"Why doesn't Allaah send Signs"

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'Why doesn't Allaah send Signs'

http://www.subulassalaam.com/articles/article.cfm?article_id=46

Author: Number of Scholars
Topic: Tafseer
Reference: see footnotes


And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, signs) except that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamood as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. [Al Israa: 59]

Allaah the Elevated mentions His mercy of not sending the miracles that the disbelievers request, that nothing prevents Him from sending them except the fear that they would not believe in them, for if they deny them, their punishment would be near, it would take them without delay, as was the case with the earlier generations who belied the miracles.

Amongst the greatest of signs was the one revealed to the people of Thamood, it was a huge, magnificent camel which used to provide for the entire tribe. However they belied this miracle and the torment that Allaah related to us in His Book befell them.

These people likewise, if the greatest of signs were to be shown to them, they would not believe, because what is preventing them from believing is not the concealment of what the Messengers came with, nor is it that it is unclear, whether it is the truth or falsehood. There is indeed a lot of substantial evidence that necessitates the following of guidance for those who are looking for it. So revealing other signs [such as miracles] are similar to it, they would follow the same path regarding them as they did with the evidence, so refraining from sending miracles in this state of theirs is better and more beneficial for them.

Allaah explained elsewhere that there is no need for their request for miracles, because He revealed a miracle that is greater than any other miracle they requested, and that miracle is in this magnificent Qur-aan, it is His saying:

Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur-aan) which is recited to them. [ Al ‘Ankaboot: 51]

So rebuking them for not being satisfied with this Book and not other miracles shows that it is greater and more magnificent than any other miracle. And it is so, do you not see that it is a clear sign, a magnificent miracle, all of mankind together cannot not produce the likes of it, and it remains, being repeated to be heard by the creation until the hour is established, unlike other miracles at the hands of other Messengers, may the Salaat and Salaam be upon all of them, those miracles have all come to an end.

Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said:

The polytheists said: ‘O Muhammad, you claim that there were Messengers before you, amongst them was one who could control the wind, one who would bring life to the dead, so if you would like us to believe in you and have faith, then invoke your Lord to turn Mount Safaa into gold.’
So Allaah revealed to him: ‘I have heard what they said, if you like that We make true what they requested it shall be so, but if they do not believe [after that], then the punishment would descend upon them, for indeed there is no dispute after the revelation of miracles, and if you wish that we wait with your people, then We shall wait with them.”
The Messenger then said: ‘My Lord, wait with them.’


Al Imaam Ahmad narrated with his Isnaad that ibn ‘Abbaas said:

The people of Quraysh said to the Prophet - صلى الله عليه وسلم -: ‘Invoke your Lord to turn Mount Safaa into gold and we shall believe in you.’
He replied: ‘Would you really believe?’
They said: ‘Yes’
So he invoked his Lord and Gibreel came and said: ‘Your Lord extends the Salaam to you and says: ‘If you wish, mount Safaa would turn to gold for them, but whoever disbelieves after that, I will torment him like I have not tormented anyone from Mankind and Jinn, and if you wish I shall open for them the door of repentance and mercy.’
He responded: ‘Rather the door of mercy and repentance.


Compiled from the following books of Tafseer:

Adwaa al Bayaan
Tafseer as Sa’dee and
Tafseer ibn Katheer
 
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