Article appeared Friday, March 3rd, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (466) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can blessings also be tests? In our day to day life, do we notice little events that can be
considered to be miracles? Why a miracle? Something happens at the right place, at the right
sequence and at a time when we need a miracle. It is as though someone is watching and has
solved the problem when we need it most!

Who would care enough to be watching? Who would have the intelligence to find a solution?
Who would have the power to suddenly implement what is needed? Can it be any being other
than God? Among so many billions of people that He has created why has He taken the trouble
to perform a miracle just for you? Does this indicate the degree of importance He has given
you? What should be the response to the importance that the God has given you?

Looking through history, what miracles did God perform for the Children of Israel? At what point
did He part the sea so that the Children of Israel could travel without boats and at what point did
He drown Pharaoh and his followers? How precise was the timing of these two events? Once
He had drowned Pharaoh and his followers, what blessing did He give to the Children of Israel?

17.104 And We said thereafter to the Children of Israel, "Dwell securely in the
land". When the promise of the Hereafter comes to be fulfilled, We shall gather
you all together.
Just as Pharaoh was shown special miracles sent by God for him, the Children of Israel have
similarly been shown miracles parting of the sea, drowning of Pharaoh and now settling them
safely in a new land, free from persecution. Pharaoh rejected belief that the Signs were
specially sent by God, now it was the turn was of the Children of Israel given the miracles, to
demonstrate their belief with gratitude. On the Day of Judgment all parties will have to face trial
as to how they reacted to the miracles specially designed for them.

What meaning do we attach to miracles? If human beings consider miracles to be magic (as
Pharaoh did) or as a part of random events (as we may sometimes do) how should God
respond? How should He look upon rejection of special favors, blessings or miracles? Should it
then be a major sin not to respond to Him with gratitude and adoration? The Holy Scriptures, in
particular the Quran, warn of the consequences of rejecting special Signs of the Creator.

17.105 We sent down the Qur'an to establish the Truth and with the Truth has it
come down. We have sent you (O Muhammad) only to confirm Good News (to
those who have believed in Gods signs) and to warn (the sinners).

17.106 (It is) a Qur'an which We have divided (into parts from time to time) in
order that you may recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages.
The Quran (that which is to be read and reflected upon), did not come down as a complete
Book at once; sets of verses were sent down in response to events and questions that arose
during the Prophets (pbuh) sojourn. Now, compiled as a complete Book, the study model is to
read and reflect on a few Verses at suitable and regular time intervals, e.g., each and every
day/week.
Those to whom We have sent the book study it as it should be studied (and followed);
they are the ones that believe in it; those who reject faith in it (i.e., do not follow it) the
loss is their own. [2.121]
17.107 Say, "Whether you believe in it or not, it is true that those who were given
knowledge beforehand when it is recited to them fall down on their faces in
humble prostration"
When realization dawns that the Verses contained in the Quran have been specially revealed
by God Himself as a blessing and miracle; and that the author and originator of all Holy
Scriptures is one and the same, there are people who go down in humble prostration as an
acknowledgement. How else could one respond to a communication by the Creator and Owner
of the Universe and all that is in it?

When one has reflected on the Quran, and believed with conviction, what is the degree of trust
that one should demonstrate on the words contained?

17.108 And say, "Glory to our Lord! Truly will the promise of our Lord be
fulfilled!"

17.109 They fall down on their faces in tears and it increases their (earnest)
humility.
The full meaning of our created intelligent existence dawns on us as we realize who God is and
our place in the created realm. When we meet a great man, for example, what may our logic
say it is an honor, privilege and pleasure to meet such a man? Similarly, when our logical
analysis and reflection meets God, the Creator of every part and every moment, how should we
feel? For the purpose of analysis, we may contrast the following Verses:
Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for
without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. [13.28]

One who has discovered God through contemplation, would feel safe and secure, and at the
same time would trust His Wisdom and would gladly accept the tests that He gives. On the
other hand,
Those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us but are pleased and satisfied
with the life of the present and those who give no value to Our Signs shall have their
abode in the Fire as a punishment for their rejection. [10.7 10.8]

So, what could be the purpose of life? What could be the purpose of human intelligence? Would
the purpose of intelligence be to work out and acknowledge the Qualities of God? By giving
intelligence, God has honored man above the rest of creation. He constantly showers on us
tailor made blessings and miracles. How should we respond to One who constantly gives us
such importance?

17.110 Say, "Call upon God or call upon the Merciful One; by whatever name you
call upon Him (it is well). His are the finest of Names. Pray neither in too loud a
voice nor in silence, but seek a middle course between."
What would be the purpose of prayers? Why should we praise God? In addition to
contemplating on the Verses of the Quran, we need to analyze and realize the blessings and
personal miracles that God is constantly giving us. Can we use the prayers to recall blessings
and personal miracles to praise and thank Him for these?

17.111 And say, "All praise belongs to God Who has never begotten a son and
has no partner in (His) kingdom: nor does He need any to protect Him from
humiliation. Workout and proclaim His greatness and glory!"