Article appeared Friday, February 24th, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (465) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Humans communicate through pictures, sounds, touch, smells, facial expressions and words.
From each of these methods, how does a person derive meaning? Does the meaning reside in
the picture itself, in the sound, in the touch, in the smell, in the facial expression and/or even in
the words themselves? The artist who painted the picture may have a meaning; however, is this
meaning exactly the same as that perceived by a person who appreciates the painting? The
admirer sees his/her own meaning in the painting, and may like or dislike the painting for his/her
own reasons.

Is it the same with the written or spoken word? When a person reads a written word or hears a
word, how is the meaning revealed? It is only when a reader or listener applies an assumed
meaning that the word becomes alive or meaningful in his/her head. If the listener applies no
meaning, can the word become meaningful? The same applies to unknown words it is only
when an assumed meaning is applied and subsequently checked that new words can become
meaningful. If so, how does comprehension of words or a sentence take place?

Do we similarly attach or ascribe meaning to the Holy Scriptures that we read? For example,
what significance does the following Verse from Genesis 1:1 of the Bible carry?
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [Genesis 1:1, NIV] {1}

Does it mean that before, i.e., before the beginning, there was nothing other than God Himself?
And whatever exists now was put together stage by stage systematically by God? Much more
than an architect, designer, engineer, manufacturer, what kind of Power and Intelligence would
God require in carrying out such a monumental task? To support and confirm the significance of
this Verse let us derive the meaning of the following Verse from the Quran a Holy Scripture
revealed much later.
Do they not see that God, Who has created the heavens and the earth, has the power
to create the like of them (anew)? He has appointed a definite term for them; and there
is no doubt about it, but the wrongdoers persist in denying the truth. [17.99]

How can the meaning be derived from Verse 17.99 of the Quran? For example, in what way or
how does the Verse place emphasis on the already revealed Verse of Genesis 1:1? Why would
it be necessary to revisit and reiterate a previously revealed verse? Could it be because
mankind has not derived the significance of the previous Verse? In addition, the fact that time is
gradually running out to establish Gods significance in our individual hearts? Is this meaning
supported by the last part of the Verse, i.e., the wrongdoers are persisting in denying the truth of
God?

For reference, this last part of the Verse can be compared with the translation of Allama
Abdullah Yusuf Ali: but the unjust refuse (to receive the truth) except with ingratitude. By
applying meaning to this part can it be said that a denier of the truth is a wrongdoer, which
means he/she is unjust and ungrateful and therefore considered as a disbeliever?

And if one applies meaning to these verses, what would the reality of God mean? Would
priorities of our day to day life change? Would we give Him the importance that He deserves as
our Creator? Would we feel the presence of God in the daily pleasures we enjoy? Would the
blessings of life reflect/convey His Greatness? In what ways could we find to address Him
humbly expressing our gratitude?
It is He who has given us the powers and intelligence that we have. These powers and
intelligence is limited. At one point, it may be asked why? Why are the powers and intelligence
of human beings limited?

17.100 Say, "Even if you had control of the treasures of the mercy of my Lord,
you would surely hold them back for fear of spending them. Man is indeed
niggardly!"
What meaning can be derived from this Verse? Did prophets have control of the blessings of
God? What is the role of prophets?
Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many were the messengers that passed
away before him. If he died or were slain would you then turn back on your heels? If any
did turn back on his heels not the least harm will he do to God; but God (on the other
hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude. [3.144]

The meaning of what the prophets delivered to mankind is what is important. It is not their
status, their wealth or their children that matter. If God had given much more control, given the
nature of man, rather than doing justice they would have let their limited nature take over. To
help mankind recognize prophets, other special arrangements were made.

17.101 To Moses We did give nine Clear Signs: ask the Children of Israel: when
he came to them Pharaoh said to him, "O Moses! I consider you indeed to have
been worked upon by sorcery!"
Rather than consider the meaning of the Clear Signs carried by Moses, for Pharaoh it became
an ego contest to show who was better at showing magic. Pharaoh set up a contest with an aim
to show that his magicians had better magic.

17.102 Moses said, "You know well that these things have been sent down by
none but the Lord of the heavens and the earth as eye-opening evidence: and I
consider you indeed, O Pharaoh, to be one doomed to destruction!"
As God helped Moses prove that his Clear Signs were not an illusion, some of Pharaohs
magicians understood that nature of the Clear Signs and accepted the meaning. Pharaoh could
not take this defeat. So what did he do?

17.103 So he resolved to remove them from the face of the earth: but We did
drown him and all who were with him.
For Pharaohs rejection of the Clear Signs, his ingratitude, his arrogance and opposition of
Moses, he was drowned with those who supported him.

So, therefore who is God and what type of Power does He hold? When we realize the myriad
blessings that He has created from nothing how should we address Him?
Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon Rahman: by whatever name you call upon Him (it is
well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak your Prayer aloud nor
speak it in a low tone but seek a middle course between." [17.110]

If the meaning of whom we are addressing is clear and the significance of what God constantly
does for us has settled in our hearts, we can call Him by any name that clearly brings out who
He is. For example, if He has saved us from an accident that could have been fatal, how can we
address Him? We could express our gratitude with something like, O Lord of the heavens and
the earth, you have saved us from the accident without a scratch. Thank you, our Lord and
Protector!
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{Notes:}
{1} http://biblehub.com/genesis/1-1.htm