Pillars of Belief – Part 10
Second part of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPzolvqIFG8
The Seedbed of Light, The Third Treatise
Arguments for the Resurrection (page 52)
“Consider the irrefutable arguments for the Resurrection and the afterlife. A just ruler must reward obedient subjects and punish rebellious ones. This is even more true when the ruler:
- Is infinitely munificent, controls infinite treasures, and whose awesome might is the source of infinite honor and dignity.”
Why should a just ruler reward obedient ones and punish rebellious ones?
That is how the order in creation is set. That is, if you do good, you feel good and if you do bad, deep down you feel bad. We have to look at everything from our perspective. This means that if you do something wrong, you are reminded within the order set in the universe that what you are doing is wrong. The reminder is just a warning for you to come to your reality. Your understanding of the universe requires you to follow the order:
Punishment= disobeying the order in the universe or using freewill not to follow the order.
Reward= obeying the order in the universe or using freewill to what it is meant for i.e. follow the order.
Scripture informs us what our reality is. Scripture does not provide any additional information. Just as when you learn, you just discover what is in your potentiality. Scripture does not teach something beyond human capacity. Scripture lets you know what your reality is i.e. the order that exists out there. When human beings are taught, we learn what is already in us i.e. we decode what we are encoded with. For example: we get to know about resurrection only after being taught from the Messenger.
Question: How significant are horoscopes?
Answer: If something does not connect you to the purpose of your existence, then it is insignificant. Anything that teaches you the meaning of existence is worth reading and holding on to.
As long as what they offer you connect you to the Source of your existence, join their gatherings/activities. Ask the following:
- Do you have a Creator?
- Does this Creator create anything accidental?
If the activities satisfy us until we die only, then they are not worth it. Humanitarianism involves indulging in such acts i.e. satisfying oneself until death is given. In most cases, religious activities have taken that route as well where there is no logical rationale for believing in Eternity.
Comment: Some people may exploit our weakness to desire Eternal Happiness?
Answer: We need to first question the source of existence of “the desire for Eternal Happiness.”
Aim of the scripture is not to encourage us to follow certain ethical actions, similar to philosophical books. For example: the scripture recommends being respectful towards the elderly, ask yourself: “why should I be respectful towards parents?” Aim of the scripture is for you to be respectful towards your parents as an acknowledgment to the Source of existence of this sense of helping others. That is, be respectful to the parents in the name of the Creator (i.e. bismillah). Do not involve in acts of kindness so that people admire you and when you die, you have a handful of admirers at your funeral. Ask: Am I doing this in acknowledgment of the Creator of this sense? Otherwise, what is the point in helping others since when I die everything will come to nil?
- Aim of the scripture is to teach you how to connect existence to its Source Who is the Absolute Creator.
- Purpose of creation and the teachings of the scripture is to establish belief in God in oneself.
Acknowledgment of the Creator is important because within my being I find myself created with the qualities.. This realization prompts me to acknowledge the one who gave the qualities to me. Acknowledgment of the Creator gives your humanitarian act its real value. We are always connected with the universe and when we question the existence of things, we realize that everything is a sign pointing to the Creator of the universe. The Creator just teaches us the rules in creation i.e. guiding us how to use our freewill in the best way possible. Example: Why does the Power of sight exist? The ultimate purpose to use your power of sight is not for this world only or to gain perfect vision. The purpose of existence of the power of sight is to question its existence and use it to acknowledge the Giver of your desires to see and the power of sight. Therefore, all your qualities are given to you so you may use your freewill to reach the purpose of your existence i.e. not contradicting your reality.
Continuation of the text…
- “Has boundless Mercy requiring boundless graciousness, and Majesty demanding the chastisement of those who slight it.”
Does the Creator have boundless Mercy? If It has boundless Mercy, then it rewards the good and punishes the bad. Punishing the bad is also Mercy because if the bad was not punished, then, how would human beings learn that what they have done was bad and give it up?
Tags: Acknowledgment, Al-Mathnawi Al-Nuri, Human Reality, Messenger, Pillars of Belief Series, Source of Existence