Article appeared Friday, August 9th, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (582) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can we run away from the fact that our sojourn on earth, i.e., the life that we find
ourselves in, is temporary? No one has lived or for that matter can hope for permanent
life. Death is inevitable. So, is there anything that we should ask about our temporary
life?

Among the questions that can be asked are: why is life temporary? Also, if we are going
to die anyway, why were we born? As we did not create ourselves, then who made us?
Does our individual personality have a purpose? These questions are just a few that
could be asked. Where could we find answers for consideration? One place would be
the Holy Scriptures. It is up to our individual free will to believe or not to believe in what
we find. For example, the Holy Qur’an describes the process of creation in the mother’s
womb and what will happen after death,
“Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay); Then We placed him as (a
drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed; Then We made the sperm into a clot
of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then We made out
of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it
another creature: so blessed be God, the Best to create! After that at length you
will die. Again on the Day of Judgment will you be raised up.” [23.12 – 23.16]

The Verses above inform us of the stages of creation of an individual in the womb of the
mother – that which only recently {1} has become possible to observe through the use of
modern tools. The Verses also tell us that the purpose of death is to provide the
opportunity to face our Maker on the Day of Judgment. What will we be judged about? Is
it linked with our creation?
“It is He Who brought you out from the wombs of your mothers when you knew
nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that
you may give thanks (to God).” [16.78]

Our primary job is to use the faculties created for us to discover the truth of the Creator
and demonstrate our personal gratitude to Him. On the Day of Judgment, He will
separate those who have been grateful from the ungrateful and arrogant.
“In order that God may separate the impure from the pure put the impure one on
another heap them together and cast them into hell. They will be the ones to
have lost.” [8.37]

How can one fulfill the purpose of his/her creation?

“Go forth (whether equipped) lightly or heavily and strive and struggle with your
goods and your persons in the cause of God. That is best for you if you (but)
knew.” [9.41]

What could the cause of God be? Could it be to help our self and others understand and
implement the purpose of creation of human beings? Could this also the purpose of
messengers and prophets of God in the different ages?

25.56 “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad), except as a bringer of

good tidings and a warner.”
 “Nothing is said to you (O, Muhammad) that was not said to the apostles before
you: that your Lord has at His command (all) Forgiveness as well as a most
Grievous Penalty.” [41.43]

What is the good news and what is the warning?

“And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): "If you are grateful I
will add more (favors) on you; but if you show ingratitude truly My punishment is
terrible indeed."” [14.7]

25.57 “Say, "No reward (payment) do I ask of you for it but this: that each
one who wills may take a (straight) Path to his Lord."”
None of the prophets asked for any worldly gains from those that they preached. All they
wanted was that the followers acknowledge the reality of God and be grateful to Him.

25.58 “And put your trust in Him Who lives and dies not; and celebrate His
praise; and enough is He to be acquainted with the sins of His servants”
In our day-to-day affairs we have many concerns. We may tend to think that money,
power, political muscle, lucky charms, etc., may solve our problems. Yet we are asked to
be patient and put our trust in God. Who then is God?

25.59 “He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between in
six days and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority): God Most
Gracious: ask then about Him of any acquainted (with such things).”
One of the recommended ways to establish the reality of God in our hearts is to follow
the methodology of Prophet Abraham who was born among idolaters – those who
approached many objects including God for the things they needed. He kept on asking
questions to find God.
“Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does
good and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For God did take
Abraham for a friend.” [4.125]

25.60 “When it is said to them, "Adore (or prostate to) the Most Gracious!"
they ask, "And what is the Most Gracious? Shall we adore that which you
command us?" and it increases their flight (from the Truth).”
Our structured environment bears witness to the greatness of the Creator. We just have
to observe and ask questions to find who is behind everything.

25.61 “Blessed is He Who made Constellations in the skies and placed

therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light;”
Only human beings can study the constellations and decide why the sun is being
compared to a Lamp and why and how the moon reflects light.

25.62 “And it is He Who made the Night and the Day to follow each other:
for such as have the will to celebrate His praises or to show their
gratitude.”
God has created alternating night and day especially to allow humans to conduct daily
affairs. Can the benefits of this be worked out? Will we turn to our Most Gracious Creator
and demonstrate our gratitude for all that He has given us?
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{Notes}:
{1} https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/womb-2005-toby-mcdonald-and-national-geographic-channel