Article appeared Friday, February 24th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (217)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is it important to think about what might happen after death? Does everything end upon death? Or will there be individual accountability? Should the answer affect and dictate how we live our lives before death? Or is the answer not worthy of consideration? For those who seek guidance on such issues, our Creator has not left us in the dark. For those who believe, there is no need to debate the answer to such questions without knowledge. Our Creator has Revealed timeless answers or His Words repeatedly through Prophets and Messengers through the ages. Turning to the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament of the Bible we find: It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. [Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV] {1} What is it that one must take into serious consideration? After death, what is it that remains is it our riches, our degrees, our status, access to our children or the fruit of our deeds? For the living do riches, degrees, status and children add to a feeling of security? Is such a security permanent? The Bible provides an insight to our general attitude: In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. [Psalm 49:18, NLT] {2} For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. [Psalm 36:2, NIV] {3} In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, There is no God. [Psalm 10:4, ESV] {4} How many people seek the Creator when success is earnestly desired or is delayed? Finally, when success does arrive, does the need for our Creator die or disappear from our minds? The person who conveniently forgets the Creator when success arrives is called wicked or evil. Such a person calls on the Creator only when need is felt but hesitates to give the Creator His rightful place after getting what he/she asked for. Not thanking or denying the Creator upon receiving the gift of success is a severe injustice to the Creator and therefore a grave sin! Success in acquisition of wealth, degrees, status and birth of children are blessings granted by our Creator only as a test or trial in this life to test our attitude towards the Provider. The most recent Revelation, the Quran, clarifies that we are tested through the things that we are given. Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial: to Us must you return (to stand account). [21.35] Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas with Allah is the highest reward. [64.15] Obviously, we enjoy and derive benefit from the blessings of life gifted by our Creator; however, would it not be right and just to adore the Creator in return the One who has thoughtfully given us the life that we so love? In seeking the pleasure of Allah is the highest reward. In the most recent Revelation, our Creator questions our preference: Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates or your kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear a decline; or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah or His Apostle or the striving in his

cause; then wait till Allah brings about His Decision: and Allah Guides not the rebellious. [9.24] How should our Creator evaluate the person who loves Him in return? Adoring our Creator and doing things to please Him is the correct attitude of a person who is grateful for the gift of life. This is righteous behavior, as demonstrated by all prophets through the ages. O you 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] As an analogy, does it make sense to please the boss whom we work for? In doing so, do we feel that it is the right thing to do? The boss that we work for may own the entire company however he/she does not have ownership of employees. In contrast, having created everything, our Creator not only owns everything we have, He also owns us. He has however given us a free-will to find out who would love Him in return. As the Creator and Giver of wealth, He is ultimately the Rightful Owner of the wealth when we die. After our death, who then is best to decide what to do with the wealth left behind? As the Rightful Owner, our Creator Guides us in the most recent Revelation how to divide what is left behind after our death. By disobeying the inheritance rules Revealed, we would do an injustice to the Rightful Owner of the wealth. The initial part of Chapter 4 (Sura AnNisaa) contains detailed guidance on what to do with wealth left behind. The last Verse in the Chapter completes the guidance started in Verse 4.12 and deals with the wealth of a person who has no parents or children left behind. In other words the person has no heirs in the direct line of inheritance.

4.176 They will ask you for a (legal) verdict. Say, God Himself gives you His ruling concerning [inheritance from] a person who leaves no heir in the direct line. If a man dies childless and has a sister, she shall inherit one-half of what he has left, just as he (a brother) shall inherit all her [property] if she dies childless. But if there are two sisters, they shall both together have two-thirds of whatever he has left; and if there are brothers and sisters, then the male shall have the equal of two females share. God makes all this clear to you, lest you go astray; and God knows everything.
Just as our Creator has provided laws of inheritance, to enjoy the benefit from the wealth given by Him, He knows what goes on in the heart of each individual. Be sure that He cares as well as provides for everyone. It is He that delivers justice. By disobeying or deviating from His Rulings we deny His Wisdom and in effect demonstrate disbelief. ------{Notes}: {1} http://bible.cc/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm {2} http://bible.cc/psalms/49-18.htm {3} http://bible.cc/psalms/36-2.htm {4} http://bible.cc/psalms/10-4.htm