In Search of Truth

  This is the Book; in it is guidance sure without doubt, to those who fear God' (2:2).

'Do they not ponder over the Qur'an? Had it been from any other God, surely there would have been many contradictions in it'. (4:82).

'O Mankind! Verily there hath come to you a convincing proof from your Lord; for We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest' (4:174)...'And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord - for their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of peace and tranquillity' (70:27-28).

In his book 'A brief history of time' Professor Stephen Hawking writes - '.....One could still imagine that God created the universe at the instant of the big bang, or even afterwards ... An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might have carried out his job!’
 
Also -'some people feel that science should be concerned with only the first part (laws governing the universe): they regard the question of the initial situation (the creation of the universe) as a matter for metaphysics or religion. They would say God being omnipotent, could have started the universe off any way he wanted. That may be so, but in that case he also could have made it develop in a completely arbitrary way. Yet it appears that he chose to make it evolve in a very regular way according to certain laws. It therefore seems equally reasonable to suppose that there are also laws governing the initial state.'

And finally in the concluding chapter: "We find ourselves in a bewildering world. We want to make sense of what we see around us and to ask: what is the nature of the universe?

What is our place in it and where did it and we come from? Why is it the way it is? And the last paragraph says, 'However, if we do discover a complete theory, ... then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God.

 The above statements by an outstanding physicist all clearly point to the existence of God, the Creator of the Universe, which is based on the meticulous execution of laws right from the smallest particle known to the galaxies themselves.

One important question which Professor Hawking seems to have overlooked is, 'Could God, who created the Universe with its precise laws and created man with his reasoning intellect, have then left man unguided on Earth, without any clues as to His origin and without having provided a purpose for his life? Human reasoning demands that some form of guidance should exist in order that full human development can take place in the right direction. Man can fully develop his potential (self-fulfillment) in the right direction as God intended by following the revealed guidance using the force of human reason. There should be some explanation for the events which take place in our individual and collective lives, and which often seem to occur randomly and to be beyond our control.
 
Through the study of our solar system we know that man is the only species on the planet who is endowed with reasoning and the ability to choose, as distinct from the animal kingdom. We know through scientific evidence and research that all that has come to our knowledge so far follows certain laws. If we look at the functioning of the human body itself we see that it follows a certain physical system over which we have little control - for example we eat food but it is the system which proceeds to then digest it, over which we have no control. We can only study the digestive system and believe that this will continue to function as observed in most instances.

We see an overall balance of men and women throughout history despite many wars, famines, migrations and so on. In the moral world we know that evil cannot exist for long and that ultimately truth must triumph. This concept is popularly reflected in most films, cartoons dramas (and so on) and is a reflection of man's natural instincts. Those of us who plan, work hard and are consistent are more successful than those who do not.
 
Another question, which comes to the mind of people, is 'All right, let's say God exists. So what. I must continue with my life as before'. This statement is a gross error of judgement, as we will see later on that the pleasures and contentment one obtains by belief in God (after recognising Him through signs) and the change of outlook that results, are greater than that which can ever be attained by maintaining an ostrich like attitude about our existence. Many of us are concerned about our place in this dynamic Universe as Professor Hawking has mentioned above. We are all keen to know why we are here, why we must die and to where we go from here. Can it be that we just disappear into oblivion despite our achievements in this life? What does lie ahead of death and is there a life after death? How can we be sure of the course of this life and what will happen in it? These questions come to the mind of each one of us at some point in life. However many of us ignore the inner call to search for an answer and continue with our lives as they are. Another ways of the majority and then to come to believe that the ways of the majority are the rule. In case however God did send guidance for man, then we are doing ourselves a great harm by not finding out about it and following it. In effect, it results in those not following that guidance never being able to spend a fully developed life on Earth as intended. If we do find out about the guidance God has given to mankind in the form of the Qur'an and then decide not to follow it, there is little lost from the present life except the short time spent in reading about it. In any case we spend a great deal of time reading all kinds of material in our daily routine which has little bearing on our lives.

The truth is that God did create everything in order and with logic, for man to explore and understand these laws. Man was sent to Earth with the requisite guidance right from the beginning in the form of the word of God, which was revealed, through His messengers. These messengers of God, who were chosen men, then set an example by following the word of God to serve as a role model to both their fellow human beings of the time as well as for those to come. Historically, we have all heard of names such as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. They all came with the same message for the people of their time - to have faith in God, to perform righteous deeds and to be prepared for personal accountability in the Hereafter. They were also guided to lay down broad principles within the limits of which man was permitted to form his own rules in order to spend an orderly life. Good deeds performed without faith in God and not solely for His pleasure are without any ~ meaning, in the Hereafter (see Qur'anic verses at the end).

