Article appeared Friday, August 10th, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (535) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can the existence of a painting be evidence of the painter’s qualities/abilities? For example,
does the painting Mona Lisa by itself serve as praise for Leonardo? People often talk about
Mona Lisa’s wise smile or eyes that can look at the person viewing from any angle. So, is such
talk in praise of Mona Lisa herself or in praise of the artist, Leonardo da Vinci? Every feature of
the painting arises from the way the brush strokes of Leonardo have been put together. In fact,
the very existence of the painting bears witness to the abilities and qualities of the unseen
painter. Leonardo conceptualized, designed and crafted the painting together.

What about the existence of the universe itself? What about the existence of each and every life
form and the addition of human beings themselves? Every life form not only exists, it follows a
particular pattern of life style and fulfills a purpose. For example, every species of the honeybee
anywhere in the world builds its honeycomb in the same identical manner. So, if we praise the
construction of the honeycomb, who are we, in effect, praising? The Guardian article on Secrets
of the Beehive {1} reports research findings on the functionality and the fitness of purpose of the
structure of the honeycomb.
“After nearly two thousand years, mathematicians have now finally proved that
honeybees are among the world's most efficient builders…The fact that it has taken
2,000 years of (intelligent human) effort and 19 pages of advanced mathematics to show
that the familiar honeycomb is the most efficient pattern for the storage of honey is as
much a marvelous testament both to the wonders of nature and to our mathematical
ingenuity.” {1, parenthesis mine}

Without a doubt, a very high degree of intelligence is involved in the conceptualization, design
and engineering construction of the cell. The Al-Qur’an introduces us to the Owner of this
intelligence.
“And your Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills on trees and in (men's)
habitations; then to eat of all the produce (of the earth) and find with skill the spacious
paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors wherein is
healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.” [16.68 – 16.69]

The comprehensive Verses 68 and 69 of Chapter 16 of the Al-Qur’an not only inform us who
taught the honeybee how to build the cells of the honeycomb, it gives us the purpose of honey –
its composition has medicinal value for human beings. In addition, the Lord taught the honeybee
how to find its own food in the spacious earth. The deeper we go into the various integrated
aspects of honey-making given in the two Verses, the more we would want to praise the abilities
and qualities of our Most Merciful Lord and Creator. All life forms including all the honeybees in
the world faithfully follow what the Creator taught them day in and day out. The Creator wants
human beings to study and witness how all other created beings follow the commandments laid
down.

22.18 “Do you not see (observe) that to God prostrate all things that are in the
heavens and on earth, the sun, the moon the stars; the hills, the trees, the
animals; and a great number among mankind? But a great number are (also) such
as are fit for Punishment: and such as Allah shall disgrace none can raise to
honor: for God is He who carries out all that He wills.”
Just like the job of bees is to make honey, the job of humans is to observe and study how God
has created all things to establish His Reality. Sadly, in direct opposition to this, there are those
who go out of their way to disprove {2} the existence of Almighty God thereby leading
themselves and others away from fulfilling the purpose of their life. The commentary The
Evolution of Honeycomb {2} fails to show that Darwin and his colleagues overlook the fitness of
purpose aspect of honey making when they attempt to disprove God’s existence. Can bees
know what heals human problems?

22.19 “These two antagonists dispute with each other about their Lord: but those
who deny (their Lord) for them will be cut out a garment of Fire: over their heads
will be poured out boiling water.”

22.20 “With it will be scalded what is within their bodies as well as (their) skins.”

22.21 “In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish) them.”

22.22 “Every time they wish to get away they will be forced back therein and (it
will be said), "Taste the Penalty of Burning!”
The punishment arranged after the Day of Judgment for arguing to disprove the existence of
God is severe. Such people who argue against God would be found guilty on three counts.
Firstly, they deny their purpose regarding witnessing and establishing the Reality of God.
Second, they argue to disprove His existence. Third, by doing so, they mislead others into
believing that God does not exist. On the contrary those who establish the truth about God by
studying nature and praising God’s qualities and attributes would be classified as righteous and
would benefit from their good deeds on the Day of Judgment.

22.23 “God will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds to Gardens
beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold
and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.”

22.24 “For they have been guided (in the current life) to the purest of speeches;
they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is worthy of (all) praise.”
Words that share the truth of God and demonstrate admiration and adoration are the best of
speeches – such words truly fulfill the purpose of mankind’s creation; to be witness and
establish the reality of God. One of the purposes of going on Pilgrimage to Makka is to have an
opportunity to open our hearts to God and thereby establish His reality personally. This invitation
is open to one and all.

22.25 “As to those who have rejected (God) and would keep back (men) from the
Way of God and from the Sacred Mosque (pilgrimage) which We have made
(open) to (all) men equally both the dweller there and the visitor from the country
but any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing them will We cause to
taste of a most grievous Penalty.”
“Say: "Enough is God for a Witness between me and you: He knows what is in the
heavens and on earth. And it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah that will
perish (in the end)."” [29.52]
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.theguardian.com/science/1999/aug/26/technology
{2} https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/commentary/life-sciences/evolution-honeycomb