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Article appeared Friday, May 28th, 2010 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (132) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD


What are the kinds of activities that keep one occupied day-in and day-out? Do these activities
leave time for one to reflect on the future after death – e.g. the fact that each has to meet the
Creator on a Day appointed? Fortunately, there are some who do think about the entirety of life,
not just a little part of it. Fewer, still, leave behind thoughts for the rest to mull over. Richard
Buckminster Fuller, an American philosopher, architect and inventor left behind the following for
us to consider;
“Sometimes I think we're alone. Sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the thought
is staggering.” {Fuller, R.B.} {1}

What is Fuller trying to point out in the above quote? The first thing to notice is that there are
only two possibilities – either we are alone or we are not. Clearly, each of us has to consider
both possibilities and work out the preferred logic. If alone, what are the possible
consequences? Would one implication be that every person is for himself or herself, i.e. a dog-
eat-dog world? In such a case, would there be any difference between man and an animal? If
not alone, what would it imply? Is there a creator? Are we all created? If yes, would the Creator
have a purpose for creating unique individuals? Since each is equally created, should there be
mutual responsibility and final accountability? If there is a purpose, would the Creator inform
mankind? How? To help understand the relationship between the Creator and each individual
human being, Billy Mills, the American-Indian long-distance-runner-Olympic-gold-medalist said
the following:
"My life is a gift to me from my Creator. What I do with my life is my gift back to the
Creator." {Mills, B.} {2}

The Creator has given each one of us tremendous potential – potential to achieve, do good or
bad as we wish! In return, what kind of gift should one look to give the Creator? Could being
grateful and thanking the Creator for the opportunity to lead a fulfilled life [7.10] be counted as a
gift? Further, in the Qur’an, Allah gives examples [2.177] of the kind of attitude and gift He is
looking forward to;
“O, you who believe! Be helpers of Allah: as said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples
"Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" The Disciples responded, "We are
Allah's helpers!"…” [61.14]

What an honor! Allah wants us to be His helpers! How?


“That you believe in Allah and His Apostle(s) [2.285] and that you strive (your utmost) in
the Cause of Allah with your property and your persons: that will be best for you if you
but understood!” [61.11]

Allah has given each of us individual personalities [23.14] and environments;


“To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) toward all
that is good…” [2.148]

At the same time, being our Creator and being familiar with our hasty natures, He points out that
inevitably our sojourn on earth will come to an end;
“The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more
serious things) until you visit the graves. But nay, you soon shall know (the reality).”
[102.1 – 102.3]
Further, He enlightens us to the purpose of the brief sojourn on earth, and consequences of our
actions;
“To Him will be your return of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He
Who Began the process of creation and Will Repeat it that He may reward with justice
those who believe and work righteousness but those who reject Him will have
nothing but draughts of boiling fluids and a Penalty grievous: because they did reject
Him.” [10.3]

And how will justice be delivered?


“We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment so that not a soul will be dealt
with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed
We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account!” [21.47]

Being busy as one is, it is easy to overlook the future appointment with the Creator. As part of
His Mercy, to remind one, Allah engages tests.
“Do men think that they will be left alone on (simply) saying "We believe" and that they
will not be tested? We did test those before and Allah will certainly know those who are
true from those who are false.” [29.2 – 29.3]

To help us understand, Charles C. West, an American philosopher and systems scientist, said
the following,
“We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God
who is shaking them.” {West, C. C.} {3}

The Creator has told us the purpose of creating the current world, the Day of Judgment and the
Hereafter. Through His Apostles and Messengers and His Original Books of Revelation, He has
Revealed the same message throughout the ages.
“O, you people! Adore your Guardian-Lord who created you and those who came before
you that you may have the chance to learn righteousness.” [2.21]

Sura Baquarah accordingly explains,


“The Apostle believes in what has been Revealed to him from his Lord as do the men of
faith. Each one (of them) believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Apostles "We
make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Apostles." And they say:
"We hear and we obey; (We seek) Your forgiveness, Our Lord and to You is the end of
all journeys."” [2.285]

And concludes with the recommended prayer;

2.286 “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every
good that it earns and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray): "Our Lord! Condemn
us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that
which You laid on those before us; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than
we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy
on us. You are our Protector; help us against those who stand against faith."”
----------------
{Notes}:
{1} http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/r_buckminster_fuller_2.html
{2} http://www.runningpast.com/billy_mills.htm
{3} http://www.finestquotes.com/select_quote-category-God-page-2.htm

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