A059
Surah: 003 - Ayah: 059
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3:59
This is such an important question that through its answer the great secrets of the creation of the universe can be unraveled. In this connection, see another one of my books, mizan al- haqa'iq (Balance of Realities), for details, particularly under the topic "Amr-i Kun" (Commandment: Be). This question has been posed on the ground that the Divine Command of "Be" (kun) cannot be applied to non-existence and nothingness, but rather, can be applied to such a creature whose physical creation has already been completed and which has only to be given spiritual form; just as God, for the spiritual completion of Adam and 'Isa had said "Be" after the completion of their physical creation. As God says:
Indeed, the similitude of 'Isa before god is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be" and he was (3:59).
This shows that the creation of Adam and 'Isa is alike. Now, let us ponder on God's words: "He created him from dust...." What does this mean? Does this verse narrate the complete physical creation of Adam and 'Isa or just the creation of their physical bodies? By reflecting upon it we will come to realize that this verse indicates the completion of the external and physical creation of these two prophets, before the ensuing of the command "Be"; and the command is issued only after the completion of physical creation. This further reveals that the command "Be" is for the completion of the spiritual status, not for that of making "nothing" a "thing", nor to bring existence out of non-existence. Here we think that this much explanation would be sufficient for the wise.
God, the Omnipotent, accomplishes all His acts by the command of "Be (kun)" in the twinkle of an eye (3:59; 40:68). Then what was the reason that He prepared the leaven of the body of Adam in forty mornings? This, in reality, was the act of Hazrat Adam's special bandagi and as a result, his spiritual creation and perfection. But since the means were provided by God, the Exalted, therefore, it is considered an act of God. And there are many such examples. It should be remembered that, in accordance with the same Divine law, the forty mornings of Hazrat Adam, forty nights of Hazrat Musa (2:51; 7:142) and the nights of the Holy Prophet in the cave of Hira, were all ordained for the attainment of light.
Kun (Be!)
It is said in verse (3:59): "Verily, the likeness of Isa in Allah’s sight is as the likeness of Adam: He created him out of dust, then He said to him: Be! and he became." In this heavenly teaching, there are several allusions of consummate wisdom, such as: (i) the external creation of every human being is according to the law of the world of creation; (ii) the internal completion of every Perfect Man is according to the law of the world of command, which is saying "Be!" by God
Reflecting on verse (3:59) one concludes that the creation of both Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Isa was alike (i.e in accordance with the laws of nature) and that it was on the occasion of their spiritual creation or perfection that God told them to "Be". From this it is clear that both Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Isa had parents and that Hazrat Isa’s parents were Hazrat Maryam and Yusuf, the carpenter.
Q178 Please explain the essential wisdom of verse (3:59) to us: “Inna mathala cIsa cinda’llahi ka-mathali Adam. Khalaqahu min turabin thumma qala lahu kun fa-yakun”.
A178 First translation: “Verily, the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam; He created him out of dust, then He said to him: “Be! And he was.” Second translation: “Verily, the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam; He created him out of dust (according to the law of creation, 30:30), then He said to him: “Be!” [at the place of Intellect after spiritual progress], and he became [a luminous creature].
Every human being is born of parents (16:4; 76:2) and so too Adam(c) and Jesus(c), who were also human beings. From the above-mentioned verse, it is evident that the application of “Be” is at the place of Intellect, by which the Perfect Man is created intellectually. This is the place where seventy thousand angels/copies/worlds come into existence. Angel, copy and world are synonymous.
This verse has been referred 8 times.