The Quran intellectually blasts atheism
The Quran vigorously attacks the materialists’ arguments that deny the existence of a conscious Primary Cause underlying all creation while they claim that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena:
Or were they created without anything, or are they their own creators?/ Or did they create the Heavens and the Earth? Nay, but they are not certain!/ Or are thy Sustainer’s treasures with them, or are they in charge?/ Or have they a stairway whereby they overhear (Heaven’s secrets)? Then let their overhearer bring an authority clear! …/ Or is the Unseen with them so they can write it down? 52:35-38, 41
The philosophical questions addressed here primarily to these materialists contain a satirical mix and remain genuine as always:
Are they an effect without an actual cause: a product of spontaneous generation, created without a creative agency? Or are they created by themselves? And also, if not God, then is it them who created the Universe?
Since everything observable or conceivable is obviously the effect of some sort of cause, the Universe itself also must have been originated by a cause. Also, since the Universe cannot have evolved ‘by itself’ out of nothing – as ‘nothingness’ is a concept devoid of whatever reality – we are compelled to predicate as a logical necessity the existence of the One, Indivisible, Infinite God (112:1), i.e. the ‘Absolutely Independent’ (112:2) ‘Uncaused Cause’ (112:3) that is beyond the limits of our experience and, hence, beyond all the categories of our comprehension (‘There is nothing comparable with Him. 112:4’).
The challenge to the atheists goes on. Do they possess, or are they in charge, of the divine treasures of infinite knowledge and power? Have they a stairway by which they could ascend and listen to what is beyond the reach of human perception (cf. 38:9-10)? Then let any of these so-called listeners produce evidence of his knowledge! Or do they think that the hidden reality of all existence is almost within their grasp, so that in time they can write it down and can even dictate it? Cf. 6:35; 6:50; 15:17-18; 68:47. See Arguments for the existence of God.
The Quran reminds man of his minuteness and triviality in the Universe
Now, according to the Quran, deep observation of the Universe should convince a reflective mind of the divine power and greatness of the Creator as opposed to man’s limitations as a creation (7:185)1.
However, though man is gifted with the power of reasoning, which is contrasted by his lowly origin, he often forgets – out of ignorance and arrogance – his triviality in comparison to the great Universe, his fragility and weakness and his ultimate dependence on his Sustainer (16:4, 18:51, 36:77)2.
And, as a four-dimensional creature so often driven by basic instincts and irrational desires, he often fails to acknowledge the feebleness of human logic and the serious limitation of his understanding about the ultimate Truth that doesn’t abide by his whims (23:71; cf. 23:91)3.
So the Quran asks this important philosophical question: What is harder to create: Man or Universe (37:11, 79:27)? In other words, what is more difficult to create: a part (man), or the whole (the Universe) that includes the part? The Quran immediately provides some clues that help us to answer to it. While mentioning the issue of origin, expansion and evolution of the Universe, it states that man’s creation is but only a very tiny part of the creation of the whole, i.e., the creation of the Universe, and, therefore, logically it is the Universe, the whole, which is more difficult to create. See What is harder to create: Man or Universe?
Then, to this repeated Quranic question, the following verse eventually provides a direct answer: Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; but most people do not know. 40:57
The Quran dismisses anthropocentric worldview as arrogance
Then, to this repeated Quranic question What is harder to create: Man or Universe?, the following verse eventually provides a direct answer: Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; but most people do not know. 40:57
Let us read the verse within its context where the Quran dismisses man-centred worldview as idiocy and arrogance:
Surely those who dispute about the messages of God without any authority bestowed on them, there is nothing in their hearts but (delusion of) grandeur, which they shall never attain to. Therefore seek refuge in God, surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing. 40:56/ Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; but most people do not know. 40:57/ Not equal are the blind (of reason) and the seer (at heart); nor those who acknowledge and promote reforms, and those who do evil. Little do you remember. 40:58/ Verily, the Last Hour is sure to come: of this there is no doubt; yet most people do not acknowledge. 40:59/ And your Sustainer says: “Call unto Me and I will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to serve Me, they enter Hell, humbled.” 40:56-60
Man’s ultimate dependence on God for guidance
Now we will reflect on 40:56-60, quoted above:
40:56 While criticizing the materialists’ denial of the divine messages (ayat), which are scripted throughout the creation, the verse calls the man-centred worldview a megalomania, i.e., delusion of grandeur (cf. Pharaoh’s megalomania to reach the Heaven, 40:35-37; cf. 79:24-27). The phrase “which they shall never attain to” refers to the conceit which deludes some people to speculate that man is “self-sufficient” and that, therefore, there are no limits to what he may yet achieve, and no need to assume that he is responsible to a higher Power (cf. 96:6). This is followed by an assertion that – because the real grandeur man can never attain, as all glory and greatness ultimately belong to his Creator – he should entirely submit to God alone4 (40:56; cf. 35:10-11).
40:57 Then, to the repeated Quranic question What is harder to create: Man or Universe?, we eventually get a direct answer here. Yes, as the whole is definitely ‘greater’ (akbaru) than any of its tiny fractions such as man, logically it is the Universe, the whole, which is more difficult to create5.
