Article appeared Friday, March 30th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (222)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

We exist. Do we enjoy having intelligence and a free-will? Do we enjoy the honor of being unique individuals? If yes, do we owe our Creator anything for this enjoyment? If so, is it appropriate that we should find ways to be grateful to the Creator or is it appropriate that we sit around arguing about who the Creator is or stake a personal ownership? Who is on trial? Are human beings on trial or have we put our Creator on trial? What are the things we argue about or feel? For example, do we feel that: - a sin resulting from the personal act of ungratefulness can be transferred to others, e.g. to those who have carried the Word of the Creator, or by a sacrifice? - the Creator should conform to or fit into concepts that are man-made, i.e. the Creator should yield to concepts devised by man? - scripture is subject to man-made concepts and interpretations? - whatever we selfishly or arrogantly decide to do, automatically has the Creators approval? - we individually or collectively are the Creators favorites? - the Creator exists just to give us material things of this world? - the Creator has intercessors? - the Creator has a family? - others are on trial and not we? What if we are wrong about the things that we argue about or feel? Having given us the blessing of existence, should the Creator be pleased with those who are ungrateful or even pleased with those who attach man-made concepts to Him (i.e. not allowing scripture to speak for itself)? Can we afford to tell lies about the Creator? If the Creator exists, what is at risk? Could our mistakes cost us eternal life and the promised paradise? Does our Creator have power to put ungrateful and arrogant souls in hell fire and deny the blessings of eternal life? Is it worth risking the Creators Wrath? Should one risk the future of his/her own soul? Looking through the Books of the Bible for answers, we find: The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. [Ezekiel, 18:20, NIV] {1} Ezekiel is a book from the Old Testament. From the Psalms and the New Testament we find similar verses, i.e. corroboration of the same principals and concepts, One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. [Psalm 62:11-12, NIV] {2} But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the Day of God's Wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give each person according to what he has done." [Romans 2:5-6, NIV] {3} Matthew asks the same question and confirms the role of Jesus (pbuh) and his second coming (just as Muslims believe) in the following verses. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his

Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. [Matthew 16:26-27, NIV] {4} Can we escape the Creators Wrath on the Day of Judgment? Muhammad (pbuh), the Prophet through whom the most recent Revelation, the Quran was sent, confirms the liability of personal deeds, Verily your deeds will be brought back to you, as if you yourself were the creator of your own punishment. {5} When our lips say we believe, our hearts should equally follow suit by being humble and seeking the mercy and guidance of the Creator. It is the Creator that we are accountable to, and it is His Mercy that we are absolutely dependent upon. The Quran, the most recent Revelation, warns about duality and hypocrisy [9.64] in our natures. Each deed is very seriously taken into account by our Creator. Can we afford to take the Creator lightly? If you question them they declare (with emphasis): "we were only talking idly and in play." Ask: "Was it at Allah, His Signs or His Apostle that you were mocking at?" [9.65] Our hearts must make certain who the Creator is, seek and depend on Him alone. The most important commandment of every Revealed religion states clearly who He is One, Unique, Timeless, Indivisible, to whom all Honor and Power belong, the Originator of everything as well as the One to whom we are individually accountable. So, instead of looking for excuses, e.g. partners, family, sin-absorbers, etc., we need to turn inward, question our own deeds and look for ways to please the One who has given us existence.

5.17 In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Ask: "Who then has the least power against Allah if His Will were to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, his mother and all everyone that is on the earth? Say, to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between. He Creates what (and how) He Pleases. For Allah has Power over all things!
It is He who Creates from nothing, so we should be under no delusions regarding His Powers.

5.18 (Both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah and His beloved." Say: "Why then does He punish you for your sins? Nay, you are but men of the men He has Created: He Forgives whom He Pleases and He Punishes whom He Pleases: and to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between: and to Him is the final goal (of all)."
Our Creator addresses all those who have received Revelation (Books) from Him.

5.19 O people of the Book! Now has come to you making (things) clear to you Our Apostle after the break in (the series of) Our apostles lest you should say: there came to us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner (from evil): but now has come to you a bringer of glad tidings and a Warner: and Allah has Power over all things.
----{Notes}: {1} http://bible.cc/ezekiel/18-20.htm {2} http://bible.cc/psalm/62-11.htm {3} http://bible.cc/romans/2-5.htm {4} http://bible.cc/matthew/16-26.htm {5} http://thinkexist.com/quotation/verily_your_deeds_will_be_brought_back_to_youas/157083.html