Article appeared Friday, October 4th, 2019 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (590) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

What are the things that our hearts occupy? Are these things we love and give priority
and time to in our day-to-day life? Should we ask such questions to analyze what is in
our hearts? To answer this question, we may look at both leisure time and professional
time. We may also search for answers in the web. For example, if we browse the
question, what are the things that humans give priority to? We would find that such
questions have already been asked, and others have posed answers. Among popular
websites that allow a question-answer dialogue is quora.com. In answer to this question,
Arun Pandari {1} responds with the following answer. “That totally depends on the
individual. General things which are common to most people are: physical health, mental
health, relationships with family, friends and relatives, societal responsibility, career &
money.”

So, is the human heart exclusively occupied with the love and pursuit of such things? Is
our heart pre-occupied with anything else? For example, how much space do thoughts
of the Almighty Creator occupy? Should the heart have any love or feelings for the
Creator? If we believe that He has created everything what does it mean? Does it imply
that it is He that has given our physical health, our mental health, our family, friends and
relatives, the society and opportunities we have, our career skills and money? If yes,
should we spare a thought for Him? If not, should He care to spare a thought for us on
the Day of Judgment?

As human beings we have this dilemma. Should we workout who God is and love Him?
God has given us all we have with divine love and affection. After creating us, He fulfills
all our needs. As we work hard, He grants us success and satisfaction. Throughout
mankind’s history, the heart has been occupied with the worship of a variety of things
including God. As food for thought, why did God choose particular persons to become
His Messengers? How did these persons develop love for God in their hearts? In
particular, let us ponder on the story of Abraham in the Holy Scripture, the Qur’an.

26.69 “And rehearse to them (something of) Abraham's story.”

In the Qur’an, God is asking Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to share the story of Abraham.
Prophet Abraham was born into a time where people knew about God, but also
worshipped idols, the sun, the moon and the stars. They remained devoted to these
gods. Abraham’s father made idols {2} and also got his sons to go to the market to sell
his products. To understand, Abraham began asking questions. As we study the
following sequence of questions, let us look for the logic and the purpose behind the
questions and how he separated false gods from Almighty God.

26.70 “Behold he posed a question to his father and his people, "What do
you worship?"”

26.71 “They responded, "We worship idols and we remain constantly in

attendance on them."”

26.72 “He asked, "Do they listen to you when you call (on them)?”

26.73 “Or do you good or harm?”

26.74 “They replied, "No, but we found our fathers doing thus (what we
do)."”
Although God had given them an intellect, they chose not to question the culture of their
fathers. Abraham therefore asked them to reflect on what they were doing. They were in
attendance to lifeless objects – things that neither could hear nor do them harm or good.

26.75 “He said, "Do you then see (realize) whom you have been
worshipping?””

26.76 “You and your fathers before you?”

26.77 “"For they are enemies to me; not so the Lord and Cherisher of the
Worlds;”
The idols and things they worshipped other than God, had no powers. So, how could
they be enemies? Enemies in the sense that they help prove disbelief and loyalty to the
Almighty Lord of the Universe – Lord of both [34.1] the current world and Lord of the
Hereafter.
“Praise be to God to Whom belong all things in the heavens and on earth: to Him
be Praise in the Hereafter: and He is Full of Wisdom acquainted with all things.”
[34.1]

Only God Almighty reserves the right to be credited and praised for the blessings He has
given us. Abraham continues to explain who God is.

26.78 “"Who created me and it is He Who guides me;”

God guides those who want to know and ask questions to find the truth.

26.79 “Who gives me food and drink”

26.80 “And when I am ill it is He Who cures me;”

26.81 “Who will cause me to die and then to live (again);”

Live again in the Hereafter to spend eternity with Him.

26.82 “And Who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.”
After explaining who God is, Abraham prays. Can the wisdom behind his prayer be
worked out?

26.83 “O my Lord! Bestow wisdom on me and join me with the righteous;”

The righteous? Could it be those who logically work out who God is, love Him, give up
false worship, and carry out activities that establish His truth?
“And strive in His cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and under
discipline): He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion;
it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims both
before and in this (Revelation);…” [22.78]

26.84 “Grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest
(generations);”
Abraham wants future generations to follow his methodology of asking questions to
separate false attachment to new “gods” and establish belief in the One true God.

26.85 “Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss;”

26.86 “Forgive my father for that he is among those astray;”

26.87 “And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised
up.”

26.88 “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail”

26.89 “But only he (will prosper) that brings to God a sound heart;”
Over the centuries the other “gods” in our heart have changed – anything we give priority
over God, be it money, political leaders, religious leaders, prophets, social media, etc. is
a potential god.
“Say: if it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates or your
kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear a
decline; or the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than God or His
apostle or the striving in his cause; then wait until God brings about His decision:
and He guides not the rebellious.” [9.24]
----
{Notes}:
{1} https://www.quora.com/What-things-or-people-in-life-we-can-give-high-priority
{2} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_and_the_Idol_Shop