Article appeared Friday, August 14th, 2020 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (621) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

A number of religions carry Holy Scriptures. What knowledge do these scriptures carry
and why are they called “holy”? Scriptures document {1} the teachings of a religion.
Often the claim is that the Almighty Creator has revealed verses of the scripture, through
various means. This could be the reason behind the prefix “holy”. Being the Creator and
the sole cause behind all existence, if He has “revealed” or sent down Guidance for His
created subjects, how important would such revelation be? Reflecting about this, one
may ask a number of questions. For example, in what ways would the Creator
communicate? And logically, is it likely that He would reveal something contradictory
every time He communicates?

Also, if He has communicated once to mankind, why would He need to repeatedly send
down Guidance? Would it be important to read, understand and follow the Guidance
sent by our Maker? The questions point to a need, not only for a proper study of one’s
own scripture, but also a comparative study. Further, on reflection, are there questions
that individuals will not be able to answer directly? For example, questions like, why do I
have existence or why did the Creator create me, in particular? What does He want from
me? What if I don’t do what He wants? For those who claim belief in the Creator, would
finding answers to these questions be important?

Where can humans find the answer to such questions? Logically, only the Creator would
have the correct answer to why He has created. So, would He “reveal” such knowledge
for mankind? This could, therefore, be one reason for revelation – to inform us of His
Purpose. Going back to the question of periodic revelation - what could be the reason for
repeating revelation? Could it be that previously revealed messages were lost,
misplaced, subsequently misinterpreted and/or distorted to suit personal/political
agenda? Would revelation also answer the question of why repeat revelation?

The Holy Scripture Al-Qur’an claims to be the final revelation, i.e., there will be no further
revelation to mankind. Should we therefore look into the Qur’an to see if we can find
some answers to our questions? For example, why so many messengers throughout our
history? We find the following response:
“To every people (was sent) an Apostle: when their Apostle comes the matter
will be judged between them with justice and they will not be wronged.” [10.47]

An apostle or messenger was sent to every people. Who could “people” be? One
possibility could be that they are those who speak a particular language including their
descendants. The messenger understandably would have to be speaking in their local
tongue. This would help avoid the need for interpreters; it would also avoid the problem
of meaning being lost in translation or through misinterpretation. The messenger would
have to be able to explain whatever needs to be explained in the local language. Once
an apostle is sent, the message delivered becomes the law or the standard against
which the people will be judged on the Day of Judgment – there will be no escape. How
important would it be, then, for a “people” to preserve revelation for their descendants?
So, is it important to find the original message delivered and for the sake of our
understanding, did the apostles or messengers carry different messages? In the Qur’an,
the Creator addresses Prophet Muhammad and says,
 “Not an apostle did We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to
him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” [21.25]

Why has the Creator repeatedly sent the message, no god but I? Rephrasing, could it
primarily mean that there is no power other than the Omnipotent Being, the Almighty
Creator? So, if the Supreme Being is the cause of our individual existence, what
understanding and attitude should we individually adopt towards Him? The last part of
the Verse enlightens each of us – therefore worship and serve Me! What does “worship”
mean and why “serve Me”? Looking up the word “worship”, we find, “the feeling and
expression of reverence and adoration”. How should we feel and respond to the One
who has created the opportunity of a unique and individual life?

Why serve Me? Why does the Creator have to mention this phrase? Is there anything or
anyone else we can individually serve? Can we run away from the fact that humans are
busy serving themselves? For example, when a believer prays to the Almighty, what
does he/she ask for and for whom? Among the things asked are forgiveness, peace,
happiness, paradise, wealth, partners, etc. – are these things to serve us individually? Is
the Almighty a subservient service provider? Which of these has He already not
promised? In what way do we acknowledge who He is? Do we realize that He has given
us the gift of life to be known and acknowledged for who He is? The time on earth is
simply an opportunity to prove our righteousness towards Him. Let us return to the
Qur’an to understand the opportunities that He has provided.

28.83 “That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those who do not desire
exaltedness on earth or corruption. And the (best) outcome is for the
righteous.”
What can the Home of the Hereafter be? For each of us, the Almighty has reserved a
permanent and eternal home in the Hereafter, i.e., after our death. This is the promise of
the One who has given us life. Is anything impossible for Him? What is exaltedness and
corruption? Could it be those who feel that they are greater than others and look for
ways to service their egos? Do such people try to compete with the Almighty? Could
corruption be making money through unjustifiable means?

28.84 “If any does good the reward to him is better than his deed; but if any
does evil the doers of evil are only punished (to the extent) of their deeds.”
What rewards? Another Verse from the Qur’an enlightens us:
“Now no person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for
them as a reward for their (good) Deeds.” [32.17]

28.85 “Verily He Who ordained the Qur'an for you will bring you back to the
Place of Return. Say: "My Lord knows best who it is that brings true
guidance and who is in manifest error."”

28.86 “And you had not expected that the Book (revelation/Qur’an) would
be sent to you except as a Mercy from your Lord: therefore lend not
support in anyway to those who reject (Allah's Message).”
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{Notes}:
{1} https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/scripture