Arguments for Resurrection – Part 27

Seedbed of Light (page 60-61)

• “The Lordship and Sovereignty observed in this fleeting world points to the everlasting world.

“Here, we observe the manifestations of a magnificent, eternal Lordship and the works of a permanent and splendid Sovereignty. Consider the grandeur of His Lordship’s Owner. He causes the ever-changing Earth, which submits to Him, to die and then brings it back to life, manages, and directs it. He manages the sun and its satellites, all of which are subjugated to His Power, and moves the whole sun-centered system.”

Since we see perfect order in the universe, nothing can be meaningless here. As a result, we can conclude that it is not accidental but well-managed. Seasons are changing, things are dying and re-created, there must be a purpose. If you are going to re-create creatures next season, why let them die? Some creatures live a fraction of a second. Example: when you do not brush your teeth, in the morning you will find millions of creatures in your mouth. There must be a purpose in this circle of giving life and giving death. It does not mean that the Manager of this world cannot sustain life, not at all. Why does He give different period of life? Not only living beings are transient but the universe is transient? Why? Let us think about it!

Comment: How are we supposed to understand the Earth submitting to the Creator?

How can you say that the Earth is not submitting? Do you think that the Earth acts on its own? Everything submits to the order in creation. They cannot do anything on their own since they are subject to the order. They cannot go out of the order. Do you think that the Earth may not revolve one day on its own will? Can you and I go out of the order of this universe, is that possible? No. So it means that the way we are created, we are submitting to the will of the Orderer. Everything at every level. The way the Earth is created demonstrates that it is submitting.

Comment: “Submit” in the text above seems to come from a lack of will as oppose to “the result of a will”. Also, the sentence may seem to be speaking from God’s perspective but understanding the freewill part makes it clear.

If I put this pencil here and as the owner of this pencil, I demonstrate that I want it to be here. The pencil has no option except what I want for it.

Comment: Perhaps it does have a freewill but we cannot get into its mind. Example: looking at the climate change.

Even the climate change takes place within an order. It does not take place at the will of the climate itself. Example: if you heat this room, it warms. It does not mean that the room has a will. The fundamental answer will be that we can only look at the universe from our perspective and we can use our position as given data. I say as far as my ability tells me, I have a freewill and the pencil does not. In fact, the pencil may have another kind of freewill that I may not be able to perceive. That is not my concern because I am comparing everything according to my own given qualities. I am alive and the pencil is not alive as far as I am concerned. This statement is true according to the capacity that I have been given. In reality, some language of the scripture infers that they are alive. Why? Because they act as if they are alive or they are created in a way that they do some duties/jobs. How? The way they are created shows me that they are designed and created by a conscious being. As far as my capacity is concerned, I cannot say that the pencil is alive. But I can deduce some meaning from its existence as it is and say that it is my conclusion: “The pencil is speaking to me and telling me that It has an Engineer.”

Comment: So in other words, you are saying that we make the objects live for us. Example when I look at the pencil, my inevitable conclusion is that it must have a Designer.

That is my conclusion. When the Speech of God says that everything glorifies its Creator, it means it is an advice to me to try to see which kind of message I can extract from their existence. But it does not mean that the scripture is giving information about what the pencil is doing, it is not my concern. My concern is my responsibility i.e. what am I going to do? That is, I have to extract meaning from the existence of the pencil. Whether it has freewill or not is not my concern, I just need to extract meaning from it and interpret creation accordingly.

“This magnificent eternal Lordship and comprehensive perpetual Sovereignty, which amazes intellects through its awesome acts, cannot be confined to the ever-changing momentary affairs related to this changeable, transient world. Among the pavilions of this Lordship, this world is but an arena of trial, a place of exhibition. It will be destroyed at an appointed time, and then reformed into the foundation of the everlasting palaces to which its inhabitants will be transferred.”

