Article appeared Friday, April 26th, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (568) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Do we work out the importance and value of others in our life? Do we attach reasons for
the value we give? For example, when we work for a company, how much importance or
value to do we give the big boss? Why? How do we give importance? When the boss
calls us or when he/she assigns a job what do we do? Do we rush to answer the call and
do the job with urgency and sincerity?

If it is a private company, the worse that can happen is that our salary can be withheld or
we are thrown out of the company, in case we do not give the appropriate importance to
the boss or to the work assigned. If we please the boss, the best that can happen is that
we get a raise or a promotion. Since the boss has the power to do either of these things,
we give him/her the appropriate importance and value.

Much in a similar manner, have we worked out who God is, and why we should give Him
priority, importance and value? Have we worked out what kind of power He has and
what He can possibly do to us if we displease Him? Let us visit and try to make sense of
a Verse from the Holy Scripture Al-Qur’an with the objective of working out God’s power
over our life.

24.45 “And God has created every animal from water: of them there are
some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that
walk on four. God creates what He wills: for verily He has power over all
things.”
Let us examine this Verse by asking a few questions. Would there be a difference
between one who creates from nothing and one who simply hires us for doing a job? But
first, who is God? He says He is the one who has created every moving animal from
water. What could this possibly mean? To find out, if we study latest scientific articles, it
may give us a clue to how the first animals were created on the earth. A recent article
published in the scientific journal Nature in 2017 {1} titled The rise of algae in
Cryogenian oceans and the emergence of animals talks about how the earth was once
all covered by ice and water where the first life forms consisted of bacteria and algae.
Changes took place and more complex life forms appeared in the water and then on
land once the glacial ice shifted/melted to make way for animal life on the land. So the
first animals appeared from water on the land. These animals moved on their bellies.
Then other animals that walked on all fours appeared followed by animals that walked
on two legs. The Al-Qur’an not only confirms how the first life forms were started but also
Who is behind the creation of each unique life form. Science studies evidence and tells
us what has appeared physically. The Holy Scripture not only confirms scientific findings
but it also informs us Who has the power to create and what He has created. Articles on
DNA and RNA {2} confirm a common Designer. We need to imagine and work out what
kind of power and intelligence would God need/have to create each animal.

24.46 “We have indeed sent down Signs that make things manifest: and
God guides whom He wills to a way that is straight.”
Science provides us the means to study the “Signs” available in nature that point to a
common Designer and Creator. The Verse itself is a Sign. Who else, other than God,
can reveal/confirm the sequence of how the first types of animals appeared. With this
understanding, should we compare the importance we give the boss of a company with
the importance, priority and value we give God?

24.47 “They say, "We believe in God and in the Apostle and we obey": but
even after that some of them turn away: they are not (really) Believers.”
Once we understand, should we put our heads on the ground in awe and fear of who
God is? Should we acknowledge Him and demonstrate gratitude for giving us life?
Should we address Him and say, “Our Lord and Creator, thank you for creating me, for
giving me an intelligent life and the opportunity of knowing Who YOU are.”?

24.48 “When they are summoned to God and His Apostle in order that He
may judge between them behold some of them decline (to come)”
For guidance on how to lead our life on earth, guidance on the purpose of creation – our
own creation, in particular, should we turn for answers to the Al-Qur’an and examples
from the Prophet’s (pbuh) life? Just like we want to find ways to please the company’s
boss, should we look for guidance on how to please God?

24.49 “But if the right is on their side they come to him with all
submission.”
Should our study of the Holy Scripture or Prophet’s life be conditional on our status?

24.50 “Is it that there is a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt or are
they in fear that God and His Apostle will deal unjustly with them? Nay it is
they themselves who do wrong.”
Is it possible, that the One who has created life will send unjust guidance? Who other
than God would possibly know the best course of action?

24.51 “The answer of the Believers when summoned to God and His
Apostle in order that He may judge between them is no other than this:
they say, "We hear and we obey": it is such as these that will attain felicity.”
When the company boss calls, do we think twice about going to him/her? When God has
sent Guidance in the Holy Scripture, should we think twice about studying it or study it as
it should be studied [2.121]? Just as we trust and rely on the manual prepared by a
manufacturer, should we trust, study and rely on the Al-Qur’an as the Guidance Manual
from our Creator?

24.52 “It is such as obey God and His Apostle and fear Allah and do right
that will win (in the end).”
“God has promised to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds
that He will of a surety grant them the land in inheritance (of power) just as He
granted it to those before them…” [24.55]
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.nature.com/articles/nature23457
{2} http://www.dnaftb.org/40/