Similitude

Assalamalaykum.   In my readings of the Holy Qur’an,  I’ve come across the word “similitude” not just once but many times.   And in all of those times,  I noticed that the similitude has always been associated with Nature, the creation of the universe, and many other examples that proved  without doubt the authorship of Allah who created  these wonderful things for man to believe .   The Almighty Allah has made it so simple to understand the messages for us to constantly remind us and experience in our daily lives the proofs and signs of His power .  Clearly the similitude has the Divine Purpose for man to believe that there is only ONE true God . These reminders have been repeatedly mentioned in the different surahs:

Surah BaniiIsraa-iil 17:89      “And verily We have displayed for mankind in this Qur’an all kinds  of similitudes, but most of mankind refuse aught save disbelief.”    Surah Kafh 18:54  ” And verily We have displayed for mankind in this Qur’an all manner of similitudes but man is more than anything contentious.”  Surah Ankabuut 29:43 “  As for these similitudes , We coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise.”

Despite the numerous similitudes mentioned , still many refuse to believe and to them Allah has this warning in Surah Hajj 22:73 “  O mankind!  A similitude is coined,  so pay ye heed to it : Lo! those on whom ye call beside Allah will never create a fly though they combine together for the purpose.   And if the fly took something from them, they could not rescue it from him.   So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought.”

The above surah then brings me to the first surah recorded in the Holy Qur’an, Surah Baqarah 2:26,  the similitude of the gnat.     It reads “   Lo!  Allah disdaineth not to coin the similitude of the gnat or even anything above that.   Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord;  but those who disbelieve say, What doth Allah wish (to teach) by such a similitude?   He misleadeth many thereby;  and He gaineth many thereby;  and He misleadeth thereby only the miscreants.”

The gnat, known also as the the mosquito appears to be a very insignificant insect to be considered in this surah , yet it is worthy of be examined and pondered upon since it bears the sign of Allah’s creation.

We always think of the gnat as a flying insect ,  but have we ever stopped to think Who created it?   Who gave this insect the design to spend its developmental stage underwater and get out of it and fly when it reaches its adult stage?    Who gave the gnat who starts to fly ,  the special sensing systems at its disposal to detect the place of its prey,  for  it was given the ability to ” see in conformity with the temperature “  that helps it find its prey even in pitch dark?   And more importantly,  who gave it the incredible complex system of the female gnats to suck blood not for food but for their need of proteins found in the blood which help them develop their eggs to secure the perpetuation of its species?  The answers only point to only ONE , Allah the Almighty.

Allah frequently calls on man to investigate Nature and see the “signs” of His Creations, that demonstrate His power , and love for mankind.   Man must not only look but “see”   these beautiful beings and pay reverence to His goodness and believe.

And for the disbelievers i wish to quote Surah Nuur  24: 39   “  As for those who disbelieve,  their deeds are as a mirage in a desert.   The thirsty one supposeth it to be water till he cometh unto it and findeth naught, and findeth, in the place thereof,  Allah Who payeth him his due;  and Allah is swift in reckoning.”