The guidance, which was revealed to the messengers of God, was related to the state of development of the human society of the time. However, the basic message was the same - that there is one God and to perform righteous deeds. Those who chose to followed these teachings initially but with the passage of time the message was corrupted, and there arose a need to revive it. God then sent another messenger who both revived the fundamental message and modified other areas under divine guidance according to the needs of the society at the time. Although we can see that the basic message was simple - to believe in God and perform righteous deeds - most men found it hard to follow and preferred to follow the ways of their ancestors regardless of how illogical their beliefs may have been. This same attitude is still prevalent today, despite the vast technological and scientific advancements, which have been achieved in the material world around us. The whole purpose of divine guidance was and is to free humans from the shackles of other humans and to teach faith in the one God while living in a civilised society. This would make man free of religious cults, rituals and other illogical acts of worship and superstitions, thereby allowing him to attain spiritual freedom.

Those of us who are interested in gaining some idea about the powers of God need only read a book on astronomy regarding the Universe. We must also remind ourselves that discovering and understanding some of the functioning of the Universe is a very different matter from creating the Universe and then making it follow certain laws. We must not delude ourselves that our achievements in the field of scientific discovery have any meaning out with the purpose of our creation as ordained by God. Despite all our knowledge and powers, many events take place on this earth around, as which we are powerless to prevent and for which we can never get an adequate explanation in our life, for example earthquakes, floods, deaths and so on.

Finally 1500 years ago the stage was set for the final revelation, which was to come to this earth. The Qur'an was revealed to the last messenger of God. The earlier messages given to the messengers of God had not remained in their true form. This final guidance of God to the human civilisation on earth was to last until the Final day of Reckoning. Human civilisation had reached a stage where no further messages would be sent and this last guidance to mankind would remain protected and unchanged until the end of the earth, as we know it. This last message therefore was one, which would cater for the needs of all generations to come. It confirmed the teachings of the previous messengers of God and therefore was available to all humanity. Its acceptance was based on appeal to human logic and reasoning using the free will and choice provided to man by God. There was no compulsion to acceptance, as God did not intend to force faith (as full human development cannot take place under compulsion!)
 
The message of the Qur'an is clear: all believers are equal and can only excel each other in the degree of virtue and piety, which they can achieve. All things in the heavens and the earth and in between belong to God, all power and authority are His, and none can share these with Him. The Qur'an is the last fully preserved work of God and no serious seeker of the truth can escape this wherever he or she may be. God will guide him or her to His light and His ways are undefined and unfamiliar to us and yet we see examples of it all around us. Here are some quotations from the Qur'an for those who reflect:

'It is He who giveth life and who taketh it and to Him shall ye all be brought back' (10:55-56)

'O mankind there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for your hearts (souls) and for those who believe a guidance and a mercy' (10:57)

'Your riches and your children may be but a trial: But in the presence of God is the highest reward so fear God as much as ye can. Listen and obey: and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul, and those saved from the covetousness of their soul they are the ones that achieve prosperity' (54:15-16).

'Of no profit to you will be your relations and your children on the day of judgement. He will judge between you: for God sees well all that ye do' (60:3)

'O ye who believe fear God and let every soul look to what he/she has sent for the morrow. Ye fear God: for God is well acquainted with that ye do' (59:18)

'And be ye not like those who forgot God: and He made them forget their own soul; such are the rebellious transgressors' (59:19)

'How can ye reject faith in God? Seeing that ye were without life and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return (2:28)

'Serve God and join not any partners with Him; and do good. To parents, neighbours, who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-farer (ye meet) and what your right hand possess; For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious, (nor) those who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which God hath bestowed on them: for We have prepared for those who resist faith a punishment that steeps them in contempt' (4:36-37)

'And what burden were it on them if they had faith in God and the Last day and they spent out of what God hath given them for sustenance? For God hath full knowledge of them' (4:39)
 
'God forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with God is to devise a sin most heinous indeed' (4:48).

'Whatever good (O Mankind) happens to thee is from God: but whatever evil happens to thee is from thy (own) soul. And We have sent thee as apostle to (instruct) mankind. And enough is God for a witness' (4:79)

'What can God gain by your punishment if ye are grateful and ye believe? Nay it is God that recogniseth (all good) and knoweth all things' (4:147)

'Apostles who gave good news as well as warning that mankind after (the coming) of the apostles should have no plea against God: For God is exalted in power, wise' (4:165)

'Those who reject faith and do wrong God will not forgive them nor guide them to any way - except the way of hell to dwell therein for ever. And this to God is easy' (4:168-169).

References - The Qur'an, English translation by A Yousaf Ali - The Bible, the Qur'an and Science by Maurice Bucaille - A brief history of time, by, Stephen Hawking