Article appeared Friday, November 16th, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (547) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

In companies that we work do we look forward to the evaluation at the end of a year? Why? We
may have spent the year working hard for the company – we may look for a rise in salary or
even a promotion. Essentially, we expect a reward for our hard labor for the company. Some of
us feel we have worked all hours, i.e., more than others or have done more for the company,
which we feel the management should recognize. How would we react if not rewarded? Would
we feel that an injustice has been done?

On the other hand, is the evaluation also necessary from the company’s point of view? Why?
The reason could be two-fold. First, after giving employment, in addition to the monthly salary,
the company provides many resources, e.g., desk, chair, room, amenities, environment, food
services, company transport and a host of other things including allowances – benefits to
facilitate and ease working for the company. Should the evaluation assess what the employee
does in return? Secondly, to create competition and motivation amongst the employees, the
management may give proportionately higher rewards to better performers.

Is such evaluation justified? Does the evaluation ensure justice both ways, i.e., from the point of
view of the employee and of the employer?

Similarly, should the return from the benefits we find on earth be evaluated? Is there anything
about life that we enjoy? For example, do we enjoy being a unique individual? Do we enjoy
looking at ourselves in the mirror? Do we enjoy wearing beautiful clothes, the skills that we
have, the intelligence that we can use, the ability to use our free will to do things, etc.? Which
favor or blessing of God do we not enjoy? In response, do we submit ourselves as grateful
creatures to our Lord, or do we become arrogant, boastful and oppress others whom He has
equally created?

In what ways do people react to the blessings they find on earth? There are people who
realize/work out that God has created them and given all the blessings to live an intelligent life.
They are grateful, love and adore their Creator – they also discuss and extol His blessings and
qualities with others, just as a “fan” would do. There are others who deny the credit and praise
that the Creator deserves. With inflated egos, these persons may become arrogant and boastful
wrongly assigning themselves the credit. There may be others, still, who in addition oppress
torture and do injustice to others who are equally created by God. Should all these people be
treated equally by God? So, should there be an evaluation of the return, people give to God,
having benefitted from the beautiful life created by Him?

If yes, how could such an evaluation system be set up? Who would be the best as Judge? For
the evaluation system we would need a fixed time period, rules for the judgment (constitution),
nature of reward/s, etc. Would the answers be contained in Holy Scriptures?

Let us look for answers from the Al-Qur’an.

“After that at length you will die. Again on the Day of Judgment will you be raised up.”
[23.15 – 23.16]

Death indicates the completion of the period of evaluation. After that we will be raised to face
God on the Day of Judgment. Our judgment/trial would take place on the Day of Judgment, after
being raised up from death! Another Verse clarifies,
 “O mankind! Do your duty to your Lord and fear (the coming of) a Day when no father
can avail aught for his son nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily the promise of God
is true: let not then this present life deceive you nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you
about God.” [31.33]

23.17 “And We have made above you seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of
(Our) Creation.”
As a reward, God, from His Mercy has already created seven places which will be given to
mankind to traverse – He is inviting us to look for ways to please Him – He is fully aware of what
each is doing as everything is being recorded. And on the Day of Judgment,
“…the Book (of individual deeds) will be placed (before you); and you will see the sinful
in great terror, because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! Woe to us! What
a book this is! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will
find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will your Lord treat with injustice.”
[18.49]

What are the blessings God has created for us?

23.18 “And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure and We
cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).”
What benefits do we derive from rain? What happens when rain comes down?

23.19 “With it (the rain) We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them
have you abundant fruits: and of them you eat (and have enjoyment)”
Also, specifically, olives, which is enjoyed by many,

23.20 “Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai which produces oil and relish for
those who use it for food.”
In addition,

23.21 “And in cattle (too) you have an instructive example: from within their
bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are in them (besides) numerous
(other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) you eat;”
What are the variety of products we get out of milk, and how many types of meat preparations
are there? In addition,

23.22 “And on them as well as in ships you ride.”

We use animals for transporting ourselves and goods. Another form of transport He has created
is the ships that sail the rivers and the seas.
“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you so (that you can) traverse through
its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but to Him is the Resurrection
(when mankind will face their Lord)” [67.15]

23.23 “(Further We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction.) We sent
Noah to his people: he said, "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god
but Him: will you not fear (Him)?"”
To help us understand the purpose of our sojourn on earth, i.e., evaluation of our attitude
towards Him, God has sent many prophets throughout the ages. Will we not work out His reality
and turn to Him in humility with gratitude for all that He has done for us?