Article appeared Friday, September 4th, 2015 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (392)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Do words that we use in our daily life carry a meaning and a value? If we separate a word from
its meaning what would be the effect? Picture a whole page of text. Imagine that the meaning of
each word has been separated, i.e., so that the words on the page do not carry any meaning.
Would there be any point in reading the page of the text?
Similarly, if we are asked to memorize a page of a text without considering the meaning of the
words, what would be the outcome? For example, if a teacher gave notes to memorize and
reproduce in the exams without considering the meaning, what benefit would there be? The sole
purpose of each word is to convey meaning. Are there people who encourage the separation of
word and its corresponding meaning? For example, are we encouraged to read the Verses of
the Quran without understanding the meaning of the words used?
The use of words to convey meaning is a special ability of humans an ability given by the
Creator. To understand this ability, we may consider how a baby initially links words to objects
and concepts. For example, how and when does a baby realize the difference between milk
and water? Regarding this ability, the Creator says in the Quran:
Proclaim! (or Read!) In the name of your Lord and Cherisher Who created; Created
man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And your Lord is Most Bountiful;
He Who taught (the use of) the Pen; Taught man that which he knew not. [96.1 96.5]
The Creator has not only created knowledge, He has created the mechanisms of how to convey
words, i.e., proclaim, read and the use of the pen. If then one separates the meaning from the
words; it would serve to make this ability ineffective. Without this ability everything would
become meaningless we would not be able to link objects and concepts, we would be in the
dark about everything. Above all, we would not be able to work out the fact that a Being, much
more Intelligent and Powerful than us has created us and given these abilities. It is only with this
ability that humans would be able to work out the truth of the revealed Holy Scriptures including
the Quran. We are therefore asked in the Quran,

13.19 Is then one who knows that that which has been revealed to you (O
Prophet) from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? It is those who are
endued with understanding that keep this in mind.
As intelligent humans, we need to analyze the meaning of the words in the Quran as related to
our lives and temporary time on earth. It is only when we attach meaning that we see the truth
about our existence and are able to respond to the Creator in an appropriate manner.
For those who respond to their Lord are (all) good things, but those who do not respond
to Him, even if they had all that is in the heavens and on earth and as much more they
would offer it for ransom. For them will the reckoning be terrible; their abode will be Hell
O, what a bed of misery! [13.18]
Why would we be accountable? So that we do not plead ignorance, the Quran informs us what
happened when our soul was created.
And (mention) when your Lord took you from the children of Adam from their loins
their descendants and made them testify regarding themselves, (asking), Am I not your
Lord? They replied, Yes, indeed, we bear witness to that. This, lest you should say on
the Day of Resurrection, Indeed, of this (fact), we were unaware. [7.172]

Our promise to the Creator is to use our intelligence to bear witness to His truth. This is the
promise we have made to Him the moment that we were created. As such, we are reminded of
our promise in the next Verse.

13.20 Those who fulfill the Covenant of Allah and fail not in the promises they
have made;
In addition to working out the truth using our intelligence, by attaching meaning to what we read,
we need to undertake the responsibilities given. For example, if meaning has been separated
from what we read, we need to work towards restoring the meaning.

13.21 Those who join together those things which Allah has commanded to be
joined; hold their Lord in awe and fear their personal accountability;
Regarding what should be joined, elsewhere in the Quran we find,
Verily Man is in loss, except those who have developed faith and do righteous deeds
and (join together) in the mutual teaching of truth and of patience and constancy. [103.2
103.3]
Further,

13.22 And those who persevere in patience, seeking the countenance their Lord;
establish regular prayers; spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their
sustenance secretly and openly; and prevent evil with good: for such there is the
final attainment of the eternal Home.
Allah has given each an individual personality, a unique set of skills and opportunities. We need
to use these to do our best to please our Creator and respond to Him by being grateful for what
He has given us. If we manage to please Him, we will have an eternal Home with Him after
completion of our temporary time on earth.

13.23 Gardens of perpetual bliss and residence; they shall enter there as well as
the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And
angels will enter upon them from every gate (saying salutation):
To test our intelligence and faith, we will be given alternative attractions, preoccupations and
trials. If we are patient in times of trouble, keep our focus on Him, do not panic and do not
despair of Allahs direct help, and keep doing our best, we may manage to please Him.
See they not that they are tried every year once or twice? Yet they turn not in
repentance and they take no heed (of warnings and tests). [9.126]

13.24 Peace (and security) be upon you for what you patiently endured! Now
how excellent is the final Home!
13.25 But those who break the Covenant of Allah after having given their word
and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined and spread corruption
on the earth on them is the Curse; for them is the terrible Home!
13.26 Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it. And they rejoice
in the worldly life, while the worldly life is not, compared to the Hereafter, except
brief enjoyment.