THE REALITY OF LIFE
The Perfection of Natural Laws
PEOPLE in general, try to live this worldly life in as prestigious and comfortable way as possible. It is because they believe that afterwards, neither man, nor anything that concerns him, will remain. Some do think about this matter, but only on a philosophical level. They seek a theoretical explanation of the world. Such explanations are interesting from a philosophical point of view, but they are of no intrinsic value to man. Theoretical discussions about whether a cosmic spirit keeps the whole universe revolving for its own fulfillment, or whether everything is part of some sublime being, do not raise any personal issues for man. Some have a religious answer to the question, but their solution is also of no import to man. Some see life as a mysterious, recurring cycle, with man repeatedly being born and dying; some claim that man will be rewarded and punished in this world. These are the creeds of which most religions are made.
All such solutions to the problems of life differ from one another considerably but in so much as none of them raises any serious personal issue for man, they are all the same. They are either explanations of events or a means of providing us with some sort of spiritual satisfaction. They do not issue us any warning or stir us into any action.
The Islamic perspective provided by the Prophet Muhammad is of an entirely different nature. The Prophet in his solution to problems places every individual in a precarious position from which the next step leads either to a dreary and unfathomable abyss of destruction or to a world of eternal bliss. It requires every man to take a serious view of his situation—even more so than a traveller in the night whose torch reveals a black snake slithering menacingly in front of him.
The message taught by Muhammad contains a greater warning for all humankind. He taught that after this world a vaster world is awaiting us, where every person will be judged and then punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The props which man relies on in this world will not support him there, for there will be no trading, no friendship and no acceptable intercession.
The warning, which the Prophet delivered, to humankind makes his existence a matter of personal importance to everyone. Everyone’s fate, according to his teachings, hangs in the balance. Everyone has freedom to either believe in his message, follow his guidance in preparation for everlasting Paradise, or one can ignore his teachings depriving oneself of this Paradise.
There are two things, which make this matter even more worthy of our attention. Firstly, those who consider material aggrandizement to be all that is worthwhile in life have no proof for their theory. Their ideas are based on superficial attractions. Those who speak in philosophical terms have only analogies to offer as evidence. They do not have full faith in what they say. Then there are those who speak without reliable historical information. The criterion with which to judge the past is history, and history does not verify the authenticity of their dogmas.
The Prophet Muhammad, born in the full light of history, presents his teachings which have been recorded in book-form. The Quran exists in its revealed form. So, one is free to put this through their scrutiny.
The Prophet Muhammad taught that after this world a vaster world is awaiting us, where every person will be judged and then punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The props which man relies on in this world will not support him there, for there will be no trading, no friendship and no acceptable intercession.
The Prophet warned us that we are confronted with a reality which we can never change; we have no choice but to face it. Death only transfers us to another world; it does not obliterate us altogether. The Creator has established an eternal scheme for success and failure, which no one can alter or opt out of. We have to choose between Heaven and Hell; we have no other choice.
If the meteorological department forecasts a hurricane, it is telling us about an impending disaster in which those affected will have no say in the matter; another power will control events. One can either escape or expose oneself to destruction. So, when the earthquake of the Last Day occurs, we will be subject to judgement by our Creator. There is no escape from this.