> Aayaat (Signs)

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Asalamu alaikum wr wb.

Aayat (Signs)


The word 'ayat [plural]/ayah [singular]' (in arabic) which is commonly translated as 'verse' by many people isn't as accurate as you may think.

The word ayah/ayat actually mean's 'sign/s.'



Now some people try to attack the Qur'an and Sunnah and claim that it's not 'proof' that it is from God, or other concepts which require faith.


Muslims might respond that the Qur'an and Sunnah prove that God exists, but then people who deny the Divine sources of Qur'an and Sunnah may attack back and ask whether the person can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell God. And if we are not able to - then that is not 'proof.'



Other words mentioned in the Qur'an as signs are 'bayinat' - which comes from the root word Bayna - which means 'between.' So the bayinat which God gave to His Messengers' would be a sign between both parties - the disbelieving and believing - to show a miracle which no-one could surpass at any time in history, except a Messenger of God.

Even magicians could not surpass this level. And there are many miracles such as the miracles of Moses allowing his people to pass through the Nile, the cures which Jesus son of Mary was able to perform, i.e. wiping the eyes of a blind man with his hand (and no extra tools) and the blind man seeing again. Or even the miracle of the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) - none has ever been able to come up with anything similar to it in any time of history, and the challenge remains open till today - to produce a minimum of just 3 verses to match it. If it wasnt from the Lord of the Worlds, then why isn't anyone to compete with it in any way?*

Indeed all these are signs from the Most High, the Wise.


*http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Miracle/




So looking back at the concept of ayah/ayat or bayinat - we see that Allah has given us many signs which help us come closer to a conclusion.

Imagine going on a journey, there will be lots of signs/ayat as you pass by - you can choose to follow the signs and reach your destination, or you can deny them and prefer your own way. Even though the signs are for your benefit, no-one should force you to follow the correct path. But they should be sincere and kind hearted enough to warn you that you are heading the wrong way.

Going down the wrong path will take you to the wrong destination - simply because there is only one way to get to the correct destination - & this is by following the signs which are given to you.

Is then one who walks headlong, with his face grovelling, better guided,- or one who walks evenly on a Straight Way?

[Qur'an 67:22]

[MaryM]

The word bayinah is translated as 'signs' however this translation does not emphasise that the sign is directed at you. Lets use the example that you've given to understand this further, you're on a journey and you see a sign on a highway giving directions. However this time to understand the true meaning of the word bayinnah, the sign on the highway points directly at you (it's personalised) and says look Abdullah! This is the direction you should be headding, this is the way and this is the destination.
Similarly Allah (swt) in the Qur'an is speaking directly at you and this is the beauty of the language of the Qur'an.


Example of the word ayah as used in the follwoing verse of the Qur'an

He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: That is easy for me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). Surah 19: 18-21