Theology through Picturing A Different World
That is to say, we imagine the absence of the realities around us and see what would happen if they did not exist.
Here are some examples:
The earth’s rotation around its axis creates day and night. Now imagine a world where there is no day and it’s always night. What would we do in such a situation? “(Muhammad), ask them, ‘Think, if God were to cause the night to continue until the Day of Judgment which Lord besides Him could bring you light? Will you then not listen to (His revelations)?’” (Verse 71 of Surah Al-Qasas)
The earth is like a calm cradle under our feet. “And We cradled the earth. And We are the Best of Cradlers.” (Verse 48 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat) What would we do if the earth’s movements were violent? Could we live and walk on the earth? “If We willed, We would make the earth swallow them up.” (Verse 9 of Surah Saba)
We can dig wells and get fresh water. But who would provide us with water if the fresh water went deep into the earth? “What do you think. If your water should sink into the earth in the morning, who then would bring you running water?” (Verse 30 of Surah Al-Mulk)
We have access to fresh water now. What would we do if waters become salty and bitter? “Is it you who sent it down from the clouds or is it We who have sent it down?” (Verse 70 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah)
You see greenery and trees around you. What would happen if they were all dry? “Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder.” (Verse 65 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah)
And what would we do if we lost our memory and did not even remember our own address?
