Allah uses communication to create, to destroy, to administer, to warn, to guide, to forgive, to grant favours, to give glad tidings, and thus to prove that He exists and is in complete charge of all things. PROF. U. MUHAMMAD IQBAL has enumerated in this article all the addressees that Allah communicates with, both in this world and in the next.
Cogito ergo sum – I think; therefore, I am. Descartes (1546-1650) stated this as the first certitude in resolving universal doubt.
The Holy Qur’ān already had an improved version of such certitude. “This is certainly true, as true as the fact of your speaking.” (51:23) This verse suggests a new form of the first certitude. I speak; therefore, I am. You speak; therefore you are. And so on and so forth until we realise that this formula could be applied to God too. God speaks and therefore He is. (Allama Yusuf Ali recalls Descartes in his note on the Qur’ānic verse 51:23.) This talking is radically different from the programmed talking of the gadgets.
God proves His existence and lends existence to others through His communication. “It does not befit Allah to take for Himself a son. Glory to be Him! When He decrees a thing, He only says: “Be” and it is.” (19:35) The Bible confirms this procedure of divine creation too. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) He uses communication to destroy too. “Our command consists of only one word which is carried out in the twinkling of an eye.”(54:50)
What Allah communicates is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Walhaqqu aqool (38:84). “I always speak nothing but the truth.” His communication “blots out falsehood and confirms the truth.” (42:24) Therefore, when Allah asserts that Jesus Christ was neither slain nor crucified (4:157), Muslims accept the assertion as the gospel truth.
The depth and range of the potential of His communication can be gauged from the following verse. “If all the trees on earth become pens, and the sea replenished by seven more seas were to supply them with ink, the words of Allah would not be exhausted.” (31:27)
God speaks through signs too. “There are many signs on earth for those of sure faith and also in your own selves. Do you not see?” (51:20, 21) “Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for people of understanding.” (3:190) “For those who believe, there are myriad signs in the heavens and the earth, and in your own creation, and in the animals which he spreads out over the earth too there are signs for those endowed with sure faith and in the succession of night and day and in the provision that Allah sends down from the sky wherewith He gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless and in the change of winds: (in all these there are signs for people who use reason.” (45:3-5) The universe is thus transformed into a book of communication through divine semiotics.
When we study the Qur’ān from the perspective of God as a Communicator par excellence, a unique feature emerges. Allah is portrayed as one who communicates with angels, prophets, the sky, the earth, mankind, jinns, believers, Bani Israel, fire, mountains, birds, hell, etc. A study of what He communicates to them is quite interesting.
ANGELS:
They are highly obedient to God. (16:50) The concept of fallen angels is alien to Islam. They carry out His orders. They uphold His sovereignty everywhere. They adore and glorify Him. They are the liaison between God and His creation. He teaches and guides the angels. Before creating Adam, Allah informs the angels, “Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent on earth.” (2:30)
“After I have created him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall you down, prostrating yourselves to him.”(38-72)
This conversation is revealed to us by Allah because of His knowledge and it reflects how God conceives, plans and implements His plan and how He administers and makes use of His personnel.
PROPHETS:
They are the most highly favoured and exalted human beings sent to convey God’s message to their respective communities in order that they should be obeyed. Those who obey the Prophets benefit themselves and ensure their own success and salvation. The divine message is communicated in the respective mother-tongues of the Messengers and thus the mother-tongues and their modern versions are also sanctified. “Never have we sent a Messenger but he has addressed his people in their language that he may fully expound His Message to them.” (14:4) “Therefore, we have revealed the Qur’ān in your tongue and made it easy to understand that you may give glad tidings to the God-fearing and warn a contentious people.” (19:97) Muslims are advised to follow exclusively the way of Abraham. (2:135)
As a part of His administration, Messengers are intimated that they are being officially appointed. Prophet Abraham is informed, “I am going to appoint you a leader of all people.” (2:124) “O David, We have appointed you a vicegerent on earth. Therefore rule among people with justice.” (38:26) The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) is addressed: We have revealed to you this Book with true Truth so that you may judge between people in accordance with what Allah has shown you.” (4:105) These statements entwine religion with politics.
The Prophets enjoy a certain level of intimacy with God and it is their exclusive prerogative. They make demands upon Him. “My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead.” (2:260) “O My Lord! Reveal yourself to me that I may look upon you.” (7:143) Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) often turns his face silently towards the sky and Allah reads his mind and declares, “We are turning you to the direction that will satisfy you.” (2:144) The Prophet’s body language was effective as a communication device. God chooses Messengers to reveal knowledge of the unseen. (3:179) When Adam errs and repents, Allah teaches him how to secure spiritual rehabilitation and forgiveness and be restored to divine favours.
In the realm of divine communication, Moses and Jesus enjoy a rare distinction. ‘To Moses, Allah spoke directly.” (4:164) Jesus is described as “a word from Him.” (3:45) Both Moses and Jesus predicted the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). (7:157) The holy Qur’ān is an eternal miracle of divine communication.
Allah addresses Prophets not only individually but also as a group. He assembled all Prophets and addressed them. This is one aspect of His administration. “Messengers! Partake of the things that are clean, and act righteously. I know well all that you do. This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord; so hold Me alone in fear”. (23:51-52) Prophets preceding Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) were asked to take a pledge, that they would confirm, believe in and help Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) who confirms all preceding prophets. (3:181)
EARTH AND SKY:
Allah said to the heaven and the earth. “Come Ye together, willingly or unwillingly.” They said: We do come (together) in willing obedience.” (41:11) Allah communicates with the earth and the heaven to establish His authority over them and to enable them to know who is their Creator and Controller. Both the heaven and earth joyously surrender to Him.