40:58 This awareness about our fleetingness, minuteness and insignificance compared to the vast Universe, should elevate us to a higher plane of humanity and humility, thereby reminding us of the Transcendent (akhirat) and so our accountability to our Creator.
40:59 Despite this inevitability, “most people refuse to admit to themselves that the world as they know it could ever come to an end: which is another aspect of the “overweening conceit” spoken of in verse 56 above”.
40:60 In the above reference to man’s dependence on his Sustainer and the need for seeking guidance, we get the following message: This is a communication from your Sustainer: “Whenever you need guidance, turn to My Book and you will find the answer. But people who ignore My messages because of arrogance, they find themselves in the Inferno as degraded.” See How rejection of Oneness and Transcendent leads to fire. So, seeking God’s guidance should be through turning to His Book/messages, encrypted in scripture and nature, as this is how God responds to the seeker (only “through revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal”, 42:51). Performing a mindless ritual prayer is not the right way for seeking God’s guidance. For further clarification6 of 40:60, we need to reflect on the analogous verse 2:186 and its context.
Related articles:
What is harder to create: Man or Universe?
Arguments for the existence of God
Divine messages in the Universe
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Note 1
According to the Quran, deep observation of the Universe should convince a reflective mind of the divine power and greatness of the Creator as opposed to man’s limitations as a creation: Do they not deeply observe the divine dominion of the Heavens and the Earth and all the things that God has created, and that it may well be their own term that has already drawn nigh? Then in which HADITH after this will they believe? 7:185
Note 2
Though man is gifted with the power of reasoning, which is contrasted by his lowly origin, he often forgets – out of ignorance and arrogance – his triviality in comparison to the great Universe, his fragility and weakness and his ultimate dependence on his Sustainer:
He has created man out of a tiny drop. Then, lo! the same is an obvious reasoner! 16:4
I did not make them witness the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, nor the creation of their own selves. Nor would I choose as assistants the misguiders. 18:51
Does not man see that it is We who have created him from a tiny drop? Then, lo! the same is an obvious reasoner! 36:77
Note 3
As a four-dimensional creature so often driven by basic instincts and irrational desires, man often fails to acknowledge the feebleness of human logic and the serious limitation of his understanding about the ultimate Truth that doesn’t abide by his whims: But if the Truth had to follow their desires, then the Heavens and the Earth and all who are in them would surely have fallen into ruin. Nay, We have conveyed unto them with all they have to bear in mind, but from this their own reminder are they turning away. 23:71 (cf. 23:91)
Note 4
While criticizing the materialists’ denial of the divine messages (ayat), which are scripted throughout the creation, the verse calls the man-centred worldview a megalomania, i.e., delusion of grandeur. It asserts that – because the real grandeur man can never attain, as all glory and greatness ultimately belong to his Creator – he should entirely submit himself to God alone: Therefore seek refuge in God, surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing. 40:56; cf. Whoever desires glory,- to God belongs all glory …/ And God created you out of dust, then out of a tiny drop… 35:10-11
Note 5
Man’s creation is but only a tiny part of the creation of the whole Universe, and the whole is definitely ‘greater’ (‘akbaru’) than any of its parts: Greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the Heavens and the Earth; but most people know not. 40:57. Fascinatingly, instead of ‘ashaddu’ (more difficult), which appears in the question (37:11, 79:27), the word that appears in the answer (40:57) is ‘akbaru’ (greater). The reason ‘ashaddu’ (more difficult) appears only in the question, but not in the answer, is that nothing is really difficult for God. This is an example how the Quranic revelation invariably chooses the correct word. In the context of 40:57, we can observe an interesting analogy: This reference to man’s smallness compared to the cosmic vastness is preceded by a depiction of Pharaoh’s megalomania to reach the Heaven (40:35-37). A very similar reference to man’s minuteness in the huge Universe, in a similar verse (Are you the more difficult to create, or is the Heaven that He has constructed? 79:27), is also preceded by an identical context that mentions Pharaoh’s delusion that he is the ‘lord the highest’ (79:24).
Note 6
For further clarification of 40:60, we need to reflect on the analogous verse 2:186 and its context: And if My servants ask thee about Me – behold, I am near: I respond to the call of him whoever calls, whenever he calls unto Me. So let them respond to Me and acknowledge Me, so that they may be rightly guided. 2:186. It proclaims that the Quran study programme, as mentioned in 2:183-187, is not related to asceticism or self-denial in any way. The ritualists erroneously believe that enduring hardships and denying themselves the basic needs like food and water will bring them close to God. But God reassures that a difficult or austere path is not required for this, since any sincere seeker of guidance who turns to the divine messages will be responded adequately and will be guided in the right direction. Performing a mindless ritual prayer or fasting is not the right way for seeking God’s guidance, because: And it is not for any human being that God would communicate with him, except through revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal what He pleases with His permission. He is Most High, Wise. 42:51. See reflection on 2:186 in Siyam refers to Quran study, NOT fasting.
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