The verse says...

The verse says: “…each one runs unto an appointed term…” Next to that, the Qur’an implies that these acts of to and fro are not undue and do not exist with no result, because it is Allah Who arranges everything. Then there is an account for every movement, and every account has been appointed for a particular aim.

The verse continues saying: “…He directs the affair (of existence)…” Then, it adds: “…He explains the signs (in detail) so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.” Explanations There are some verses in the Qur’an which indicate that Allah maintains the heavens and the earth. Among them are the followings: A. “Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars which you (can) see…” (The above mentioned verse). B.

“Verily Allah holds the heavens and the earth lest they come to naught; and if they come to naught none besides Him can hold them back…” (Surah Fatir, No. 35, verse 41) C. “…And He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth…” In Tafsir Al-Mizan, ‘Allamah Tabataba’i says that the purpose of the Qur’anic word /tafsil/ (explanation) is separation of the celestial planets and the earth from each other. The observation of this separation makes us aware of the separation of people in the Hereafter.

The Arabic word /‘amad/ is the plural form of /‘amūd/ which means ‘pillar’. However, when we do not see something, it cannot be taken as a reason for its inexistence. Imam Rida (as) said: “There are some pillars, but you do not see them”.

[^1] There is a very attractive tradition in this field narrated from Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Ali (as) who has said: “These stars, which are in the sky, are some cities like the cities on the earth, every one of which is connected with another by means of a pillar of light.” [^2] Could there be found a more expressive and clearer meaning than ‘invisible pillar’ or ‘a pillar of light’ in the expansion of the literature of that time for mentioning the concept of ‘attractive force’ and its resulting equilibrium against the ‘repelling force’?

D. The creation of the world with no Resurrection is a vain action. The reference for Resurrection is the same reasoning of theism. The same One Who creates and directs the affairs of existence, can accomplish the Resurrection and Hereafter, too. “…so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.” Once Ali-ibn-Abi Talib (as) was asked how Allah reckons (the deeds of) all mankind in Hereafter.