Ash-Shura (Consultation)

32. And among His Signs [of Omnipotence] are the ships [sailing] in the sea like mountains.

33. If He wills, He causes the wind to cease, then they would become motionless on the back [of the sea]. Truly, in this are Signs [of Divine Omnipotence] for everyone patient and grateful.

The Arabic word al-jawar is the plural form of jariya designating a sailing ship and the phrase ka-al-a’lam indicates colossal ships or moving icebergs. The role played by wind in nature is also noteworthy.

Respiration of living beings, movement of ships and clouds, pollination of plants, and modification of cold and heat all depend upon blowing of wind and it is one of the sources of energy in modern times.

The word sabbar is attested four times in the Holy Qur’an all instances of which are followed by the word:

shakur (“grateful”).

Such coincidence bears testimony to the fact that they play a significant role together. It is narrated from the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) that faith has two branches: patience and gratitude.¹

The blessed Verses in question are saying that Divine Signs of Omnipotence and Mercy include the ships as tall as mountains sailing in the seas but if the wind does not blow upon Divine Will, no one will be able to move such colossal ships in the sea.

Ships sailed in seas in former times, so if the wind blew gently and the sea happened to be calm, ships could easily reach their destinations. Nonetheless, it was quite perilous for ships to sail in stormy seas in thunder and lightning. If there was no wind, ships would stay still in water.

As a consequence, the blessed Verse reminds men that they are all Divine Signs of Omnipotence and whenever He wills, the wind blows gently and ships with their passengers and their possessions reach destinations safely;

(“Truly, in this are Signs [of Divine Omnipotence] for everyone patient and grateful”).

How similar is mundane life to a ship in water. The sea is agitated at times and man is perplexed and entangled with vicissitudes and at times, it is stagnant and man is perplexed as what to do. At times, Divine Mercy is granted on him and he finds serenity.

It is as if it serves as a reminder reminding men that these are Divine Signs of Omnipotence. He makes the wind blow whenever He wills. It may be likened to man’s life wherein at times he is perplexed when he finds everything stagnant and wonders as what measure to take. At times Divine Mercy is granted to him and he finds serenity.

The blessed Verses evidently guide those whose inner eyes have opened and they see these alterations in Divine Signs of Omnipotence providing them with the admonition that they are supposed to be quite patient, tolerant, and grateful in the face of ups and down.

Such people benefit from what happens to them and they will be rescued from the sea of perplexity, since they know that what is preordained for them is through Divine Wisdom. Those who are submerged in the agitated sea of concupiscent desires will be drowned unless Divine Mercy rescue them from the abyss of the world and guide them to the shore of deliverance.