Article appeared Friday, September 21st, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (245)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Are we created? This is a difficult question to answer, especially since we cannot see how a baby comes into being and grows or for that matter even how a tree is built-up. Life science describes for us the processes that take place in the womb, e.g. it talks about cell-multiplication and cell-differentiation. However it does not tell us why cells do what they do. Science does not tell us the cause behind the processes. In parallel, imagine that we are on a building construction site. Imagine, however, that we cannot see the workers as they are somehow invisible to our vision, but we can see the construction proceeding. Every day we can see the building growing. Would we wonder at the cause behind the growth? If science got involved, it would state laws, e.g. on average the building grows by 2000 bricks each day after a lot of research and plotting of graphs. Would science tell us the why behind construction multiplying? Would science tell us who is pushing the construction forward? If scientists then discovered that there are blueprints according to which the building is being made, would science suggest that the blueprints came about randomly by themselves? Would science come up with other theories, e.g. suggesting that modern day buildings have evolved from caves? To illustrate the theory, would they make a sequential drawing to show the stages of evolution? From left to right we would see a cave, then a tent, then a small brick building and finally a high rise building. Should this sequential illustration be put in school textbooks to help children understand the evolution of buildings? The fact is that each type of dwelling was independently designed and built. The only evolution that could take place is perhaps the experience gained from the previous type of buildings. Returning to the development or construction of human beings, who is it that pushes the appropriate growth forward in the womb? The Quran, the most recent Revelation, informs us of the overall stages for each human being: O mankind! If you have a doubt about the Resurrection (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out a morsel of flesh partly formed and partly unformed in order that We may manifest (Our Power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term then do We bring you out as babes then (foster you) that you may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die and some are sent back to the feeblest old age so that they know nothing after having known (much). And (as further evidence of Our Power) you see the earth barren and lifeless but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life) it swells and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs). [22.5] For those, who in their hearts, have doubts about the fact that each of us will be re-constructed after death, our Creator asks us to consider how He designed and developed us in the first place. Our Creator sheds light on the basic material used for the human cell (e.g. carbon), then something from the sperm, then from the first clot of blood and then flesh. Science has only recently discovered these stages in the womb. After He brings us out of the womb, our Creator then individually nurtures each to full strength and then finally causes each to die. As a further example He is asking us to consider how He creates paired vegetation (male + female) from a barren earth. The following Verse tells us that He has gone to the trouble of making each person unique and beautiful. It is Allah Who has given you shapes and made your shapes beautiful and has provided for you sustenance of things pure and good such is Allah your Lord [40.64]

The Creator has given us importance by making each unique. Why has our Creator gone to all this trouble? O 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] It is righteousness to adore, i.e. give sincere love and devotion in return for the unique life that one is enjoying. He is the Living: There is no god but He: Call upon Him giving Him sincere devotion. All praise belongs to Allah Lord of (both) the Worlds (for everything He has done for us)! [40.65] In addition, our Creator Allah reminds us, And He gives you all that you ask for. But (even without this) if you count the favors of Allah never will you be able to number them: verily man is given up to injustice and ingratitude. [14.34] It is He Who gave you life will cause you to die and will again give you life (on the Day of Judgment): truly man is a most ungrateful creature! [22.66] Are we conscious of all the things our Creator has done and is constantly doing for us? What does it take to be grateful? How often do we think about our Creator and say, I love You and/or Thank You? Do we ever ask, Can I be of any service to you, my Lord? Indeed, those who feel for the Creator, understand the importance of this and,

6.15 Say: "I would if I disobeyed my Lord indeed I have the fear of the penalty of a Mighty Day.
What is the purpose of the Mighty Day or the Day of Judgment? In order that Allah 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]

6.16 "On that Day if the penalty is averted from any it is due to Allah's Mercy; and that would be (Salvation) the obvious fulfillment of all desire.
Who are the pure? The pure are those who seek out the Lord, are sincere in thanking Him and loving Him. Who are the impure? The impure are those who imagine that created things around them (e.g. wealth, power, heritage, children, stones, lucky charms, idols, religious leaders, prophets, saints) have power over their lives, do not humble themselves in gratitude to the Creator and are arrogant. Our Creator reminds us that it is only He that has any form of Power. For example,

6.17 "If Allah touches you with affliction none can remove it but He; if He touches you with happiness He has power over all things.