Article appeared Friday, November 26th, 2010 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (156) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Today, the blessing of technology has allowed man to ‘create’ robots for a variety of beneficial
uses. Robots help do repetitive, heavy and dangerous tasks – they perform duties as
programmed. Now imagine scientists and engineers were able to give robots feelings and a
free-will. If robots had feelings and a free-will would they do their work as efficiently and
effectively? Would it be wise to give robots feelings and a free-will, so that they could do as it
would personally please them?

Can such a hypothetical situation of robots be compared to the existence of human beings?
Before creating man, the Creator had already created programmed beings, i.e. angels, who do
as directed by Him. When our Creator decided to create man with feelings and a free-will, what
did the angels say?
“Behold, your Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said,
"Will You place therein one who will make mischief and shed blood? While we celebrate
Your praises and glorify You?"…” [2.30]

The Encarta Dictionary defines vicegerent as “a deputy appointed to act on authority of a ruler”.
A deputy would only be required if the Creator Created challenges in the form of both good and
bad opportunities on earth. Only then would each human being have a choice on how to
contribute to the good of those around him/her. To be able to perform duties properly, what
would a vicegerent need? What qualities and resources has the Creator given the vicegerent?
“It is He Who has Created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feelings and
understanding…” [23.78a]

“It is Allah Who has Made for you the earth as a resting place and the sky as a canopy
and has Given you shapes and Made your shapes beautiful and has Provided for you
sustenance of things pure and good; such is Allah, your Lord…” [40.64]

Having been given opportunities both for doing good and doing bad, it is up to the vicegerent to
do what is right. The Creator has therefore set targets and accountability:
“He Who Created death and (subsequent) life (after death) that He may try which of you
is best in deed: (be reminded that) He is the Exalted in Might (as well as) Oft-Forgiving”
[67.2]

“Verily man is in loss, except those that have Faith and do righteous deeds and (join
together) in the mutual teaching of truth, patience and constancy.” [103.2 – 103.3]

“O mankind! Do your duty to your Lord and fear (the coming of) a Day (of Judgment)
when no father can avail aught for his son nor a son avail aught for his father…” [31.33]

Would it be appropriate to warn mankind of accountability and the Day of Judgment? Verse
31.33 of the Qur’an simply confirms what was previously Revealed to Moses (pbuh) in Ezekiel
18:20 of the Bible:
“…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.” {1}

Should the vicegerent therefore ask himself or herself any questions? Sample questions could
be: do we enjoy having existence, being unique as well as having feelings, freedom and free-
will? Is being a vicegerent an honor? What duties should the individual vicegerent carry out?
Whose support should the vicegerent seek and to whom should he/she be grateful? The most
recent Revelation, the Qur’an, provides feedback on the attitude as well as the present and past
performance of the vicegerent:
“…little thanks it is you give!” [23.78b]

“Remember! Moses reminded his people: "Call to mind the favor of Allah to you when
He Delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and punishments,
slaughtered your sons and let your womenfolk live: therein was a tremendous trial from
your Lord."” [14.6]

“And Moses said: "If you show ingratitude you and all on earth together – yet is Allah
Free of all wants Worthy of all Praise.” [14.8]

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) confirmed the warning brought by all previous prophets including
that brought by Moses (pbuh). During the time the Qur’an was being Revealed (Signs or
Messages from the Creator), the Children of Israel (Jews) had access to the Prophet to ask
questions to their satisfaction. Therefore, Allah asks in the Qur’an:

3.101 “And how could you deny faith while to you are rehearsed the Signs of
Allah and among you lives the Apostle? Whoever holds firmly to Allah will be
shown a way that is straight.”
What is the straight way? Being grateful to the Creator, look to Him in fear and awe and carry
out deeds as a righteous vicegerent should.
“Whoever works any act of righteousness and has Faith his endeavor will not be
rejected: We shall record it in his favor.” [21.94]

3.102 “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in
a state of Islam.”
What is Islam?
“Say: "O you men! If you are in doubt as to my religion (behold!) I worship not what you
worship other than Allah But I worship Allah Who will take our souls (at death)…”
[10.104]

3.103 “And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you)
and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favor
on you; for you were enemies and He Joined your hearts in love so that by His
Grace you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire and He
Saved you from it. Thus does Allah Make His Signs clear to you: that you may be
Guided.”
Has mutual striving for common goals proved beneficial? Pointing to historic examples, the
Creator is reminding us that our duties as vicegerents can only be achieved through firm faith
and mutual striving – not by enmity and hatred. Each has been given unique qualities and skills,
to be used for mutual benefit of all.
“To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) toward all
that is good. Wherever you are Allah will bring you together (on the Day of Judgment).
For Allah has power over all things.” [2.148]
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{Notes}:
{1} http://bible.cc/ezekiel/18-20.htm