We as human beings have mastered so much. We have dived to the depths of the ocean and landed on the moon. We have sent probes to Mars and are planning manned missions to Mars. We scan the heavens. We have huge satellites and observatories. We have controlled the atom. We have made almost all the animals subservient to us and even control elephants. We pen animals into zoos. We have controlled and mastered so much except ourselves.
A number of things that continue to defy and disturb us are diseases; viruses which are the smallest of Allāh’s creation. Diseases have wiped out entire nations and yet bacteria and viruses are the smallest of Allāh’s creation. Let us not pride ourselves on our strength. Allāh gives us a lesson in this. Allāh mentions this lesson throughout the Qur’an in many places – that let no one pride themselves in their strength. Look at the People of ‘Ad. Allāh warned the Quraish that He has destroyed nations that were far more powerful and numerous than you. Do not reject the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. Do no oppose him ﷺ. This is just one of the lessons of Surat al-Fīl.
[This short excerpt is based on a talk entitled ‘The Kabah & The Quraysh: A Tafsir of Surat al-Fīl & Quraysh [Surah 105 & 106]’ delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on 22nd February 2013 at Al Kawthar Academy].
