The Surah Al-Arf, like a radiant jewel among the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, with profound and meaningful verses, invites humanity to contemplate its own creation, the boundless divine blessings, and the consequences of ingratitude and arrogance. This writing, with a deep examination of the verses of this Surah, especially verses 10 and 11, focusing on the story of Adams creation and Iblis disobedience, endeavours to present the lofty Quranic concepts in a clear and dignified manner, within a scientific and coherent framework. Utilizing similes and literary allusions, this work seeks to guide the reader on a spiritual journey towards understanding divine wisdom and the limitations of human knowledge, without deviating from scientific and religious boundaries.
The Holy Quran in verse 10 of Surah Al-Arf invites humanity to reflect upon the innumerable divine blessings and their ingratitude towards these gifts. This verse, like a mirror, portrays the existential truth of mankind in the face of divine favours.
Human ingratitude towards divine blessings not only deprives them of the infinite grace of their Lord but also paves the way for their loss and detriment in this world and the Hereafter. Gratitude for blessings is like a key that opens the doors of divine mercy.
And indeed, We have established you upon the earth and made for you therein livelihoods. Little are you grateful.
This verse, with eloquent expression, refers to the establishment of humanity on earth and the provision of their means of subsistence. Water, air, the sun, the moon, and other divine favours, all serve humanity like streams of mercy. Yet, humans, like heedless travellers, seldom offer gratitude for these blessings. The Quran, with the phrase Little are you grateful, employs a tone of reproach addressing the majoritys ingratitude, considering only the true believers as thankful. This concept aligns with another Quranic verse that states:
And if you should count the favours of Allah, you could not enumerate them.
These verses invite humanity to contemplate the boundlessness of divine blessings and the necessity of gratitude. Ingratitude, like a dark shadow, obstructs the human being from benefiting from divine grace and leads them towards loss.
The Holy Quran in verse 11 of Surah Al-Arf refers to the creation of man and the stages of his development. This verse serves as a map of the creation journey, depicting the stages of human genesis.
And indeed, We created you, then fashioned you; then We said to the angels, Prostrate to Adam.
This verse outlines the stages of human creation from a drop to a leech-like substance, a morsel, bones, then flesh covering, and finally the last creation (another creation). The word then (ثُمَّ) signals the chronological and developmental order, emphasising the gradual nature of creation. These stages correspond with other Quranic verses such as:
And indeed, We created man from an extract of clay.
These verses manifest the complexity and grandeur of human creation. From a trivial seed, through a nine-month journey in the womb, the human being emerges as a perfected creature adorned by God with a fine form. Nevertheless, the text emphasises that human knowledge of the details of this creation is but a drop compared to the infinite ocean of divine wisdom. This ignorance is confirmed by another verse:
And you have not been given of knowledge except a little.
Human knowledge, in the face of the magnificence of divine creation, is like a dim candle that illuminates only a corner of the truth. Humility before the unknown brings one closer to divine wisdom.
The text humorously addresses human misconceptions regarding creation. Some presume to know everything, despite Gods clear statement of human ignorance. This lack of knowledge extends to the manner of Adams creation from soil, the creation of Eve, and even the genesis of other creatures. As a religious scholar noted, one who claims omniscience is immersed in madness.
