Signs of creation in Surat Al-Fat’h

“… and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its sprouts, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, …” (TMQ, AlFat’h – The Conquest:29)

This ayah is the last ayah of Surat Al-Fat’h which was revealed in Madinah. It is called Al-Fat’h as it begins with a reference to the great victory that Allah (SWT) made possible for the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) in the signing of the Treaty of Hodaybia. Many of the Muslims present at the time felt that this treaty was a concession to the disbelievers in Makkah. Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA) said to the Prophet (SAWS), “Aren’t you the Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Yes!” He said, “Aren’t we Muslims?” He said, “Yes!” He said, “Aren’t they infidels?” He said, "Yes!” Then Omar asked, “Then why is our religion humiliated?” The Prophet (SAWS) answered him, “I am Allah’s servant and His Messenger, I will not disobey His command, and He will not lead me astray.” When this Surat was revealed, starting with the words, “Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory”, one of the companions of the Prophet (SAWS) asked, “O, Messenger of Allah, is it a victory?” The Prophet (SAWS) answered, “Yes! By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, it is a victory.”

Signs of creation in Surat Al-Fat’h:

The main theme of Surat Al-Fat’h is the Treaty of Hodaybia; the event is explained in detail with the lessons Muslims of all ages need to draw from it. In spite of this focus, this Surah includes a number of facts about life and the universe which can be listed as follows:

1) “And to Allâh belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth”. This point is mentioned twice in Surat Al-Fat’h, in the fourth and seventh ayahs. Among the “hosts” of the heavens and the earth are angels and the righteous among the humans and the jinn. Also, the different universal phenomena such as the movement of the earth and celestial bodies, shooting stars and meteors, the succession of night and day, the seasons, thunder and lighting, wind, clouds, rain, the flow and stores of water, earthquakes, volcanoes, storms and tornadoes on earth and in the sea, among others. All of these natural phenomena are from among the hosts of Allah. Although scientists understand the mechanics of these occurrences, it does not change the fact that Allah (SWT) uses them to punish sinners, test the righteous and to serve as an example for those who were saved.

2) “And to Allâh belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth.” This fact is mentioned in the fourteenth ayah of Surat Al-Fat’h, and many other ayahs. It is not possible for a rational person to conceive of the universe as existing without a Creator, Owner or Proprietor who has power, knowledge and wisdom. The material world cannot exist of itself or through mere coincidence because it is subject to many laws that cannot be replaced or changed; coincidence is far too limited to achieve this. There must, therefore, be a great Creator for this universe who has no partner in His Dominion, no rival to his kingdom or similitude from his creation.

3) The divine laws of Allah in the universe are not replaced, exchanged or changed without the permission of Allah (SWT). Surat Al-Fat’h refers to this fact in ayah 23, “…And you will not find any change in the Way of Allâh.” (Al-Fat’h: 23)

4) Reference to some of the characteristics of the last Messenger, Muhammad (SAWS) and reference to the characteristics of those who believed with him in the Torah and Gospel.

5) Allah compares the growth in the number of Muslims from the small number who followed the Prophet (SAWS) when he first started calling to Islam in their gradual increase to a plant reproduction method using the sprouts that grow in the part between the root and the stem . This method of reproduction was discovered only recently, but this ayah using it as a symbol was revealed over fourteen hundreds years ago in the Qur’an. The fact that this book was revealed to an illiterate Prophet whose people who were mostly illiterate people dwelling in the desert has many interpretations for people who have intelligence and vision. Each of the issues raised require special attention, thus I will limit the discussion only to the last point, which is the plant reproduction by the abovementioned method. Before I begin, let us have a quick look at some scholar’s interpretations of this ayah.

Interpretation of this ayah by some scholars:

The ayah that can be translated as, “Muhammad (SAWS) is the Messenger of Allâh. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allâh and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurât (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its sprouts, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allâh has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).”(TMQ, Al-Fat’h: 29).

