Street Prophets

Ramadan Day 24: Verses from the Quran

by lauramp

Fri Oct 28, 2005 at 09:07:10 PM PDT

Each day during Ramadan, I am presenting a verse from the Quran with a few thoughts or comments. An introduction to this series is here. Inshallah (God willing), I hope that this may be of benefit to any who are interested in learning a bit more about Islam and Muslim belief.

Quran 40:57:

Indeed the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of humankind but most people do not know it
Perhaps sometimes we humans tend to assume that we are the peak of creation or the greatest of creations. But apparently not, according to this verse.

The verse may also suggest that the creation of humankind was not that great a thing for God.

I've been putting in a lot of extra hours at work this week and I'm too tired to think of anything clever to say about this verse, I just think it's interesting and may put us in our place if we start getting above ourselves.


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  • profound (0 / 0)

    This is indeed a beautiful verse in its simplicity. Yes, as humans we really cannot imagine all the splendor of this planet's natural history. It evolved with richness and abundance long before we attained the consiousness to understand a few things about it.

    I really cherish environmental references in ancient texts. Thank you for this selection.

    Black cat, white cat - if it catches the mouse, it's a good cat! --Deng Xiaoping

    by Lefty Mama on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 12:21:03 AM PDT

    • what a beautiful thought (0 / 0)

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What you wrote is beautiful!

      "Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)

      by lauramp on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 01:38:29 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • Inshallah (0 / 0)

        I read the verse and let it "soak in." Then I wrote what the spirit seemed to whisper to me. I pray that all the people in the world will learn how to live sustainably and in balance with natural resources. I never stop praying for this.

        Black cat, white cat - if it catches the mouse, it's a good cat! --Deng Xiaoping

        by Lefty Mama on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 06:27:59 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • link (0 / 0)

    There's an interview on Salon with "Sengalese superstar Youssou N'Dour, who protested the Iraq war, talks about the beauty of Africa, Sufism and his fight against fundamentalism."

    by Elizabeth D on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 08:17:20 AM PDT

  • It reminds me (0 / 0)

    that I am not the center of the universe... Further, my ideas, opinions, and perceptions are not "true" in a final sense, they are aspects of truth perhaps, but not Truth itself. I am reminded to be humble, tolerant, and that I haven't necessarily got the full picture.

    Islam means "surrender", and I am reminded to surrender my will to the greater Reality.

    To God belong the east and the west: Whereso ever you turn, there is the face of God. For God is all-Embracing, all-Knowing.

    by dervish on Sat Oct 29, 2005 at 11:15:02 AM PDT

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