The universe is such that it amazes the intellectual through what is demonstrated here. When one thing goes away, another one is brought into existence. There is no vacuum. We cannot say that the pencil came into existence by itself. From my own existence (which is the most powerful example), I understand that I did not come into existence by myself. Someone brought me into existence and it is continuously changing with no vacuum. That is, we do not observe that today there is no existence but another day there is another universe. It is so amazing! Everything is changing but there is no non-existent! Human intellect asks the question what is going on here? If you are going to replace it, then why do you take it away? If you are going to take it away then why do you give another one? Whoever is doing this kind of manifestation, demonstration, we ask what are you exhibiting? Example: if you go to a technology fair, a company demonstrates one type of product, takes it away and brings another one and so on. What do you get out of this kind of demonstration? The company is continuously producing goods. It catches the consumer’s attention. What is the message for the buyer? The company has an infinite source. Similarly, the Creator of the universe by creating the universe in a changing form lets me observe as I am that the Source of existence of this universe has no end as it is continuously changing. This type of exhibition is telling me something that His acts cannot be confined only to what I see here because of the ever-changing nature of creation. Example: if you sit here and there is a river continuously running. You have been there for five minutes; can you say that this water is only as much as I observe here? No. You say that beyond my limitation of my experience in this world, the source has more water than I see running here. That is how the human mind question, what is the beginning of this river and what is the end? Similarly, the universe cannot only be confined to my life span here or what I observe here. It must be more than this and its Source must be infinite just as in the river example. (This is only an analogy. We know that the river is not infinite.)

We know that before we came to this world, the universe existed and we know that after we die it will continue to exist. We cannot guarantee that it will be eternally like this but at least we know that the One who is presenting this universe is telling me as the observer that I am more than what you have already observed and I can do more than what you have already observed so you can open your mind up and question who and what can be the Source of existence of this ever-changing world?

Comment: I struggle to understand how can the Source be more than what I observe?

We are intellectual beings, we reason and deduce meaning from what we have observed and come to a conclusion about what we have not observed. The creation is telling me all this. This world is just an exhibition hall.

We need to make the word “exhibition” a part of our perception. What am I doing here? I am being in an exhibition hall where demonstrations are taking place. But we may not always see it as such because we just see the world as it is and accept how things are transformed without questioning. As a result, these become our experiences. I am an observer here just experiencing what is being demonstrated in the exhibition hall. Have you ever felt this? We think that we are living in a static world and my existence is static and this room is as it was last week.

If you get used to being aware that you are in an exhibition hall where everything is changing and presented to your observation i.e. someone is demonstrating to me consciously and I am the one who is expected to take notice of all this, then if you have this understanding towards creation, then definitely you would have no doubt about the demonstrations of an Eternal Existence.

Comment: It is also important to note that this need to see the demonstration Eternally is given to me by the One that is demonstrating everything right now. Also, that I have no evidence here that it will not do so.

Again, everything here is consciously arranged. The universe is in front of me and I am consciously able to see what is being demonstrated and what the things point to. Everything here is purposefully made. Why is everything so meaningful? Human beings are given the ability to ask this question. What am I expected to get out of this kind of existence? This is not a simple matter but the word “exhibition” clarifies it a lot.

Question: What does it mean that the palace will be destroyed at an appointed time?

We are given the ability to question and see the wisdom behind the existence of things or behind any action that we observe. Example: why did you bring the microphone? To make sure the sound quality of the video is good. When you use your ability to ask the question and direct it to the universe itself, we understand that the universe is continuously being changed. If you say that the universe is changing, it means that the agent is the universe itself. Human beings ask the question, can it change itself? Does it have the quality to change itself? As a human being for my human intellect, it does not make sense for me to say that something is changing on its own. If the pencil is not changing on its own, how can the universe be changing by itself?

It is within human capacity and wisdom to understand that if something is changing, it is inferring that it has a beginning and an end (even if it is for a fraction). As a result, you can also generalize that the universe must have a beginning and an end. We may not see it but we infer it that it must have a beginning. If it has a beginning then it must have an end. If something is changing, especially when this change is not static, every change is a new creation, it cannot be Eternal, my human capacity tells me this. As far as I am concerned, I cannot claim that the universe is Eternal because I have no reason to confirm this statement.

Comment: I do not see how things come to an end, don’t we say they transform and hence never go into annihilation?