Ibn-Kathir said, “This nation (the Muslims) has been honored in the earlier Books; the most honored and greatest are the companions of the Prophet (SAWS). Allah has mentioned this in the earlier Books which is why Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, (This is their description in the Taurât) and He says what can be translated as, (But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its sprouts, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the viewers.) This is how the companions of the Prophet (SAWS) were: they helped him, assisted him, and made him victorious. They were with him like the sprouts to the plant (that He may anger the disbelievers with them).
Other commentaries on the Qur’an provide similar descriptions, thus there is no need to list them.

Scientific indications in this ayah:

The ayah that we are examining states that the example of the Prophet (SAWS) and his companions was mentioned in the Injil (Bible), revealed to the Prophet Isa (AS), was an early announcement of the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), seal of the Prophets: “… like a (sown) seed which sends forth its sprouts, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem …”

We use the Arabic word “Shata’a” sprout for a plant when it develops extra stems from the nodes at the base of the stem that resemble it completely, whereas the branches are different from the stem and sprout out from any part of it.

“Then it supports” means that the original plant supplies the new sprout with the necessary nutrients, then it becomes more strong and reinforcing the mother plant at its base. In saying “supporting”, it means strengthening it from the bottom. It has been scientifically proven that when the new sprout is formed from the primary mother plant, it is completely dependent on it for nutrition until it develops three green leaves and four or five roots, making it able to become self-dependent.

“Then it becomes thick” means that it changes from being fine to becoming thick strengthening the walls of its cells by secreting large amounts of cellulose and lignin forming of a number of nodes covered with leaf sheaths.

“And it stands straight on its stems” meaning it is standing straight on its roots. “Stems” is the plural of “stem” and this stage – the stage of standing straight on its stems- follows the stage of becoming thick where the cells start dividing to lengthen the area between each node and the one next to it known as the “Internodes”. The internodes push one another until growth is complete, and the stem stands straight on the stalk when the stalk reaches the final stage of its development.

As for palm tillers, there are two types: The first type grows at a certain height from the trunk of the palm tree and does not have roots; it is known by as the Stolon. The second kind grows at the bottom of the palm tree and has its own roots. It can be removed from the palm tree to be used to propagate the tree by planting it elsewhere.

The ayah we are examining refers to a botanical fact that was recently discovered, that is the reproduction in some plants by the method of sprouting which refers to the sprouts that grow at the part between the root and the stem. This method is used in some cash crops such as wheat, barley, rice, sorghum, sugar cane, and others from the gramineae family. They are distinguished by; tapelike leaves, slim longitudinal stems which consist of connected internodes, complex flowers that blossom then take the form of spikes later. They also have fibrous roots with rhizome nodes and they mostly reproduce by sprouting, which increases their caryopsis. The “family Gramineae” which is the grass family, is one of the largest in the whole plant kingdom (comprising over 450 genera out of the plant genera and contain more than 7000 species). Each of these species represents billions of members and so the members of this family have spread over the earth covering huge areas, greater than the area covered by any other plant families. The gramineae family contains annual and perennial spreading grasses that often have slim internodal stems as in the case of Bermuda grass.

Allah (SWT) made it able to reproduce through sprouting so its stem would strengthen in the face of the wind, straighten and increase its caryopsis yield.

