Concept of God in the Qur’an

From: http://www.muslimtents.com/shaufi/b20index.htm

By Dr. Muhammad Sharif Chaudhry

CHAPTER 5
GOD'S FAVOURS
God Made Man Viceroy
He Made Everything For the Service of Man
He Provides Sustenance
Food, Fish, Honey and Milk
Other Favours

1 – God Made Man Viceroy
God created man of the best stature and made him the best of many of His creations. When first man, Adam the father of all mankind, was created out of potter’s clay of black mud altered, God bade the angels to prostrate themselves before him. So all the Angles fell prostrate save the Devil (Iblis) who was a Jin. So the devil was declared outcast. This shows how God preferred man to Angles and the Devil.
God has appointed man a viceroy, deputy or vicegerent in the earth. This office of viceroyalty or deputyship places a great responsibility on man. In fact man has been put in a great test or trial. God has made serviceable unto man whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth and has loaded him with His favours both without and within. All this has been given to man with a view that God may try him by the test of that which He has given him. God thereby tests him whether the man is thankful to Him for the favours given to him and whether the man spends his wealth in God’s way out of that which he has been given.
In the following verses the Holy Qur’an affirms the above mentioned facts:
1. And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.—2:Al–Baqarah: 30
2. He it is who hath placed you as viceroys of the earth and hath exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He hath given you. Lo! Thy Lord is swift in prosecution, and lo! He is Forgiving, Merciful.—6:Al–An'am: 165
3. And (remember) when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter's clay of black mud altered, so, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My spirit, do ye fall down prostrating yourselves unto him. So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together. Save Iblis. He refused to be among the prostrate. He said: O Iblis! What aileth thee that thou art not among the prostrate? He said: Why should I prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter's clay of black mud altered? He said: Then go thou forth from hence, for verily thou art outcast.—15: AI–Hijr: 28-34
4. Verily We have honoured the children of Adam. We carry them on the land and the sea, and have made provision of good things for them, and have preferred them above many of those whom We created with a marked preferment.—17: Bani Isra'il: 70
5. See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and hath loaded you with His favours both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Scripture giving light.—31: Luqman: 20
6. Surely We created man of the best stature.—95: At–Tin: 4
[Back to top of page]

2 – He Made Everything For The Service Of Man
The Holy Qur’an, in its following verses, tells us that God has made everything in the heavens and in the earth serviceable to man such as sun, moon, stars, water, rain, rivers, ships, fruit, cattle, iron, etc:
1. He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as Seven heavens. And He is Knower of all things. —2:Al–Baqarah: 29
2. And He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have knowledge.—6: Al–An'am: 97
3. Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and causeth water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruit as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers. And maketh the sun and the moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day.—14: Ibrahim: 32-33
4. And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses and whereof ye eat: And wherein is beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to pasture.—16: An–Nahl: 5-6
5. Hast thou not seen how Allah hath made all that is in the earth subservient unto you? And the ship runneth upon the sea by His command, and He holdeth back the heaven from falling on the earth unless His leave. Lo! Allah is for mankind Full of Pity, Merciful.—22: Al–Hajj: 65
6. See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and hath loaded you with His favours both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Scripture giving light.—31: Luqman: 20
7. Allah it is Who hath made the sea of service unto you that the ships may run thereon by His command, and that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may be thankful; And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him Lo! herein verily are portents for people who reflect.—45: Al–Jathiyah: 12-13
8. We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.—57: Al–Hadid: 25
9. He it is Who hath made the earth subservient unto you, so walk in “the paths thereof and eat of His providence. And unto Him will be the resurrection (of the dead).—67: Al–Mulk: 15
[Back to top of page]

