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

The Revelation (498) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Have we ever pondered over the fact that every one of us is unique, i.e., each individual is
completely different from the other? Our eyes, our tastes, our voices, our fingerprints, our faces
and everything else are different. Has God made a special effort to design and create each
person uniquely? Why? Could it mean that He wants something from each individual?

To answer this question, let us consider an analogy. When we visit a solo art exhibition, do we
find any two paintings the same? Why is every single painting by the solo artist different? Do the
paintings bring out the width and the depth of the qualities of the painter? What do fans of the
artist do with the wide variety of the objects displayed? Would they study the range of expertise
and arrange different publications to extol these qualities? Now, consider, if human beings
themselves were the different exhibits at the art gallery, what could those who appreciate art
do?

Now, what is the difference between the art work of painters and the human beings created by
God? God has given humans the ability to appreciate the Qualities of God by themselves! Are,
then, humans in a position not only to appreciate but to also to enjoy the Qualities of God
Qualities or Attributes of the Most Merciful that we come face to face with as we live our life?

Deriving pleasure out of the intelligence and abilities/skills given by God, how should humans
respond to Him? In contrast to the innumerable fan clubs that artists have, do we do anything to
appreciate and extol the Qualities of our Merciful Creator? Enjoying all the abilities, blessings
and opportunities of living an intelligent life, how should each individual respond to Him? For
example, should we be grateful to Him for our uniqueness? Does our individuality prove the
importance He has given to making each human being?

Do Holy Scriptures guide us towards behavior that the righteous should demonstrate? In the Al-
Quran, we find 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]

How would one learn? If we compare ourselves with a painting, it is as though we are living
inside the painting, with everything enjoyed being made by the painter. Whatever we sense,
feel, observe and experience we learn about something that the Creator has given us. Could the
righteous attitude be anything but gratitude and adoration? However, we may not want to learn
the choice is an individual choice.
If it had been the Lord's Will they would all have believed all who are on earth! Will you
then compel mankind against their will to believe? [10.99]

Are the fans of a painter forced to like or extol the painters qualities or even to become fans?
Likewise, it is up to each individual person to become like a fan of God and extol His Qualities.
God means much more to us than does a painter to the painting. As we owe everything to Him
what would classify as correct or righteous behavior towards Him?
And strive in His cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline): He
has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your
father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims both before and in this
(Revelation); [22.78]
Abraham asked many questions to himself to intelligently work out the reality of God verses His
creation. Having done so, he proclaimed his faith to others who did not believe and became a
worker for God. Among other things he established appropriate rites and the pilgrimage to the
Kaaba.

For his turn, what did God want Moses to do for Him? As related in the Al-Quran, God said,
And I have prepared you for Myself (for service) [20.41]

Moses was raised and nurtured in a particular manner to prepare him for a special task. God
had trained Moses on how to use his rod and bare hand to show Gods Signs or miracles. What
was this task?

20.42 Go with your brother with My Signs and slacken not either of you in
keeping Me in remembrance.
Both Moses and his elder brother Aaron were required to go to Pharaoh with a special message
while keeping complete trust in God, i.e., not being in fear of Pharaoh.

20.43 Go both of you to Pharaoh for he has indeed transgressed all bounds;
What was the purpose? Why did Moses and Aaron have to visit Pharaoh? What did Pharaoh
do? How was he transgressing all bounds? Rather than being grateful for the special gifts and
powers that God had given him, he became arrogant and a tyrant.
Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections
depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew but he kept alive their
females: for he was indeed a maker of mischief. [28.4]

Pharaoh was abusing and misusing his powers as a ruler. He declared himself as god,
oppressed the Israelites, who were his subjects, killed their baby boys and kept the females for
entertainment of the Egyptians. Notice, however, the manner in which Moses is asked to
approach him.

20.44 But speak to him mildly perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah).
Moses was asked to convince Pharaoh with humility and logic regarding the reality of God and
the fact that he is accountable to Him. Pharaoh mocked Moses and did not try to understand the
Signs or purpose of the message that he had brought with him.

20.45 They (Moses and Aaron) said: "Our Lord! We fear lest He hasten with
insolence against us or lest he transgress all bounds."
God reassured both that He was indeed with them.

20.46 He said: "Fear not: for I am with you: I hear and see (everything).
They were required to say the following to Pharaoh. As he was oppressing and killing the baby
boys of Israelites, he was asked to let them leave the city and be saved from oppression.

20.47 "So both go to him and say, `Verily we are apostles sent by your Lord:
send the Children of Israel with us and afflict them not: with a Sign indeed have
we come from your Lord! And peace to all who follow guidance!

20.48 Verily it has been revealed to us that the Penalty (awaits) those who reject
and turn away.