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Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “If you consider what Allah Almighty calls His servants, in the Qur’an, to think about, you will find that He commands them to know about His Oneness and His perfect and magnificent attributes.”
Verily, the book of the universe contains many lessons and signs scattered here and there
for those who have minds and intellects whereby they look and contemplate.
We will pause here with Allah’s name “Al-Musawwir”:
Allah Almighty says: {He is Allah, the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner...} [Surat al-Hashr: 24]
It is our Almighty Lord Who fashioned everything He created in the way He willed and gave certain forms and distinct appearance to every created being, different, diverse, and plentiful as they are. He fashioned each form as He willed. {In whatever form He willed, He has assembled you.} [Surat al-Infitār: 8]
Our Lord, Exalted be He, is the One Who proportioned His created beings and gave them such forms and appearances that accord with His estimation, knowledge, and mercy, and which suit the interests and benefits of the creation. So, they come into existence with different and diverse forms and shapes, long and short, beautiful and ugly, male and female - each with their distinct form.
Allah Almighty says: {And We have certainly created you, then fashioned you...} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 11] He also says: {...And formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the final destination.} [Surat at-Taghābun: 3]
O You Who know the unseen and the seen,
O You, the Lord Who created and fashioned everything,
You testified that You are One and Only,
a true testimony from You.
I turn my face to You, publicly and privately,
in praise and exaltation of You, my Lord.
Allah Almighty also says: {He is Allah, the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner...} [Surat al-Hashr: 24] When the three names (Al-Kāliq, Al-Bāri’, Al-Musawwir) come together, each gives a distinct meaning. “Al-Khāliq” indicates estimation, “Al-Bāri’” indicates invention, and “Al-Musawwir” indicates giving everything its form. Yet, when these names are used separately, they all indicate the same meaning.
Our Lord willed, predestined, then created and gave each creature its suitable form and fashion. {...Exalted is Allah far above what they describe about Him.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 91]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say in prostration: “Allāhumma laka sajadt wa bika āmant wa laka aslamt, sajada wajhi lilladhi khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sama‘ahu wa basarah, tabārakallāhu ahsan al-khāliqīn (O Allah, to You I have prostrated and in You I have believed and to You I have submitted, and My face has prostrated to the One Who created it and formed it, and brought forth its hearing and sight. Blessed be Allah the best of creators).” [Narrated by Muslim]
The creation of man is indeed a sign for those who think and take lessons. {And in yourselves. Then will you not see?} [Surat adh-Dhāriyāt: 21]
Within human beings themselves, there are the greatest signs of their Almighty Creator.
The closest thing to a person is his own self. In fact, he contains wonders that point to the greatness of Allah Almighty that would take our whole life just to discover part of it. People turn away from this, however, and if they only pondered, they would cease to deny or disbelieve. {Cursed is man; how disbelieving is he! From what substance did He create him? From a sperm-drop He created him and proportioned him; Then He eased the way for him; Then He causes him to die and puts him in his grave. Then when He wills, He will resurrect him.} [Surat ‘Abasa: 17-22]
Over 7 billion people live on earth. Each one of them has his or her different form, shape, features, color, and appearance, though they all come from the same father and mother: Adam and Eve. But it is the work of Allah Almighty: {...[It is] the work of Allah, Who perfected all things. Indeed, He is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat an-Naml: 88] Does this not require us to be thankful?! We see the favors that Allah Almighty bestows upon us since we were mere drops of sperm inside our mothers’ wombs. Then, He gave us hearing and eyesight and breathed life into us. Then, He gave us food and drink and endowed us with homes and provisions, and everything we need. {Have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways?} [Surat al-Balad: 8-10]
One of the greatest ways in which we can show gratitude to our Lord is to use His blessings in worshiping and obeying Him, not in sins and things displeasing to Him.
A rational person would not mock people’s forms and appearances for he knows it is Allah Who created them. {He is the One Who fashions you in the wombs as He wishes. There is no god except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.} [Surat Ᾱl-‘Imrān: 6]
Allah is the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner. An ugly person is not, thus, to be blamed for his ugliness. Likewise, a good-looking person has no credit or a role to play in the good look he has.
Someone once said to a wise man: “O man with the ugly face!” He replied: “It was not me who created my face to make it good. He who dispraises a product has indeed dispraised its maker.” The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “All the creation of Allah Almighty is good.” [As-Silsilah As-Sahīhah by Al-Albāni]
If you see an afflicted person, praise Allah that He has not afflicted you. As the saying goes: “Do not mock your brother because Allah may remove his affliction and afflict you.”
‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: “Affliction is linked to speech. So, if I mock a dog, I fear that I may turn into a dog.”
Ibrāhim al-Nakha’i (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “I may sometimes see things with which I can find fault, yet I remain silent fearing that I may get afflicted with something similar.”
O Allah, the Creator, the Initiator, the Fashioner, we implore You to make us among Your best servants and to show mercy to us on the Day when we will stand before You for reckoning.