3 – He Provides Sustenance
Allah, the Almighty God of universe, is the sustainer and provider. Allah provides livelihood and subsistence to all of His creatures in the universe. It is Allah who has created all means and resources through which man earns his livelihood. Allah, in fact, has committed to feed, sustain and nourish all creatures including human beings. It is Allah who expands or curtails sustenance (rizq).
The conception of God’s sustenance does not, however, suggest that one should sit idle and wait for sustenance which would automatically come to him. Instead of giving up struggle, Islam rather inspires a person to do his best in order to earn his livelihood by using all lawful (Halal) and fair means. The Qur’an encourages struggle when it says: “And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort, and that his effort will be seen” – (53:39-40). The revealed book of Islam encourages its followers even on Friday (which is a day of special congregational prayers) to disperse in the land after finishing their prayer and seek of the bounty of God (62:10). Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasise the importance of struggle and hard work put in for earning livelihood for oneself and one’s family.
In fact the concept of God’s provision of sustenance only emphasizes some basic truths, namely: God provides sustenance to all His creatures by placing sufficient and infinite resources in the earth, every thing has been created by God for service of man, and man should exploit these resources and things in lawful manner to earn his subsistence without violating rights of others.
In the following verses, the Holy Qur’an highlights this fundamental truth that God provides sustenance to every creature including human being and it is God Who expands or straitens the sustenance:
1. Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better). — 2: Al–Baqarah: 22
2. And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah. He knoweth its habitation and its repository. All is in a clear record.—11: Hud: 6
3. Allah enlargeth livelihood for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will):—13: Ar–Ra'd: 26
4. And We have given unto you livelihoods therein, and unto those for whom ye provide not.And there is not a thing but with Us are the stores thereof. And We send it not down save in appointed measure.And We send the winds fertilising, and cause water to descend from the sky, and give it you to drink. It is not ye who are the holders of the store thereof.—15: Al–Hijr: 20-22
5. And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses and whereof ye eat:—16: An–Nahl: 5
6. Lo! Thy lord enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth it (for whom He will). Lo, He was ever Knower, Seer of His slaves.Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.—17: Bani Isra'il: 30-31
7. And How many an animal there is that beareth not its own provision! Allah provideth for it and for you. He is the Hearer, the Knower.—29: Al–Ankabut: 60
8. Say (O Muhammad, unto the idolaters): Disbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days, and ascribe ye unto Him rivals? He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days. alike for (all) who ask;—41:Ha Mim As–Sajdah: 9-10
9. Is it they who apportion their Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass.—43: Az–Zukhruf: 32
10. Have ye seen that which ye cultivate?Is it ye who foster it, or are We the Fosterer?If We willed, We verily could make it chaff, then would ye cease not to exclaim:—56: Al–Waqi'ah: 63-65

Prophet Muhammad, in his following traditions, has emphasized that God provides sustenance for everyone:
1. Omar-b-al-Khattab reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: If you all had relied on Allah with due reliance, He would have certainly given you provision as He supplies provision to birds who get up hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk. (Tirmizi, Ibn Majah)
2. Abu Dard'a reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Certainly provision seeks a servant just as his death seeks him.(Abu Nayeem)
3. Jabir-b-Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: “O people, Fear God and cut your ambitions of livelihood, for a man will not court death unless he is provided full sustenance (decreed) for him even if he restrains himself from it. So, fear Allah and cut your ambitions in search of livelihood. Take whatever is lawful and leave whatever is unlawful.”(Ibn Majah)
4. Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: '(on the Day of Resurrection) when there will be no shade except that of the Throne of Allah, the person who undertakes a journey to earn his livelihood and then returns with it towards his dependents, will be under the shade of Allah's Throne'.”(Masnud Zaid bin Ali)
5. Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: “A person came to the Prophet of Allah (may peace be upon him) and asked: 'O Messenger of Allah: What type of earning is best?' The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: 'A man's work with his hand and every business transaction which is approved, for Allah loves a believer who is a craftsman. A person who suffers pain to feed his dependents is like a person who fights in the cause of Allah, the Mighty and Glorious.'“(Masnud Zaid bin Ali)
[Back to top of page]

4 – Food, Fish, Honey and Milk
Following Verses of the Holy scripture of Islam, the Qur’an, bring to light how God provides decent foods like fish, meat, honey, milk and other eatables to man:
1. And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth-of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand.––2: Al–Baqarah: 61
2. To hunt and to eat the fish of the sea is made lawful for you, a provision for you and for seafarers; but to hunt on land is forbidden you so long as ye are on the pilgrimage. Be mindful of your duty to Allah, unto Whom ye will be gathered.––5: Al–Ma’idah: 96
3. And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear.––16: An–Nahl: 14
4. And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.––16: An–Nahl: 66
5. And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitation in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatcht; Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made smooth (for thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink diverse of hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.––16: An–Nahl: 68-69
6. And lo! in the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat;––23: Al–Mu’minun: 21
[Back to top of page]

