And of His signs are the ships sailing in the sea like mountains. If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless upon its surface. Indeed in that are signs for every patient, grateful [servant]. (Quran 42:32-33)
The message intended in the verse is clear. If we can do something in this life, or if something happens, there is a reason for it. If the thing that enables it is removed, that action or occurrence will also cease.
Today, even if ships move with solar energy, nothing changes. This time, if the sun's light is stopped and doesn't reach our world, our ship will remain motionless.
Or, if the ship moves with oars, this time, if the physical laws that enable movement in this way are removed, the ship will remain immobile.
Of course, what is described here applies to every area of life. Or, if one of the elements necessary for the continuation of life is removed, life will also cease on our planet. If the physical laws that allow an airplane or a bird to stay in the air are removed, they cannot fly.
Have they not seen the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them [aloft] except Allah. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe. (Quran 16:79)
In short, the "sailing ships" in Surah Ash-Shura represent both "sailing ships," "all other technological vehicles," and "all the tasks we accomplish or that occur" in our lives.
By giving a small part of the whole, that whole is brought to mind.
Yasin
And We have created for them similar to it [ships] that they ride. (Quran 36:42)
Everything we think we do ourselves or that happens spontaneously actually happens through the order created by Allah and/or other things He has created. Or, in other words, our Lord directly accomplishes and creates these things.
Surah Al-Waqi'ah:
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember? (Quran 56:62)
Have you seen that [seed] which you sow? (Quran 56:63)
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower? (Quran 56:64)
If We willed, We could have made it [dry] debris, and you would have remained in astonishment, (Quran 56:65)
[Saying], "Indeed, we are losers; (Quran 56:66)
Rather, we have been deprived." (Quran 56:67)
Have you seen the water that you drink? (Quran 56:68)
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down? (Quran 56:69)
If We willed, We could have made it bitter, so why are you not grateful? (Quran 56:70)
Have you seen the fire that you ignite? (Quran 56:71)
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer? (Quran 56:72)
We have made it a reminder and a provision for the travelers. (Quran 56:73)
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great. (Quran 56:74)
Then I swear by the places of the stars - (Quran 56:75)
And indeed, it is a great oath, if you only knew - (Quran 56:76)
Another similar example to ships becoming motionless is given for humans in Surah Al-Baqarah:
The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. (Quran 2:20)
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous - (Quran 2:21)
[He] who has made for you the earth a bed [to lie on] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is no god but Him]. (Quran 2:22)
We can realize what is called science and technology thanks to the physical laws that Allah has established and the reason and knowledge He has given us.
In short, all blessings, whether natural or technological, are the work of Allah. Past, present, and future...
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know. (Quran 16:
And Allah has made for you from that which He has created shadows and has made for you from the mountains shelters and has made for you garments that protect you from the heat and garments that protect you from your [enemy in] battle. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might submit [to Him]. (Quran 16:81)
In fact, it was already programmed in our destiny what people would discover and use and when.
Actually, all of this is again for us to confront ourselves in this short 2-day test life, to see what we deserve in the hereafter, and to taste some small rewards or punishments in this world:
And Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth and that every soul may be recompensed for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged. (Quran 45:22)
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with what is best. (Quran 53:31)
Although Allah's continuous creation is perceived by people as a mechanical order that occurs spontaneously, in reality, these are still direct creations of our Lord:
Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful." (Quran 27:64)
Have they not seen how Allah begins creation and then repeats it? Indeed, that, for Allah, is easy. (Quran 29:19)
They denied [the truth] and followed their [own] inclinations. But for every matter is a [decreed] time. (Quran 54:3)
But at the same time, our Lord shows with examples that these are not spontaneous or unchangeable orders, that He can create them in different ways if He wills, that He can even change the laws He has set, and that these orders came into existence later.
For example, He presents evidence that He does not need a mother + father = birth, i.e., sexuality, to create:
Indeed, the example of Jesus with Allah is like the example of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was. (Quran 3:59) (Jesus was also created without sexuality, one did not have a father, while the other did not have both a mother and a father; their situations are similar.)
Another example of direct (fatherless) creation:
[The Day] when Allah will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Holy Spirit and [when] you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what seemed] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs, and those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not but obvious magic." (Quran 5:110)
Apart from this, verses stating that people will be directly created from the earth in the afterlife and that the universe was created from nothing also beautifully describe this situation.
Greetings and love
Emre Karaköse
