The Twenty-Sixth Flash

Although every creature could assume countless possible forms and measures, it nevertheless possesses one particular form and shape. To suppose that natural causes could bring the particles of the elements, moving like a rushing flood, together in perfect order without allowing them to disperse, and cause them to settle upon one another without any mould or measure until they form a living body, is to suppose something far beyond the bounds of possibility, probability, and reason. Truly, everyone whose heart is not blind can see this.

Indeed, in affirmation of this truth, the Qur’an declares:

اِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللّٰهِ لَنْ يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُIndeed, those whom you invoke besides Allah will never create even a fly, even if they all gathered together to do so. — The Qur’an 22:73

In other words, even if all material causes were to unite and possess will, they would still be unable to form the body of a single fly or gather its parts together according to a precise measure. Even if they succeeded in gathering them, they could not preserve its form and balance. And even if they could preserve these, they would still be unable to make the particles continually renewed and replaced within that body function in an orderly manner.

It is therefore abundantly clear that causes possess no power whatsoever over creation, nor are they its true owners.

It follows that their true Owner is Another.

Indeed, they have such a True Owner that, according to the mystery of the verse

مَا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلاَ بَعْثُكُمْ اِلاَّ كَنَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍYour creation and resurrection are no different from those of a single soul. — The Qur’an 31:28

He brings all the living beings upon the face of the earth into existence as easily as a single fly. He creates an entire spring with the same ease as a single flower.

For He has no need to gather anything together. He merely says

كُنْ“Be!” — The divine command by which Allah brings things into existence through His will.

and the creature comes into existence.

Moreover, every spring He brings forth from nothing the characteristics, forms, and features of countless creatures. Within His knowledge, the plan, model, design, and programme of everything have already been determined. And since all particles function within the sphere of His knowledge and power, He creates everything with perfect ease, just as a flame instantly springs forth when a match is struck.

Nothing deviates even a hair's breadth from its appointed course. Just as the heavenly bodies serve Him as an obedient army, so too do the atoms serve Him as an army in perfect order.

Since they act through that eternal power and function according to His eternal knowledge, all creatures come into existence by virtue of that power. Their worth is not diminished by the insignificance of their individual existence.