Article appeared Friday, March 4th, 2011 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (169) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

What is the nature of a person who is willing to risk his/her life for a great cause? What do
others think of such people? The President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt (1858 –
1919) explained that such an attitude shows strength of character:
“No man is worth his salt, who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his
body, to risk his life, in a great cause.” {1}

Do people who go after a great cause lead purposeful and meaningful lives? The American
politician, diplomat, activist and pastor Andrew Young (b.1932) pointed out,
“It is a blessing to die for a cause, because you can so easily die for nothing.” {2}

Lord Byron (1788 – 1824), one of the greatest British poets, on the other hand, pointed out that
such people never fail in what they wish to achieve, if the cause is worthwhile;
“They never fail who die in a great cause.” {3}

What would be a worthwhile or great cause? For example, can getting into a fight and dying for
a sports team, a sports star, a pop star or a movie idol that you support be classified as a great
cause? Do such deaths find a place in history books?

On the other hand, what place in history books do prophets occupy? For what cause did the
prophets or people who supported the work of the prophets risk their lives for? Is working for the
Creator a worthwhile cause? Why were the prophets so involved with the work of the Creator? If
one were able to consult the prophets on this issue, today, could we imagine how a prophet
would respond? How did the prophets feel about the Creator? The quote from author Eileen
Elias Freeman below may help us understand:
“It isn't the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.” {4}

Before working out the size of His heart, can we estimate the size of the gifts given by the
Creator? The American poet, novelist and social activist, Marge Piercy (b. 1936) elaborates:
“Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.” {4}

The New Testament of the Bible reassures man, additionally,

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” [Matthew 7:7] {5}

The most recent Revelation, the Qur’an, completes the picture:

“It is We who have placed you with authority on earth and provided you therein with
means for the fulfillment of your life:…” [7.10a]

So, individually, what is the measure of the gifts the Creator has given each? Looking beyond
the gifts, in the words of Eileen Elias Freeman, how big a heart must the Creator have to give
gifts that lead each individual to fulfillment? Having received and enjoyed gifts that lead to
fulfilling lives, how can one return the Creator’s favor? What can a created human being give to
the Creator in return?

On the other hand, how should the Creator feel and look upon those who far from being
grateful, imagine that created things like events, lucky charms, amulets, stones, idols,
ancestors, prophets, great men, animals, i.e. anything other than the Creator has power? It is to
explain such disbelief that the Creator has sent the First Commandment throughout the ages via
prophets. Instead of trying to understand the essence of the words of the First Commandment
should one assume that the prophet himself has divine powers?
“…small are the thanks that you give!” [7.10b]

This is the message that the prophets throughout the ages tried to deliver. How should a
grateful person react to those who demonstrate ungratefulness towards the Creator? Is
defending the Creator a worthy cause? Is the attitude of the prophets and those who fought
alongside the prophets therefore surprising?

Again, from the point-of-view of the Creator, how should He treat those who demonstrate their
willingness to risk their lives for Him? Also, as the Creator Himself is the Giver of life and death,
how should such events be evaluated by others?

3.156 “O, you who believe! Be not like the unbelievers who say of their brethren
when they are travelling through the earth or engaged in fighting: "If they had
stayed with us they would not have died or been slain." This that Allah may make
it a cause of sighs and regrets in their hearts. It is Allah that gives life and death
and Allah sees well all that you do.”
Allah, our Creator clarifies the nature of the events given to demonstrate individual preferences,
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave the term being fixed as by writing. If any do
desire a reward in this life We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the
Hereafter We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us
with) gratitude.” [3.145]

Situations or events presented to us on earth are simply opportunities for us to demonstrate our
preferences. Our Creator has promised to give each of us exactly what we demonstrate our
preference for. Those who do not demonstrate belief in the Creator’s promises will therefore not
get anything in the Hereafter. On the other hand, those who have devoted their lives for the
work of the Creator,

3.157 “And if you are slain or die in the way of Allah Forgiveness and Mercy from
Allah are far better than all they could amass.”
In the end, each of us will have to face our Maker on the Day of Judgment, i.e. face our
preferences and be rewarded accordingly.

3.158 “And if you die or are slain, it is to Allah that you are brought together.”
The above Verses in the Qur’an continue to confirm the Creator’s Protection and Involvement
when unbelievers clash with believers.
“How many of the Prophets fought (in Allah's way) and with them (fought) large bands of
godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way nor did they
weaken (towards temptation) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and
steadfast.” [3.146]
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{Notes}:
{1} http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Cause/index.html
{2} http://thinkexist.com/quotations/death_and_dying/3.html
{3} http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/cause_3.html
{4} http://www.finestquotes.com/select_quote-category-Gift-page-1.htm
{5} http://bible.cc/matthew/7-7.htm