Sprouting is basically the sprouts that grow in the area between the root and the stem, even in the case of wheat whose roots are made of a basic group growing from the germinated seed and an unbasic group that grows from the side sprouts. The stem is also divided into two; the main stem sprouting from the plumule which comes out of the germinated seed after its full growth and various horizontal stalks sprouting from the base of the stem (in the form of horizontal straws that grow from the axial sprouts which exist on the base nodes and grow up on the base of the main stem). That is the reason why plants that reproduce by the method of sprouting undergo stages of; germination, seeding, sprouting, blossoming then producing caryopsis. In turn, caryopsis multiply through sprouting that could reach 30 in one plant. That’s how a group of stems can sprout from one single seed surrounding the main stem, making a complex collection of stems connected with each other and feeding from the fibrous root that in turn grew from one single seed of wheat; all from the same origin and all from the same seedling and the same root. The sprouts would grow till they reach the length of the original stem and they produce spikes just like them. So each sprout would have its own wheat spike just like the main stem. The wheat spike is a compound one (it carries other spikelets inside it). All are arranged in two rows till they reach the end spikelet. Each spikelet carries 2 to 3 wheat grains, whereas the spike carries 15 to 20 wheat grains. When the sprout multiply the original stem of the plant is surrounded by a number of secondary stems (sprouting), that grow in the form of a bundle increasing the circumference of the main plant, enabling it to stand upright over its own roots to face the wind. It also prevents any weeds from growing next to it. On the other hand, tillers (like the palm tillers) would weaken the mother plant and reduce the amount of nutrients sap reaching it, especially those which reach high near the trunk. They also act as perfect hosts for pests and insects.

The reader of the Noble Qur’an will be surprised by the precise choice of the word sprout in the ayah that we are examining because sprouts are completely different from palm tillers and from other offspring of plants. The new parts of the plant that developed from sprouting are not removed from the primary plant, but the tillers and other offspring are removed from their origins as in the case with the date palm trees. Botany researches have proved that sprouting prevents the mother plant from being dormant (which usually happens during the formation of the spikes). The ayah describes the strong tie between the seal of the Prophets (SAWS) and his companions, which was demonstrated in their love, care, and mercy for one another at a degree that is not comparable to any relations among people or groups. The ayah uses the term “sprouting” around the origin and strengthening one another. All the parts receive their nutrition from one source. The ayah did not choose palm tillers as an example since its role is completely different.

While the sprouts receive their nutrients with the original stem from the same root system, and never separate from it (otherwise they would die) the tillers that grow from the base of the palm tree separate from its origin by forming other side horizontal roots that become its main source of nutrition for the palm tiller. This allows it to be independent from its origin, and can be moved to another place where it starts a new life that is completely independent from the origin that produced it. Allah gave the likeness of the Prophet (SAWS) when he was sent with the Message, and took on the responsibility of Allah’s religion by himself to the example of a blessed plant and talking about his companions. He also gave the likeness of the companions of the Prophet (SAWS) - their gathering around him, their love for him, their sincerity, their loyalty to his blessed personality - to the growing sprouts around a blessed plant. It was not proper to use the example of tillers that quickly separate from its origin in their case. The companions of the Prophet (SAWS) were very attached and close to him. They were connected to him all through his life, and even after his death. Everyone of the blessed companions and every Muslim would wish and pray that Allah allows him to live according to the Sunnah of the seal of the Prophet (SAWS), and die on his creed, to be resurrected among his companions, and be united with him in the highest place in paradise, Allah willing. The best proof to this is the description of Urwa Ibn-Masoud al-Thaqafi, before embracing Islam, of the love of the companions to the Prophet (SAWS) when he came to him as a representative from Quraysh on the day of Hodaybia. He returned, and told them: “O people of Quraysh, I have visited Chosroes in his kingdom, Caesar in his kingdom, and Negus in his kingdom, but by Allah, I have not seen a king in his kingdom like Muhammad among his companions. They will never leave him in any case, so make up your minds.”

The plant that sends forth its sprouts, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem is an example to the companions toward the Prophet (SAWS): their gathering, love, loyalty, allegiance, sacrifice, and production from the same source. This precise example is an assertion that the Noble Qur’an cannot be man made because no human knew the difference between the sprout, the branch and the tiller from fourteen centuries, or not even one century ago. And this is a witness of the Prophethood and the message of the seal of the Prophet (SAWS) who received it.
--------------------
By: Dr. Zaghloul Al-Najjar