LIKE LOCUSTS

7- They will come out of the graves with downcast eyes like an expanding swarm of locusts.
54-The Moon, 7

In the verse above, unbelievers are reminded that they will be resurrected and that it will be
a difficult day for them. Imagine, billions of men rising from the dead, coming out of their
graves! Confusion, perplexity, fear, remorse... Everybody on his own... The only help is from
God. The day when high offices, families, riches and possessions have no value- the day of
no return...

The resurrected are likened to locusts; why particularly locusts? Recent research benefiting
from micro cameras conducted by a systematic observation of insects have given us an idea
about the reason for the selection of locusts as an example. To begin with, swarms of
locusts, billions of them together, give the impression of a vast rain cloud without end, a
black mass stretching far and wide many kilometers! Locusts bury their eggs in the earth and
their larvae spend some time under the ground before they eventually emerge to the
surface.

Take for instance the locusts, part of the fauna of New England, USA; in the month of May of
the year in which they attain their 17th year, these insects emerge from under the ground
where they have been living for years and years. Suppose, you tell a man: “We’ll shut you up
in a dark cell without a wristwatch and you’ll have no contact whatsoever with the outside
world and you’ll be released at the end of the 17th day.” it is very doubtful that he will be
able to know exactly the time when he will be let out. There is a similarity between the
rebirth of locusts and man’s resurrection.

-After a long time

-Under the ground
-Altogether
-Densely crowded
-They rise to the surface of the earth

The parables and metaphors in the Quran are many. These figures of speech are to help us
to understand better the meanings of the verses.

43- And such are the parables We set forth for the people, but only those understand them
who have knowledge.
29-The Spider, 43

27- We have put forth for the people every kind of parable in this Quran that they may take
heed.
39-The Throngs, 27

THE MIRACLES CONTAINED IN THE QURAN ARE EVIDENCE

PROVING THE COMING OF THE HEREAFTER
A great deal of space is reserved for the description of life Hereafter in the Quran. Next to
the existence of God, the most important message is that there is an afterlife and that man
will receive recompense or retribution there. 1400 years ago, the Quran elaborated on
physics, embryology, geology and zoology. There was no inaccuracy or misreckoning in any
of the information supplied in it. Everything is perfectly expressed in the most unambiguous
way.

The greatest claim of the Quran is the declaration of God’s existence and the fact that no
partner should be attributed to Him. The Quran reflects the Omnipotence and Omniscience
and Artistry of God: the One, the Eternal and the Absolute. The messages it contains enables
masses of people to choose the right path, the path of the chosen. It has saved many people
from perdition, idolatry and atheism while confirming the Scriptures and prophets that
preceded it. In short, those who comprehend the importance of the question whether God
exists or not, will also appreciate the importance of the Quran, since it provides a conclusive
answer to that question:

1- The Quran’s most important message is God’s uniqueness and oneness. The Quran has
guided millions of people in the right path.
2- The predictions it contains have no precedent. This very fact proves that its original source
is God, and confirms that its messages are true.

All these miracles and the mission that the Quran has assumed prove that it is the word of
God and that one should put his complete trust in it. The Quran’s greatest message, next to
that of the existence of God, is the existence of the Hereafter. Every miracle evidencing the
reliability of the Quran is also a proof of the existence of the Hereafter and the Day of
Judgment.

RE-CREATION
The evidence of a life after death or a Hereafter are many. One of the main signs is man’s
aspiration for immortality. God has provided water for the thirsty and food for the hungry. If
He did not want to give, then He would not give the desire to want. It is again He who has
created in man the aspiration for immortality. Since He has done so, His promise shall be
fulfilled. God’s promise is sure to be gratified.

The most important and self-contained evidence of the existence of the Hereafter is God’s
promise. Is it possible that God would disappoint the believers who trust God, dedicate
themselves to God and seek the Hereafter in their actions, while justifying disbelievers who
deny the Hereafter, who disregard His messages, who fabricate lies about Him and mock
those who are in the right path? Lies are a proof of imperfection, while everything is perfect
with God.

