Surah Al-Furqan, Ayah 60

The Ignorance of the Idolators

Allah tells us how ignorant the idolators are; instead of worshipping Allah, they worship idols which do not possess the power either to harm or benefit. They do this with no evidence or proof; the only thing that led them to do this was their own whims and desires. So they take these idols as protectors and fight for their sake, and they oppose Allah and His Messenger and the believers for their sake. Similarly Allah says:

وَكَانَ الْكَـفِرُ عَلَى رَبِّهِ ظَهِيراً

(and the disbeliever is ever a helper against his Lord.) meaning, he is a supporter of Shaytan against the party of Allah, but the party of Allah are the ones who will prevail, as Allah says:

قَالُوا وَمَا الرَّ‌حْمَـٰنُ (60) The word رَّ‌حْمَـٰنُ (Rahman, translated as All-Merciful) is an Arabic word and all Arabs knew its meaning, but they did not use it for Allah Ta’ ala. Hence they enquired who and what is Rahman (رَّ‌حْمَـٰنُ ).

Here ‘six Days’ means six Days of God. In the language of human beings, it may be called six stages or six periods. The Creation of the Universe in six stages indicates that it was done in a well planned manner. Whatever is brought into existence on the basis of a plan and a specific arrangement cannot be futile. In the question the stress is on the subject matter and not on the person to whom the question is put. The idea is that if a man is acquainted with God’s wonderful marvels, he will be able to tell you how High and Mighty is the Merciful God. The research undertaken by scientists in modern times partially fits the meaning of this verse. If a man learns the secrets of the universe which have come to light as a result of scientific research, he will become extremely excited, his hair will stand on end and his heart will spontaneously bow down before the Might of the Creator.