On the Craft of the Creator in Shaping the Human Body

Look how, by divine craft, a single finger is fitted together from several joints. It is madness and folly, then, to raise a critical finger against His work. Reflect on how a person walks: how many bones were forged and joined together. Without the turning of ankle, knee, and foot, you could not lift a single step from the ground. Bowing before this human form is no hard task, for the spine within is not one solid rod. Two hundred vertebrae are set upon each other: that is the delicate frame He shaped in you. Your veins run through your body, you of pleasing nature, like a land threaded by three hundred and sixty streams. Sight sits in the head, along with thought, judgment, and discernment; the limbs serve the heart, and the heart is honored by knowledge. The beasts crawl low, faces to the ground, while you stand upright on your feet, straight as a letter alif. They bow their heads down to eat, but you, with dignity, bring the food up to your face. It does not suit you, with such nobility, to lower your head to anything but worship. In His bounty He gave you grain, not chaff, and did not force your face into the grass like the cattle. Yet do not be deceived by this pleasing form; take on a fine character instead. What matters is a straight path, not a straight, tall stature, for even the unbeliever looks much like us in form. The One who gave you eyes and mouth and ears, if you are wise, do not strive against Him. Suppose you crush your enemy with a stone; at least, out of ignorance, do not war against your Friend. Those of wise nature, mindful of grace, nail down His blessings with the nail of gratitude.