Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 32

(Ayah 32) {وَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِهِ الْجَوَارِ فِي الْبَحْرِ كَالْاَعْلَامِ:’’ الْجَوَارِ ‘‘ ’’ جَارِيَةٌ ‘‘} is the plural of (that which moves), meaning ship or sea vessel, as He said: « اِنَّا لَمَّا طَغَا الْمَآءُ حَمَلْنٰكُمْ فِي الْجَارِيَةِ » [ الحاقۃ : ۱۱ ] “Indeed, it is We who carried you in the ship when the water overflowed.” {’’اَلْأَعْلَامُ ‘‘ ’’عَلَمٌ‘‘} is the plural of عَلَمٌ, meaning mountain. Originally, it means any sign by which something is known, such as a flag, etc. That is, among the signs of Allah’s oneness and His power are the sea vessels that move in the sea, which are as high as mountains and visible from afar. The property of water to hold up an object of a specific volume and weight is created by Allah alone, due to which it holds ships weighing thousands and millions of tons on its surface, from which you gain countless benefits. Here, instead of using {’’اَلْفُلْكُ‘‘} for ships, the word {’’ الْجَوَارِ ‘‘} is used to draw attention to this blessing as well, that along with keeping these ships from sinking in the water, also reflect on the blessing of making them move in the water. If this blessing did not exist, just as buildings standing on dry land, though they do not sink into the ground, no matter how strong the wind blows, they do not move even an inch from their place, similarly, these ships would also remain stationary on the water. So, if there is anyone else, then bring him who claims that he created the sea, or placed this property in water. Allah has mentioned this sign of His oneness and power and this great blessing at many places. See Surah Ya-Sin (41 to 44), Al-Baqarah (164), An-Nahl (14), and Surah Fatir (12).