Balad, part 4
Recap: We created you and we guided you with the two highways of right and wrong. We must pay attention to this point, i.e., we are such creatures that we must locate ourselves in such a situation. We are set free and are always given two options. We are expected to make the right decisions, and we are not left on our own in this endeavor.
- We are given the ability to make the distinction between right and wrong, and the freedom to choose is left to us.
Everything in existence reflects the qualities of their Creator directly, i.e., the Angels obey God. Everything needs its Creator to be given existence. The things show the Absolute qualities of their Creator in a transient and limited form. Example: if you see a dog, in its creation, every single cell is perfectly created and constantly changing. What is changing this cell and what is the force behind it? It is changing according to the conditions of the whole universe. It means that the One who created this universe must be creating all this. Is there any way for these creatures not to be as they are? That is, can they change themselves without obeying the order of the universe? No. Simply because they are subject to the will of something else Who decided the order to be as it is and none of the beings can act on their own desire? This manifested side of creation can be called the Angelic side pointing to its Source. The Angels are presented to us through revelation and whatever they receive they perform; they do not have any other options. The objects within the universe also do not have any other option but obey the order of the universe, like the angels. The observer human beings on the other hand have options. One option is to conclude that this universe is created by an Absolute Being, and the other option is to say that this universe is happening by itself.
Human beings are given huge qualities and, using these qualities as tools, we can observe all the qualities of the Creator manifested here i.e., He must be All knowledgeable, He must know everything. The Angelic side of creation points to the Absolute Source of Existence. The meanings we extract from the creation are represented in the Quran as “Angels”. Our responsibility is to look at the universe and see the matter out there. The matter is given existence in such a way that it can only be given existence by an Absolute Source, not of the nature of this universe. The Angelic side of creation is the meaning that we extract from creation. When we look at the universe, we conclude that matter is given existence not by itself but something else, because matter itself is subject to the manifestation of the Creatorship. We understand that the Absolute qualities belong to the One who creates the universe.
Our reasoning capacity concludes that matter cannot act by itself. That is why the Quran says that matter transmits some qualities (signs to its Creator.) Just as when I read a book, I am sure that the author’s knowledge is transmitted on the pages by the hand of the author’s will manifested in the book that I am reading now. In a book, a person’s knowledge is reflected. Similarly, when we look at the universe, we say that the Absolute is manifesting its knowledge and wisdom in a limited form.
Again, the Quran says that the meaning side of the universe points to the Angels. We must accept that the composition of the universe cannot be reduced to as consisting of matter only (such as the matter is reflecteing its qualities on its own), just as the book cannot only consist of paper (such as the paper is conveying the meaning). When we look at a book, we see that the shape of the ink demonstrates the knowledge that I need to comprehend the message.
- As a honest human being, we must accept this: “This matter that I observe must have another aspect, which is the Angelic side”.
90:10 “And shown them the two highways of right and wrong.”
One side of creation directly manifests the truth, and the other side for the human being makes us susceptible to imagining the opposite of the truth. Again, like said earlier, this universe cannot consist of matter as it is, rather it has meaning manifested in it. The second option that the universe and the meaning that I get is happening by itself has no rationally acceptable base because how can matter perfect itself and turn itself into a cat for example?
- Matter has no freewill and consciousness of its own.
90:11 “But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road?”
What is hard here? Do we think that to see the book and read meaningful sentences on it and conclude that it must have a writer, we need to work hard? No. Is it hard to confirm the truth? No. We must be true to ourselves, that is it.
There seems to be an underlying message in this verse as if we are being asked: “Have we not given human beings tools, tongues, and eyes? You are experiencing it in your life, aren’t you?” So then, is it hard to conclude that the universe must have been given existence by a Source which must have Absolute qualities? Otherwise, try to prove that matter has such qualities that it gives existence to itself and adapt to the environment by itself. Do the cells of my lips and tongues know all the delicious food out there so that it will develop itself and make the distinction of all tastes?
What does everything that I experience mean for me? Our creation is a series of perfect development from babyhood, adulthood and then our death. Everything is perfectly arranged from my cells to the voice vibrations that come out. The Quran exclaims that you cannot find any evidence if you try not to ascend in your potentiality. To make the right decision and not submit to my ego (which represents the wrong way and does not want any authority over me) is expressed in this verse as “ascending the steep uphill road.”
The rejection of the reality that we are experiencing in this world (i.e., Satanic base) represents the steep uphill road path, ascending towards the truth. Example: Science tries to show how the cell is dependent on something of this universe or says that it is hard to conclude something. Why would they claim that the matter would want to create its new generation? Show me in matter one quality that can give existence to something, let alone someone’s progeny? They say that I have an impulse to continue my new generation, that is why I am trying to be the best to survive. However, if you think thoroughly, you can conclude that my consciousness has nothing to do with my cells, my feelings have nothing to do with my cells. My feelings are non-matter. No one can describe the nature of human intelligence. What are you talking about when you say that I move my arms when I want?! Who are you? If you persist in opposing the truth, then do not try to ascend the steep uphill road, because you cannot endure it and be successful there. You can just claim that things are happening on their own, this is the option that denies reality.
We are given the ability to acknowledge the truth (and be happy) or the option to deny the truth (and be in complete despair). Who will give me the truthful direction? Who tells you that you do not want to lose anything? Did you yourself develop this sense? As an intelligent person you cannot do it, how will an unintelligent matter then do it by itself? We are practicing asking these questions to ourselves here.
90:12 “And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is?”
Do you love happiness and enjoy your life? Where did you get this idea? The sense of love for happiness is ingrained in you. Now, the Creator is begging us to free ourselves from being a slave of our ego centric caprices, and obstinate egoistic attitude. Free yourself from this meaningless and baseless claim of worthlessness. The main purpose of this verse is that as far as my two options are concerned, I must free myself from slavery. How can I do that? Practice it. Yes, I will choose the right way and I will not put myself in an unacceptable option, and struggle to confirm it. This book and universe is like a mirror, what is reflected here are beautiful qualities belonging to its Creator. The art is manifested in the qualities of its artist. Otherwise, how do we say that the Artist is wonderful?
90:13 “It is to liberate from slavery.”
As the order-er wants them to be, everything acts accordingly. Who makes things love life? Cells? Atoms? Particles? Liberate yourself with what you see within yourself and outside yourself. We must free ourselves from the slavery of egoistic desire and claims and then we must liberate how we view the plants, animals, and other creatures from the thought that they exist by themselves. Matter does not act this way by itself; it is created this way. When I say that I am doing things, it is an injustice towards what I observe in the universe. I observe that things are subject to a Conscious Will, so how can I claim that I am the “doer”?.
Human beings are created free, and you are free to choose this way or that way. If you see a needy person wanting to understand his purpose here existing on earth, then try to save this man from the slavery of any kind of thoughts that keep his worldview narrow and meaningless. Try to help him gain his primordial capacity. To eradicate this practice of slavery takes place throughout the course of one’s life. Also, no one can change his way of life overnight. There must be some other ways of liberating a slave.
Who is going to inform you which side is difficult? Is there anything wrong with me if I claim to be accidentally born by myself? The right choice obviously is from your Creator and the wrong choice is from yourself because the wrong choice has no base to confirm, just denying the reality.