Article appeared Friday, April 14th, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (472) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

What is the focus of our day to day life? Is it our self? For example, what proportion of the day
do we spend on satisfying or trying to satisfy our needs? What are these needs? These could
include hunger, call of nature, to feel important, to feel valued and to have a status. In addition,
we have perceived material needs which create an undue pressure on the amount of money we
earn. There are those who may feel deprived and feel that they need more may resort to
corruption to satisfy their needs. Then there are those who approach God to satisfy these
needs. Do we just approach God? Or do we look for other things that just might satisfy our
needs? For example, do we use lucky charms {1}, amulets {2} with religious inscriptions, rings,
potions and similar things to bring luck, protect from evil/illness or problems?

What or who is the focus of whatever we do, whether it be approaching God, getting or wearing
things that promise some benefit, running after material or wealth through corruption or
otherwise legally or illegally? Is it our self? The focus of our world is our own self. On the
contrary, if we are created should our focus be God? Let us, for a moment, imagine God putting
us together in the wombs of our mother and think about Him. When we turn our thoughts to
Him, do any questions come to mind? If any what kind of questions?

Questions would necessarily be linked to God. For example, why has He made me? Does He
have a purpose? What does He want? What is the purpose of my life till I die on earth? As
individually, each is unique, a question could be, who am I? Why has He made me unique?
Now, can answers be found in the Holy Scriptures? In Chapter 13, Verse 18 of the Holy Quran
we find,
For those who respond to their Lord are (all) good things; but those who respond not to
Him even if they had all that is in the heavens and on earth and as much more, in vain,
would they offer it for ransom. For them will the reckoning (Day of Judgment) be terrible:
their abode will be Hell what a bed of misery! [13.18]

He has made me to respond to Him individually with the unique personality that He has given.
This is confirmed by the following Verse.
And your creation or your resurrection is but as an individual soul; for God is He Who
hears and sees (all things). [31.28]

So, how does one individually respond to God? Can responding be started off by turning our
daily focus to Him, consider what He has done for us by making us, appreciate and adore Him
for the opportunity of living a unique life? In turn, what does the Bible say about the relationship
we should have with God? Jesus is recorded to have said that the most important
commandment is,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength. [NIV, Mark 12:30] {3}

So should we look for answers in the Holy Scriptures, reflect and apply the commandments to
our day to day life? Are the words expressed through Revelation, regardless of religion, the
truth? Returning to the Holy Quran,
Is then one who knows that what has been revealed (sent down) to you from your Lord
is the Truth like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that
reflect and receive the Guidance. [13.19]
Revelation is mankinds guide to the purpose of God and desired behavior.
Those who patiently persevere seeking the countenance their Lord; establish regular
prayers; spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance secretly and
openly; and turn off evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal)
Home. [18.22]

What should we be doing with the Holy Scriptures?

And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord: none
can change His Words and none will you find as a refuge other than Him. [18.27]

Could creating study circles for the purpose of studying the Quran help?

18.28 And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and
evening seeking His Face; and let not your eyes pass beyond them seeking the
pomp and glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to
neglect the remembrance of Us one who follows his own desires whose case has
gone beyond all bounds.
To study and follow guidance, the best way would be to form study circles for the purpose of
collectively studying the Quran with those who wish to seek out God and desire to meet Him on
the Day of Judgment.
Those to whom We have sent the book study it as it should be studied; they are the
ones that believe in it; those who reject faith in it, the loss is their own. [2.121]

So,
When those come to you who believe in Our Signs say (to them), "Peace be on you:
your Lord had inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy: verily if any of you did evil in
ignorance and thereafter repented and amended (his conduct), He is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful." [6.54]

18.29 Say ,"The Truth is from your Lord". Let him who will believe and let him
who will reject (it): for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke
and flames) like the wall and roof of a tent will hem them in: if they implore relief
they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces. How
dreadful the drink how uncomfortable a couch to recline on!

18.30 As to those who believe and work righteousness verily We shall not suffer
to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.

18.31 For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they
will be adorned with bracelets of gold and they will wear green garments of fine
silk and heavy brocade; they will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the
recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!
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{Notes}:
{1} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_charm
{2} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%27wiz
{3} http://biblehub.com/mark/12-30.htm