Article appeared Friday, December 22nd, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (505) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is it relevant and important to rely on guidance sent by God? To find an answer to this question,
let us consider the following analysis. If we reflect on the life that we are living, it may help the
realization of certain facts – facts that we cannot run away from. For example, there was a point
in time that we did not exist. We are here on earth for a limited span of time. One day we will
die. Not only is our time limited, individually a relevant and serious question could be: are we
able to predict the exact date and time of death?

Is it possible to individually allot or even extend this limited window of time? So, as we
personally have no control over the opportunity of time allowed on earth, should we have
questions regarding this limited and therefore precious/valuable resource? For example, as time
is limited, should its appropriate use be in question? Is it important to put it to its best use? As
time is specifically allotted, could it be an individual opportunity to do something special?

Do we spend most of this time pursuing the fulfillment of our daily needs and chasing after
wealth? Could this be the sole purpose of life – to fulfill our daily needs and/or to amass wealth?
A point to consider here is that animals get by their daily needs perfectly happily without
amassing wealth! Who then, would best know the purpose of the current temporary life? Would
it be the External Power who brought us into existence from nothing? Would He inform us of the
purpose? How? Without His guidance can we work out the answers? Without external guidance
can we solve the puzzle of life?

Can the Holy Scriptures answer these questions? Let us, for example, look at some Verses from
the Al-Qur’an.
“How can you reject the faith in God? Seeing that you were without life and He gave you
life; then will He cause you to die and will again bring you to life; and then to Him will you
be returned.” [2.28]

So the external power or agency who brought us into existence from nothing is God. After this
temporary phase on earth we will return to Him after death. What then, is the purpose of this
temporary opportunity? Looking through the Al-Qur’an we find that whatever there is on earth is
also temporary and organized only to test the individual.
“That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth in order that
We may test them as to which of them is best in conduct. Verily that which is on earth
We shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth).” [18.7 – 18.8]

What would the test be?

“But those who believe and work righteousness and humble themselves before their
Lord they will be Companions of the Garden to dwell there for aye!” [11.23]

If “believing” in God is a test, would belief be automatic? One way to establish belief in one’s
heart would be to keep asking questions regarding life and creation in a logical sequence till one
arrives at meaningful conclusions. What about righteousness? What would be the right behavior
towards the supreme Being who has given us existence? Jesus (pbuh) answers this question as
it is the most important commandment in the Bible.
“Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One
Lord, and you shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.'” [Mark 12:29 – 12:30] {1}

Similarly, the Al-Qur’an confirms the uniqueness and exclusive Oneness of the Almighty Creator.
“But the god of you all is the One Allah: there is no god but He: all things He
comprehends in His knowledge.” [20.98]
His knowledge of our thoughts, intentions and attitude towards Him is complete. For our benefit,
as part of His Mercy, He has Revealed knowledge – knowledge from the unseen. To help us
understand, what additional knowledge could He reveal?

20.99 “Thus do We relate to you some of the stories of what happened before: for
We have sent you a Message from Our own Presence.”
Would historic events and stories of both righteous and unrighteous behavior help us
understand?

20.100 “If any do turn away (ignore/do not give due importance to the message)
verily they will bear a burden on the Day of Judgment;”
Holy Scriptures as revealed and unadulterated by humans are guidance and guide us to the
best use of the temporary life on earth. If we do not study and rely on the core message of the
as revealed scriptures, whose loss would it be? We will have to answer for our disbelief on the
Day of Judgment after death.

20.101 “They will abide in this (state): and grievous will the burden be to them on
that Day.”
People who ignore Revelation will remain ignorant on the Day of Judgment and they will have
lost their right to the reward of a beautiful afterlife. Ignoring God’s Revelation is a major sin as it
proves disbelief.

20.102 “The Day when the Trumpet will be sounded: that Day We shall gather the
sinful blue-eyed (from terror)”
When realization will dawn on them, their eyes will turn blue from panic.

20.103 “They will murmur among themselves: "You remained not but ten (days on
earth)";”
Compared to the life in the Hereafter, the time spent on earth will appear insignificant.

20.104 “We know best what they will say when the best of them in manner will
say: "You stayed not longer than a day!"”

20.105 “They ask you about the mountains, so say "My Lord will uproot them and
scatter them as dust;"”

20.106 “"He will leave them as plains smooth and level;"”

On that Day the earth as we know it will cease to exist.

20.107 “Nothing elevated or curved will you see in their place."”

The purpose of the guidance given in the Al-Qur’an is to warn of the consequences of ignoring
Revelation and be a reminder of the purpose of the temporary life on earth.
“Thus have we sent this down an Arabic Qur'an and explained therein in detail some of
the warnings in order that they may fear Allah or that it may cause their remembrance (of
Him).” [20.113]
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{Notes}:
{1} http://biblehub.com/mark/12-30.htm