“And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your...

“And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers (while) you knew nothing, and He appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts; that perhaps you may give thanks.” The Holy Qur’an, once again, refers to another lesson in monotheism and theology as well as the different bounties of Allah. In this section of the issue of blessings, it devotes its first part to the blessings of science and learning as well as the means leading to knowledge.

The Qur’an declares: “And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers (while) you knew nothing…” Certainly, in such a confined environment which lacked openness, such an ignorance was tolerable.

However, in this vast universe, that sort of ignorance was impossible to be continued, therefore, from among the devices for the cognition of the world, that is, eyes, ears, and reason were placed at your disposal, so that you understand the facts of life and these great blessings and your sense of gratitude be motivated as in face of such benevolent Creator in order, perhaps, to give Him His due gratitude.

The verse says: “…and He appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts; that perhaps you may give thanks.” One way of expressing one’s thanks for something, is its correct application, for the Qur’an criticizes those who have got eyes, yet they do not see, and they have got ears, yet they do not hear and they are not ready to hearken the truth.

The true way of expressing one’s gratitude for having eyes and ears, is the acquisition of knowledge, for the verse, at first, says that you did not know; it was Allah Who gave you eyes and ears to thank; that is, to devote your life to learning. Surah An-Nahl – Verse 79 أَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَي الطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ فِي جَوّ‌ِ السَّمآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لاَيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 79. “Do they not look at the birds, constrained in the middle of the sky?

Naught holds them but Allah; verily there are signs in that for a people who believe.” As was said before, the content of this Surah provides us with acquaintance about the blessings and focuses attention on their creator. Up until now, we have noted Him mentioning such blessings as rainwater, milk, fruits, honey, the blessings of having wife and children.

In this verse, and the next one, the blessings of birds, skin, wool of the four-footed animals, and the ways of utilization of mountains are being discussed.

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