Article appeared Friday, June 25th, 2010 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (136) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is it important to reflect on life? Is there something to learn from one’s experiences? To help one
understand various people have coined quotations. Regarding reflection, Socrates is reported to
have said:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” {1}

More recently, Mark Amend, a writer who goes by the name Eathian coined the following phrase.
“The brightest light moving away from us, unless it be reflected, is darkness to us.” {2}

And Confucius pointed out:

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by
imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” {1}

The question is therefore how often does one reflect and/or learn from experiences? For example,
when the followers of Moses, i.e. the Children of Israel were saved from the clutches of Pharaoh
and miraculously carried safely across the sea, what should experience and subsequent reflection
have taught them? Who drowned Pharaoh and Who took them safely across the sea? Why? Was
the Creator teaching any lessons? Unfortunately, however, as the Qur’an reports on incidents
subsequent to this epic historic event:
“We took the Children of Israel (safely) across the sea. They (then) came upon a people
devoted entirely to some idols they had. They said: "O Moses! Fashion for us a god like the
gods they have." He said, "Surely you are a people without knowledge!”” [7.138]

Did the Children of Israel learn wisdom from the bitter experience with Pharaoh and the humbling
experience of being taken across the sea? Should these experiences have developed their faith
and their reliance on the Creator? What qualities of the Creator did they practically observe? After
such experiences, how is it that they wanted ‘gods’ to be fashioned for them? Even after Moses
rebukes them, what did they do when Moses went up on Mount Sinai? The story can be followed
in Exodus 32 of the Old Testament. Can human beings create their own gods? Should human
beings create their own gods? Subsequently, what was the purpose of first and second of the Ten
Commandments {4} given by the Creator?

Should modern men and women learn from these epic historic experiences? Does a Creator, who
can hold back the sea, drown an army and at the same time safely take masses of people across
the sea, need any intermediaries, supporters or saviours? The question for reflection is not who
the Creator is but what is the relationship between the Creator and His Created? For example, one
should ask Who Protects mankind and whether mankind is accountable for the gift of life given?
What qualities of the Creator are demonstrated in the Book of Exodus also called ‘Book of Names’
{3}? Logically, one could ask, do facts change with time? Or does time permit man to create
additional gods of own choosing with logic concocted? The Creator declares about the Qur’an:
“Alif Laam Raa. (This is from) a Book with Verses basic or fundamental (of established
meaning) further explained in detail from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all
things): (It teaches) that you should worship none but Allah (your Creator). (Say:)
"Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings:” [11.1 – 11.2]

Does mankind need further explanation? The Qur’an carries clear statements on the absolute
qualities of the Creator:
“Say: He is Allah the One and Only; Allah the Eternal Absolute; He begets not nor is He
begotten; and there is none like unto Him.” [112.1 – 112.4]
The Creator declares His Direct Involvement in creating each individual human being:
“He it is Who Shapes you in the wombs as He Pleases. There is no god but He, the
Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [3.6]

Regarding any Revelation being consistent with itself:

“It is He Who sent down to you (step by step) in truth the Book confirming what went
before it, He sent down (the) Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a
Guide to mankind and (it is) He (Who) sends down the Criterion (of Judgment).” [3.3]

Therefore, what feedback on performance or further explanations does the latest Revelation have?

3.7 “He it is Who has sent down to you the Book: in it are Verses basic or
fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others
are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is
allegorical seeking discord and searching for its hidden meanings but no one
knows its hidden meanings except Allah and those who are firmly grounded in
knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord"; and none
will grasp the Message except men of understanding.”
What are we to understand? Is it logical that the interpretation of any allegory, parable or verse
should corroborate the fundamental concepts of all Revealed Religions? Allegories and parables
are given to help understand the basic or overall concepts and can in no way conflict with or be
contradictory to any fundamental concept. To help understand, Allah says about the current
Revelation:
“Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful messages in the form of a Book
consistent with itself (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who
fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration
of Allah's praises. Such is the Guidance of Allah:...” [39.23]

It is in a believer’s interest that he/she should reflect to understand the foundation and fundamental
meaning of all Revelation and seek the Creator’s Guidance and Forgiveness. Let those of us who
are created, pray, together, to our Creator:

3.8 “Our Lord! “Let not our hearts deviate now after You have Guided us but Grant
us Mercy from Your Own Presence; for You are the Grantor of Bounties without
measure.”
Can one be grateful on behalf of another? Similarly, can a person be responsible for the misdeeds
or ungratefulness of another [17.15]? Each beautifully created individual will have to stand trial for
his/her own deeds on the Day of Judgment!

3.9 “Our Lord! You are the One that will gather mankind together against a Day
about which there is no doubt: for Allah never fails in His Promise.”
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{Notes}:
{1} http://quotations.about.com/cs/inspirationquotes/a/Reflection2.htm
{2} http://thinkexist.com/quotations/reflection/2.html
{3} Book of Exodus is also called ‘Book of Names’. Why? See Analysis in:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/oldtestament/section4.rhtml
{4} http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-commandments.htm