Belief in the Last Day (2/3)
Muhammad al-Sayed Muhammad
Brief Visible, Logical Proof that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) Will Resurrect the Dead for the Reckoning and of His Ability to Do So:
First we would like to point out that the claim of those who deny the resurrection is nothing but false assumption and lies, and certainty is not removed with doubt, for Allah Almighty says, “While they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but conjecture, and verily, conjecture is no substitute for the truth.” [Surah Al-Najm, 53: 28]
1. The Original Creation of Man
“Oh mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then, verily! We have created you from dust, then from a nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh, some formed and some unformed, that We may make clear to you (Our Power and Ability). And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (make you grow) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to a miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred (back to life), it swells and brings forth every lovely kind (of vegetation).” [Surah Al-Hajj, 22: 5]
As Allah (Mighty and Majestic) created man from dust after he had been nothing and made him move from one stage into another during the period of his formation, He (Mighty and Majestic) is Able to bring him back to life after death and decomposition, just as He created him the first time. Thus no one should deny the final re-creation of man.
This has been confirmed scientifically; modern science has discovered that:
After dead bodies break down in the grave into their basic components—from water to dust—one important thing remains: a bone resembling a mustard seed, known as `ajab al-dhanab, the tailbone or coccyx, which does not turn to dust.
It has also been discovered that:
This bone is the Primary Organizer, such that all tissues, organs and systems in the embryo are formed from it, and that it never disintegrates.
We would like to stress that the first person to voice this scientific fact was the chief of all prophets and messengers, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), 1400 years ago, when he related the following hadith:
"Every son of Adam will be devoured by dust, except the tailbone (the coccyx), from it he was created and from it he will be recreated." [Related by Muslim]
This noble hadith from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is a dazzling light and testimony of the truth that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, supported by his Lord (Blessed and Exalted) by great and numerous miracles, proclaiming the final Divine Message from Allah (Blessed and Exalted) as His final prophet and messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
2. Sleep and Waking
Man's sleep is considered a minor death, and his waking from sleep is as a new life after death. Every human being dies this minor death and then is raised to life again, in this way, every day and night.
In man's sleep and waking there is an indication that there is another life after his major death and the end of his term in the life of this world, and the next life is for reckoning and recompense.
3. Reviving Barren Earth
Allah Almighty said,
“And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred (back to life), it swells and brings forth every lovely kind (of vegetation).” [Surah Al-Hajj, 22: 5]
As Allah (Mighty and Majestic) revives dead, barren, dry earth, which is void of vegetation, by sending water down upon it, restoring to for fresh cultivation, He (Noble and Sublime) is Able to return life to human beings after death.
4. Bringing Forth Fire from a Dry Tree (Producing a Thing from Its Opposite)
Allah Almighty said,
“He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith.” [Surah Ya-Sin 36: 80]
The nature of a tree is moist and cold, and the nature of fire is dry and hot. So, just as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) brings forth hot, dry fire from its opposite: a cold, wet, green tree, He (Noble and Sublime) is Able to bring forth life from death. He is Able to bring a person back from the dead, once again, for judgment and reward or punishment.
In ancient times, if a person wanted to start a fire and he had no flint, he would take two green sticks from the markh and `affaar trees that grow in the Hijaz [the eastern Arabian Peninsula]. He would rub one against the other and a fire would spark between them.
5. The Greatness of Other Things that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) Created
Allah Almighty said,
“The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind, yet most of mankind know not.” [Surah Ghaafir, 40: 57]
(Continued)