Article appeared Friday, January 17th, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (605) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

As God is our Creator, would it be difficult to comprehend who He is – just like it would
be difficult for a man-made product to comprehend anything about its manufacturer? If
we, however, analyze the things that He has done for us; would it help understand who
He is? Is there any way to think about God in order to make an attempt to understand
who He is – particularly in relation to us human beings?

In the first instance, could we use an analogy to help as a comparison? For example,
could we use the analogy of a painter and his crafted painting? We all know of the
famous painting Mona Lisa crafted by Leonardo da Vinci. What has Leonardo done for
the painting? He has given the image its shape and form. Regardless of whether we
praise the smile or the eyes, the credit belongs to the painter. The painting is living proof
of the qualities/expertise of the painter. Now imagine that Mona Lisa could herself feel
her own smile. If someone informs her that her smile was given by Leonardo, how
should she feel towards him? So, should she love the canvas cloth that she is made on,
the paint that was used to make her, the shape of her body or be crazy about Leonardo?
How important would it be to love Leonardo and appreciate what he has done for her?

We as humans are not only able to smile, but are able to feel the joy behind the smile, to
relish the incident that caused the smile and also create a memory that can be recalled
in the future. Compared to Leonardo, what kind of Qualities would God need to have to
be able to create these abilities in us? So, what kind of credit and praise does He
deserve from the person enjoying the smile? The Holy Scripture, the Qur’an guides us.
“Say, Praise be to God and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen (for
delivering His message). Who is better? God or the false gods they associate
with Him?” [27.59]

Who/what could be false gods? Imagine that we are proud of our own smile. We take
photographs of our face and our smile, make a profile picture out of it – but do not credit
or thank God. Could the smile and face become an alternative god? Or if we credit our
own self for the beautiful smile, could our own self become a god? Or as scientists we
may credit our genes and our parents? But who is it that deserves exclusive credit and
praise? To help understand who God is, He asks us about the blessings listed in the
following Verses. It would be worthwhile to analyze each in depth.
“Or who has created the heavens and the earth and who sends you down rain
from the sky? Yes with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty
and delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can
there be another) god besides God? Nay they are a people who swerve from
justice.” [27.60]

The Qur’an is directly asking the question, who has created the heavens and the earth?
Is there anyone other than God who could have managed this mega task? It is only a
Being with the right kind of Intelligence and Power that can do this. If we Google the
question, “who created the heavens and the earth?” the first answer shows “Allah”, i.e.,
“The God” in Arabic. Yet another verse {1} in the Qur’an says, that although we respond
with the correct answer, we have not attached meaning or linked the significance of the
answer in our brains.
“And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they would
surely say, "God". Say, "[All] praise is [due] to God"; but most of them do not
know.” [31.25]
If we reflect and realize the reality of God, would we be in awe of Him [13.18] and also
fear Him? In addition, God asks who makes the trees grow cell by cell and makes them
produce fruit in the orchards that we enjoy? Should we ask why God makes trees that
give us fruit? Does He benefit from the created fruit?
“Or who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon
mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of
flowing water? (Can there be another) god besides God? Nay most of them know
not.” [27.61]

In what form was the earth before the continents formed? Continents {2}, mountains {3}
and rivers were created by God to support life on earth. It is the mountains that allow
fresh river water to flow. Salty water and fresh water normally mix in a glass. However,
when fresh water meets the salty seawater {4} the water does not mix immediately. The
seawater does not travel back mixing with the fresh river water. Does the denser salty
water help sailing ships to keep afloat [16.14]? What kind of food or ornaments do we
enjoy from the two kinds of water?
“Or who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him and who relieves its
suffering and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be
another) god besides God? Little do you remember (afterwards)!” [27.62]

Do we remember to thank God after coming out of trouble? Or are we pleased with
ourselves, having come out of trouble? Crediting others is tantamount to associating
others with God and is evil [16.45].
“Or who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea and who
sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings going before His mercy? (Can there
be another) god besides God? High is God above what they associate with Him!”
[27.63]

The stars and the moon beautify the night sky [37.6] and the Sextant tool uses the stars
for positioning {5}. Learning how remote objects can be used for positioning, GPS {6}
now uses a similar methodology relying on satellites circling the earth to do the same
thing. Should we acknowledge God’s blessings?
“Or who originates Creation then repeats it and who gives you sustenance from
heavens and the earth? (Can there be another) god besides God? Say, "Bring
your arguments if you are telling the truth!"” [27.64]

Not only does God create every new creation (babies, animals, trees, vegetation, etc.)
that we see, He will change and renew everything on the Day of Judgment in the
Hereafter. Who is best to inform us about this?
“Say, none in the heavens or on earth except God knows what is hidden: nor can
they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).” [27.65]

“Still less can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter: nay they are in doubt
and uncertainty about it; nay they are blind concerning it!” [27.66]

We are enjoying the benefits of an intelligent existence – a consciousness and a life that
we had no part in creating. Can such an existence be totally without accountability?
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{Notes}:
{1} http://www2.nau.edu/~gaud/bio301/content/iscrst.htm
{2} https://www.maropeng.co.za/content/page/the-formation-of-the-earths-continents
{3} https://nation.com.pk/25-Jan-2018/importance-of-mountains
{4} http://awesomeocean.com/video/footage-natural-phenomena-two-oceans-will-leave-speechless/
{5} https://folwell.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/steering_by_the_stars.pdf
{6} https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/gps/en/