Allah has set the "measure"

[Ruhi_Rose]

 


I'm having some difficulty in correcting interpreting to myself the following verses of Surah Ar-Rehman.

وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ
أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ
وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ
(55:7-9)  Surah Ar-Rehman.


Translation:

"And the sky He hath uplifted; and He hath set the measure,
That ye exceed not the measure,
But observe the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof." 
(55:7-9)  Surah Ar-Rehman.

I would appreicate some feedback concerning the term "measure" .... what precisely does it refer to in these verses.  I first thought it might be a reference to earthly provisions or vegetation that grow connected with  rainfall.  But obviously that's not the reference.

[Zainab_M]

Salaams sis.  Very intelligent question and I'm glad you inquired.  It should be helpful for a lot of our readers too as most people are not able to grasp its precise reference.

It doesn't refer to vegetation or rainfall.

The term الْمِيزَانَ (al-mizan) or "measure" has also been translated as "balance" by several translators.  Both terms are correct. 

These are a beautiful set of verses which portray some very sophisticated facts that have been proven true mostly in modern times.

Here's the interpretation to the best of my humble ability, and only Allah knows best.

The term "measure" refers to the concept of a perfect arrangement in the making of the universe leading to the concept of discipline and justice.   

When Allah says that He has "set the measure" it implies that Allah has created everything within the universe based on fixed proportions which establishes harmony within this system, leading to justice.  This includes the working of everything in the universe and the earth.  It also includes the balanced gravitational force existing between the different heavenly bodies on the basis of which the universe is running.  Any little disruption of this measure or balance could have far-reaching consequences and devastate large portions of the universe or even the entire universe.

Similarly, earthly life has been flourishing since millions (or maybe billions) of years on land and water because of the perfect balance that has been established by Allah between all those elements that contribute positively for the existence of life on earth.  A good and very simple example would be the composition of the air around us.  Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide etc. etc. are in varying proportions that form a strictly balanced measure and are conducive for promoting life on earth.  If this measure gets disturbed, it could destroy life altogether.  This perfect measure or balance reflects justice and its necessity for maintaining harmony in the heavenly and earthly systems.

Since the entire universe has been established on the basis of all factors being strictly measured (i.e. on the basis of justice and discipline), it's also incumbent on those living in this universe to respect that measure and not violate it.  This refers to both intentional environmental hazards and moral transgressions by humans.  It may also include the violations of the jinn.

As we have seen and read much, enough environmental damage has already been done on earth through too much industrialization, too many vehicles on the roads, aircrafts, trains, the habit of smoking in individuals, conventional / unconventional warfare etc. etc.

Similarly, a single act of injustice between two persons or groups or countries can disturb the entire harmony of peaceful existence by multiplying injustice and leading to dozens of negative consequences with very far-reaching affects.  This would include all forms of unjust attitude, behavior or policy e.g. disrespect, immorality, fraud, robbery,  oppression, murder etc.  I think I don't need to give any examples on such violations.  By the 21st century, enough of these have already made life very unlivable in almost every portion of the earth. 

The measure or the balance has already been disturbed greatly by human hands and mind.  As it seems, this disruption will only continue to increase until the Last Day for which humans will have only themselves to blame.

If you check the preceding verses of this Surah (Ar-Rehman), you will observe that from Verses 1 to 7, Allah Almighty has stated that He has sent the Quran as a guidance and He alone has created man and this universe.  And then, in verses 7 to 9 the fact about the establishment of a strict measure / balance / justice essential for the survival of the universe and those living in it have been asserted.

Praise be to Allah, The Almighty.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Thanks so much for your efforts my sister.  I now get it.  It was quite a difficult and profound topic.  Alhumdulilah, the Noble Quran never misses out any important truth. 

[N. Truth Seeker]

Yes, this is a very important topic and a very sophisticated one which many might find it hard to grasp initially.  But once you get the basic meaning of it, it comes quite easily.  Reference is made to the same topic also in Verse 57:25 of Surah Al-Hadid (Iron).

"We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure;"