The Lesson of the Universe

The Lesson of the Universe

1989 9 September 14-15 The Lesson of the Universe (454) The Quran tells us repeatedly that the heavens and the earth are engaged in the glorification of God. This means that they clearly convey the word and attributes of God. This is so ordained that man may learn a lesson from them, and may also join in this universal caravan.

We may ask, “In which language do the earth and the heavens sing the praises of God?” The answer is, in the language of silence. It is in this language of silence that God communicates throughout the length and breadth of the universe. When He converses, it is in the language, not of sounds, but of happenings. Now, one who can listen only to a language of sounds will remain in ignorance of God’s message.

Look at a tree. It has a complete existence. How does it happen that, at one and the same time, it grows in opposite directions, the trunk and branches going upwards and the roots going downwards? Why are there two apparently opposing propensities in the same thing? This is a riddle which God poses, to make man think, to make man take stock of his surroundings, to make man exercise his powers of deduction. The first thing that it teaches him is that if he aspires to a high position in life, he must build himself a strong base from which to rise upwards. Secondly, there is the lesson of tree’s shadow. The tree itself grows upwards, but its shadow is cast down upon the ground. Why should this be so? This is to make man conscious of the fact that – on a parallel with nature however high a position you may attain to in life, you must always lead a modest, inner existence. This is one of the greatest secrets of harmonious living.

Then take the sea. Sea water is invariably salty. But when the water of this same sea is sent to man in the form of rain, it has already been transformed into sweet water. Why is there this essential difference in seawater and rainwater? Again, it is a phenomenon which is designed to make man think. It makes it clear to him that, however bitter the feelings he harbours within himself, they should undergo a process of transformation before they are ultimately poured out, so that what formerly was all bitterness is now sweetness and light. This is what man is meant to think of when he sips the cool, sweet water brought from the sea by the rainclouds.

The universe is God’s lesson to man. But it can be a lesson only to those who keep their eyes and ears open – in other words, to those who are willing to be receptive to it.