Article appeared Friday, December 11, 2015 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (405)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Today, we are not only surrounded by functional products, we are constantly using or benefitting
from one product or another. With the passage of each day, we are progressing towards using
products that are more and more complex. For example, products that contain microprocessors,
e.g., computers, laptops, mobiles, cameras, washing machines, etc., that boast of more and
more features and facilities are becoming common.
When we buy such products, we generally look for reliable brand names. While using the
products we consult the user manuals, visit the manufacturers forums, join available user
forums, etc., to make sure that we get the best use of the product that we have purchased. We
are quite comfortable with the fact that products cannot exist without having been designed and
manufactured. Also, we trust and rely on the information and guidelines given by the
manufacturer regardless of how it is delivered. User information may be provided by the sales
outlet, online eBook, a call centre respondent we usually do not question the medium, we just
examine the usefulness and appropriateness of the information.
As complex functioning human beings, can we run away from the fact that, in terms of
functionality, we are much more complex than any product on earth? As the Quran points out, if
all human beings got together to create, for example, a fly, they would not be able to do it.
O men! Here is an example presented, so take lesson from it. Those on whom besides
Allah you call cannot create (even) a fly if they all gathered together for the purpose! And
if the fly should snatch away anything from them they would have no power to release it
from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition! [22.73]
So, if all the scientists, designers, engineers and manufacturers on earth together cannot create
a fly, what or who has the power to do so? The subsequent Verse answers this question
succinctly.
No just estimate have they made of Allah. For Allah is He Who is strong and able to
carry out His Will. [22.74]
We have not given the reality of the creator a thought there is only ONE Deity, Allah, which
literally means, the God {1} who is the only one with the power to create. Other than the God,
everything else is created. It is only with the help and power of the God that created beings can
do things that they intend to do they have no power to do anything of their own. So, the only
power we need approach is Allah.
To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. For verily Allah is free of all
wants, worthy of all praise. [22.64]
Once we realize the significance of who Allah is, we immediately need to find out why He took
the trouble to create us, i.e., what is His purpose? By the same token, what would He do with
those who do not fulfill His purpose?
It is He Who brought you out from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing;
then He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections so that you may give
thanks (to Allah). [16.78]
At one point in the womb, humans are just a lump of flesh or meat. At a later point, Allah adds
the systems of hearing, sight, intelligence and emotions. Why? To be grateful, one would need a

reason or reasons. Reasoning comes from the application of intelligence to what we see and
hear. When we observe what the Creator has done for us, to live and gain satisfaction out of life,
we would use our affections to be grateful. However, Allah says in the Quran,
They recognize the favors of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are
(creatures) ungrateful. [16.83]
All the messages quoted above are from the Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) somewhere between the years 601 to 632 AD {2}. The content of these messages need
to be evaluated for their appropriateness and merit. However, instead, the Prophet through
whom the messages of the Quran were delivered is called mad.

15.6 They say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you
are mad (or possessed)!
When we look for information on a product, we use any medium to get the appropriate
information relevant information that would help with use of the product. In the case of the
Quran, instead of examining the messages, the medium is being blamed. The purpose and
significance of the message is not being considered. Can this be considered a sign of disbelief?
If we believed that we are indeed created and accountable, we would want to know what the
Creator wants. However, the message and messenger both are made fun of.

15.7 Why do you not bring us the angels, if you should be among the truthful?
The job of the prophets is to simply deliver knowledge or information sent by the Creator. It is up
to intelligent humans to individually process and evaluate the messages for their value. The job
of the angels is to do work assigned by the Creator. No prophet ever claimed that he had power
over the angels.

15.8 We do not send the angels down except for just cause; if they did come
down, the disbelievers would not be spared!
The messages reveal the purpose of intelligent creation. They come together with a warning of
what would happen to those who refuse to recognize the signs of the Creator.

15.9 We have, without a doubt, sent down the message; and We are assuredly its
guardian.
Allah is confirming the authenticity of the message contained in the Quran. However, sadly,
messengers were sent down throughout the ages were similarly made fun of and rejected.

15.10 And We certainly sent messengers before you (O, Muhammad) amongst
the religious sects of former peoples.
15.11 But never came an apostle to them but they mocked him.
----------{Notes}:
{1} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah
{2} http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/MSA/find_more/quran.html