Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
210

SERMON 210

The greatness of Allah and the
creation of the Universe

It is through the
strength of Allah's greatness and His subtle power of innovation
that He made solid dry earth out of the water of the fathomless,
compact and dashing ocean. Then He made from it layers and
separated them into seven skies after they had been joined
together. So, they became stationary at His command and stopped at
the limit fixed by Him. He so made the earth that it is born by
deep blue, surrounded and suspended water which is obedient to His
command and has submitted to His awe while its flow has stopped
due to fear of Him.

He also created high
hills, rocks of stones and lofty mountains. He put them in their
positions and made them remain stationary. Their peaks rose into
the air while their roots remained in the water. In this way He
raised the mountains above the plains and fixed their foundations
in the vast expanse wherever they stood. He made their peaks high
and made their bodies lofty. He made them like pillars for the
earth and fixed them in it like pegs. Consequently, the earth
became stationary; otherwise it might bend with its inhabitants or
sink inwards with its burden, or shift from its positions.

Therefore, glorified
is He who stopped it after the flowing of its waters and
solidified it after the watery state of its sides. In this way He
made it a cradle for His creatures and spread it for them in the
form of a floor over the deep ocean which is stationary and does
not move and is fixed and does not flow. Severe winds move it here
and there and clouds draw up water from it.
Verily in this there is
a lesson unto him who feareth (Allah) (Qur'an, 79:26)