Allah exercises His authority over them. One example is given. He controls the flood during Noah’s time. “Then the word went forth: O Earth! Swallow up your water; and Heavens! Abate!” And so the water subsided, the command was fulfilled.” (11:44)
A similar authority will be exercised in a new world order “When the sky is rest asunder and hearkens to the command of its Lord doing what it should and when the earth is flattened out, and casts out what is within it and is emptied, and hearkens to the command of its Lord, doing what it should.” (84: 1-5)
FIRE, MOUNTAINS AND BIRDS:
In order to save Abraham, His devotee, from getting charred, Allah did not assume a human form but sent an order to the fire which had covered him, “O fire, become coolness and safety for Abraham.” (21:69) Allah thus saved him. (21:71)
Allah honoured David, another devotee of His; “We bestowed Our favour upon David. (We commanded): “O mountains, sing Allah’s praises with him”, (and so did We command) the birds.” (34:10)
Such communication has a supranatural dimension.
MANKIND:
Allah introduced Himself to the all human beings and secured a pledge of loyalty from them in their pre-existence stage. “And recall, (O Prophet) when your Lord brought forth descendants from the loins of the sons of Adam, and made them witness against their own selves, asking them: Am I not your Lord? They said: Yes, we do testify?” (7:172)
And the Prophets and Books have been sent to remind mankind of the covenant. (36:60-61, 43: 61-64)
The truth of this covenant is reflected indirectly when Nicholas Wade argues in his book ‘The faith Instinct: How Religion Evolved and Why It Endures’ that people have a genetic urge to worship and this urge springs from the brain’s neural circuits.
Allah knows and controls and feeds every being living in different parts of the universe. “Your Lord knows all who dwell in the heavens and the earth”. (17:55) “There is no moving creature but that He holds it by its forelock.” (11:56) “There is not a single moving creature on earth except that Allah is responsible for providing its sustenance.” (11:6)
Above all, Allah takes upon Himself the responsibility of guiding mankind, “Surely it is (incumbent) upon us to show the Right Way.” (92:12) He made a promise to Adam and Eve; “Guidance will come to you from Me: then, whoever will follow My guidance need have no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:38) In keeping with this promise, He sent Books and guides to all communities. “There is a Messenger to every people.”(10:47) Finally the Qur’ān is revealed and mankind is addressed. “Tell them (O Muhammad): O People! Truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever, then, follows the True guidance does so for his own good; and whoever strays, his straying will be to his own hurt. I am no custodian over you. And follow, (O Muhammad), whatever is revealed to you, and remain patient until Allah brings forth His judgment. He is the Best of those who judge.” (10:108,109)
Allah asks the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to inform the people that He is quite near in order to answer the call of the caller whenever he calls Him. (2:186) There is a hotline between the devotee and the Deity for instantaneous and fruitful communication.
There are addresses galore to different constituents of mankind like the believers, the deniers, Bani Israel, the people of the Book, (the Jews and the Christians).
Allah draws attention to the fact that man eats fruits and livestock without bestowing a thought upon the Creator, who created them. In chapter 56 of the Qur’ān, a series of questions are put to mankind. How can human beings say that Allah does not exist when He is questioning them intelligently and coherently and in a sequential and systematic manner?
“We have created you, then why would not confirm it? Did you ever consider the sperm that you emit? Do you create a child out of it, or are We its creator? It is We who ordained death upon you… Have you considered the seeds you till? Is it you or We who make them grow? If We so wished, We would have reduced your harvest to rubble… Did you cast a good look at the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds or is it We who brought it down? If We had so pleased, We could have made it bitter… Did you consider the fire which you kindle? Did you make its tree (fuel) grow or was it We who made it grow?” (56:57-72) He clubs Jinns, an invisible creation, with mankind and questions both in Chapter 55.
This communicative aspect will be much in evidence even in the next life. Allah’s conversation with Hell is prerecorded as follows: On that Day We shall ask Hell: Are you full?” And it will reply: “Are there any more?” Hell’s vastness is effectively conjured up and the fact that Hell will be geologically alive and ferocious is also brought home. Hell’s reply comes in the form of a question.
It is Allah who has given communicative power to human beings to live life fully, insightfully, and blissfully by keeping in touch with Him through communication. “The Merciful One has taught man articulate speech.” (55:4) A foregrounded question in chapter 90 lays stress upon the non-verbal and verbal communicative skills of man. “Did We not grant men two eyes and a tongue and two lips? And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)?” (8, 9, 10) No doubt, it is through communication that man makes his presence felt but it is only by following God’s guidance in its entirety that his presence gains added significance and is actualised.
We should be thankful to Allah, Who provides sustenance to us, (67:21) Who sent down water and has power to make it vanish, (23:18, 67:30), Who does not make the shade stationary, (25:45) Who does not make either the day or the night perpetual, (28:71-72) Who can take away our hearing, and our sight and seal our hearts and none can restore them to us without His permission. (6:46) We should be thankful to the tens and thousands of His Messengers who invited us to believe in our unique Creator and the unanimity of their invitation transcended barriers of all kinds, and whose warning we can ill-afford to ignore. “Exalted be your Lord, the Lord of Glory above what they attribute to Him, and peace be to the Messengers, and all praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds”. (37:180-182)