To Disbelieve in God’s Sign is to Disbelieve in God Himself

To Disbelieve in God’s Signs is to Disbelieve in God Himself There is a verse in the second chapter of the Quran which says that there are some stones that “tumble down through fear of God.” (2:74) This is a reference to landslides, when stones crash tumultuously down mountainsides. Landslides in the world of nature are symbolic of a similar event in the world of man: spontaneous and headlong submission to God. An incident in the life of the Prophet’s trusted lieutenant, Umar Ibn Khattab, illustrates the form that landslides take in the world of man—unhesitating capitulation before truth, like “stones, tumbling down a mountainside.” The Companions were grief-stricken when they heard of the Prophet’s death. Umar found it hard even to believe the news. Taking his sword, he stood up in the Prophet’s mosque. “Some hypocrites think that the Prophet has died,” he said. “It is not so: he has gone to visit his Lord, as the Prophet Moses visited the Lord on Mount Sinai. When he stayed away from his people for forty days, some said that he had died. By God, the Prophet will return to us, as Moses returned to his people, and he will punish those who thought that he had died.” Then Abu Bakr arrived on the scene. He told Umar to be quiet, but Umar continued to address the people. Seeing Umar’s refusal to accede to his request, Abu Bakr himself began to address the congregation. “Whoever worshipped Mohammad,” he said, “should know that Mohammad has died. But as for those who worshipped God: God is alive, and will never die.” Abu Bakr then raised his voice, and recited this verse of the Quran: “Mohammad is no more than an apostle: other apostles have passed away before him. If he dies or is slain, will you recant? He that recants will do no harm to God. But God will reward the thankful.” (3:144) Umar later recalled his reaction to hearing this verse: “I was just stunned when I heard Abu Bakr recite this verse. My legs could not carry me, and I fell to the ground. I realized that the Prophet had indeed died.” (Seerat Ibn Hisham, Vol. IV, p. 335)