Article appeared Friday, April 3rd, 2015 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (372)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

So, is there a Day of Judgment? A good question indeed! Before we analyze the question,
however, we need to be sure of the meaning of the two words Day and Judgment. What do the
words mean and for whom would the Day of Judgment be? The first meaning of day given,
when we search for the meaning in Google, is the regular 24-hour day. Other meanings are a
particular period of the past, an era, a period, a point in time, completion of an age, or a
generation, etc. Similarly, for judgment, the meaning given is the ability or authority to make
considered decisions. Other meanings include, divine punishment, retribution, penalty, just or
deserved deserts, etc. Taken together, what would Day have to do with Judgment?
Connected meanings could be the completion of a period after which decisions would be taken,
a day when divine justice will be served, a day of account, etc. For whom? The only beings that
can attach meaning to the phrase, the Day of Judgment are humans. Would the words Day of
Judgment be of any value to those who are unable to attach meaning to the words?
So as intelligent beings, should we try to work out whether there is actually a Day of Judgment?
How would we know? To begin answering this question, let us analyze Verse 103 in the Sura
under review.
Indeed, in that is a sign for those who fear the Punishment of the Hereafter. That is a
Day for which all mankind will be gathered together, and that will be a Day of Testimony.
[11.103]
What does the phrase, those who fear mean? The phrase does not actually ask us to believe in
the Punishment or the Hereafter, it talks about a sign or a confirmation for those who already
fear, think or wonder about whether there is a Punishment in the Hereafter. This implies that the
responsibility or onus of working out or confirming belief in the Punishment of the Hereafter is
our own, i.e., confirming belief boils down to the individuals use of intelligence. We need to use
our intelligence to evaluate signs both in the scriptures and in our personal lives to confirm our
individual thoughts!
How can one launch thinking in this matter? Should one act like a detective and work out the
appropriate questions to ask? For example, would the following two questions lead us to think
about accountability?
> Can something that does not exist create something that exists?
> Can something that does not have knowledge create intelligence?
To start an analysis of the first question, if we agree that a non-existing entity cannot create
existence, we would realize that we could not have created ourselves it is only after birth that
we have started to exist and that it is only afterwards that we can put things together. For the
second question, we find that we have an analytical intelligence unlike the other forms of
existence that we see all around us. So could any of the things that we see around us have
created our intelligence?
Taking the main questions together, the only plausible explanation of our own existence is that
an entity that we cannot see, an entity that has always existed; an entity that is highly intelligent
must have created us. If the entity did not always exist, it could not have created itself. Two
questions may arise at this point. Why would the entity create intelligent beings? And, Would
the entity introduce Himself to mankind? Historically, we know [20.9] and as recorded in the
Holy Scriptures, that the Creator directly spoke [4.164] to Prophet Moses (pbuh). Verses from
the Quran enlighten us to parts of the conversation. In Chapter 20 or Sura Ta-Ha we find,

"Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me; so serve Me and establish regular
prayer for celebrating My praise. [20.14]
The historical record of the conversation should indeed act as confirmation and guidance. As we
cannot see Him, our endeavor must be to work out the reasons why He is praiseworthy and to
celebrate or share such praise joyfully with others. It is only human intelligence that can
recognize the ingenuity and the beauty in the works of the Creator the quality of our
intelligence alone is overriding proof of His Greatness. Just as we appreciate the intelligence
and artistry behind a brand or product, we need to appreciate and acknowledge the works of the
Creator as our Originator. To reward those who do so, He points out,
"Indeed, the Hour is coming My design is to keep it hidden so that every soul may
receive its reward by the measure of its endeavor. [20.15]
What endeavor?
And strive in His cause as you ought to strive [22.78]
So, the efforts of the individual to find Him, appreciate and acknowledge Him, respond to Him
and love Him and share (celebrate) with others His Qualities will be rewarded when the final
Hour arrives.

11.105 The day it arrives no soul will speak except by His Permission; among
them some will be wretched and some will be prosperous.
The Hour will separate those who have celebrated His praise and those who have not. How
should the Creator react to those who have used their intellect to ignore Him, deny Him or not
have acknowledged Him?

11.106 Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire; for them in there would be
violent exhaling and inhaling (i.e., violent sobbing).
These are the ones who would have displeased the Creator.

11.107 They will dwell therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure
except as your Lord should will (something different): for your Lord is the (sure)
Accomplisher of what He Plans.
11.108 And those who are prosperous shall be in the Garden; they will abide
therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure except as your Lord wills a
gift without break.
These are the ones who would have pleased the Creator. About those who displease the
Creator, He says,

11.109 Be not then in doubt as to what these men worship. They worship nothing
but what their fathers worshipped before (them): but verily We shall give them
their share undiminished.
Should our intellect question traditional worship, like did Abraham (19.42)? For example, can
stone idols, stones, rings, lucky charms, lady luck, Mother Nature, wealth, religious
leaders/sages, politicians, lettering on doorways, etc., know what we need? On the other hand,
the Creator listens to our secret thoughts and gives us what we need when we need it, mostly
without asking.
Therefore stand firm (in the straight path to Allah) as you have been commanded, you
and those who with you who have turned (back to Allah); and do not transgress; for He
sees all that you do. [11.112]