Article appeared Friday, December 7th, 2012 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (256)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Can a human being be compared to a robot? If yes, what would be similarities? A robot can physically do a lot of things, e.g. move about, lift things and respond to instructions given by the robot-user. More importantly, what would be differences? In addition to having a unique personality, a human being has an independent intelligence, feelings and a free-will. So while a robot is designed to follow instructions, in what way is a human being designed? A human being is free to use its will to follow its feelings or follow its intelligence. If a human being allows its free-will to be dictated by feelings and emotions all the time what may happen? In contrast would it be better to be dictated by intelligence? Is there a difference? Which selfdictated policy or method is more likely to lead to success in the long run? Would the robot-maker want best use of the carefully manufactured robot? You would agree that to encourage and ensure best use of the robot, the robot-maker would deliver a usermanual with the robot. At a minimum, the contents of the manual would contain at least five types of information or knowledge: purpose of the robot, how to make best use of it, consequence of incorrect use, trouble shooting guide and contact details of the robot-maker or manufacturer. For the robot-user, then, what would be an intelligent approach to using the robot? Would it be wise to be guided by the user-manual or simply use the robot as dictated by emotions or feelings of ownership e.g. I own the robot, therefore I would do with it as I please? Similarly, would the Creator of each carefully-and-beautifully-made human being want the best use of His creation? To do so, is it unlikely that the Creator would provide Guidance? To appropriately guide the user, i.e. the human being himself or herself, should the guidance similarly have at least five types of information? Just like in the case of the robot, knowledge on the purpose of the human being, how to get best use, consequence of incorrect use, trouble shooting guide and how to get in touch with the Maker? Throughout the history of human beings the Creator has provided Guidance in the form of Revealed Knowledge or Revelation. Would it be an intelligent move to ignore this Guidance and do as we please? To justify a desire to do as we please, should we suggest that the Creator is so great that He doesnt provide Guidance or alternatively tailor Guidance to suit our desires? Having created us, our Creator knows exactly what our souls whisper to us and the things we say to justify our thoughts. In the most recent Revelation, the Quran, He therefore warns against such thoughts,

6.91 No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing does Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)": Ask: "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought? A light and guidance to man: but you make it into (separate) sheets for show while you conceal much (of its contents): therein were you taught that which you knew not, neither you, nor your fathers." Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to plunge in vain discourse and trifling.
Revelation is Knowledge Revealed by the Creator. Why is such knowledge important? The logical premise is: if a human being refuses to fulfill the purpose for which he/she was created, is it likely that the Creator would have continuing use for him or her? This is the underlying

premise of all Revelation. Our Creator wants each individual to fulfill the purpose of his/her creation so that each can enjoy the life after death with Him in the Hereafter.

6.92 And this is a Book (Quran) which We have (now) Revealed bringing blessings and confirming (the revelations) that came before it: that you may warn the Mother of Cities (major cities) and all around (the world). Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book) and they are constant in guarding their prayers.
Just like a wise robot-user would apply the user-manual to get best use, our job is to use our intelligence to understand and use the Knowledge Revealed by the Creator to guide our daily lives and activities. Just as the robot-user understands that the manufacturer knows best, equally the Creator knows what is best for human beings. A human being who uses his/her intelligence to follow Revelation is therefore righteous. All prophets including Abraham {1} showed how to be righteous. In contrast, using free-will to feel that we know better, to deny Revelation or alter, hide or create alternative guidance leads to serious trouble with the Creator and is therefore evil. Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil it is against his own soul: nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His servants. [41.46] Would it make sense for a robot-user to even consider changing or ignoring the user-manual?

6.93 Who can be more wicked than one who invents a lie against Allah or says, "I have received inspiration", when he has received none or (again) who says, "I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed?" If you could but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! The angels stretch forth their hands (saying) "Yield up your souls. This day shall you receive your reward a penalty of shame for that you used to tell lies against Allah and scornfully to reject His Signs!"
What benefit is that people who alter, hide or create alternative guidance look for? Is it popularity among followers; is it power, status or is it to gain wealth? By giving preference to such things what is the message conveyed to our Creator? Our Creator therefore reminds,

6.94 "And behold! You will come to Us bare and alone just as We created you for the first time: You have left behind you all (the favors) which We bestowed on you: We see not with you your intercessors whom you thought to be partners in your affairs: so now all relations between you have been cut off and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!"
By shifting preferences away from the Creator, we actually demonstrate our disbelief in the Seat of Power. To help us understand, our Creator gives us knowledge of who He is.

6.95 It is Allah Who causes the seed-grain and the date-stone to split and sprout. He causes the living to issue from the dead and He is the One to cause the dead to issue from the living. That is Allah; then how are you deluded away from the truth?
-----{Notes}: {1} http://www.scribd.com/doc/114902347/Can-we-be-popular-with-our-Creator