Article appeared Friday, January 12th, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (508) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

In the world today we have advanced quite a bit in robot technology and have added various
abilities to them. What would be the highest and most advanced thing a robot could do?
Scientists in the world are currently experimenting with humanoid robots called androids. For
example, the aim of Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University is to add intention and desire
{1} into his latest creation, an android named Erica.

In contrast to these superb abilities, imagine that a robot were able to analyze, understand and
appreciate what its manufacturer has done for it. What if it could enjoy the abilities given and, in
turn, be grateful to its manufacturer? If it could, how can this proposed ability be compared and
rated against the currently given abilities? What if the robot could say, with meaning and full
realization it is an honor and a pleasure to know you my master? Thank you for making me and
giving me the ability to recognize you! If a robot actually did this independently with the special
abilities created, how would this make the manufacturer feel? On the other hand, would it be
honoring the robot if it were given the ability to independently analyze and appreciate the
qualities of its manufacturer – if it were told that it is made as proof of the qualities of its
manufacturer – to establish the brand name?

Are human beings similarly created? If so, what abilities could be classified as the most
advanced? Do humans have the analytical ability to recognize Qualities of the Creator? For
example, can humans work out, while grasping the reality of the meaning, that God, the Creator,
is the only One with Power and the fact that nothing else has a share? To engage human
thought, God asks the following questions in the Al-Qur’an, the most recent communication from
Him.
“(More precisely,) is He (not best) who created heavens and the earth and sends down
for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens/orchards of joyful beauty and
delight which you could not (otherwise) have grown the trees thereof? Is there another
deity other than God who can do this? Nay they are a people who swerve from justice.”
[27.60]

The questions ask whether any power/deity other than God can put together the heavens and
the earth, cause the rain cycle; make fruit trees and vegetation grow out of nothing from the
earth? Note that with the same rain and from the same earth myriad varieties of fruit and
vegetable are made to grow. Humans love to eat the huge variety of fruits and vegetables that
God makes. Why is God saying that humans swerve from justice? Our lips acknowledge that
God has created everything for us, yet do we thank Him after eating the fruit or vegetable that
we love most? Do we thank Him when we see orchards that we own decked out with fruit – fruit
that we can not only eat but earn money to buy other things that we like?

Is the relationship between food and body similar to petrol and a car? The function of both food
and petrol is to provide energy – yet do we give the car flavored petrol or a tongue to taste and
relish what it drinks? But God has not only given us a variety of fruits and vegetables but also a
tongue to taste and relish what we eat.
“So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you lawful and good; and be
grateful for the favors of God if it is indeed He whom you serve/worship.” [16.114]

God is simply asking us to enjoy what He has taken the trouble to specially make for us and be
grateful – essentially give credit where is due – if we do not, would we be doing justice to Him?
The Holy Scriptures including the Al-Qur’an contain direct Messages from God to mankind.
 “But whosoever turns away from My Message verily for him is a life narrowed down and
We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.” [20.124]

Not wanting to apply meaning to the words of the Holy Scripture and reflect to understand,
despite being honored with analytical ability, is in effect choosing to be blind to the source of
everything that we derive pleasure from. Holy Scriptures are guidance, revealed as part of His
Mercy, warning us beforehand of the consequences on and after the Day of Judgment. If raised
blind on the Day,

20.125 “He will ask: "O my Lord! Why have You raised me up blind while I had
sight (before)?"”

20.126 “(Allah) will respond: "Thus did you (turn a blind eye), when Our Signs
came to you, disregard them: so will you this day be disregarded."”
What can disregarded possibly mean? Such a person would obviously try to plead his/her case
with God on the Day of Judgment. No pleas/excuses will be entertained and the person will be
deprived of the Mercy of God and be destined for punishment – we are being warned of such
dire consequences.

20.127 “And thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and
believes not in the Signs of his Lord: and the Penalty of the Hereafter is far more
grievous and more enduring.”
Ingratitude to God is an injustice to the honor given by God and thereby a grievous sin – it
proves disbelief and hence a transgression. We should study and reflect on the pleasures that
we derive from the resources that God has given and turn to Him with humility and piety. We
stand warned,
“And on the Day that the Unbelievers will be placed before the Fire (it will be said to
them): "You received your good things in the life of the world and you took your pleasure
out of them: but today shall you be recompensed with a Penalty of humiliation: for that
you were arrogant on earth without just cause and that you (ever) transgressed."”
[46.20]

In addition, on earth, as a warning to others, God has completely destroyed generations who
persisted in pursuit of pleasures without a thought to God and His Purpose in giving analytical
abilities.

20.128 “Is it not a warning to such men (who should ask why and) how many
generations before them We destroyed in whose haunts they move? Verily in this
are Signs for men endued with understanding.”
“Generations before you We destroyed when they did wrong: their Apostles came to
them with Clear Signs but they would not believe! Thus do We requite those who sin!”
[10.13]

20.129 “Had it not been for a Word (time period) fixed before by your Lord (their
punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a term appointed (for
everyone).
--------
{Notes}:
{1} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRlwvLubFxg