Article appeared Friday, October 12th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (248)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Are we busy enjoying the good things of our lives? In the midst of our enjoyment, do we overlook to be grateful to the Creator who has opted to arrange and organize each enjoyment? The pertinent question is: is there a Day of Judgment? And if there is, how would we individually fare before the Judgment Seat? How can this question be answered? One way would be to generate logical questions. For example, if there is no accountability why be good at all? Also, if there is no accountability and everything ends with death, how different would the life of an intelligent human being be from the life of an animal? Another way could be to take stock and add up all the blessings in ones life. Can one simply assume that the progressive blessings are automatic, deserved or selfgenerated? Just like one reflexively says thank you for the smallest of gifts, should one be grateful and adore the One who has thoughtfully organized each blessing? A third way could be to examine Holy Scriptures. Looking through the most recent Revelation, the Quran, we find, And on the Day that the Unbelievers will be placed before the Fire (it will be said to them): "You received your good things in the life of the world and you took your pleasure out of them: but today shall you be recompensed with a penalty of humiliation: for that you were arrogant on earth without just cause and that you (ever) transgressed." [46.20] Equally, the doctrine of the Day of Judgment is supported by passages in earlier Holy Scriptures, e.g. in the Bible Books of Daniel, Isaiah and the Revelation. For example, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." [Rev 20:11-12] {1} Confirmatory Verses are found in the Quran: No just estimate have they made of Allah such as is due to Him: on the Day of Judgment the whole of the earth will be in His hand (authority) and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand:.. [39.67] the Record (of Deeds) will be placed (open); the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward: and a just decision pronounced between them; and they will not be wronged (in the least). And to every soul will be paid in full (the fruit) of its deeds; and (Allah) knows best all that they do. [39.69 39.70] The Quran explains the role of multiple scriptures and races. To you (O, Muhammad), We sent the Scripture in truth confirming the scripture that came before it and guarding it in safety; so judge between them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires diverging from the truth that has come to you. To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed He would have made you a single people but (His plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute. [5.48]

The Creator has honored human beings by making each unique, awarding a beautiful personality, providing intelligence, skills, activities, conveniences and an opportunity to decide personal preferences. The question is do we personally prefer to honor the Creator in return? Or do we prefer to honor ourselves, the activities and things the Creator has given for our enjoyment? On the Day of Judgment, how will the Creator isolate those who gave Him honor? Our Creator is raised in honor, by men By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah nor from regular Prayer nor from the practice of regular Charity: their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly new). [24.37] Who are those who can prove their belief on the Day of Judgment? It is those who humble themselves in prayer and those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer and spend (in charity) out of what we have bestowed upon them. [22.35] If one chooses not to honor the Creator, we are cautioned:

6.31 Lost indeed are they who treat it as a falsehood that they must meet Allah until all on a sudden the hour is on them and they say: "Ah! Woe to us that we took no thought of it"; for they bear their burdens on their backs; and evil indeed are the burdens that they bear!
Our Creator comments on the temporary life and conveniences given on earth,

6.32 What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the Hereafter for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand?
Righteous are those who practically elevate the Creator to honor in their personal lives and surroundings. On the other hand, those who offer logic to hide their disbelief often cause the prophets and believers grief.

6.33 We know indeed the grief which their words do cause you: it is not you they reject: it is the Signs of Allah which the wicked treat with contempt. 6.34 Rejected were the Apostles before you: with patience and constancy they bore the rejection and the wrongdoings until Our aid reached them: there is none that can alter the Words of Allah. Already have you received some account of those Apostles.
To allow human beings themselves to separate the truth from falsehood, Allah has permitted disbelief. On the Day of Judgment all will understand.

6.35 If their spurning is hard on your mind yet if you were able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladder to the skies and bring them a Sign (it would make no difference to them). If it were Allah's Will He could gather them together to true guidance: so be not you amongst those who are swayed by ignorance (and impatience)! 6.36 Those who listen (in truth) be sure will accept: as to the dead Allah will raise them up: then will they be turned to Him.
----{Notes}: {1} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment