Ha. Mim. This book is bestowed from on high by God, the Almighty, the Wise. We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them otherwise than in accordance with the truth, and for an appointed term. Yet the unbelievers ignore the warnings they have been given. (Verses 1-3)

As the surah opens it touches on the link between the letters of the Arabic language they speak and the Qur’an, a book composed of the same letters but unlike anything people say or write. This, in itself, is sufficient evidence to testify to the fact that the Qur’an is revealed from on high by God, the Almighty, the Wise. It also touches on the relationship between God’s recited book and the book of the universe we behold and which He made. Both books are made with the truth and according to careful planning. The fact that the Qur’an is bestowed from on high by the Almighty testifies to His power and absolute wisdom. Likewise, the creation of the universe is an act of truth: “ We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them otherwise than in accordance with the truth.” (Verse 3) It is subject to elaborate planning: “and for an appointed term.” (Verse 3) Thus, God’s purpose behind creation is fulfilled and all that He has willed through the process of creation is accomplished.

Both books are open, available to ears and eyes to contemplate. Each testifies to God’s power and wisdom, indicating His planning. Indeed the book of the universe affirms the truth of the revealed book and its promises and warnings. “Yet the unbelievers ignore the warnings they have been given.” (Verse 3) This is indeed most singular.

The revealed book states that the Godhead is One and that He is the Lord of everything, since He is the Creator who controls and determines all. The book of the universe also affirms this same truth:

its system, balance and harmony confirm that the Maker is the One who makes everything on the basis of comprehensive and unerring knowledge. Indeed, everything bears the same mark of the One Maker.

How can anyone then claim that there are deities other than Him?

What have such alleged deities created? What share do they have in the universe? “Say; Have you thought of those whom you invoke besides God?

Show me what part of the earth they have created, or which share of the heavens they own. Bring me a book revealed before this, or some other vestige of knowledge, if what you claim is true” (Verse 4)

Thus, God instructs His messenger to put before people the testimony of the book of the universe, as it admits no dispute and addresses human nature according to its own logic. “Show me what part of the earth they have created.” No one will ever say that such worshipped deities, be they statues made of stone, trees, jinn, angels or any other, ever created any part of the earth or anything that lives on earth. Human nature flies in the face of anyone making such a suggestion. “Or which share of the heavens they own?' (Verse 4) Nor will any human being claim that any worshipped deity has ever had any share in the creation of the heavens, or that they own any share in them. A glance at the sky is sufficient to fill our hearts with a clear sense of the Creators greatness and oneness, and to discard all deviant beliefs and absurdities. God, who bestowed the Qur’an from on high, knows the effect of contemplating the universe on people’s minds and hearts. Therefore, He directs us to look at the book of the universe and listen to its message.

The surah now discusses their attitude towards the Prophet and his true message, establishing the truth of revelation as it has already established the truth of God’s oneness:

Whenever Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, the unbelievers describe the truth when it is delivered to them: 'This is plain sorcery. ’ Do they say: 'He has invented it himself? Say: 'If I have invented it, you cannot be of the Least help to me against God.

He is fully aware of what you say amongst yourselves about it. Sufficient is He as a witness between me and you. He is Much-Forgiving, Ever- Merciful. Say: 'I am not the first of God's messengers. I do not know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is being revealed to me. I am only a plain warner. Say: 'Have you thought:

what if this Quran is really from God and you reject it? What if a witness from among the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity [to earlier scriptures], and has believed in it while you glory in your arrogance? God does not guide wrongdoers.' The unbelievers say of those who believe: 'If this [message] were any good, these people would not have preceded us in accepting it. 'Since they refuse to be guided by it, they will always say, 'This is an ancient falsehood.' Yet before this the book of Moses was revealed as a guide and a [sign of God's] grace.

This book confirms it in the Arabic tongue, to warn the wrongdoers and to give good news to those who do good. (Verses 7-12)

The surah first rebukes them for the reception they gave to God’s revelations when it is given ‘in all clarity’, free of ambiguity, leaving no room for doubt. Besides, it presents the indisputable truth. Yet they describe this revelation as 'plain sorcery . As we all know, truth is vastly different from sorcery; the two cannot be confused or viewed in the same way. Thus the surah begins its discussion by refuting their ridiculous claims.

It then picks up on their other claim alleging that the Prophet had 'invented it. It states this in the form of a question, not a report, giving the impression that such a thing cannot be made or at least is unlikely to be made: "Do they say: 'He has invented it himself'?' (Verse 8) What a shameless claim! The Prophet is instructed to reply to them in all the politeness that fits his position as a prophet of God, reflecting his understanding of his Lord and his mission, as well as his knowledge of the true power and values in the universe: "Say: If I have invented it, you cannot be of the least help to me against God. He is fully aware of what you say amongst yourselves about it. Sufficient is He as a witness between me and you. He is Much-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful” (Verse 8)

Essentially, the Prophet is instructed to ask them: how, for whose interest and for what objective would I invent it? Would I invent it so that you can believe in and follow me? If this is the case, you cannot help me in the least against God. He will surely hold me to account.

What use would it be to me if you follow me, when you cannot give me the slightest support or protection when God punishes me for such invention?

At the end of this first part, the surah describes the reward of those who do good, explaining the good news the Qur’an gives them, making clear its necessary condition, which is acknowledgement of God’s Lordship and its implementation in human life:

Those who say, ‘Our Lord is God, 'and follow the straight path shall have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve. They are the ones destined for paradise where they shall abide as a reward for what they do.

(Verses 13-14)

What is required of them is that they say: ‘Our Lord is God' These are not idle words; indeed, they represent more than belief. They embody a complete system that applies to every step, action and feeling in life. They set up a criterion to judge every thought, event, action, relation, bond and person. Our Lord is God: to Him do we address our worship, it is Him that we seek and it is on Him alone that we rely. Our Lord is God: no one else matters; all our hopes look up to Him, and we fear none but He. Our Lord is God: in every thought, judgement and action we seek His pleasure. Our Lord is God: His is the law we implement, and from Him alone we receive guidance. Our Lord is God: all our bonds with anyone or thing in the whole world are subject to our relation with Him.

“And follow the straight path.” (Verse 13) This is the next step that defines a straight line that we should follow with reassurance and steady feelings, entertaining neither doubts nor fears. Thus, actions and behaviour will always be in line with Gods code, avoiding pitfalls and resisting all temptations.

So, the statement,‘ Our Lord is God,' outlines a system, and following this system after having consciously chosen it is a higher grade still.

Those whom God guides to have both are indeed the best people.

Hence, they “shall have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve” (Verse 13) Why would they fear anything or grieve over anything when they have a system that leads to God and following it is the best assurance to be with Him?

“ They are the ones destined for paradise where they shall abide as a reward for what they do.” (Verse 14) The phrase for what they do' explains the meaning of the statement, 'our Lord is God' diligent following of the system it outlines. It tells us that there is a type of action that earns the reward of abiding in heaven. It is the type of action that results from this particular system and its conscientious implementation. Thus we realize that the words and phrases of faith in Islam are not mere statements to be made verbally. The basic statement, ‘I bear witness that there is no deity other than God’, denotes a complete system. If it remains no more than a statement, it cannot be the cornerstone of Islam, as it always should be.

Millions of people repeat this declaration today, but it remains no more than words they utter. It produces no effect on their lives. They continue to lead a life based on a system that is akin to paganism while they repeat a declaration that for them remains hollow. To say, ‘I bear witness that there is no deity other than God’, or our Lord is God’, is to denote a system of life. This must be clear in our minds so that we can identify this system and follow it.