Article appeared Friday, April 13th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (224)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Has the same Creator created all of us? If yes, the only difference is that each has been created into a different environment with an individual personality and a unique skills-set. The question is: does each individual have a right to lead the given life in a righteous or good manner? Secondly, does anyone, other than the Creator, have the right to take away a life? If one decides to take a life, i.e. kill or commit murder, how should the Creator respond? All over the world today, how many murders are taking place - some reported and many unreported? What could be the motive behind such murders? How should the Creator, the One who has given life, look upon murders that are motivated and cold-blooded? Should one fear the consequences? Throughout history scriptures have warned against such taking of life. Turning to the Bible we find the story of Cain and Abel, two of the sons of Adam. The Book of Genesis (4:1-15) in the Old Testament contains the story of what had happened. To follow up, the New Testament gives us a warning based upon lessons learned. "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous." [1 John 3:12, NIV] {1} How did Cain belong to the Evil One? Both brothers were asked to make a sacrifice for the Creator. Cain thought he himself knew best while Abel's desire was only to please his Maker. Since sacrifice was for the Creator and it is He alone who accepts or rejects it, should it be a surprise that Abel's sacrifice was accepted while Cain's was not? This led Cain to jealousy and the pre-meditated murder of his younger brother Abel. "Now, Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." [Genesis, 4:8, NIV] {2} Cain was elder. How should an elder brother look upon a younger brother? In contrast, what was the attitude of Cain towards his brother? Turning to the most recent Revelation, the Qur'an, our Creator again asks Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to repeat the lessons mankind should learn from the story.

5.27 "Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! They each presented a sacrifice (to Allah): it was accepted from one but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure that I will slay you!" "Surely" said the former "Allah accepts the sacrifice of those who are righteous."
Both brothers knew about the Creator. Notice however, the complete faith and trust that Abel demonstrated towards the Creator. What did he mean when he said, "Allah accepts the sacrifice of those who are righteous"? He could have implied the sacrifice he had made earlier, however, as this was said in response to Cain's assertion, "Be sure that I will slay you!"; it could also refer to his own sacrifice at the hands of Cain Abel was offering himself as a sacrifice in case it may please the Creator. He did not challenge Cain nor offer any resistance. His attitude is confirmed by the subsequent Verse.

5.28 "If you stretch your hand against me to slay me it is not for me to stretch my hand against you to slay you: for I do fear Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds."

Abel dared not do anything that would displease the Creator. He declared that he would not fight back, even though he may be killed. Abel feared the Creator more than he feared death.

5.29 "For me I intend to let you draw on yourself my sin as well as your own for you will be among the companions of the fire and that is the punishment of those who do wrong."
Abel clearly understood the nature of the tests that our Creator gives on earth. By taking away Abel's right to life, as given by the Creator, Cain would inherit all the sins of Abel in addition to the sin of murder.

5.30 "The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him and became one of the lost ones."
By committing the murder, Cain sealed his own fate. Allah accepted the sacrifice of Abel and continued to show Cain his stupidity. Cain lost everything.

5.31 "Then Allah sent a raven who scratched the ground to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. "Woe is me!" said he: "Was I not even able to be as this raven and to hide the shame of my brother?" Then he became full of regrets."
So, based on the lessons that are being given to mankind, Allah commanded the Children of Israel,

5.32 "On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole of mankind: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the entire mankind. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear Signs yet even afterwards many of them continue to commit excesses in the land."
All prophets have carried the same message and warning. The message is for all time, including the present day. For those who refuse to believe in this warning and slay the righteous servants of Allah, Allah has decreed the following punishment,

5.33 "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle and strive with sheer power to perpetrate mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion of the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter." 5.34 "Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Our Creator has defined prosperity and salvation. Given the exemplary standards of Abel, Allah commands,

5.35 "O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach to Him and strive with might and main in His Cause: that you may prosper."
-----------{Notes}: {1} http://bible.cc/1_john/3-12.htm {2} http://bible.cc/genesis/4-8.htm