“As for ʿĀd, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, ‘Who is greater than us in strength?’ Did they not consider that Allah who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs. So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.” Surah Fussilat (41:15–16)
In the aforementioned verse, the ultimate power of God, whose punishment is the most severe, is contrasted to the weakness of man. How should the comparison between the two concepts of weakness and power be understood in the Islamic context?
If we examine the issue closely, we come to the conclusion that the idea of man’s weakness is not the kind of weakness that hampers his ability to act independently, but rather makes him seek to overcome it and change it to a point of strength by relying on Allah.
All the verses discussing the power of God, such as:
“Indeed, Allah is Powerful and severe in punishment.” Surah Al-Anfal (08:52)
are linked to punishment that is always the result of a violation of His command or defying His will. They are also related to man’s confrontation of the forces of evil and man’s sustenance.
As mentioned by His Eminence, the Religious Authority Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), in his book Islam and the Logic of Power: it has to do with maintaining a balance in man’s practical behavior so that God’s power acts as a deterring agent against any deviation and a source of strength in moments of weakness.
Another similar verse:
“Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power. But Allah is not such that anything escapes Him in the heavens or on the earth. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.” Surah Fatir (35:44)
also depicts God’s power as a severe punishment in this life and in the Hereafter as well for non-believers. In other words, the non-believers themselves brought about their downfall by rebelling against the commands of Allah and defying His authority. In addition, regardless of how powerful and mighty their forces might be, they will ultimately be defeated when confronting the power of Allah.
The power of Allah is actually protective in the sense that it stops man from using his power in a tyrannical way that destroys the lives of others, and his own life as well. Allah does not impose His own will upon man’s or pressurize his freedom, but rather curbs the elements of deviation that threaten both the individual and society. When it comes to other choices, such as choosing between right and wrong, they are left to be decided by the free will of man.
On the other hand, other verses, such as:
“And Allah will surely support those who support Him.” Surah Al-Hajj (22:40)
stress that God’s power is a guarantee for those who confront the forces of oppression and falsehood from the standpoint of the message and resistance. It provides believers with strength and support no matter how strong the enemy is.
It is the same power of God which brings about destruction to the evil forces and saves man from the weakness he might feel in his fight with the enemy. This fear might destroy man psychologically, but Allah, who never abandons His devout servants, supports him with spiritual tranquility:
“And Allah repelled those who disbelieved in their rage, and they obtained no advantage. And sufficient was Allah for the believers in battle, and ever is Allah Powerful and Exalted in Might.” Surah Al-Ahzab (33:25)
The Qur’an also tells us about God’s power over our sustenance. He gives sustenance to His worshippers from the position of His absolute power and infinite capabilities, for He is the creator of all means of survival. Man therefore should feel reassured about his survival as a result of the feeling of confidence in his Creator and should no longer feel helpless when he encounters hardship and poverty. After all:
“Indeed, it is Allah who is the continual Provider, the firm possessor of strength.” Surah Adh-Thariyat (51:58)
“As for ʿĀd, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, ‘Who is greater than us in strength?’ Did they not consider that Allah who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs. So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped.” Surah Fussilat (41:15–16)
In the aforementioned verse, the ultimate power of God, whose punishment is the most severe, is contrasted to the weakness of man. How should the comparison between the two concepts of weakness and power be understood in the Islamic context?
If we examine the issue closely, we come to the conclusion that the idea of man’s weakness is not the kind of weakness that hampers his ability to act independently, but rather makes him seek to overcome it and change it to a point of strength by relying on Allah.
All the verses discussing the power of God, such as:
“Indeed, Allah is Powerful and severe in punishment.” Surah Al-Anfal (08:52)
are linked to punishment that is always the result of a violation of His command or defying His will. They are also related to man’s confrontation of the forces of evil and man’s sustenance.
As mentioned by His Eminence, the Religious Authority Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), in his book Islam and the Logic of Power: it has to do with maintaining a balance in man’s practical behavior so that God’s power acts as a deterring agent against any deviation and a source of strength in moments of weakness.
Another similar verse:
“Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power. But Allah is not such that anything escapes Him in the heavens or on the earth. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.” Surah Fatir (35:44)
also depicts God’s power as a severe punishment in this life and in the Hereafter as well for non-believers. In other words, the non-believers themselves brought about their downfall by rebelling against the commands of Allah and defying His authority. In addition, regardless of how powerful and mighty their forces might be, they will ultimately be defeated when confronting the power of Allah.
The power of Allah is actually protective in the sense that it stops man from using his power in a tyrannical way that destroys the lives of others, and his own life as well. Allah does not impose His own will upon man’s or pressurize his freedom, but rather curbs the elements of deviation that threaten both the individual and society. When it comes to other choices, such as choosing between right and wrong, they are left to be decided by the free will of man.
On the other hand, other verses, such as:
“And Allah will surely support those who support Him.” Surah Al-Hajj (22:40)
stress that God’s power is a guarantee for those who confront the forces of oppression and falsehood from the standpoint of the message and resistance. It provides believers with strength and support no matter how strong the enemy is.
It is the same power of God which brings about destruction to the evil forces and saves man from the weakness he might feel in his fight with the enemy. This fear might destroy man psychologically, but Allah, who never abandons His devout servants, supports him with spiritual tranquility:
“And Allah repelled those who disbelieved in their rage, and they obtained no advantage. And sufficient was Allah for the believers in battle, and ever is Allah Powerful and Exalted in Might.” Surah Al-Ahzab (33:25)
The Qur’an also tells us about God’s power over our sustenance. He gives sustenance to His worshippers from the position of His absolute power and infinite capabilities, for He is the creator of all means of survival. Man therefore should feel reassured about his survival as a result of the feeling of confidence in his Creator and should no longer feel helpless when he encounters hardship and poverty. After all:
“Indeed, it is Allah who is the continual Provider, the firm possessor of strength.” Surah Adh-Thariyat (51:58)