Both during the Prophet’s time and thereafter there have been doubts about the possibility of
the end of the universe and of the Hereafter. The Quran is categorical and explicit about this.

77- Does not the human being see that We created him from a tiny drop? Then he turns into
a profound enemy.
78 - And he makes comparisons for Us and forgets his own creation. He says, “Who can
resurrect the bones after they are rotten?”
79- Say, “He who created them the first time. He has knowledge of every creation.”
36-Ya-Seen, 77-79

Creation of a life in the Hereafter is the easiest thing for God. To begin with, it is His promise.
The very fact of creation should convince us that re-creation is not difficult for Him.

49- They said, “After we turn into bones and fragments, shall we be resurrected as a new
creation?”
50- Say, “Even if you turn into rocks or iron.”
51- “Or any kind of creation that you deem impossible to resurrect.” They will then say, “Who
will bring us back?” Say, “The one who created you in the first place.”
17-The Children of Israel, 49-51

The Hereafter is not a problem for God. In the first place, it has been promised by God.
Moreover, we all have need of it. The Hereafter is repeatedly emphasized in the Quran. And it
is clear that creation is a very simple act for God.

3- “What! When we die and become dust? This returning is most far-fetched.”
4- We know what the earth consumes of them; with Us is a protected record.
50-Qaf, 3-4

God has recorded even in a single DNA molecule all the information related to the human
body. While the Quran gives us an impression of an afterlife through creation, it directs our
attention to the process to which God had recourse in creating us. The cells in our body die
and are immediately replaced by new ones. Today, the cells that constitute our body are not
the same as those we were made of initially. The food we consume is continually transformed
into a part of our system. The atoms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and
phosphorous flow in our body and are consumed, to finally return to dust. What remains
unchanged is the essence we call “self” or “soul.” Even when we are of this world God creates
us every moment anew. Since He has promised to re-create us there is no doubt that He will.

33- Do they not realize that God, Who created the heavens and the earth and did not tire
creating them, is able to revive the dead? Yes, verily He has power over all things.
46-The Dunes, 33

Creations in endless space, the greatness in the number of species and creatures make it
evident that re-creation for God is as easy as the creation.

28- The creation and resurrection of all of you is the same as that of one person. God is
Hearer, Seer.
31-Luqmaan, 28

LET’S GET READY TO DEPART

There are many subjects explicitly given in the Quran; however, the things that our five
senses may fail to perceive are presented in metaphors (3- The Family of Imran, 7). In the
description of paradise and hell, allegory is made to figures of speech (2- The Cow, 25).
Blessings and rewards in the life Hereafter are described succinctly by metaphors. The exact
rendering of the objects will take place when man is transferred there. Allegories made must
not be taken fully literally. Bliss in heaven and remorse in hell are evident, although they will
be understood in the Hereafter more clearly.

The scope of the account related to the Hereafter is far beyond what is said about paradise
and hell. The description of a single province like the Bahamas would take a whole book
thicker than the Quran itself. Had all the details of paradise and hell been given, they would
have filled an encyclopedia of many volumes. Only the clues are given. The fact that only a
few names of some fruits are mentioned does not mean that is all that paradise contains.
The mere mention of the fact that everything that a human being may aspire to shall be
there is enough. (21-The Prophets, 102; 42-Consultation, 22; 43- Vanity, 71; 50-Qaf, 35.)

In this brief earthly life of ours, the wisest act for us is to direct ourselves to God.

185- Every soul shall have to taste death, and you will get your recompense in full on the
Day of The Resurrection. The one who is saved from the fire and admitted to paradise has
attained a great triumph. The life of this world is no more than goods and chattels of
deception.
3-The Family of Imran, 185

7- Those who disbelieved claim that they will not be resurrected! Yes indeed, by my Lord,
you will be resurrected, and then informed of what you have done. And that is easy for God.
64-Mutual Blaming, 7