A190
Surah: 003 - Ayah: 190
Click here to see the translations
3:190
Possessors of Intellect and Divine Signs: The results of reflecting upon the verses of the Qur’an, the signs of the universe and the signs of the personal world are the same. As is said in verses (3:190-191): “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs (of His power) for those who possess intellect, who remember God standing, sitting and reclining on their sides (i.e. in every state) and think upon the creation of the heavens and the earth.” It is clear that the book of the universe can be studied only by those that possess intellect.
Both in this world and in the world of religion, only those people become successful, exalted, triumphant, who in true sense, possess intellect and wisdom. But the rank of intellect is as difficult to attain as it is high. Why not? After all, the intellect is the most exalted and excellent and most valuable and precious of all things and all bounties. And it is the peace and paradise of it which is the greatest paradise. Thus, there are many subjects in the different words of the wise Qur'an related to the intellect. One extremely interesting subject is “ulu'l-albab (those who possess intellect)”, which consists of only sixteen verses. It will be extremely necessary to earnestly see in these verses, with what glory God has praised the people of intellect.
What are their virtues? What is their way of living? And what is the main or key secret by acting upon which, people can be counted among the people of wisdom? So let us now examine two such luminous verses which contain the elixir or the secret of how, like the transmutation of the base metal into gold or silver, a Muslim with good intention can include himself in the group of the people of wisdom, through this Qur'anic alchemy.
These wisdom-filled verses are: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the alternation of night and day, there are signs for the people of intellect, who remember God standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord You have not created this for vanity. Purified are You! Guard us against the chastisement of the Fire” (3:190-191). In this heavenly teaching, you see that intellect and wisdom, thinking and reflection, deduction of results, recognition of God, salvation from Hell-fire and attainment of Paradise, are all the fruit of such a remembrance of God, which according to the above-mentioned verse, continues in every position of sitting and standing. Thus, Divine remembrance is certainly the supreme elixir.
Reflect carefully on verses (3:190-191) in which the key to the hidden and locked secrets of the universe and existents, is the reflection of the people of intellect. The key to reflection is Divine remembrance, which comprises three states, namely: standing, sitting and lying on their sides, in which the people of intellect remember God, the Great, the Exalted. There are many wisdoms in this order of remembrance. Here we will take into consideration only those wise people who remember God in the state of lying on their sides, who are: (a) That mu'min who is in constant remembrance, and has laid down to take rest. (b) The religious man who is very tired. (c) The ill person who cannot get up. (d) The old man who is very weak. (e) The one who has laid down to sleep. (f) The one who has opened his eyes from sleep. (g) The one who cannot fall asleep. (h) The one who has become extremely weak due to starvation and long ictikaf (sitting in constant cibadat). (i) The one who dies spiritually. (j) The one who is in the state of physical death, etc.
The gist of the points of this article is that, if someone cannot sleep despite having sound health, he does not need to worry. If he worries, this blessing of waking up may turn into a burden and into the form of a psychological disease. Thus the wise mu'min is the one who does cibadat in such a wakeful state and reflects upon the realities and gnoses of the universe and the existents (3:190-191).
It is mentioned in the holy Qur’an (3:190-91) that the people of intelligence remember God standing, sitting and lying on their sides. This heavenly praise is special for the awliya’ and it is only they who can stand the test of it. Otherwise, how can those people, who are trapped in trivial problems, be the people of intelligence in the sight of God, and how can they do a successful dhikr in the state of half-sleep lying on their sides in which the eye sleeps but the heart and mind remain wakeful? But it is true that someone who becomes annihilated in the Murshid and annihilated in the Prophet, can undoubtedly become aware of these secrets of recognition.
Albab (Pure intellects)
In verses (3:190-191) God says: "Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, are signs for the possessors of pure intellects, who remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ..."
Q233 Please explain some wisdoms of these verses (3:190-191): “Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day, are signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining and reflect and contemplate on the creation of the heavens and the earth, (say): ‘Our Lord! You have not created (all) this in vain! Glory be to You! Save us from the torment of the Fire!’”
A233
- The universe is the paradise of tomorrow to come.
- There are subtle kingdoms on the stars.
- There are thousands of allusions in the circle, which is created by the alternation of the night and the day.
- An amazing virtue of the people of intellect is that they remember God standing, sitting and in a reclining position.
This verse has been referred 7 times.