This writing aims to elucidate and analyse the miracle of creation through the lens of the Quranic verses, with a particular focus on verse 59 of Surah Al-Imran, which compares the creation of Jesus (peace be upon him) with that of Adam (peace be upon him). This work, with a profound outlook on theoretical and practical wisdom, delves into the esoteric meanings and divine miracles and endeavours to clarify Quranic truths for readers with a clear and dignified language. The content is organised inspired by the lectures of religious scholars, conveying both the deep Quranic meanings and, through allegories and references, establishing a connection between divine wisdom and lived human experience.
Theoretical wisdom, as a window towards perceiving metaphysical and unseen realities of the universe, guides humans to a deeper comprehension of the system of existence. This wisdom, through contemplation on the Quranic verses, directs mankind to the understanding of divine miracles which transcend everyday experiences. For example, the creation of Jesus (peace be upon him) and Adam (peace be upon him), as explained in the verse under discussion, is among truths that can only be grasped through the perspective of theoretical wisdom.
Practical wisdom, by means of experience and observation in daily life, enables humans to recognise signs of divine power in the world around them. For instance, witnessing brutal contests such as boxing or fighting in fiery cages appears astonishing to the ordinary person, as if the combatants are superhuman beings. This metaphor demonstrates that phenomena which appear extraordinary, like Quranic miracles, seem unbelievable to minds unfamiliar with these matters.
Quranic miracles, such as creation without intermediaries, appear like superstitions and far-fetched stories to a person lacking experience with such matters. This perceptual limitation roots in the human minds habituation to material and mundane affairs. For example, verses that speak of extraordinary creations, such as the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him), are difficult to accept for a mind preoccupied with basic needs like bread and water.
The Noble Quran, as stated in the glorious verse No wetness and no dryness but that it is in a Clear Book (Al-Anam: 59), encompasses all realities of existencefrom material matters to metaphysical miracles. This comprehensiveness makes the Quran an unparalleled source for understanding complex and extraordinary phenomena. Quranic miracles, such as the creation of Jesus (peace be upon him), belong to these truths that require an exalted perspective for comprehension.
لَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا یَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِی كِتَابٍ مُبِینٍ
No wetness and no dryness exist except that it is recorded in a Clear Book.
Miraculous verses, especially those that discuss extraordinary creations, are intended for those who have devoted their lives to experiencing and contemplating these realities. For the ordinary person, whose mind is occupied with everyday matters, such verses appear meaningless. The people of knowledge, who have approached these truths through spiritual experiences and profound contemplation, are the primary audience of these verses.
The progeny of the prophets, described in the Noble Quran as descendants, some of them from others (Al-Imran: 34), are likened to fresh water amidst a salty ocean. Despite being amidst ordinary people, by divine selection, they remain spiritually distinct and pure.
ذُرِّیَّةً بَعْضُهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ
Descendants, some of them from others.
Common Quranic commentaries, even among hundreds of works, often fail to elucidate the depth of Quranic miracles and settle for apparent affirmation. Religious sciences, despite great efforts, sometimes fall short of precise explanations because understanding these verses requires deep contemplation and spiritual experience beyond mere theoretical knowledge.
Verse 59 of Surah Al-Imran compares the creation of Jesus (peace be upon him) with that of Adam (peace be upon him) and emphasises the extraordinary nature of both. This verse portrays the miracle of creation as a manifestation of absolute divine power.
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِیسَىٰ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
Indeed, the example of Jesus with Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust, then He said to him, Be, and he was.
The creation of Adam (peace be upon him) from dust (turb) involved a temporal process (I fashioned him for forty mornings), whereas the creation of Jesus (peace be upon him) occurred directly by the divine command Be without the need for initial material or temporal process. This distinction highlights the subtlety and greater power of the miracle of Jesuss creation.
The phrase Be, and it is (kun fayakn) in this verse refers to the instantaneous divine command whereby existence is brought forth without any temporal process. Be is the divine creative decree, and it is is the declarative indication for human comprehension. This process, transcending time and space, manifests infinite divine power.
The term fayakn is a literary elucidation intended for human understanding within temporal and linguistic constraints. It does not indicate delay in creation but serves as a rhetorical device to announce the fulfilment of the divine command. Creation by Be happens instantaneously, and fayakn simply conveys this truth.
The ordinary person, whose mind is preoccupied with material needs such as nourishment and daily necessities, finds it difficult to believe Quranic miracles except through blind imitation and faith. True belief in miracles requires direct experience and profound contemplation beyond superficial acceptance.
Human daily lifefrom breathing and sleeping to waking and movementis itself a miracle that, due to repetition, appears ordinary. For instance, the human digestive system, capable of digesting various foods and expelling waste without difficulty, is a more complex miracle than the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) from dust. This astonishing order is an expression of divine wisdom, often overlooked due to habituation.
The digestive system, with its intricate structure and precise function, operates like a divine factory processing nourishment with flawless order. This system, which resists various types of food substances, surpasses human technologies and signals the creative power of God.
Human inventions, such as clocks, cameras, and machinery, are inspired by the human creation system but remain inferior to the profundity of the miracle of creation. Despite their advancement, these technologies are merely imperfect imitations of divine order and cannot attain the boundless wisdom of creation.
The noble verse The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters emphasises the divine origin of truth. Your Lord refers to God as the nurturer who guides and creates humans moment by moment. This verse cautions humans against doubting divine truths and invites them to faith in miracles.
الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِینَ
The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.
Physical differences among humans, such as some being able to digest food easily or endure harsh conditions while others cannot, manifest the diversity in divine creation. Each of these differences, in its way, displays a part of the miracle of creation.
God, in creation, applies generalisation, creating humans with diverse featuresfrom healthy to ill, tall to short. This generalisation, in contrast to human tendencies towards personalised production, reflects divine wisdom in the diversity of creation.
Humans, unlike divine wisdom, tend toward producing beings with specific characteristics. In the future, technologies such as artificial intelligence may lead to new creations, but ultimately these creations originate from divine power.
The infinite power of God is not limited by time and place and may produce new creations in the future, similar to Jesus (peace be upon him) and Adam (peace be upon him). This possibility, beyond human knowledge, depends on divine wisdom and will.
The order of the digestive system, which digests food without discrimination, is likened to a proverb that says: Whoever becomes a donkey, wash his blanket; whoever becomes a dog, become his kennel. This metaphor refers to the universal acceptance in divine creation, which encompasses all things.
The entire existencefrom the mosquito to humans, from the sea to the sunis a miracle that appears ordinary due to habituation. No phenomenon in the universe, from the laws of nature
