Article appeared Friday, June 1st, 2018 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (527) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Should one be motivated towards pleasing God? Could reasons be found for such motivation?
We could start by thinking about the life that we are currently living and the role of God in our
life. Where did we suddenly come from? At one point in time, we did not exist, i.e., we were
nothing. Now on earth, we are the only intelligent beings who can question and analyze our own
existence, uniqueness and benefits. To help analyze and work out our origin, God Revealed the
following Questions in the Al-Qur’an.
“Were they created from nothing or were they themselves the creators? Or did they
create the heavens and the earth? Nay they have no firm belief.” [52.35 – 52.36]

One way to answer these questions would be come up with further questions. For example, can
nothing create something? Can we have created ourselves from a point where we did not exist?
Can unintelligent events, e.g., randomness create intelligent beings or a human brain? If not,
how have we come to exist? The following Verse from the Al-Qur’an answers this question.
“It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew
nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that you
may give thanks (to God).” [16.78]

Can questions be asked to understand the application of this Verse [16.78] better? If we knew
nothing, how did we start to know something or anything at all? How do hearing, sight,
intelligence and affections work together to advance learning? For example, hearing and sight
are the major means through which human beings gather data/knowledge for learning and
drawing conclusions. And finally we are told that all these have been given for us to us to utilize
and give thanks. So, the question is why and when should we give thanks?

Having created everything from nothing, having given us a life, as human beings are we
deriving any benefit from our existence? Just to launch our thinking, as a parallel, let us think
about the lifeless painting of Mona Lisa. As Leonardo decided to design and craft the picture,
did the painting itself gain any benefit? The painting Mona Lisa is among the most famous and
most valuable paintings in the world history of art. The painting is lifeless, and therefore unable
to appreciate its name, fame and value. If, on the other hand, the painting Mona Lisa did have
intelligence, emotions as well as hearing and sight, should it evaluate how it came into being
and what Leonardo has done for it? Should the painting then be motivated to be grateful and
also want to please Leonardo if she could?

Imagine our own self being designed, life planned and individually created by God. Additionally,
God designed and created the heavens and the earth to give His intelligent creation an
environment and a place to live in. In support of this, the Al-Qur’an asks us to work out who is
responsible for giving mankind an environment and provide sustenance. Having worked out
Who has given and arranged everything, Who should be the single object of reverence?
“Who has made the earth your couch and the heaven your canopy; and sent down rain
from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance? Then set not
up rivals to God when you know (the truth).” [2.22]

To work out benefits, as an example, consider the human tongue. One benefit would be the
ability to taste food {1, 2}. God has not only created our food/sustenance, He has given us the
ability or blessing to taste and enjoy what we eat. The following Verse from the Al-Qur’an points
this out.
“O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be
grateful to God if it is Him you worship.” [2.172]
If there were no taste buds {1, 2} in the tongue would we still be able to derive benefit from the
food we eat? Of course! Then why had God added taste buds? Could it be out of His Mercy that
He has added the ability to taste and enjoy the food? Notice that God has also designed it as a
multifunctional {2, 3} tool. It is used {3} to find body temperature; the tongue is also important as
a means of creating the negative pressure necessary for infants to suckle; its wide variety of
movements allows us to form sounds for speech and song; we can blow bubbles and whistle;
we do spitting, burping and coughing – all these require the services of the tongue in different
ways! So, should we be motivated to pleasing God in return for all His Blessings and a
demonstration of His Mercy towards us?

What kind of deeds/acts may please God? Could it be when we unselfishly do things for Him or
others? For example, we could break up the act of charity into three types of motivation.
Suppose we set up a poor person into a business as an act of charity. This would be recorded
as a good dead. However, if we ask the person to say his/her prayers and thank God for the
development of his/her business what kind of deed would it become? The act of charity would
then be purely for God. If we take a picture handing over the check and upload in the media,
what kind of act of charity would it be? It would purely be for self-promotion. Which of the above
three motivations is likely to please God the most?

To give examples to those who believe, the Al-Qur’an records the deeds of persons in history
who wished to please God in their own ways and being Pleased how God responded.

21.91 “And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of
Our Spirit and We made her and her son a Sign for all peoples.”
Mary was one of most devout of women in the history of mankind. Being pleased with her
devotion, God gave her and her son Jesus miracles that He is has given no one.
“And Mary the daughter of `Imran who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into her
(body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His
Revelations and was one of the devout (Servants).” [66.12]

To completely devote herself to spreading the Revelations of God, Mary did not involve herself
in any other worldly activities. All those who wish to please God are classified as the people of
best character among humanity – classified as a brotherhood. This is true ageless religion.

21.92 “Verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood and I am your

Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).”

21.93 “But (later generations) cut off their affair (of unity) one from another: (yet)
will they all return to Us.”
All revealed religions bring out the same philosophy of pleasing God. Revealed religion is simply
stated as thus:

21.94 “Whoever works any act of righteousness and has faith his endeavor will
not be rejected: We shall record it in his favor.”
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-tongue#1
{2} http://www.organsofthebody.com/human-tongue/
{3} http://www.meandmybody.com/article.php?articleId=337