Article appeared Friday, February 7th, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (608) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

On earth there are two types of people – those who are alive and living and the other,
people who have died or are dead. Now for a seemingly silly question – is it possible for
a living person to die or be dead before his/her physical death and a dead person to be
alive after dying? For the first category, do Holy Scriptures talk about persons who are
effectively dead even before their physical death? Let’s examine the following Verses
from the Qur’an to work out the kind of person that is being talked about.
“These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is
profitless and they have lost true direction. Their similitude is that of a man who
kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him God took away their light and left
them in utter darkness so they could not see. Deaf, dumb and blind they will not
return (to the path).” [2.16 – 2.18]

While these persons have perfect sight, a recognizable voice and can hear well, yet God
says that they are deaf, dumb and blind while being alive – not much different from a
person who is dead! What is that these persons cannot hear? What is it that these
persons do not speak about and what is it that these persons cannot see? The following
Verse points out something that the person cannot see.
“Or who has created the heavens and the earth and who sends you down rain
from the sky? 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 trees and plants in the orchard grow right in front of our eyes. They provide a variety
of tasty colorful fruit and vegetables. How do they grow? Who has designed so many
different fruit? Does the person not ask questions? How does the rain happen to water
these orchards? Who makes the rain precipitate and come down from the sky? Do these
people not ask where did the heavens and everything on earth come from? These
people just eat and enjoy and do not ask questions. When other people talk about the
blessings of God, can these people hear what is being said? Yet they turn a deaf ear!
They are able to talk, but do they appreciate and talk about God’s blessings? So, are
such persons any different from a dead person?

What could be getting in the way of such people observing, hearing and talking about
God’s blessings? Could one reason be their oversized ego? The web articles {1, 2} talk
about identifying persons with inflated egos and how they are unable to see beyond their
own self-importance.
“The egotistical maniac has given himself/herself a grandiose sense of self-
importance and expects others to see this at all times. They will exaggerate any
talents and achievements in the course of their lives…They understand only one
language: self-interest. Their inner dialog and private language revolve around
the constant measurement of utility. They regard others as mere objects,
instruments of gratification, and representations of functions.” {2}

It is as though the world exists only for the person with an inflated ego – he/she cannot
see anything but himself/herself. He/she therefore does not want to know how he/she
happens to exist and therefore does not seek guidance. The person does not think about
approaching God with appreciation and gratitude and therefore is lost. Is such a person
doing injustice to God who has created and given so much? Could the inflated ego then
be likened to the fire that lights up all around and its brightness does not allow the
person to see beyond as the Verses 2.16 – 2.18 point out? So, do the Verses make
sense? The Qur’an says,

27.80 “Truly you cannot cause the Dead to listen nor can you cause the
Deaf to hear the call (especially) when they turn back in retreat.”
As such people are not seeking guidance, whatever Holy Scriptures say or others help
explain, they are not tuned in. Just as the physically dead person cannot hear, neither
can they.

27.81 “Nor can you be a guide to the Blind (to prevent them) from straying;
only those will you get to listen who believe in Our Signs and they will bow
in Islam.”
Just as growing trees and the rain cycle are Signs of God’s continued blessings, so is
everything else in creation. We just need to reflect on God’s thoughtfulness and mercy.

27.82 “And when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust) We shall
produce from the earth a beast to (face) them: he will speak to them for that
mankind did not believe with assurance in our Signs.”
More important than who the “beast” is, is what he will do and why God has created him.
Essentially, the beast will speak with man and arrange to bombard mankind with
excessive materialistic blessings. Deaf, dumb and blind humans will pursue materialistic
blessings as though addicted. To finally prove that these people will not acknowledge
God, the beast will invite his own worship as one world order, one world religion utilizing
various tools including the Internet {3}.

27.83 “One Day We shall gather together from every people a troop of
those who reject Our Signs and they shall be kept in ranks.”
If one submits to the beast, he/she will have proven his/her disbelief in God – ultimately
these will be many persons lined up in front of God on the Day of Judgment.

27.84 “Until when they come (before the Judgment-Seat) God will say, "Did
you reject My Signs though you comprehended them not in knowledge or
what was it you did?"”

27.85 “And the Word will be fulfilled against them because of their
wrongdoing and they will be unable to speak (in plea).”
Having proved that such persons will not believe, on the Day of Judgment, they will have
no defense. Material things and technologies are temporary comforts. But, do they have
any power to save or defend us on the Day of Judgment? To help understand, God
gives the following example of mountains standing firm. Will they always be firm?
“You look at the mountains and feel them to be firmly fixed: but they shall pass
away as the clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of God Who disposes of all
things in perfect order: for He is well-acquainted with all that you do.” [27.88]

“If any do good, it will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from
terror that Day.” [27.89]

Righteousness is reflecting on life, turning to God, acknowledging Him and being

grateful to Him. Such people will enjoy eternal blessings – they will live with joy after
death.
----
{Notes}:
{1} https://www.bustle.com/p/11-signs-youre-probably-egotistical-even-if-you-dont-think-so-80153
{2} https://www.powerofpositivity.com/6-signs-oversized-ego/
{3} The Quran: English Translation, Commentary and Parallel Arabic Text by Muhammad Ali. Explanatory
notes, p.1168, Goodword Books.