Page 82 - Quick Grasp of Faith 1

80 QUICK GRASP OF FAITH - 1

Yet at the time he hears the second sound, the first
sound he heard is no more than a figment of his imagination.
He formulates the concept of “time” by comparing the
moment in which he lives with what he has stored in his mem-
ory. If this comparison is not made, there can be no concept
of time.

94. What does the relativity of time mean?

As mentioned above, time is apprehended through a
comparison made between two events. However, this is a
conclusion reached in the brain and is relative. This is plainly
experienced in dreams. Although what we see in our dreams
seems to last for hours, it lasts, in fact, for only a few minutes,
or even a few seconds.
Many verses of the Qur’an quote various examples on
this subject. Some verses indicate that people perceive time
differently and that sometimes they can perceive a very short
period as a very lengthy one. The following verse in which
Allah addresses the wrongdoers is an example:
He will say, ‘How many years did you tarry on the earth?’
They will say, ‘We tarried there for a day or part of a day.
Ask those able to count!’ He will say, ‘You only tarried
there for a little while, if you but knew it! (Surat al-
Muminun: 112-114)

95. What is destiny?

We have created all things in due measure. Our com-
mand is only one word, like the blinking of an eye. (Surat
al-Qamar: 49-50)