Article appeared Friday, February 14th, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (609) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Everyday we get up in the morning, go to work or study and go to sleep at night. Does this
day and night cycle help regulate our activities and rest on a daily basis? Imagine that
there is no night, only day. What would happen? How would we schedule our activities?
Or alternatively, imagine that there is no day, only night. What would happen? There has
been some research on the topic of the day and night cycle. As reported in the web article,
how light affects our day-to-day life {1}, light helps regulate our bodily functions.
“Light, whether natural or artificial, affects all life on our planet. It is more than just
a source of vitamin D for us humans. Philips has recently compiled in a white paper
key insights from more than 10 years of ongoing research about the effects of light
on our sleep/wake cycle, or what is known as our “circadian rhythm”. Light plays a
crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm, which is one of our natural
biorhythms commonly known as our body clock.” {1}

The article circadian rhythm and its importance in human life further explains {2},
“Circadian rhythm is a biological clock that is built in our brain throughout the
functionality of everyone’s day and night processes within a 24-hour clock frame
and it devises our body to function in a healthy way for daily routines. Thus, the
circadian rhythm becomes a self-control system of human body to regulate our
eating habits, activities and body functionality. In this context, our daily (24-hour)
functionality has concerns over food, physical environment including lightings,
exercises, work habits, sleeping and other activities concerned. All in consideration
and importantly, a mind clock should be set with a routine based daily functionality
for a healthy life.” {2}

The day and night cycle therefore promotes a healthy body routine. Having established
this fact, should we have any questions? For example, how does the day and night cycle
happen to exist? Does the earth spinning on its axis and the light giving Sun know that the
human body needs this cycle for its basic functionality? It is only possible for the Being
who has designed the human body to know this and accordingly arrange the earth to
rotate and the sun to give light. The day and night cycle is therefore a blessing designed
by God to benefit humans and other life forms. Is it then surprising that the Holy Scripture,
the Qur’an carries the following Verse?

27.86 “See they not that We have made the Night for them to rest in and the
Day to give them light? Verily in this are Signs for any people that believe!”
Along with the realization that God has deliberately designed this blessing for us, how
should we respond to Him? Should we be grateful and demonstrate our gratitude? How? If
we reflect and acknowledge the day and night cycle as a necessary blessing, it helps to
establish the truth of the all-Powerful and Most Merciful Creator – this reflection and
acknowledgement is something that only human beings can do. Is this why God has given
human beings the intelligence that they have? What would happen if we enjoy His myriad
blessings but do not fulfill this purpose? Accordingly, the next Verse in the Qur’an warns
us.

27.87 “And the Day that the Trumpet will be sounded then will be smitten
with terror those who are in the heavens and those who are on earth except
such as God will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as
beings conscious of their lowliness.”
After our individual death on earth, there will be a Day where we will face our Maker – the
One who has designed and created us. As we go through our daily routined life, we may
feel that there is no such Day, i.e., we will die just like animals die and disappear without
having to account for the intelligent existence and blessings that each of us so richly
enjoyed. We might even think that everything on earth is permanent and there can be no
life after death. To help us understand, God gives a powerful analogy in the next Verse.

27.88 “You see the mountains and think 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.”
The earth and all that we observe is simply a temporary stage to give us the opportunity to
demonstrate our character and justice towards God. He will dispose off all that is on earth
and lay bare our attitude towards Him on the Day of Judgment.
“The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed)
even as We produced the first Creation so shall We produce a new one: a promise
We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfill it. Before this We wrote in the Psalms
after the Message (given to Moses): My servants the righteous shall inherit the
earth.” [21.104 -21.105]

27.89 “If any do good, it will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be
secure from terror that Day.”
The righteous are those who have fulfilled the purpose of their given intelligence by
reflecting on the Signs of creation, acknowledging and turning to God with awe and
adoration.

27.90 “And if any do evil their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire,
"Do you receive a reward other than that which you have earned by your
deeds?"”
Our unique and individual faces are a blessing – something that we enjoy taking Selfies of.
Who has designed the face that we have? How many Selfies or pictures do we take of
ourselves? Do we acknowledge the Creator of our face and thank Him after taking a
Selfie? How should we then approach God?

27.91 “For me I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this City Him
Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded
to be of those who bow in Islam to God's Will.”
The creation of our habitations and cities are all part of God’s designed blessings for us.
The Prophet through whom these Verses of the Qur’an were revealed confirms that he
has aligned himself to the purpose of the intelligence that God has given him.

27.92 “And to rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance they do it for
the good of their own souls and if any stray say, "I am only a Warner."”

27.93 “And say, "Praise be to God Who will soon show you His Signs so that
you shall know them"; and your Lord is not unmindful of all that you do.”
If we reflect on the Signs of God’s Blessings while studying the Qur’an seeking guidance,
He will help us – as He knows what is in the hearts of those who look for Him.
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.thenational.ae/business/how-light-affects-our-day-to-day-life-1.562725
{2}
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335337082_CIRCADIAN_RHYTHM_AND_ITS_IMPORTANCE_IN_HUMAN_LIFE