Article appeared Friday, November 1st, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (594) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Traditionally, there continues a debate regarding the existence of God {1} – both for and
against. Over the centuries religions have changed and new religions have come in but it
is important to realize that the concept of religious belief itself has survived. Given this
fact, recent studies by scientists {1} and psychologists {2} suggest that belief has
benefits both for our brains and for the societies that we live in. They argue that religion
has come about to serve these essential needs and that reflecting on God’s qualities
changes our brains in positive ways.
“Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist who studies the brain in light of religious
experience, has spent his career following this hunch. “If you contemplate God
long enough,” he writes in How God Changes Your Brain, “something surprising
happens in the brain. Neural functioning begins to change. Different circuits
become activated, while others become deactivated. New dendrites are formed,
new synaptic connections are made, and the brain becomes more sensitive to
subtle realms of experience. Perceptions alter, beliefs begin to change, and if
God has meaning for you, then God becomes neurologically real.”” {2}

These studies are from one point of view – the view is from human experience when
reflecting about God. Can this experience be analyzed from God’s point of view? For
example, can we ask did God design our brains to benefit from thoughts about Him? The
person who has discovered the reality of God develops both a sense of belonging and a
sense of security, e.g., as I belong to my Creator, He looks after me – I am safe in His
Hands as He is all Powerful. Looking for references on the benefits gained from
reflection on God, we find the following Verse in the Holy Scripture, the Qur’an:
“Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of
God: for without doubt in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction.”
[13.28]

Essentially, if we are able to logically work out the reality of God, our hearts then find
peace and satisfaction – a sense of fulfillment occurs. So, if we try to match the two
points of view, the view of human experience when reflecting about God and God’s
design of the human brain can it be concluded that a match has been found with the
purpose of our creation? In other words, that the brain fulfills its function when it reflects
and discovers the reality of God?

If so, where does the problem lie? Why has it been necessary for God to repeatedly
send messengers throughout the ages asking people to reflect and turn to Him? And
why did He completely destroy nations and peoples who refused to listen to the
messengers? Neuroscience research {1} supports the idea that the brain is primed, i.e.,
designed to believe – but belief in what? For example, do we believe that wealth,
political power, status, Facebook following, beauty, physical assets of our bodies, etc.,
will bring peace and satisfaction while also determining our future? If we do, then what
role does God play in our lives? Can there be multiple gods {3, 4}? Is it only when our
lifestyle leads to problems or someone dies that we approach God? Is the concept of
God just to be used as we do medicine or as the rescuer when in trouble? Our reflective
and logical thinking should be able to workout that God has given us existence from a
point when we did not exist, it is He who decides all matters and gives success. It is He
who grants peace and satisfaction in our hearts when we logically accept who He is and
give Him the priority that He is due. To help us understand the consequences of not
turning to Him exclusively, God reports on the history of peoples He destroyed because
of their insistence on disbelief.

26.141 “The Thamud (people) rejected the apostles.”

The Thamud are an ancient civilization {5} whose rock writings and pictures have been
found on Mount Ath-lab and throughout central Arabia {5}. They were much more
technologically advanced than other civilizations {6}. They took pride in their powers and
oppressed the poor among them {6}. Apparently, they were repeatedly invited to turn to
God alone.

26.142 “Behold their brother Salih asked them, Will you (not) fear (God)?”
A person whom they knew and trusted asked them a logical question about God. Will
you not reflect on the Being who created you? God had selected Prophet Salih as the
final messenger to the Thamud.

26.143 “I am to you an apostle worthy of all trust.”

26.144 “So fear God and obey me.”

26.145 “No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of
the Worlds.”
The permanent life will be the world after the Day of Judgment. God has created the
current world as a trial to separate those who refuse to turn to Him from those who do.

26.146 “Will you be left secure in (the enjoyment of) all that you have
here?”
Another logical question! Can the blessings that you are enjoying prevent death?

26.147 “Gardens and Springs”

26.148 “And corn-fields and date-palms with branches near breaking (with
the weight of fruit)?”

26.149 “And you carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.”

26.150 “But fear God and obey me;”

We will all meet God after death on the Day of Judgment. Could God ask questions
about the enjoyment of the blessings of life without acknowledging Him?

26.151 “And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant.”
The extravagant believe in the power of their wealth and prowess. By excessively
indulging in these things they not only misguide others by creating a competition in
worldly blessings but indirectly deprive others.

26.152 “Who make mischief in the land and mend not (their ways).”

26.153 “They said, "You are only among those bewitched!”

Prophet Salih asked them to reflect on their lifestyle and their denial of God as the sole
provider of all their blessings. As the people of Thamud felt challenged, they went on the
defensive and accused Salih of being possessed.

26.154 “You are no more than a mortal like us: then bring us a Sign if you
are telling the truth!”

26.155 “He said, "Here is a she-camel: she has a right of watering and you
have a right of watering (severally) on a day appointed.”
God accepted their challenge and He created the miracle of the she-camel {7} just as
the Thamud people wanted. As acceptance of the miracle they were asked not to disturb
the she-camel.

26.156 “Touch her not with harm lest the Penalty of a Great Day seize you.”

26.157 “But they hamstrung her: then did they become full of regrets.”
In direct defiance of God instructions, the people of Thamud killed the she-camel.

26.158 “But the Penalty (dreadful earthquake) seized them. Verily in this is
a Sign: but most of them do not believe.”

26.159 “And verily your Lord is He the Exalted in Might Most Merciful.”
----
{Notes}:
{1} https://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/12/believe
{2} https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190529-do-humans-have-a-religion-instinct
{3} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism
{4} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God
{5} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thamud
{6} http://islamichistorypodcast.com/the-aad-and-the-thamud/
{7} https://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pro/sal01.htm