Surah As-Sajdah, one of the Meccan chapters of the Holy Quran, elucidates the status of humanity within the cosmic order through profound and contemplative discourse. This Surah presents human beings as creatures of the highest qualitative rank among Gods creations, whose intrinsic authority is rooted in boundless spiritual, epistemological, and volitional capacities. However, this authority flourishes solely under the aegis of order and adherence to the divine system of creation. Disorder and deviation from this system deprive humanity of its exalted station and lead it towards deviation and ruin. This treatise, by examining the verses of Surah As-Sajdah, explores the concept of human authority within the framework of the universes systematic nature, employing metaphors and semantic connections to illuminate the truth that the created cosmos, as a precise and engineered mechanism, is governed by divine wisdom and justice. The ultimate aim is to invite humanity to live in harmony with this system and attain its inherent perfection and authority.
One of the misconceptions regarding God is the belief that He operates arbitrarily and without regulation. This view, rooted in superficial interpretations of verses such as He misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills
(Quran 32:9), portrays the universe as a disordered and fragmented scene. Such a belief is incompatible not only with divine wisdom but also reduces the cosmic order to chaos and disorder. The Holy Quran depicts the universe as a complex and orderly apparatus, wherein every componentfrom the heavens and the earth to humans and other beingsfunctions within a precise and purposeful framework. This system resembles an industrial engine directed by divine consciousness and will towards a sublime goal.
Although analogous to an industrial apparatus, the system of creation transcends mere machinery; it is imbued with will and consciousness. Unlike purely material machines devoid of choice, the cosmosfrom the heavens and the earth to humans and other beingsoperates through divine consciousness and purposeful will. The Quran beautifully illustrates this order in Surah As-Sajdah:
Who perfected everything which He created, and began the creation of man from clay.
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 7)
This verse emphasises the precision and meticulousness of creation. Humanity, as an integral part of this system, possesses unparalleled capacities that only flourish through harmony with this order. Just as an industrial engine functions with synchronised components, humans must progress towards their perfection by observing order in conduct, worship, and life.
A prominent characteristic of the cosmic system is the causal relationship governing the outcomes of actions. The Holy Quran presents punishment and reward not as arbitrary decisions but as natural consequences of human deeds. Surah As-Sajdah clearly articulates this truth:
But as for those who transgress, their refuge is the Fire; whenever they desire to emerge from it, they shall be returned to it.
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 20)
This verse introduces punishment as the natural outcome of transgression and disobedience. Just as deviation from the laws of an industrial machine causes its malfunction, disobedience against the cosmic order results in punishment. This system is fixed and immutable, allowing no disorder or arbitrary exceptions.
The Quran presents divine retribution not as a personal act but as a systemic outcome:
Indeed, We are retaliators against the criminals.
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 22)
This retribution is the logical consequence of injustice and turning away from divine signs. By committing injustice and rejecting the truth, humans position themselves on a path that naturally leads to punishment. This process, like a law of nature, is inevitable and irreversible.
A fundamental concept in elucidating human authority is Mawt Akhtirami (unnatural death). Unlike natural death, which results from the exhaustion of biological capacity, unnatural death stems from violating the life system, such as overeating, undernourishment, or disorder in worship and remembrance. The Quran, by referencing the order of creation, invites humans to adhere to this system:
Do they not see that We drive water to the barren earth and bring forth thereby crops for their cattle and themselves? Will they not then see?
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 27)
This verse portrays the divine order in creation. By living disorderly, humans disrupt this order and succumb to premature death. Mawt Akhtirami is the result of such violation and accounts for ninety percent of deaths.
Animals, unlike humans, act with astonishing order. The mosquito, ant, and mouse each operate within a precise and purposeful system. This order is evident in their behaviour and life, offering lessons for humans. The Quran points to this order:
Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah.
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 32)
The glorification of creatures signifies their harmony and coordination with the cosmic system. Humans, endowed with free will, have neglected this order and turned to disorder. Such disorder hinders the realisation of their intrinsic authority.
The Divine Names, such as Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Ar-Rahim (The Most Compassionate), Al-Hakim (The Wise), and Al-Qadir (The Powerful), operate in a coordinated and systematic manner. None acts in isolation; rather, all function together under divine wisdom to govern the cosmic order. This coordination exemplifies the systematic nature of the universe. Through proper recognition of these Names and adherence to their system, humans can attain their inherent authority.
An incorrect understanding of God leads humans to imagine Him as arbitrary. God is not a vague or abstract concept but a distinguished essence with infinite attributes, administering the universe with wisdom and justice. Surah As-Sajdah, by emphasising the order of creation, corrects this understanding and invites humanity to harmonise with this system.
Worship practices such as prayer, dhikr (remembrance), and supplication, when performed systematically, bolster the spiritual and physical authority of humans. The Quran highlights the importance of this order:
Their sides forsake their beds.
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 16)
This verse underscores orderliness in worship. Disorder in worship, akin to disorder in sleep and nutrition, results in diminished authority and unnatural death.
The term Herdembeel, meaning living without system or order, impedes the actualisation of human authority. Humans must organise their lives like a precise apparatus to achieve perfection and authority. Such disorder imprisons humans in incapacity, akin to a bird trapped in a cage:
The believer in the mosque is like a fish in water, and the hypocrite in the mosque is like a bird in a cage.
This narration likens the believer to a fish freely moving in its natural environment with order and liberty, whereas the hypocrite, due to disorder, is confined within the cage of hypocrisy.
The Holy Quran alludes to a future in which humans, by living systematically, attain true perfection and authority:
And they say, When will this victory be, if you should be truthful?
(Surah As-Sajdah, Verse 28)
This verse points to the realisation of systematisation in the future. Those who live in order and harmony with the cosmic system will achieve genuine conquest and victory. This triumph manifests not only spiritually but in all aspects of human life.
Systematisation is the key to attaining human authority and perfection. By regulating their lives within the framework of the cosmic order, humans can reach the station befitting their exalted rank. Surah As-Sajdah, emphasising divine order and wisdom, invites humanity to embark on this path.
Surah As-Sajdah, through profound and contemplative language, invites humans to reflect upon their elevated status within the cosmic system. This Surah portrays the universe as a precise and engineered mechanism governed by divine wisdom and justice. Human authority depends on harmony with this system. Disorder and living in herdembeel deprive humanity of this authority and lead to unnatural death and corruption. The verses of Surah As-Sajdah, stressing the order of creation, distributive justice, and systematic consequences of actions, summon humans to live orderly lives in accord with divine wisdom. By regulating sleep, nutrition, worship, and behaviour, humans can realise their inherent perfection and authority and progress along a path culminating in divine conquest and victory. This treatise, relying on Quranic verses and deep analyses, clarifies that systematisation is not only essential for human life but also the pathway to perfection and eternity.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
