Article appeared Friday, July 17th, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (620) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Are human beings wealthy? In what ways? When the word “wealth” is used, it may
conjure up mental images of a healthy bank balance, property, expensive jewelry,
branded utilities, etc. Are these the only types of wealth enjoyed by human beings?
Should having a conscious mind and intelligent existence; having the ability to see and
comprehend; having the ability to listen, understand and enjoy; having intelligence and
wisdom; having the ability and resources to help others, etc., be excluded from being
classified as “wealth”?

To direct our thoughts, lets workout the relative worth of traditional wealth (riches),
power and status. If we are told that we would be given all the wealth in the world, be
made the most powerful person on earth and be given the highest status how would we
react? However, additionally, if we are told that, in return, we would have to give over
our conscious mind and intelligent existence to the giver. Would we agree to these
terms? Why not? Can we run away from the fact that our own life is dearer to us than the
rest of the world put together? In fact, without our own life nothing else is of use to us!
So, should having a conscious mind and intelligent existence be classified as “wealth”?
What about the rest, i.e., having the ability to see and comprehend; having the ability to
listen, understand and enjoy; having intelligence and wisdom; having the ability and
resources to help others? Are any of these of a lesser importance than all the wealth in
the world?

In fact, “wealth”, “power” and “status” as we normally understand are bonuses. But, wait,
where did all these come from? Could we have created any of these ourselves? For
example, where did the opportunity to make wealth come from? Have we ever
questioned why we have such opportunities? If we wish to ignore the importance of such
questions, the Holy Scripture, Al-Qur’an warns, in Chapter 102,
“Competition in (worldly) increase diverts you (from the more serious things) until
you visit the graves. But no, you soon shall know (the reality). Again, you soon
shall know!” [102.1 – 102.4]

What could the Verses be talking about? What reality is being indicated? One plausible
explanation is that the opportunities are given for a purpose. If we do not fulfill the
purpose, or use these opportunities as an excuse to become arrogant and oppress
others what might the Creator do? A subsequent Verse in Chapter 102 enlightens us.
“You shall certainly see Hell Fire!” [102.6]

To engage our understanding God challenges the perceptions in our hearts by asking
the following questions in the Qur’an:
“Man asks (full of doubt), "What! When I am dead shall I then be raised up
alive?" But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of
nothing?” [19.66 – 19.67]

After death, we shall be individually reconstituted by our Creator to face trial on the Day
of Judgment. Will putting us back together pose a problem for the one who made us out
of nothing and created all the opportunities that we enjoy? In addition to challenging our
perceptions, to help us understand, God also relates history showing what He did to
persons who were arrogant and behaved insolently towards others. Did they have the
option of using the opportunities to prove the righteousness of their characters?
28.76 “Indeed, Qarun was of the people of Moses; but he acted insolently
towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that their
very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Therefore his
people said to him, "Exult not for Allah loves not those who exult.”
Why is God giving Qarun’s example? God confirms that Qarun was among those saved
from the oppression of Pharaoh together with Prophet Moses. On top of this blessing,
God gave him huge treasures. The Bible also carries the story of Kora {1} who
subsequently stood up insolently against Moses. Why did God give him all this wealth?

28.77 “"But seek with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you the
Home of the Hereafter nor forget your portion in this world: but do good as
Allah has been good to you and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the
land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief."”
Just as God has given each of us a variety of wealth, i.e., God has been good to us we
have to do good to others – as a proof of our character. The purpose of our individual
resources (wealth) is to respond to God and use it to do good to others.

28.78 “He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge
which I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him (whole)
generations that were superior to him in strength and greater in amount (of
riches) they had collected? But the wicked are not called (immediately) to
account for their sins.”
In opposition to God, Qarun credited his wealth to his own knowledge.

28.79 “So he went among his people in the (pride of his worldly)
adornment. Said those whose aim is the Life of this World, "Oh that we had
the like of what Qarun has got! For he is truly a lord of mighty good
fortune."”
Those who did not understand that worldly wealth is given only as a test of character felt
jealous of Qarun.

28.80 “But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said, "Alas for
you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and
work righteousness: but this none shall attain save those who steadfastly
persevere (in good)."”
However, Qarun persisted in his opposition to Moses and his people. How did God
respond?

28.81 “Then We caused the earth to swallow him up and his house; and he
had not (the least little) party to help him against Allah nor could he defend
himself.”
Feel the wrath and power of God. The earth split and Qarun was swallowed up together
with his house.

28.82 “And those who had envied his position the day before began to say
on the morrow: "Ah! it is indeed Allah Who enlarges the provision or
restricts it to any of His servants He pleases! Had it not been that Allah was
gracious to us He could have caused the earth to swallow us up! Ah! Those
who reject Allah will assuredly never prosper."”
Those who witnessed Qarun’s end finally understood the reality. On our part, can we
afford to ignore God’s purpose in giving each of us the special favors that He has given
us?
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+16&version=KJV