The first Qur’anic verse revelated onto Muhammad is QS Al-Alaq : 1.
“Read in the name of your Lord who created”.
The verse above states that we must read. What is to be read ? We must read all the signs of Allah, which include the spoken signs (aayaat qauliyah) and the created signs (aayaat kauniyah). The spoken signs are the Qur’anic verses and their explanation : As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyah (the Tradition of the Prophet). The created signs include the signs on the universe (al-aafaaq) and the signs on the human body (al-anfus). [Look at QS Fushshilat : 53]
Our duty relating with the spoken signs is to read and understand them well (al-qira-ah wat tadabbur). Our duty relating with the created signs is to read them (al-qira-ah) and to think about them (at-tafakkur) [Look at QS Ali Imran : 190-191]. The goal of all those activities is to more recognize Allah – through His signs – by which we can be more fearful of Him. [Look at QS Faathir : 28 and QS Ali Imran : 191]
Why did Allah create the skies (heavens) and the earth ?
1. Allah created them for the sake of human because the human is His mandatory (khalifah) on the earth. [Look at QS Al-Jathiyah : 13]
2. They were created as the signs or proofs of the oneness of Allah (tauhidullah). [Look at QS Al-Anbiya : 22, 29-33]. The belief in the oneness of Allah is the guarantee of entering the Paradise, as the Prophet said : “Gabriel said to me, ‘Whoever amongst your followers die without having worshipped others besides Allah, will enter Paradise (or will not enter the (Hell) Fire).” The Prophet asked. “Even if he has committed illegal sexual intercourse or theft?” He replied, “Even then.” [Shahih Bukhari, Book 54 (Beginning of Creation), Number 445, Narrated by Abu Dhar]
3. They were created as the signs or proofs of the almightiness of Allah (qudratullah). [Look at QS Al-Isra’ : 98 – 99]. Allah is almighty to do anything He wants, for instance to make alive the human again after his death.
All of beings which exist in the universe are the created signs of Allah. The Prophet said :
“The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of someone, but they are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah. So, if you see them, offer the Prayer (of eclipse).” [Shahih Bukhari, Book 54 (Beginning of Creation), Number 426, narrated by Abu Mas'ud]
All of the created signs will be no use if we don’t seriously read and think about them. It is guaranteed that a serious thinking about the universe and all natural phenomena will end in conclusion that Allah is truly The Creator, the Lord, and One The Only. An arabic proverb says : “Kullu syai-in lahu aayah # tadullu ‘alaa annahu waahid”, means “Everything is sign # which shows that He is One The Only”. [Look at QS Fushshilat : 53 and also the story of Abraham finding out the Lord in QS Al-An’am : 75 – 79]
Appendix (Some Verses of Al-Qur’an)
Ali Imran : 190 -191
[3.190] Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand.
[3.191] Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire.
Faathir : 28
[35.28] And of men and beasts and cattle are various species of it likewise; those of His servants only who are possessed of knowledge fear Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.
Al-Anbiya :
22. If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
29. If any of them should say, “I am a god besides Him”, such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong.
30. Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
31. And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.
32. And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!
33. It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.
Al-Isra’ : 98-99
98. That is their recompense, because they rejected Our signs, and said, “When we are reduced to bones and broken dust, should we really be raised up (to be) a new Creation?”
99. See they not that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, has power to create the like of them (anew)? Only He has decreed a term appointed, of which there is no doubt. But the unjust refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude.
Al-An’am : 75 – 79
75. Thus did we show Ibrâhim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.
76. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said: “I like not those that set.”
77. When he saw the moon rising up, he said: “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said: “Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the erring people.”
78. When he saw the sun rising up, he said: “This is my lord. This is greater.” But when it set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allâh.
79. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allâh Alone) and I am not of Al-Mushrikûn (see V.2:105)”.