The agent that arranges this exhibition hall does not seem to be doing meaningless act. Also, repeating the creation in endless form and continuously changing it in endless different form demonstrates that this Source is limitless. No one can say that the Maker of this universe is limited with what He has performed here only. If something is continuously demonstrating change, it means that it itself as the agent is not subject to change, hence it is Eternal and an Absolute One. The nature of change (what we observe to be changing) has a beginning and an end. The Absolute One, the Source of Existence of this creation cannot be limited, we can conclude that creation in its existence is not going to end but the exhibition hall comes to an end. The act of creation continues because the agent is limitless. This is just a demonstration that the Agent is proclaiming that “I can do everything that I want because I am Absolute.” If this type of exhibition hall is going to be destroyed because of its nature, does not mean that the One who arranges this exhibition hall will also come to an end. There is no sign for that. It must continue i.e. the act of creation must continue. That is what we conclude.

The last part of the paragraph needs to be elaborated and needs evidence. Example: how do we know that this world is going to be reformed into ever-lasting existence?

Foundation is for my understanding. The One who is exhibiting this universe is letting me know that He is limitless and not bound to the limits of what He is doing here. I understand that He is telling me something about His capacity. From the transient nature of the exhibition hall, I understand that the main source of what is coming to the exhibition hall is more than what I observe. As far as the act of creation (Creator is Absolute) is concerned, It is telling me that this is a temporary manifestation in order to introduce Itself to me, the intellectual human being. What is the Source of existence of this universe? Why is it happening in this way that I see? If we do not see that it is just a transient manifestation, an exhibition and this is the way the Maker of this exhibition hall is telling me something else such as “Look who I am, I can do all this, so get to know Me. It means that I am Permanent”. From this I understand that the Creator of this universe is giving me the news that my act of creation is endless. What I conclude from here is that this creation is exhibition hall of a permanent place. Just as in the fair when you see the stall representing the company which exhibits a new product. What does it mean? They have a factory producing this good more than what is exhibited. In other words, the Source is not limited to what I see, it is continuously renewing. First of all, we have to pay attention to ‘existence’, that things exist. Who denies that things exist? No one but we do not pay attention that things exist. But human nature asks the fundamental question: what is the Source of existence of these things? Because the things are there so we question how come they are there? That is human nature. The second fundamental question is: Why do the things keep changing? Nothing is static here. What is going on?

In the existing and in the changing nature of the things here gives us clues that the Source of existence of this universe is infinite. If the Source of Existence of this universe is infinite, then it means that It can create everything infinitely. It is a promise from It, that is what It is letting me know. If the world was static, our humanity would puzzle and we would not understand anything let alone feel the need to ask the Source of Existence of things. It has always been like this. Thanks to the dynamic nature of this universe, I can solve all my human inquires and problems. That is why we have to keep paying attention to the dynamic nature of this universe that it is continuously made to change perfectly, not exactly the same but in a different form.

• Think: What is the point in the universe being continuously being changed?

Comment: How do we understand “ever-lasting” palaces?

We cannot imagine ever-lasting anything here, let alone ever-lasting palaces. But you can conclude that whoever gives existence to this universe, the Source of Existence, can create an ever-lasting creation. Do not focus on the word “palaces” or how is the Eternal life going to be? You cannot comprehend that because we only think by comparisons and we cannot compare ever-lasting creation with anything that has no pair for it.

• Silly question: How is the after-life going to be?

You are not going to be the Architect of an ever-lasting life, why bother? The point is whether it is possible and it must be for me. Otherwise what is the point in demonstrating that I am the One organizing this exhibition hall inferring that I am Eternal? The Creator is not bragging about Its Power rather, It is letting me know that this promise must be fulfilled and we conclude that it is a news for me. That is why the universe is coming into existence in a changing order. As an observer in the exhibition hall, just enjoy your life! Does not matter if you like something or not. Our responsibility is NOT to DENY that the Source is ABSOLUTE! DO NOT DENY THAT IT CAN DO ANYTHING AND IT IS GOING TO DO IT. Accordingly, take an attitude towards this Source of existence. Living with belief in this Source of Existence is not difficult. We make religious life difficult because we do not see the foundations, rather just the ritualistic side of religion.

If you know that you are in an exhibition hall and this is a temporary hall and you should not steal from this world because it is not your property, but it is for you to come to a conclusion. You cannot disturb other people because this is a temporary place. The purpose of my being in this exhibition hall is to get the results and not to struggle that your pencil is better than mine. It is pointless because you are prepared for an Eternal life and the pencil is nothing. As a result, religious duties become natural to you. Just like a mother taking care of the baby. If you think that she is complaining because of the burden, ask her to give you the baby. She will say that you can help me but the baby will be with me. Child rearing comes as a second nature to the parents.

