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

The Revelation (493) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Who is God? Who is Allah? If God has created us individually, what Nature of Being could He
be? How should we address Him? Who/what are humans? What kind of relationship should
there be between God and His created humans? Would God reveal or send guidance regarding
His purpose of creating humans and elaborate on the negative consequences if purpose is not
fulfilled? Can we work out an analogy to understand and find answers to these questions?

A lot of questions indeed! To start off, lets look at the two words, God with a capital g and
Allah. There is a lot of debate and articles {1, 2} mainly trying to prove that there are differences
between the two. It must be realized however that words represent concepts. The question is,
are concepts dependent or independent of opinion? For example, take the concept of love.
Whether one thinks a concept is bad or good, does it change the basic nature or concept of
love? Similarly, God and Allah represent a concept. Would the concept change given
personal/religious opinions or considerations of personal benefit, e.g., who/how sin would be
absorbed?

Where can we find clues to the concept of God/Allah? For this purpose, let us analyse the
following Verses from the Holy Quran.
To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth; when He decrees a matter
He says to it: "Be"; and it is. [2.117]

To Allah belong the East and the West; wherever you turn there is the presence of
Allah. For Allah is All-Pervading All-Knowing. [2.115]

What does primal origin mean? The Big Bang Theory {3} suggests that the universe had a
beginning. As something cannot be created by nothing, a beginning implies that there is a
Super Natural Power that caused it to begin. Verse 2.117 gives information regarding the nature
of this Power. So credit for the primal origin belongs to the Power who conceived, designed and
created all the particles of the universe. To create something, this Power only has to will it into
existence and it becomes. Having created everything, He is the Owner wherever one turns,
His Presence is everywhere as pointed out by Verse 2.115. All Pervading means He has an
effect on everything {4}. Additionally, He has complete knowledge of whatever is going on
everywhere.

So, how can the concept of the Devine Being who originated everything be summarized? Lets
take a moment to think of His Nature. Here are some more questions, can such a Supernatural
Being have an equal? Coming back to the concept represented by God and Allah is there any
difference? As long as we conceptually and intentionally (in our hearts) refer to the One and
Only Supreme Being it is the same.
Say: "Call upon Allah or call upon Rahman: by whatever name you call upon Him (it is
well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names [17.110]

Having created human intelligence and the system of reading and writing, i.e., a system for
transmitting knowledge, how would He communicate His Purpose to His intelligent beings? The
Al-Quran points out about itself,
This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a
confirmation of (revelations) that went before it and a fuller explanation of the Book
wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds. [10.37]

The Al-Quran is itself confirming that it is indeed a communication from the Lord of the Worlds,
i.e., the Lord of everything in current world and Lord of the Hereafter [34.1], as were previous
revelations, originally revealed as the Torah, Psalms (Zabur) and Injil (New Testament). The Al-
Quran now is a complete and a more detailed explanation and guidance with analogies. The
reference and authentication of all revelations are that they are all from the Book with Allah
called Mother of the Book.
Ha Mim. By the Book that makes things clear We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that
you may be able to understand (and learn wisdom). And verily it is in the Mother of the
Book in Our Presence high (in dignity) full of wisdom. [43.1 43.4]

The Mother of the Book with Allah makes things clear a clear specification given with the
purpose and function of creation. From there content to be revealed has been translated into the
language of the then current prophet. To show that revelation is indeed from the Mother of the
Book, references like Ha Mim are added. Chapter 20 of the Al-Quran also opens with
reference letters,

20.1 Ta Ha.

20.2 We have not sent down the Qur'an to you to be (an occasion) for your
distress.
Prophet Muhammad delivered revealed messages sincerely, and was distressed when
messages were ridiculed. So, Allah guides him,
You would only perchance worry yourself to death following after them in grief if they
believe not in this Message. 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 are best in
conduct. [18.6 18.7]

Allah points out that revealed messages are a reminder, warning and a test. It will guide only
those who seek guidance.

20.3 But only as an admonition to those who fear (Allah).

It will not guide those who seek only to please themselves and are distracted busy with worldly
pleasures.

20.4 A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.

20.5 (Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).
He is fully aware of whatever each of His creation is thinking or doing. He is the absolute Owner
of everything that exists as He has created everything.

20.6 To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth and all between them
and all beneath the soil.

20.7 If you pronounce the word aloud (it is no matter): for verily He knows what
is secret and what is yet more hidden.
He knows the innermost secrets of every heart, hidden intentions and attitudes towards Him. Lip
service cannot fool Him. He has created every asset, facet, concept and thought that we enjoy.

20.8 Allah! There is no god but He! To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.
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{Notes}:
{1} http://catholicexchange.com/comparing-god-and-allah-%E2%80%93-fundamental-
considerations
{2} https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Training/Post/Preview/186227
{3} https://www.space.com/25126-big-bang-theory.html
{4} https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/all-pervading