Article appeared Friday, January 13th, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (459)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is the ability to be human a blessing? While attempting an answer, one may ask another
question just to understand and interpret the question itself. For example, what does being
human mean? At this point, would it help to contrast human with being non-human? For
example, could we contrast being human to being animal like, e.g., being like a monkey or even
a dog? The question then can become: What is the life of a monkey or a dog compared to the
life of a human being? Is there any difference?
Like animals, humans are also born, they eat, drink, grow, sleep, go to the bathroom, mate,
have children, fight, make sounds and one day, will die. So, is there a difference? Just by
reviewing what we have being doing on this page, we see that humans can write, read, reflect,
ask questions, find answers, appreciate and if desired, plan a modified course of action.
Humans can ask questions like, what or who am I? How come I exist? Where did I come from?
Why am I different? Should I ignore the difference and only do the things that an animal does?
How can human beings prove that there is a difference? It is easy to be like animals, however, if
humans choose, they can rise above animals by leading a purposeful life based on questions.
Notice that babies are naturally inquisitive they constantly ask questions. Reluctance on the
part of elders to help with answers, babies may learn to avoid this natural inclination. On the
other hand, if the ability to ask questions is developed, each can become a creative human
being as intended by our Creator. Can repeated questioning lead to answers? Reviewing the
questions started in the first paragraph; do they lead to an answer? Is the ability to be human a
blessing? What does being human mean? Would it help to contrast human with being nonhuman? Could we contrast being human to being animal like, e.g., like a monkey or even a
dog? What is the life of a monkey or a dog compared to the life of a human being? Is there any
difference? As humans, we are simply asking questions can animals ask questions? So is the
ability to ask questions a blessing?
By asking questions, can we work out who we are? Can we discover who made us? Can we
decide whether we have any responsibilities towards the Creator? etc. This methodology of
repeated questioning leads to an intelligent understanding with conviction. What about those
who do not wish to understand? The Holy Quran says such are worse than animals!
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire (passion or impulse)?
Then would you be responsible for him? Or do you think that most of them listen or
understand? They are not except like cattle; nay they are worse astray in Path. [25.43
25.44]
The daily life of an animal may simply be dictated by impulses or emotions the desire to eat, to
sleep, to fight, to mate, to run away from danger, etc. Can humans be different if life is only
dictated by impulses and desires? If humans deny their natural instincts to question their origin
and responsibilities, they become worse than animals, who do not have this ability.
Animals cannot question and find the Creator through logical reasoning rest of the creation is
therefore in the dark about Him, i.e., they cannot find him through questioning. Is being able to
discover the reality of the Creator through logical reasoning an honor? Is having the intelligent
ability of being different from animals an honor? Humans are the only beings that can witness

the truth of what the Creator has Designed and Created. Is this an honor with responsibility?
Our Creator points this out in the Holy Quran.
We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea;
given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors
above a great part of Our Creation. [17.70]
What are the special favors? Is it the ability to question? Is it the ability to build transport
systems? Is it the ability to travel and learn? Is it the ability to cook a variety of food? For
example, how many products or food items can we make from milk? How many of these food
items do we enjoy? With all the pleasures that we derive, do we have a responsibility towards
our Creator? As humans, what possible responsibility could we have? Could it be asking
questions about the blessings given by the Creator, being grateful after being convinced of His
Reality and helping others also to discover Him?

17.71 One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective)
Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with
pleasure) and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.
Would the Creator be pleased with those who work to establish His Truth in themselves and in
others? Could this be the purpose of creating the ability to question? Could it be that the Creator
wants to be known through His honored creation just like a painter is known through his works
of art?
Who would be the Imams? What is the record given in the right hand? What is our Creator
likely to do (on the Day of Judgment) with those who have pleased Him in this worldly life?
Could Imams be those whom we have the opportunity to learn from? Could it be those who
guide us towards the reality of the Creator? What about those who do not question the origin of
the blessings they enjoy? Are such people in the dark about life and the Originator of life?

17.72 But those who were blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter and
most astray from the Path.
Those people who refuse to ask questions about the pleasures/blessings that they are enjoying
and work out the reality of the Creator, will continue to be blind in the subsequent life they will
be kept in the dark. When these Verses, i.e., part of the Holy Quran was being Revealed, many
attempts were made to divert the Prophet (pbuh) away from the reality of the Revelation.

17.73 And their purpose was to tempt you (O, Prophet) away from that which We
had revealed to You; to substitute in Our name something quite different: (in that
case) behold! They would certainly have made you (their) friend!
Like the Prophet, we ourselves are allured by those around us, away from establishing the truth
of the Creator.

17.74 And had We not given you strength, you would have nearly inclined to
them a little.
Had the Prophet diverted, he wouldve been in trouble just like the rest of us.

17.75 In that case We should have made you taste an equal portion (of
punishment) in this life and an equal portion in death: and moreover you would
have found none to help you against Us!