Article appeared Friday, October 8th, 2010 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (150) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Why do manufacturers provide a maintenance manual for their product? Is there any purpose
other than to get the best and full use out of the product? When facing a problem, if users prefer
not to consult the manual and feel they themselves know what is best, what is likely to happen?
Likewise, would it help if a user feels superior just because he/she owns a manual? If the
manual is not used as intended, whose loss would it be?

What is the difference between a manufacturer and the Creator? The Creator has Originated
from nothing each cell in our bodies, Given us an existence, a unique personality, skills,
opportunities, Blessings and a free-will. Having done so much to enable each person to lead a
fulfilled life, should the Creator want His Creation to make best use of the Given life? How would
He Inform His Created subjects of what is best and right?
“No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing does Allah send down
to man (by way of revelation)": Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses
brought? A Light and Guidance to man...” [6.91]

Thinking along the lines of a guidance manual, why indeed have the Psalms, the Torah and the
New Testament (i.e. the three books of the Bible) been Revealed? Should the purpose of any of
these manuals or Books of Guidance be different? The prayer given in Psalm 27:11 is:
“Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path…” {Psalm 27:11, NIV}{1}

What is the straight path? Is it a path that leads to understanding who the Creator is? Does any
being or anything other than the Creator have any power or deserve credit for anything that we
have? Throughout history, man has mistaken other beings or things as ‘gods’. All three books of
the Bible therefore guide us regarding the attributes or characteristics of the Creator – the
Originator, the Sustainer of everything:
“Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;…” {Psalm 86:8 NIV}{2}

“To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we
may be compared?” {Isaiah 46:5, NIV}{3}

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his
mind…” {Numbers 23:19, NLT}{4}

“All honor and glory (belong) to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen
one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” {1 Timothy 1:17 NLT}{5}

Should the most recent Revelation or Guidance Manual say anything different? “The Opening”
chapter of the Qur’an, contains the following Verse:
“Show us the straight path.” [1.6]

In the Qur’an, what are examples of the attributes of the Creator? Chapter 2 contains the
following:
“Allah! There is no god (ilah) but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal….” [2.255]

When all four books insist on the singularity of the Creator and describe attributes that show that
there is no likeness of the Creator either in the heavens or in the earth, what does it imply?
Should any Revealed Verse from the Creator have hidden meanings? For example, that Jesus
is god? Who, therefore, was Jesus? What was his role? The Qur’an Guides us. Before Jesus
was conceived, an angel appeared before Mary;
 “He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from your Lord (to announce) to you the gift of a
holy son." She said: "How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me and I
am not unchaste?" He said: "Thus (it will be): (being the Creator) your Lord says ‘It is
easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign to men and a Mercy from Us': it is a
matter (so) decreed."” [19.19 – 19.21]

How were the people reassured that Jesus was indeed a Sign from the Creator?
“But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the
cradle?" He (Jesus) said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He has given me Revelation
and made me a prophet; "…and has enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
…” [19.29 – 19.31]

“Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth about which they (vainly)
dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to
Him! When He determines a matter He only says to it "Be" and it is.” [19.34 – 19.35]

What then was the message of Jesus?

“Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore you serve: this is a Way that is
straight.” [19.36]

As given in the New Testament, what relationship was Jesus trying to convey when he said:
“…I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” {John
20:17, NLT} {6}

The Creator therefore addresses the people who follow concepts opposed to the singularity of
the Creator:

3.70 “O People of the Book! Why reject the Signs of Allah of which you are
(yourselves) witnesses?”

3.71 “O People of the Book! Why do you clothe the truth with falsehood and
conceal the truth when you have knowledge?”

3.72 “A section of the People of the Book say: "Believe in the morning what is
revealed to the believers but reject it at the end of the day; perchance they may
(themselves) turn back.”

3.73 “"And believe no one unless he follows your religion." Say: "True guidance
is the Guidance of Allah; (fear you) lest a Revelation be sent to someone (else)
like unto that which was sent unto you. Or that those (receiving such revelation)
should engage you in argument before your Lord." Say: "All bounties are in the
hands of Allah: He Grants them to Whom He Pleases; and Allah Cares for all and
He Knows all things."”
“Say: O men! Now Truth has reached you from your Lord! Those who receive guidance
do so for the good of their own souls; those who stray do so to their own loss:..” [10.108]
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{Notes}:
{1} http://bible.cc/psalms/27-11.htm
{2} http://bible.cc/psalms/86-8.htm
{3} http://bible.cc/isaiah/46-5.htm
{4} http://bible.cc/numbers/23-19.htm
{5} http://bible.cc/1_timothy/1-17.htm
{6} http://bible.cc/john/20-17.htm