Article appeared Friday, February 26th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (416)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Our ability to ask questions, i.e., our analytical intelligence places us in a position superior to the
rest of creation. Can this intelligence be the product of nothingness or can it evolve from a
smaller degree of intelligence? Can it be assumed that our intelligence can only exist as a
deliberate product of an intelligence that is far superior than we can comprehend? To check, do
we look for the signs of a superior intelligence? In other words, do we look for signs of the
Creator? What could possibly be a sign of the Creator? Let us think about this logically. If we
say we believe in the Creator, what do we feel that He does? Does it imply that He has created
everything from nothing? If so, can we run away from the fact that everything that we see, hear,
feel, smell, taste and/or sense with our thoughts or imagination must be created and thereby be
a sign of the Creator. An entity can only exist if it was conceived, designed and created. When
we become aware of something, all we need do is attempt to work out the deliberate design and
effort that it must have required to bring it into existence, praise the Creator for His remarkable
feat and thank Him. Verse 78 in Chapter 16 of the Holy Quran clearly states this purpose of
intelligent beings.
It is He Who brought you out from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing;
and He made for you hearing, and sight, and intelligence and affections: that you may
give thanks (to Allah). [16.78]
When we examine an object, a process or a system using our senses, we are a witness to the
handiwork of the super intelligent Being who has conceived, designed, created and put into
operation the entire universe. Humans are the only creation that can ask questions about the
creation and stand witness to the existence of the Creator we are the only beings that can get
to independently know of His handiwork and establish the truth of His Existence. What should
be our attitude towards the Being who has given us existence? Rick Warren {1} explains in his
book, Purpose driven life: what on earth am I here for?
Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is Gods
greatest pleasure. {1}
Indeed, it is an honor, the highest privilege and the greatest pleasure to be able to know the
Creator who has given us an intelligent existence. How can human beings, in turn, please the
Creator? Could it be by looking forward to meeting Him on the Day of Judgment and by helping
others evaluate His Signs? To those who manage to please the Creator, it will be said, on the
Day of Judgment,
O soul in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord well pleased
(yourself) and well-pleasing to Him! Enter among my devotees! Yes, enter my Heaven!
[89.27 89.30]
It is when we fulfill the purpose of our creation, that we find peace and satisfaction.
Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for
without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. [13.28]
Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter and strive therefore with all due
striving and have Faith they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to Allah). [17.19]
What about those who do not evaluate the signs of Allah to please and get near to Him?
Is then one who is on a clear (Path) to his Lord no better than one to whom the evil of
his conduct seems pleasing and such as follow their own lusts? [47.14]

These are the people who are preoccupied enjoying the pleasures of the current life given by
Allah; yet are not grateful nor do they care for His Purpose such people are classified as evil.
When such evil prevails in communities as a whole, the Creator may decide to destroy,
overnight, the entire city or community.
Who receives (accepts and follows) guidance receives it for his own benefit: who goes
astray does so to his own loss: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor
would We visit with Our Wrath until We have sent an apostle (to give warning). [17.15]
How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? And enough is your Lord to
note and see the sins of His servants. [17.17]
Stories of such destruction are relayed in the Holy Scriptures as a warning to subsequent
generations. Overnight and complete destruction of cities has continued to modern times. The
website of Urban Ghosts {2} shares stories and pictures of nine such cities. Chapter 15 gives
examples of other cities and populations that were completely destroyed, some without a trace.

15.78 And the Companions of the Wood were also wrongdoers;

15.79 So We exacted retribution from them. They were both on an open highway
plain to see.
These people enjoyed the best things of life given by Allah. Yet they were ungrateful despite
enjoying the good things of life. Similarly,

15.80 The Companions of the Rocky Tract also rejected the apostles:
15.81 We sent them Our Signs but they persisted in turning away from them.
15.82 Out of the mountains did they hew (their) edifices (feeling themselves)
secure.
This is linked to the lost City of Petra {3}, who were quite advanced in their architecture of
creating living spaces from carved rock.

15.83 But the (mighty) Blast seized them of a morning

This blast left all the buildings standing, but all the people of the city dead, with no descendants.

15.84 And of no avail to them was all that they did (with such art and care)!
Technological advancement is one of the blessings given by the Creator. Such advancement
cannot protect from the His Wrath. Each human being has been created to work out the signs of
the Creator and establish the truth of who He is He has created humankind to be known.

15.85 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between
them except to establish the truth. And indeed, the Hour is surely coming (when
this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness.
15.86 For verily it is your Lord Who is the Master-Creator knowing all things
------{Notes}:
{1} http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2265235-the-purpose-driven-life-what-on-earth-ami-here-for?page=4
{2} http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2013/10/9-ancient-mythical-civilisations-destroyedovernight/
{3} http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/lost-city-petra/