, and so when an eclipse occurs, pray and invoke Allah till the eclipse is over."It happened that a son of the Prophet called Ibrahim died on that day and the people were talking about that (saying that the eclipse was caused by his death)."" (Bukhari 2.170)

 

So, in Islam whenever an eclipse occurs, Salatul Kasuf, prayer of the solar and lunar eclipse should be observed. The prayer of the eclipses is a sunnah mu'akkadah, a stressed one, which is to be performed by both men and women. It is best to pray it in congregation although the congregation is not a condition for it. The people are called to it by announcing as-salatu jami'ah "prayer in congregation." It consists of two rak'at, in every rak'ah one is to perform two bowings (ruku') instead of the customary one. Unfortunately, many people take signs of Allah for fun, they refused to learn from them or move closer to Allah. Even if Allah brings a sign that hurts them, they call it names and forget about it. However, Allah wants people to know that despite the advancement mankind has attained in science and technology, they cannot prevent His Will from happening.

 

Allah says:" Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)? Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent tornado (with showers of stones) so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning? But indeed men before them rejected (My warning): then how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)?" Q67:16-8. "Such are the Signs of Allah which We rehearse to thee in truth: then in what exposition will they believe after Allah and His Signs? Woe to each sinful liar, who hears the Signs of Allah rehearsed to him yet is obstinate and lofty as if he had not heard them: then announce to him a Penalty Grievous! And when he learns something of Our Signs he takes them in jest: for such there will be a humiliating Penalty." Q45:6-9

 

One of the qualities of true believers and worshippers of Allah listed in the Holy Qur'an (Q25:63:76) is "... Those who, when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat". Allah, the Exalted, in His usual way appeals to the intellect of mankind: "Does not man see that it is We Who created Him from sperm? Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open adversary! And he makes comparisons for us and forgets his own (Origin and) Creation: He says "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?" Say "He will give them life Who created them for the first time! For He is well-versed in every kind of creation! "The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree when behold! Ye kindle therewith (your own fires)! "Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?" Yea indeed! For He is the Creator Supreme of skill and knowledge (infinite)! Verily when He intends a thing His command is "Be" and it is! So glory to Him in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things; and to Him will ye be all brought back." Q36:77-83.

 

May Allah make us one of those who learn from His signs. May Allah accepts our acts of worship and answer our prayers.

 

Peace be on you.