Signs in Living Things
Creatures of the world are full of unparalleled examples of God's artistry of creation. From birds to reptiles, from whales to insects, whether large or small, animals have incredible traits which never cease to amaze humans. Some of these traits (such as the way a spider can spin a web stronger than steel of the same diameter, or a bee constructs a honeycomb and produces honey, or the navigational skills of birds) make even the most self-assured person seem helpless. In fact, when humans try to mimic these animal traits, they are usually not capable enough to do it.
Despite all this, some people still deny the wonders of creation in animals. They display a breakdown in logical thinking by not accepting the existence of God, the Creator of both themselves and the universe they inhabit. But their efforts are for naught. Our Creator said this in the Qur'an:
... the truth came and God's command prevailed even though they detested it. (Qur'an, 9:48)
And horses, mules and donkeys both to ride and for adornment... (Qur'an, 16:8)
And also animals for riding and for haulage and animals for slaughtering and for wool... (Qur'an, 6:142)
We have appointed the camels for you as one of the sacred rites of God... (Qur'an, 22:36)
Haven't they looked at the camel – how it was created? (Qur'an, 88:17)
He has given you everything you have asked Him for. If you tried to number God's blessings, you could never count them. Man is indeed wrongdoing, ungrateful. (Qur'an, 14:34)
And there is certainly a lesson for you in your livestock. We give you to drink from what is in their bellies and there are many ways in which you benefit from them, and some of them you eat. (Qur'an, 23:21)
There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents of their bellies, from between the dung and blood, We give you pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. (Qur'an, 16:66)
There is no creature on the Earth which is not dependent upon God for its provision. He knows where it lives and where it dies. They are all in a clear book. (Qur'an, 11:6)
Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow." From inside them comes a drink of varying colors, containing healing for humanity. There is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an, 16:68-69)
And humanity and beasts and livestock are likewise of varying colors. Only those of His servants with knowledge have fear of God... (Qur'an, 35:28)
Don't you see that everyone in the heavens and Earth glorifies God, as do the birds with their outspread wings? Each one knows its prayer and glorification... (Qur'an, 24:41)
It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. (Qur'an, 16:10)
Don't they see how We drive water to barren land and bring forth crops by it which their livestock and they themselves both eat?... (Qur'an, 32:27)
Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and Earth and all the creatures He has spread about in them. And He has the power to gather them together whenever He wills. (Qur'an, 42:29)
Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him, and the religion belongs to Him, firmly and for ever. So why do you fear anyone other than God? (Qur'an, 16:52)
It is He Who made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from it and bring out from it ornaments to wear... (Qur'an, 16:14)
Anything you catch in the sea is lawful for you, and all food from it, for your enjoyment and that of travelers... (Qur'an, 5:96)
You who believe! Do not make forbidden the good things God has made lawful for you, and do not overstep the limits... (Qur'an, 5:87)
Haven't they seen how We created for them, by Our own handiwork, livestock which are under their control? We have made them tame for them and some they ride and some they eat. And they have other uses for them, and milk to drink. So will they not be thankful? (Qur'an, 36:71-73)
The metaphor of those who take protectors besides God is that of a spider which builds itself a house; but no house is flimsier than a spider's house, if they only knew. (Qur'an, 29:41)
God is not ashamed to make an example of a mosquito or of an even smaller thing. As for those who believe, they know it is the truth from their Lord... (Qur'an, 2:26)
And luxuriant gardens and orchards and meadows, for you and your livestock to enjoy. (Qur'an, 80:30-32)
In the heavens and Earth there are certainly signs for the believers. And in your creation and all the creatures He has spread about there are signs for people with certainty. (Qur'an, 45:3-4)
God has given you wives from among yourselves, and given you children and grandchildren from your wives, and provided good things for you... (Qur'an, 16:72)
Have fear of Him Who has supplied you with what you know, supplied you with livestock and children and gardens and clear springs. (Qur'an, 26:132-134)
We have established you firmly on the Earth and granted you your livelihood in it. What little thanks you show! (Qur'an, 7:10)
And We put livelihoods in it both for you and for those you do not provide for. (Qur'an, 15:20)
Glory be to Him Who has the dominion of all things in His Hand. To Him you will be returned. (Qur'an, 36:83)
God knows the unseen of the heavens and Earth. God knows what the heart contains. (Qur'an, 35:38)
Have you thought about what you cultivate? Is it you who make it germinate or are We the Germinator? If We wished We could have made it broken stubble. You would then be left devoid of crops, distraught. (Qur'an, 56:63-65)
Don't you see that God sends down water from the sky and then in the morning the Earth is covered in green? God is All-Subtle, All-Aware. (Qur'an, 22:63)
Know that God brings the Earth to life after it was dead. We have made the signs clear to you so that hopefully you will use your intellect. (Qur'an, 57:17)
Don't you see that God sends down water from the sky and threads it through the Earth to emerge as springs and then by it brings forth crops of varying colors, which then wither and you see them turning yellow and then He makes them into broken stubble? There is a reminder in that for people of intelligence. (Qur'an, 39:21)
The keys of the unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the earth, and nothing moist or dry which is not in a clear book. (Qur'an, 6:59)