5 – Other Favours
Mankind is the best of God’s creations and God has bestowed upon human beings many of His blessings and favours. According to the Qur’an, God has created all that is in the earth for man. God has made of service unto man sun, moon, stars, night and day, rain which produces food and fruits, ships which run upon the sea, earth a resting place and sky a canopy for man. God created man of dust and gave him life and would give him life again after his death. He gave the man hearing, sight and hearts. He created cattle for the man from which the man gets warm clothing, eats them and rides them, and they bear his loads and provide him milk. Allah created wives for men and through them gives the men sons and grandsons. God sent Prophets and revealed books for the guidance of man. Indeed God has made serviceable to man whatsoever is in the skies and in the earth.
The revealed book of Islam particularly counts the following favours of God to man:
1. How disbelieve ye in Allah when ye were dead and He gave life to you! Then he will give you death, then life again, and then unto Him ye will return.He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth.Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is Knower of all things.—2: Al–Baqarah: 28-29
2. Say: Have ye imagined, if Allah should take away your hearing and your sight and seal your hearts, who is the God who could restore it to you save Allah? See how We display the revelations unto them! Yet still they turn away.—6: Al–An'am: 46
3. He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date-palm, and crops of divers flavour, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals.—6: Al–An'am: 141
4. He it is who maketh you to go on the land and the sea till, when ye are in the ships and they sail with them with a fair breeze and they are glad therein, a storm-wind reacheth them and the wave cometh unto them from every side and they deem that they are overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for Him only: If Thou deliver us from this, we truly will be of the thankful.—10: Yunus: 22
5. Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers; And maketh the sun and the moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day.—14: Ibrahim: 32-33
6. And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat;And wherein is beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to pasture.And they bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves. Lo! your Lord is Full of Pity, Merciful.And horses and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them, and for ornament. And He createth that which ye know not.—16: An–Nahl: 5-8
7. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture.Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit.Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.And he hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of, service unto you, and the stars are made subservient by His command. Lo! herein indeed are portents for people who have sense.And whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues, lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed.And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way.—16:An–Nahl: 10-15
8. And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, whence ye derive strong drink and (also) good nourishment. Lo! therein, is indeed a portent for people who have sense.And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch;Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made smooth (for Thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink diverse of hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.—16: An–Nahl: 66-69
9. And Allah hath given you wives of your own kind, and hath given you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and hath made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of Allah that they disbelieve?—16: An–Nahl: 72
10. And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and hearts that haply ye might give thanks.—16: An–Nahl: 78
11. And Allah hath given you in your houses an abode, and hath given you (also), of the hides of cattle, tent-houses which ye find light (to carry) on the day of migration and on the day of pitching camp; and of their wool and their fur and their hair, caparison and comfort for a while. And Allah hath given you, of that which He hath created, shelter from the sun; and hath given you places of refuge in the mountains, and hath given you coats to ward off the heat from you, and coats (of armour) to save you from your own foolhardiness. Thus doth He perfect His favour unto you, in order that ye may surrender (unto Him).—16: An–Nahl: 80-81
12. And He it is Who maketh night a covering for you, and sleep repose, and maketh day a resurrection.And He it is Who sendeth the winds, glad tidings heralding His mercy, and We send down purifying water from the sky,That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give many beasts and men that We have created to drink thereof.—25: Al–Furqan: 47-49
13. That which Allah openeth unto mankind of mercy none can withholdeth it; and that which He withholdeth none can release thereafter. He is the Mighty, the Wise. O mankind! Remember Allah's grace toward you! Is there any creator other than Allah who provideth for you from the sky and the earth There is no God save Him. Whither then are ye turned?—35: Al–Fatir: 2-3
14. Unto Allah belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He createth what He will. He bestoweth female (offspring) upon whom He will, and bestoweth male (offspring) upon whom He will;Or He mingleth them, males and females, and He maketh barren whom He will. Lo! He is Knower, Powerful.—42: Ash–Shura: 49-50
15. He created man of clay like the potter's,And the Jinn did He create of smokeless fire.Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny.—55: Ar–Rahman: 14-16
16. We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.—57: Al–Hadid: 25
17. Let man consider his food:How We pour water in showersThen split the earth in cleftsAnd cause the grain to grow thereinAnd grapes and green fodderAnd olive-trees and palm-treesAnd garden-closes of thick foliageAnd fruits and grasses:Provision for you and your cattle.—80:'Abasa: 24-32
18. We verily have created man in an atmosphere: Thinketh he that none hath power over him? And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? Did We not assign unto him two eyes. And a tongue and two lips, And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways?—90: Al–Balad: 4-10