Article appeared Friday, October 26th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (250)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

We may give our bosses, our jobs, our hobbies, our passions, our loved ones and the pursuit of wealth priority. Why? Is it because we believe that there is benefit or satisfaction in doing so? Conversely, we readily say that we believe in our Creator. However, to follow up this assertion, do we give our Creator priority and importance in our day-to-day lives? If not, can we prove that we believe in Him in reality? The most recent Revelation, the Quran, warns: O, you who believe, let not your wealth or your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. [63.9] Do our priorities keep us away from remembering to thank the Creator for His Blessings? Do we believe that the wealth we gain has power over everything else? Equally, do we feel that people who are not similarly motivated by wealth lack understanding? Our Creator explains that it is Satan or Iblis who places doubt in our hearts: The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to a conduct unseemly. (Against this deception) Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah cares for all and He knows whatever is going on. [2.268] Our Creator personally chose to make each individual separately. Do we sincerely believe that He would not then care for us? Allah asks a logical question to allay doubts: How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah Who feeds (both) them and you: for He hears and knows (all things). [29.60] For example, in comparison with human beings, how many ants are there in the world? Have we come across any ant dying of starvation? Why? Who is it then that looks after all the ants? Equally, Allah looks after each and every human being with love and affection. There is another lesson that our Creator teaches us through ants. Does our Creator put food directly into ant-hills i.e. the homes of ants? No, ants have to go out to look for food. What do they do after bringing food inside their homes? They share with all the ants and no one is left out! In comparison, what do we do with the food that our Creator has given us? On a global scale, do we share food with neighboring countries that have less or do we promote poverty? In our own localities, do we share food with poor neighbors? In the masjids that we go for prayer, do we organize to help the poor at the door or do we simply push them aside? So what should be our attitude? It is our Creator who has given the food, skills and wealth we enjoy. He simply asks us to acknowledge this by giving Him priority in remembering Him and demonstrate good deeds using the opportunities He has given us. But, seek, with the (skills and wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you the Home of the Hereafter nor forget your portion in this world: but do you good as Allah has been good to you. [28.77] Our Creator has honored us above the rest of creation by giving us knowledge, intelligence and the freedom to choose who or what we prefer. If we prefer to remain busy with pursuit of worldly wealth and overlook to give priority or importance to our Creator, He warns, To those who reject Our Signs and treat them with arrogance no opening will there be of the gates of heaven nor will they enter the garden until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: such is Our reward for those in sin. [7.40] It is a sin not to acknowledge the Creator who has created and given blessings to enjoy. Those who are righteous give priority to the Creator in return. The warning given in Verse 7.40,

delivered through the most recent apostle Muhammad (pbuh) was also given by previous apostles. For example, Jesus (pbuh) places emphasis using the same metaphor: Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. [Matthew 19.24, NIV] {1} The warning is repeated in Mark 10.25 {2} and Luke 18.25 {3} of the Bible. If we assume the camel to be a big ego, how easy is it for a big ego to deflate itself to be humble? Has the attitude of big egos changed with time over the centuries? In addition to sending warning through apostles, our Creator has also punished nations to imbibe humility. However,

6.42 Before you (O, Muhammad) We sent (Apostles) to many nations and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity that they might learn humility. 6.43 When the suffering reached them from Us why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them. 6.44 But when they forget the warning they had received We opened to them the gates of all (good) things until in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts all of a sudden We called them to account when lo, they were plunged into despair!
Our Creator does not deprive anyone of His Blessings He is the Provider and Sustainer. However, there is nothing in the Hereafter except Fire for those who are ungrateful and arrogant.

6.45 Of the wrong-doers the last remnant of people was cut off. Praise be to Allah the Cherisher of the worlds
Allah asks a logical question to those who do not give Him priority:

6.46 Say: "Think if Allah took away your hearing and your sight and sealed up your hearts is there any god other than Allah who could restore them to you? See how We explain the Signs by various (symbols): yet they turn aside.
Also,

6.47 Say: "Think if the punishment of Allah comes to you whether suddenly or openly will any be destroyed except those who do wrong?" 6.48 We send the Apostles only to give good news and to warn: so those who believe and mend (their lives) upon them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
What is the good news and warning? The Creator has created human beings to be His companions in the Hereafter: For the righteous are gardens in nearness to their Lord with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; ... [3.15]

6.49 But those who reject Our Signs, them shall our punishment touch for that they ceased not from transgressing.
----{Notes}: {1} http://bible.cc/matthew/19-24.htm {2} http://bible.cc/mark/10-25.htm {3} http://bible.cc/luke/18-25.htm