Article appeared Friday, May 13th, 2011 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (178) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Earth is one of the planets in our solar system. Does Earth have any special characteristics that
human beings should consider a blessing? The difference between the planet earth and all
other planets in our solar system has always intrigued scientists. In 1967, scientists Hitchcock
and Lovelock {1} discovered astonishing differences between the atmospheres of other planets
and Earth. While the environments of Mars and Venus displayed chemical “equilibrium”, the
chemical composition on Earth was in a state of deep “disequilibrium”! Interestingly, the
disequilibrium somehow matched chemical conditions necessary to support human life and
other living beings on Earth! The following quote comparing the characteristics of Mars and
Earth may help understand the need for disequilibrium as well as the logic behind the orbital
placement of the Earth in relation to the Sun:
“Mars is the fourth planet from our Sun, and the last of the "inner planets." We live on
the third, orbiting the Sun at a distance that maintains water oceans and conditions that
have supported life for around four billion years. The surface of Mars is red due to the
oxidation of iron in the soil. The Martian atmosphere is 100 times less dense than that of
Earth and primarily made up of Carbon Dioxide. Although Mars does have seasons, the
temperature only varies from cold to extremely cold.” {2}

Subsequent ongoing investigations by Lovelock and other scientists {1} have progressively
revealed that all natural systems work collectively to produce conditions favorable for sustaining
“life” on Earth! The question is how and why are the chemicals on earth in a state of
disequilibrium – an uncommon disequilibrium that “somehow” not only happens to support but
continues to support life on earth? What or who is preventing the chemicals from establishing a
chemical equilibrium? Our Creator enlightens us in the most recent Revelation, the Qur’an,

3.190 “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of
night and day there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.”
The Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher Galileo (1564 – 1642), who is
popularly accepted at the father of modern science, had the following to say about the creation
of the universe:
“Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe.” {3}

What has mathematics got to with the universe? Does it mean the construction and
characteristics of everything can be described by mathematics or that there is a mathematical
pattern to everything and that everything follows a mathematical pattern? For example, is the
alternation of night and day mathematical? Do human beings need to do calculations with days
and nights? The following Verse from the Qur’an furnishes an example.
“He it is that cleaves (separates) the daybreak (from the dark): He makes the night for
rest and tranquility and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time):..We detail Our
Signs for people who understand.” [6.96 – 6.97]

Who does the Qur’an repeatedly refer to as “men of understanding” or people who understand?
To work this out, let us first look at the objective of research that scientists undertake. As
pointed out by Galileo, scientists generally believe that everything in the universe is governed by
mathematical rules or laws. The aim of research is to discover these rules. On the contrary, if
things followed a random behavior pattern, it would be pointless doing research as nothing
would be predictable. Acceptance of the rule of mathematics implies acceptance of the fact that
things are deliberately made to follow rules or laws. This is tantamount to acceptance of the
existence of a Supreme Mathematician or Creator. However, once the rule or law is discovered,
who do scientists generally credit? As sadly pointed out in the Qur’an:
“They recognize the favors of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are
(creatures) ungrateful.” [16.83]

So are “men of understanding” scientists who discredit the Creator after discovering a rule or a
law or are they ordinary people who constantly make discoveries regarding their own lives and
the world surrounding them and having done so thank the Creator? Having made a personal
discovery, these people are in awe of the Creator. The Qur’an characterizes men of
understanding in the subsequent Verse:

3.191 “Men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting and lying down on
their sides and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the
earth (with the thought): "Our Lord! Not for nothing have You created (all) this!
Glory to You! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.”
Such people work out that there must be a deliberate purpose behind such an elaborate
creation of the heavens and the earth and the fact that each individual is enjoying a life and
blessings given by the Creator. After enjoying the benefits of being created what should be the
attitude of a created human beings towards their Creator? Is it the Creator’s Right to be
appreciated, praised and thanked? As pointed out by Warren (2002, p.36) in his book, The
Purpose Driven Life:
“God's inherent glory is what he possesses because he is God. It is his nature. We
cannot add anything to this glory, just as it would be impossible for us to make the sun
shine brighter. But we are commanded to recognize his glory, honor his glory, declare
his glory, praise his glory, reflect his glory, and live for his glory.' Why? Because God
deserves it! We owe him every honor we can possibly give. Since God made all things,
he deserves all the glory. The Bible says, "You are worthy, 0 Lord, our God, to receive
glory and honor and power. For you created everything."” {4}

If one is not prepared to appreciate, praise and thank our Creator,

3.192 “Our Lord! Any that you admit to the fire truly You will cover with shame
and never will wrong-doers find any helpers!”
On the other hand, if one is prepared to honor the Creator’s Right to be appreciated, praised
and thanked, i.e. be righteous,

3.193 “Our Lord! We have heard the call of one calling (us) to faith ‘Believe you in
the Lord' and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins blot out from us
our iniquities and take to Yourself our souls in the company of the righteous.”
-----------
{Notes}:
{1} As cited in http://www.ecolo.org/lovelock/lovedeten.htm
{2} http://cmex.ihmc.us/sitecat/sitecat2/mars.htm
{3} http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
{4} Warren, R. (2002). Purpose Driven Life: What on earth am I here for? Zondervan, Michigan.