Article appeared Friday, March 2nd, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (515) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

There are people on earth who remind us about the fact that each human will eventually die. For
example, as the exact time of death of a person is unknown, Steve Jobs in his speech at
Stanford University in 2005 said,
“If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you'll be right. Every morning I
looked in the mirror and asked myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want
to do what I do today?” {1}

The website UPLIFT {2} has analyzed the reaction to his speech and finds that many people
have misinterpreted this to mean having maximum fun and gratification each day as life may
end tomorrow! Is this what Steve Jobs implied, when he talked about looking in the mirror and
reflecting about his life choices? Or did he mean analyze your contributions and what you will
leave behind when you die?

Should we think about the fact of inevitable death and our contributions? Animals and other
living objects also die one day – however, should a human live his/her life as an animal would?
Or should a human make a difference? As Steve Jobs asked questions to himself, humans are
the only species that have the capacity to do so. Should a human then ask himself or herself
questions about their own life and death?

For example, would it be important to ask that can there be a life beyond death? Would this
question be relevant to how we spend our days on earth? Is it possible to find an answer to this
question? We could start by contemplating on the differences with animal life, i.e., compare with
a species that does not have the ability to ask such questions. Another relevant question could
be: would human life be equal to animal life if there were no life after death or even if there were
no accountability?

Working with questions that compare, what affect would wealth, status, power, physique and
beauty have on a monkey? In addition, in what way or can these things help after death or even
prevent it? Would it be useful to look at human life from the point of view of the Creator? For
example, would it be logical for the Creator to skillfully make human beings for a short limited
time? Especially since He Himself is a permanent Being? Could temporary human beings be of
use to Him in any way?

At this point would it be useful to consult the Holy Scriptures? To see what they say about life
and death and whether they confirm any of the conclusions reached from the logical questions?
In the following Verse from the Al-Qur’an, God is addressing Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), while
asking a logical question about death on earth?
“We granted not to any man before you permanent life (here on earth): if then you
should die would they live permanently? [21.34]

All previous human beings including prophets have died. God is indirectly questioning those
who mocked the Prophet and the guidance (Revelation) delivered through him. Does anyone
think they would permanently live on earth after everyone else has passed away? Could
anything at all prevent their death and give them permanent life on earth? In the subsequent
Verse God clearly points out the purpose of the temporary life on earth and the purpose of
death.

21.35 “Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good
by way of trial: to Us must you return.”
Can we conclude that the purpose of death is to meet Him directly? Why? Would it be to
announce the results of the trials we are on? What would be the purpose of the trials? To
answer this question, consider the following Verse:
“O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord who created you and those who came before you
that you may have the chance to learn righteousness.” [2.21]

Why adore? What would righteous behavior be? The Guardian-Lord, our Creator has given us
existence from a time when we were nothing. We have all these fantastic abilities over the rest
of creation – so, should we learn how to respond to the Creator? The right attitude towards our
Guardian-Lord would be to adore Him. In another Holy Scripture, the Bible, Jesus (pbuh)
elaborated on how we should adore Him.
“Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD
our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first
commandment.” [Mark 12:29-12:30] {3}

All prophets and messengers from God carried the same message. Yet, when Prophet
Muhammad brought the same message/guidance he was ridiculed.

21.36 “When the Unbelievers see you they treat you not except with ridicule. "Is
this," (they say) "the one who talks of your gods?" And they blaspheme at the
mention of (God) Most Gracious!”
The entire universe follows an integrated system mostly supporting human life. There can only
be one Master-Designer and Creator. The entire universe owes everything to Him. Yet people
are self-centered and thus focus on their own needs and call on God as well as other objects
only to fulfill their needs/desires – not to love Him in return for existence.

21.37 “Man is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My Signs: then
you will not ask Me to hasten them!”
Man is impatient. As creatures of haste we want everything overnight. Patience may lead to an
appreciation of God’s blessings.

21.38 “They say: "When will this promise come to pass (happen) if you are telling
the truth?"”
Death is a onetime event. When it arrives, there will be no turning back – regrets will not be
taken into account. The time to learn is now.

21.39 “If only the Unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward
off the Fire from their faces nor yet from their backs and (when) no help can reach
them!”
The decision on the Day when we face our Guardian-Lord – the Day of Judgment, will be
permanent. Those who have misused their chance to learn will be placed in the Fire.

21.40 “Nay it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will
they have then to avert it nor will they (then) get respite.”
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/516733-if-you-live-each-day-as-if-it-were-your
{2} https://upliftconnect.com/live-each-day-like-its-your-last/
{3} https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12&version=NKJV