Article appeared Friday, July 12th, 2013 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (286)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can the human brain distinguish between illusion and reality? How? For example, at the scene of a death, it may seem that a person has committed suicide. The general arrangement of things may point to suicide; however, can it be established whether death was caused by suicide or whether the things were arranged to look like suicide? To help establish reality or the truth, a science called Forensic science has evolved. The difference between science as we generally know it and Forensic science is explained by Ranganathan {1}, a celebrated writer recognized by the 24th Edition of Marquis Whos Who in the East: What really is science? There are two types of science. Empirical science is the knowledge of an event or a thing witnessed through our senses. You know that the moon exists. You can see it! You know that the chair exists because you can see it or feel its support. The other type of science is forensic science. Forensic science is not direct knowledge but indirect knowledge of something. You didn't witness the person's death and you didn't see how he died, but through careful collection and analysis of evidence you are able to determine how the death occurred. The scientific method is used every day in forensic science to determine whether an event in a crime scene was an accident or by design and intention. {1} So knowledge gained by direct observation or evidence collected is insufficient to establish the difference between illusion and reality as the scene may also have been setup by design and intention by the murderer/s to appear as a case of suicide. How, then, does Forensic science establish the difference? Ranganathan adds that mathematics and probability of an event occurring also plays an important part in Forensic science. Mathematical probability is a scientific argument and is frequently used in determining many issues of scientific inquiry. The scientific method cannot be used to prove events which occurred outside of human observation. No one observed the origin of the universe by either chance or design (so neither can be proved by science), but scientific evidence via mathematical probability can be used to support either a chance or design origins for the universe. {1} Similarly, since we cannot see or observe the Creator or how He does things, to establish the foundations of faith or belief, we cannot use direct observation. The observed facts must be analyzed carefully given something like Forensic science to establish the reality of the Creator for oneself. For example, when Moses (pbuh) descended from Mount Sinai with the tablets, what did the observers see? At that moment, they simply saw a man with tablets inscribed. As they were themselves not present when Moses received the tablets, how could they be convinced about the origin of the inscription on the tablets? How could they feel the actual presence of the Creator and His direct Commandments? Without using their intelligence would they be convinced that the Creator indeed got in touch with Moses and gave Guidance on the tablets? As they did not directly see the event of Revelation, they would need to ask questions much like a Forensic scientist to establish the truth with conviction in their hearts. For example, questions could be where did Moses find the raw tablets? Did Moses have tools to inscribe the tablets? Where or how did he get the knowledge written on the tablets? What is the probability that Moses himself invented the knowledge while on the mountain? What is the knowledge related to? For whose benefit do the inscriptions talk about? Would Moses himself benefit? Etc. What type of person would take the trouble to ask such questions and settle the answer for him or herself? Verse 7.146 of the most recent Revelation, the Quran, answers this question.

Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right them will I turn away from My Signs they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error that is the way they will adopt; for they rejected Our Signs and failed to take warning from them. Those who reject Our Signs and the meeting in the Hereafter vain are their deeds: can they expect to be rewarded except as they have wrought? [7.146 7.147] It is only those who are not arrogant, i.e. are humble and grateful, that are likely to ask questions and intelligently look for the right answers. The people of Moses, i.e. the Children of Israel, had just faced some miracles. Having directly observed the Creators miracles, e.g. multitudes having safely escaped Pharaoh and his army across the sea [7.138] without boats, they should have been contemplating on the source of the miracles that happened and be in awe of the Creator. Moses assumed that his people would be grateful. However, when he returned after forty days from the mountain, he found them worshipping a hand-made calf. And remember We appointed forty nights for Moses and in his absence you took the calf (for worship) and you did grievous wrong. Even then We did forgive you; there was a chance for you to be grateful. [2.51 2.52] On his return, after having spent time with the Creator, Moses could not accept the calf worship and became very angry. Finally,

7.154 Then when his anger had subsided, Moses took up the tablets, upon which was inscribed a text of guidance and grace to those who stood in awe of their Lord.
It was therefore now time for the humble and grateful for serious contemplation on the events and relate to the Guidance provided in the tablets. How could contemplation on the Guidance be organized? Moses chose 70 people as a study group.

7.155 Moses chose out of his people seventy men to come at a time set by Us. Then, when they were seized by violent trembling, he said: My Lord, had it been Your will, You could have destroyed them, and myself too, long ago. Would You destroy us because of what the weak-minded among us have done? This is only a trial You have ordained, whereby You allow to go astray whom You will, and You guide aright whom You will. You alone are our Guardian: grant us, then, forgiveness and bestow Mercy on us. You are the best of all those who do forgive.
Even after having had directly observed the miracles, some of the selected people wanted to directly see the Creator. The result was that they were seized by violent trembling. The incident is explained in the following Verses. And remember you said: "O Moses! We shall never believe in you until we see Allah manifestly", then you were dazed with thunder and lightning even as you looked on. Then We raised you up after your death; you had the chance to be grateful. [2.55 2.56] Since this was a study session, i.e. a collection of the members of the study group, the Creator responded to the insolent request. The people of Moses therefore had the opportunity for both direct and indirect observation and to come to a conclusion regarding the Creator and His Blessings. ---{Notes}: {1} http://english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/20-12-2011/120027-science_atheism-0/