Second ray:

O my senseless soul. You say that such verses as: His command, when He wills a thing, is to say to it "Be!" and it is (36:82) and: It is only one blast; then behold, they will be all arraigned before Us (36:53) show that things happen instantaneously and through a command. However, such other verses as: God's handiwork, Who has made everything very well (27:88) and: (He) has created everything in the best way (32:7) say that a thing's existence is gradual, that it comes about through a vast power on the basis of knowledge, and that it is a fine art depending on wisdom. How can these be reconciled?

Relying on the enlightenment of the Qur'an, I say that there is no contradiction here, for some things happen instantaneously like repeating the original, and others are gradual, as in the original creation. Also, the infinitely perfect order and firmness and solidity, and extremely delicate and fine artistry and perfect creation vis-à-vis the ease, speed, multiplicity, and liberality observed in the universe, testify to the truths contained in such verses. Therefore, such a discussion is without benefit.

Consider the following comparison: A tailor makes something with much difficulty, as well as with great artistry and skill, and then fashions a model. After that, a copy can be made quickly and easily. Sometimes it becomes so easy that it seems to result from one command, and acquires such a perfect order that it seems to be the result of one touch.

In the same way, after originally making this world and all its contents, the All-Wise Maker, All-Knowing Designer, destined a measure and proportion (like a model) for everything. Making each century a model, the Eternal Designer clothes it with a new world bejeweled with His Power's miracles. Making each year a measure, He sews a new system artistically fastened with His Mercy's wonders. Making each day a line, He inscribes on it recruited and renewed creatures adorned with His Wisdom's subtleties.

In the same way, the Absolutely Powerful One makes Earth, each mountain and plain, each garden and orchard, and each tree a model. He continuously sets up new systems on Earth and creates new worlds. Removing a world, He replaces it with a new, perfect one. Season after season, He displays His Power's miracles and His Mercy's gifts in all gardens and orchards, wherein He inscribes a new wisdom-displaying book and sets up a fresh kitchen of His Mercy. He clothes each in an ever-renewed garment full of art. He dresses all trees in raiments of brocade every spring, adorns them with fresh jewels, and fills their hands with gifts of His Mercy.

Thus, the One Who does these things with an infinitely fine art and perfect order, Who varies the moving worlds following each other along the string of time with innumerable instances of wisdom and favor, and with perfection of power and art, is infinitely Powerful and Wise, All-Seeing and All-Knowing. Chance cannot interfere. By declaring: His command, when He wills a thing, is only to say to it "Be!" and it is (36:82) and: the affair of the Hour is as a twinkling of the eye, or nearer (16: 77), the All-Majestic Being proclaims His Power's perfection and the ease with which His Power can destroy the universe and raise the dead. To express the ease in His creation, He declares in the Qur'an that He does everything via a mere command, for His command of creation consists in Power and Will, all things are subjugated and obedient to His command, and He creates without physical contact or gradualism.

In conclusion, some verses proclaim the extremely fine artistry and infinite perfection of wisdom in beings, especially at the start of their creation; others describe the extreme ease, speed, and infinite obedience, especially in repeating and renewing created beings.

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