Why should I do that?

Every matter must be related to its belief foundations, otherwise it becomes meaningless. Belief foundations come from the human realization of what we discussed thus far. I am observing the universe, it is constantly changing and I am given the qualities to question, analyze and reason. This is a consciously set project. It is not an accident at all. Whatever is exhibited here, I can appreciate it and understand its purpose because I am given the potentiality to see the meaning behind it. In this universe, why would you steal someone’s property if you have this understanding? Restrictions or consequences are put in order to keep the peace for others in the society because not everyone will understand that this is an exhibition hall and my purpose here is to understand that the One who creates the universe is an Eternal Creator, you are brought here to get acquainted with the Source, get ready, not everyone accepts this. People who do not have this understanding may steal. The stealing is not an arbitrary action, stealing comes from not using human abilities to see the purpose of existence in this universe and exploit it. When they exploit it, they disturb the social life of people and that needs to be protected.

If man has a reason to steal, there is a simple way of explaining this reality. Hadith: Someone from the nobles of the Medinian society stole something but she was a noble person. Since she was a noble person, people thought that they should intercede on her behalf so the Prophet may forgive her. They picked someone close to the Prophet to ask him to forgive her because the Prophet would not turn him down. The trend was that the poor would get punished but the nobles would not. We see the same trend now, big shots in the society most of the time get away with crimes. In order to keep the balance in the society, the administrators of the society should not let the people who do not see this universe as an exhibition hall harm the society. These people need to be stopped. Our main responsibility is to see what is being displayed in this exhibition hall, come to a conclusion and be confident with yourself. Stealing comes from denying his/her reality otherwise people will not be stealing. If the thief is not aware of the nature of his stealing action s/he will not see any harm in stealing, but to keep the peace and security in the society he should not steal. In the believers’ society, stealing is a serious crime and it needs to be treated accordingly. If someone exploits the security of the people and steals people’s property, then the right of the society must be maintained by the administrators.

If you do not discuss any law with its belief foundations, then the laws seem severe. If you know what you are doing in this world and what is the purpose of your existence in this world, you cannot really feel any burden at all. If you try to see the meaning behind everything in the exhibition hall, nothing becomes a burden for you. The existence of everything points to the Creator who is Absolute. If someone wants to disturb you, it is his burden, he will suffer for it. Otherwise nothing here is a burden. We may think that prayer and fasting is a burden.

Another thing that people confuse is that how can I satisfy my sexual desires? If you like someone, arrange it and get married. But I do not have enough income for ceremonies. What has become a trend is to make a marriage act in a way than what exactly the marriage requirements are. Marriage act should not be confused with local traditions. Here, the requirements are imposed by the society that you cannot do this or that. It is so simple to get married!! Two parts declare that they committed their life to each other and let the people around them know it. Now, getting married is even more difficult than getting a job!! What is going on? As a result, people get into illegal acts because of their own restrictions. Why do you follow the society? Why do you follow the culture? Your family will die. Make your life easy, if you think that this world is transient, you can comfortably live here. When you are hungry you have to eat. When you are hungry to fulfill your sexual desires, go get married. When you are hungry and when you have to eat something, you have to pay something. If you want to satisfy your sexual desires, you do not have to pay anything. Just make an agreement, get married, commit and establish your life together. Instead of paying two rents, why not pay one rent?

When sexual desires are not met, it causes not only psychological problems but turns into biological problems as well. The way the marriage act is arranged is to make an agreement within yourself and commit to each other: “I will respect you and you will respect me as a human being”. Announce it that “we are not doing something illegal, we agreed to commit to each other”. It costs you nothing! Who says that you need an Imam to perform the nikah (marriage act) and then you have to pay them? Giving dinner is Sunnah (Prophetic instruction) meaning that if you can afford it, then give something out otherwise, say that you have nothing to offer and see off. Life will be easier than being a single person! The horrible artificial life conditions make sharia (religious laws) applications in our lives more difficult. How can you say that prayer is difficult? Saying that I am very happy that you have invited me to this exhibition hall and demonstrating different arts to me and I am thankful to you. Is that a burden or a human need? We make things a burden because we do not tie it to belief foundations. Otherwise everything here is a Source of pleasure.