Article appeared Friday, July 19th, 2013 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (287)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is the Creator real? What happens when we realize that the concept of the Creator is not just a figment of our imagination, but that He is very real? If the Creator is real what significance does it hold for intelligent human beings? Are human beings then like robots the difference being that we have been given intelligence, a personality, individual skills, family ties, feelings, opportunities and a free-will? Indeed, we are much more than a robot can ever be the similarity mainly being that both are made. The robot is made by an intelligent human being while the intelligent human being is created by the Supreme Creator, i.e. both are equally made or created. The qualitative difference between a man-made robot and the Creator-made human being indicates the greatness and skill of the Creator. Does the fact that we are made have any implications for our day-to-day lives during our sojourn on earth? For example, are we individually accountable for the life that we are enjoying? What would happen if we manage to displease the Creator? Also, if there is only one Creator, what does it imply about religion? Can we simply assume that we ourselves know all about religion, or in fact, should we take the trouble to find out what the Creator wants from us, i.e. is it rational to have multiple religions, each group establishing their own personal god? If the Creator is real and not just a figment of our imagination does it make sense to have a personal god who is at our beck and call? Or should human beings be at His beck and call? Having created intelligent beings, would the Creator inform mankind of what He wants? History stands witness to the fact that the Creator has repeatedly sent messengers and prophets revealing what He wants from His Creation. When the Creator chooses to send Revelations, how important is the messenger? That is, should the message carry more value or the medium through which the message is sent more important? Additionally, would it be rational for the message to be different with each subsequent messenger, i.e. is the message related with the messenger of the time or is the messenger just the deputy entrusted to deliver the Creators message? Would it be logical for the Creator to want other human beings to support the work of the deputy to help spread the message to as many human beings as possible? Lets now return to the initial question of what happens when the realization of the truth of the Creator crystallizes in our hearts? As a case in point, lets look at what happened when Moses chose seventy of his people to receive the Creators Commandments. How did they finally respond? Both the Bible (Old Testament) and the Quran confirm their reaction, Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." [Exodus 24:7, NIV] {1} And call in remembrance the favor of Allah to you and His Covenant which He ratified with you when you said: "We hear and we obey": and fear Allah for Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts. [5.7] The Creator looks at the acceptance of the truth in our hearts and the value we place in Him. Given the realization of the truth, would it be logical to turn to the Creator and ask for the best of the both worlds, the current world and the Hereafter, i.e. best of whatever He has created for us.

7.156 "And ordain for us that which is good in this life and the good in the Hereafter: for we have turned to You." He replied: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right and practice regular charity and those who believe in Our Signs;

Those who realize the truth of the Creator look for confirmatory Signs which may include study of Verses of Revelation and seeking guidance from people who call to witness the blessings of the Creator.

7.157 Those who follow the apostle the unlettered prophet whom they find mentioned in their own Scriptures; in the Law (given to Moses) and the Gospel (given to Jesus); for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him honor him, help him and follow the light which is sent down with him it is they who will prosper.
So what did Moses say about a prophet to come after Him? Looking through the Bible we find: In fact, Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to everything he tells you. [Acts 3:22, ISV] {2} The descendants of Ismail (the first born son of Abraham) are considered to be the brothers of the descendants of Isaac (the second son of Abraham). From the descendants of Ismail came Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who in many ways resembled Prophet Moses, e.g. received Revelation while separated from the rest, received Revelation at an adult age, married and had a family, etc. The foretold prophet cannot be Jesus (pbuh) as Jesus himself said that he would request another prophet, i.e. the Creator would send another person who would also extol Jesus himself. And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; [John 14:16, KJV] {3} People who have realized the truth of the Creator understand that the job of all prophets is the same and that they bring Revelation from the same source. The Quran confirms: The Apostle believes in what has been Revealed to him from his Lord as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Apostles "We make no distinction between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear and we obey; (We seek) Your forgiveness our Lord and to You is the end of all journeys." [2.285] Prophet Muhammad received Revelation (the Quran) as did Moses and was asked to declare:

7.158 Say: "O men! I am sent to you all as the apostle of Allah to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that gives both life and death. So believe in Allah and His apostle the unlettered Prophet who believed in Allah and His Words: follow him that (so) you may be guided."
Those who are convinced in their hearts believe in all prophets and have understood the truth.

7.159 Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth.
Verily this Qur'an explains to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree. [27.76] -------{Notes}: {1} http://biblehub.com/exodus/24-7.htm {2} http://biblehub.com/acts/3-22.htm {3} http://biblehub.com/john/14-16.htm