Article appeared Friday, July 9th, 2010 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (138) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Is it easy for one to develop or even have faith? The problem is that one cannot physically “see”
the Creator with one’s eyes. If one believes, how can one therefore check and improve the
quality of their faith or “see” the Creator with their heart? Allah tells us in the Qur’an that most
acknowledge the existence of the Creator, yet do not reflect on what it means to be created or
be a part of creation. To test this, He suggests:
“Ask: “Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens and the Lord of the Throne of Power
Supreme?” They will say “(They belong) to Allah.” Say: “Will you not then be filled
with awe?” [23.86 – 23.87]

To help us understand, Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972) a Warsaw-born American Rabbi

and one of the leading Jewish theologians and philosophers of the 20th century is reported to
have said;
“A sense of awe is the beginning of wisdom.” {1} and

“God is either of no importance, or of supreme importance.” {2}

In our hearts, should there be a place for the Creator? Should the Creator be important to one?
Why? Allah says in the Qur’an:
“It is He Who has created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feelings and
understanding: little thanks it is you give!” [23.78]

“And (it is) He (Who) has multiplied you through the earth and to Him shall you be
gathered back.” [23.79]

“It is He Who gives life and death and to Him (is due) the alternation of
Night and Day: will you not then understand?” [23.80]

In addition,
“It is We who have placed you with authority on earth and provided you therein with
means for the fulfillment of your life: small are the thanks that you give!” [7.10]

Is it appropriate and right that one should thank the Creator and be grateful to Him? Or is it
logical, appropriate and right that one should erect additional gods such as attach sons,
daughters; erect idols, revere and serve religious-recluses, religious-sages or ‘pirs’; credit
mother-nature, animals, ancestors, prophets, self; take the help of witch-craft, black-magic,
Satan or revere other created things such as wealth? Being impatient [103.3], if one approaches
additional sources (just in case) other than Allah, the Supreme Being; does it not demonstrate
foolishness, hypocrisy and provide an unmistakable proof of disbelief? Or is it arrogance that
prevents one from being grateful exclusively to the Creator?
“O you 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]

To be righteous, one should remove any lurking doubts, and establish firm faith as;
“Say: "It is Allah Who delivers you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet you
worship false gods!” [6.64]

If not, Allah asks

“Then are men returned to Allah their Protector the (only) Reality: is not His the
Command? And He is the swiftest in taking account!” [6.62]
Do historic events provide evidence of how the Creator has come to the Aid of humble believers
when they faced the wrath and might of disbelievers? Should these events carry any lessons for
one? How many have studied the story of David and Goliath{3} in depth? What was the
difference between these two personalities? Who among the two demonstrated righteousness?
Whose aid did the Creator come to? Why? What about the events between Moses and
Pharaoh{4}? Whose Aid did the Creator come to? Why? Is there any similarity between the
personalities of Goliath and Pharaoh? Does arrogance become created beings? Given one’s
own environment, how many feel superior and demonstrate arrogance?
“Those are a people that have passed away; for them is what they have earned and for
you what you earn; and you will not be asked of what they did.” [2.134]

More recently, the Battle of Badr{5} again teaches us that it is not armor, might, fire power,
experience or arrogance that automatically lead to victory. A small band of believers led by
Prophet Muhammad (may Allah Grant him peace) faced the well equipped army of disbelievers
led by Abu Jahl. At the end of the battle, the Prophet, on seeing the dead body of Abu Jahl,
said,
“This is the Pharaoh of this nation!” {5}

“…How often by Allah's Will has a small force vanquished a big one? Allah is with those
who steadfastly persevere.” [2.249]

So, why did the Creator come to the Aid of Prophet Muhammad and the small band of
believers? The website {5} gives a good account of the events on the battlefield. Regarding the
help that was sought from the Creator, Allah says:
“Remember (when) you implored the assistance of your Lord and He answered you: “I
will assist you with a thousand of the angels ranks on ranks.” Allah made it but a
message of hope and an assurance to your heart: (in any case) there is no help except
from Allah: and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.” [8.9 – 8.10]

On the battlefield of Badr, there are numerous accounts from both believers and disbelievers of
how these angels helped the believers. The disbelievers also saw angels as the account below
demonstrates:
“…another man from the Ansaar captured Abbas Ibn Abdul Mutallib, who said: "O
Messenger of Allah! By Allah this man did not capture me. I was captured by a man who
was bald and had the most handsome face, and who was riding a horse. I cannot see
him here among the people.” The man from the Ansaar said: ‘I captured him, O
Messenger of Allah!’ The Prophet replied: "Be quiet! Allah, the All-Mighty, strengthened
you with the help of a noble Angel.”{5}

3.13 “There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met (in
combat): one was fighting in the cause of Allah the other resisting Allah; these
saw with their own eyes twice their number. But Allah does support with His Aid
Whom He Pleases. In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see.”
-----------
{Notes}:
{1} http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/abraham_joshua_heschel.html
{2} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Joshua_Heschel
{3} http://www.scribd.com/doc/28093634/David-and-Goliath
{4} http://www.scribd.com/doc/33805623/What-was-Pharaoh-s-major-sin
{5} http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=159