Article appeared Friday, August 5th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (437)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

We often talk about the Creator as being eternal. Have we ever precisely tried to work out what,
in fact, the adjective eternal means? The Google dictionary {1} states the meaning as lasting
or existing forever, without end or beginning. The synonyms given include everlasting, neverending, endless, perpetual, undying, immortal, permanent, infinite, boundless and timeless. So,
what does the adjective imply about the Creator? Do the synonyms or the meaning given help
us understand the adjective or explain a quality or characteristic of the Creator?
Is it worth finding out what the Holy Scriptures say about this quality of the Creator? The Holy
Quran, in fact, asks those who believe in Him to testify or to remind ourselves and others of this
quality in the 112th Chapter, i.e., Sura Al-Ikhlaas.
Say: He is Allah the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal Absolute; He neither begets nor is
He born; nor is there to Him any likeness. [112.1- 112.4]
The name of the Chapter or Sura also points to its theme. Ikhlaas means purification or
purification of faith. A clear understanding of the qualities or characteristics given in the Sura
would help purify faith, i.e., help to build the necessary foundation of belief.
Returning to the synonyms and meaning of eternal, is there a common thread? Do the words all
have something to do with the progress of time? So the words are trying to point to a quality of
the Creator in relation to time. A little thought will reveal that the words are trying to depict that
His existence is independent of time. A further study of the Holy Scriptures will reveal that in
fact, it is He who has created time, i.e., just like everything else, time is a created entity. The
Creator is therefore the Source and Originator of everything, including time He has conceived,
designed and created each and every thing from nothing.
The question that needs to be asked is would an eternal Being, who has taken the trouble to
create the universe and everything in it, create human life only till the time that we are alive on
earth? For example, would He design a human being to exist for only 70 odd years? Or would
He design humans to be with Him for eternity? And, who would He want to keep with Himself?
The Verse below answers this question.

16.96 What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will
certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere their reward according to the
best of their actions.
With death on earth all that we have with us will disappear. Our material wealth, status and
power will no longer support us. Only the deeds that Allah has accepted as just and righteous
will survive.

16.97 Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith verily to him
will We give a new life a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such
their reward according to the best of their actions.
To check whether we are on the right path, the path which would please Him, we should
regularly study the Quran.
Those to whom We have sent the book study it as it should be studied; they are the
ones that believe therein; those who reject faith therein the loss is their own.

16.98 As you read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan, the rejected
one.
To test our intentions towards Him and His Revelation, He has created both good and bad
options. It is Satan who invites humans to the bad options. Satan whispers suggestions to divert
us from the right and good path. So, after seeking protection from Allah, we should examine the
merit of each thought, e.g., whether what we are doing or about to do, would serve justice and
have an aim to please Allah. We should not say or do anything without examining the merit of
the thought that has entered our mind.
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind; The King (or Ruler) of
Mankind; The Allah (or Judge) of Mankind; from the mischief of the Whisperer (of Evil)
who withdraws (after his whisper). [114.1 114.4]
We must realize that even prophets are not free from Satans whispers.
Never did We send an apostle or a prophet before you (O, Muhammad) but when he
framed a desire Satan threw some (vanity) into his desire: but Allah will cancel anything
(vain) that Satan throws in and Allah will confirm (and establish) His Signs: for Allah is
full of knowledge and wisdom. [22.52]

16.99 No authority has he (Satan) over those who believe and put their trust in
the Lord.
We easily put our trust in material things, e.g., in brand cars. Should it be so difficult to put our
trust in Allah who has given us the ability to make quality brands?

16.100 His authority is over those only who take him as patron and who join
partners with Allah.
When do we make Satan our patron? Satan wants us to avoid studying the Quran, pursue
material pleasures and stay distracted, i.e., avoid being grateful to the Creator for what He has
given us. In what way can one avoid making Satan a patron?
Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah and those who reject faith fight in the
cause of evil: so fight against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of
Satan. [4.76]
To fight in the cause of Allah is to fight in the cause of justice and goodness. For example, it is
Allahs right to be acknowledged and thanked as the Source of everything. Sharing with people
why they should be grateful is a primary fight in the cause of justice.
-----------{Notes}:
{1} https://www.google.com/search?q=meaning+of+eternal&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-bab