Article appeared Friday, January 21st, 2011 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (163) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

We exist. Not only do we exist, we have the capacity to feel and enjoy the life that we live. In
addition, we generally love ourselves and love to be ourselves. As a unique human being, if we
imagine our ‘life’ to be an individual gift, can there be a greater gift? Is it important to know who
is responsible for this gift and whether we should give anything in return? The most recent
Revelation, the Qur’an enlightens us:
“It is He (the Creator) Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you
knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that
you may give thanks (to Him).” [16.78]

Further, we are able to do as we please. Is there, therefore, a purpose in giving free-will? For
example, do we exist simply for the pursuit of material happiness or just happiness? Again, the
Qur’an informs us:
“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]

What exactly is righteousness? Does one become righteous by claiming to belong to a religion?
Does one become righteous by saying that he/she believes in the Creator? Or does one
become righteous by accurately performing the physical act of prayer? The Qur’an reveals:
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West; but it is
righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the
Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him for your kin for orphans for
the needy for the wayfarer for those who ask and for the ransom of slaves; to be
steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have
made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all
periods of panic. Such are the people of truth the Allah-fearing.” [2.177]

Verse 2.177 gives examples of righteous behavior. Is being grateful for the gift of life righteous
behavior? From the point-of-view of the Creator, should belief or righteous behavior vary with
time or age; should it vary with geographic location or race? The Qur’an helps us understand:
“Say: "We believe in Allah and the Revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ishmael,
Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to (all)
Prophets from their Lord we make no difference between one and another of them and
we bow to Allah (our Creator)."” [2.136]

Essentially the Creator has enlightened man through messengers throughout the ages – the
Qur’an being the latest such Revelation. Why is Revelation necessary? Is following the
Guidance given important? The Qur’an points out:
“O mankind! The Apostle has come to you in truth from Allah: believe in him: it is best
for you. But if you reject faith, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth:
and Allah is All-Knowing All-Wise.” [4.170]

Whether or not we believe, whether we are righteous or not, we are all accountable for the free-
will that we have been given – we will all have to face our Creator on the Day of Judgment
appointed by the Creator; there is no escape route.
“And on that Day the Unbelievers will be placed before the Fire (and 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]
Again,
“But those who reject (the Creator & guidance) for them will be the Fire of Hell: no term
shall be determined for them so they should die nor shall its Penalty be lightened for
them: thus do We reward every ungrateful one!” [36.35]

In return for the gift of life and the enjoyment that we get being ourselves, are we willing to do
anything for the Creator? At the very least, should we be grateful? To help us understand that
rewards are proportional to the effort and sincerity put in, Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862),
an American author, poet and naturalist wrote,
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” {1}

So what are we willing to do for our Creator, the One who has blessed us with the gift of life?
Allah asks in the Qur’an:
“Is then the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked?
Not equal are they. For those who believe and do righteous deeds are Gardens as
hospitable homes for their (good) deeds. As to those who are rebellious and wicked their
abode will be the Fire: every time they wish to get away from there they will be forced
back and it will be said to them: "taste the Penalty of the Fire which you were rejected as
false.” [32.18 – 32.20]

All created human beings have been given an equal right by the Creator to enjoy the gift of life.
Therefore, to allow all to live in peace and harmony, the Creator has recommended many things
as well as forbidden many things. As an example, in the Qur’an, He has recommended charity
and forbidden usury, i.e. charging for the time period that money is used, just as He has done in
previous Revelations {2}.

3.130 “O you who believe! Devour not usury doubled and multiplied; but fear
Allah; that you may (really) prosper.”

3.131 “Fear the fire which is prepared for those who reject faith.”

3.132 “And obey Allah and the Apostle; that you may obtain mercy.”

3.133 “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a garden
whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth prepared for
the righteous.”

3.134 “Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who

restrain anger and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.”

3.135 “And those who having done something to be ashamed of or wronged their
own souls earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask for forgiveness for their sins and
who can forgive sins except Allah? And are never obstinate in persisting
knowingly in (the wrong) they have done.”

3.136 “For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens with rivers
flowing underneath an eternal dwelling; how excellent a recompense for those
who work (and strive)!”
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{Notes}:
{1} http://www.quotegarden.com/life.html
{2} http://www.tentmaker.org/lists/UsuryScriptureList.html