Session 28 Notes
We studied last time that everything is under the control of its Creator with the usage of the phrase “كل شئ” which is translated as “everything” The phrase originates from the word “شاء” which is also found in “إن شاء الله”, translated as “God Willing”. The concept of “شئ” in the context of the Qur’an is anything that I see in this world coming into existence is the result of Willing of the Creator. In space-time, every moment of existence results from the Will of God where creation continues. We only witness the present moment which is the “شئ”, (this may be the entire universe, or a smallest particle) as God willed it. Space and time are not separate entities but the Will of the Creator is executed as one event at every moment, that moment is consciously willed.
When something “شئ” is willed by God to exist, its existence takes place in the created world in its particular position as it is meant to be. As soon as we observe it, another form of existence takes place.
Our memory then preserves these experiences, granting existence the dimension of time. In reality, what we perceive as a static or linear reality is actually a continuous sequence of creative acts performed by the Universe’s Creator.
The fact that every particle in existence is subject to this constant, flawless renewal—maintained in perfect order—serves as a clear testament that the Creator must be an Absolute Being.
The Qur’an is a Happiness Guide for this World and the Hereafter
There is an understanding by some folks that we will suffer in this world to be rewarded for the enjoyment in the next creation of the Hereafter. The non-believers will enjoy this world and result to suffer in Hell. That is not the view the Qur’an presents as we will see.
If someone is unhappy with his creation, the creation presented to him by His Creator right now in this world, how can he deserve to be happy with his Creator in the Hereafter? For example, someone going to school is unhappy with the education system and is not learning. When he graduates from school, would he be successful when he didn’t appreciate the education being given to him?
Another analogy where a student is paying attention to the teachings of his teacher, the teacher would be more carefully addressing this diligent student to pay attention to particular topics. The same attitude must be for believers who are specifically being addressed by their Creator. If their Creator gives a warning, the believers would be paying careful attention. When believers are inconsistent in their life with their belief then God warns them that they are doing something contrary to their belief. You may claim to believe in the Qur’an but are not studying it, not paying attention to it as the speech of your Creator. One may not be appreciating the guidance of the Qur’an. That is why believers are warned to be consistent with their belief: “You are not appreciating the message entrusted to you and you are not representing God’s message to others as being the best religion for their lives. By ignoring the teachings of the Qur’an, you are harming the religion of Islam, be careful.” Generally, is the Muslim world busy in studying the Qur’an? The best some are doing is to memorize the Qur’an. If one does not attach any value to the message of the Qur’an, i.e. generally speaking the believers are not valuing the Qur’an as it deserves. That is the reason why the believers are warned most of the time.
Happiness is not something superficial but it is contentment in the hearts, minds and feelings of human beings. One can only be happy when they submit their existence to the Eternal Being. Even if one is financially prospering which is external, the inner state of getting old and losing everything is always there. How can one be happy when they know they are dying and will leave this world? Many philosophers have struggled to find happiness with the understanding that the world is transient, perishing and if they see meaninglessness then they suffer tremendously. Their works are always full of complaints and meaninglessness of this universe, as they do not recognize and accept God as the Creator of the universe. We must be careful within ourselves not to have this misunderstanding. An example of real life was an encounter with a rich Muslim person who pretty much had everything. She was crying that one day they will be leaving all these riches, their expensive house, cars, etc. What brings happiness then?
Historically, there is a narration of a Greek philosopher and his encounter with Alexander the Great. Alexander asked him what he wanted thinking that he would ask for status and wealth. The philosopher asked him to step back by stating: “Stand out of my sunshine; I ask for no other favor.”. Alexander was surprised by his existing happiness from what has been created and given to his service by the Creator. Alexander was narrated to have expressed his desire to be like that philosopher.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
“Whoever does good, whether as a male or female, as a believer, We will surely bless them with a happy life, حيا and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” (16:97)
The word “فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ” is drived from the root verb of “حيّ ” which means to live, to be alive, “احيا” to make something alive which in this verse implies making alive with a happy life. The latter part of the verse is generally understood as the reward in the Hereafter. However, the former part of the verse can be experienced in our life right now as long as one lives with belief.
The “وَ” in this verse is translated as “as” but in some other translations may be “and”. However, according to the teachings of the Qur’an particularly relating to good works, they must be done with belief for them to be considered good. If one does good but does not believe in the Absolute Creator of the event then how can they be happy in this world? They will say: “I am doing good but I will die in the end, what’s the point?”
We have studied earlier that belief in the Absolute Creator includes in it the seed of Paradise and the denial in it includes the seed of Hell.
“If you seek the true joy and pleasure of life, bring your life to life through belief (iman); beautify it with obligatory acts of worship (ibadah); and protect it by staying away from sin (Taqwa)” (Nursi)
Humans are given life along with the body, life is related to the body. There is our spiritual side which has infinite capacity that connects us to the infinite being. When the body degrades and the individual dies, life leaves that body. Unlike the body, the spirit does not die. For example, the electric power to my computer is like life for that computer. When the computer dies, the electric power will not help. When a computer machine ceases to function the program or operating system which is like the spirit, does not die along with the machine. Uploading the program is like “Iman”, belief in the Absolute Creator for us to enjoy. Without the operating system program the body would be useless, it does not function. I must be careful not to corrupt or misuse the program. True joy and pleasure comes from using this program as it is meant to be used with belief. Unfortunately, we are conditioned to think that we die but it is just our body that dies here. I am not my body, the body will lose life but the spirit, my program remains alive.
Without belief in the Absolute Creator, it is impossible to enjoy anything in life. One may be on the verge of dying and is offered the best food, how much would this person enjoy it? How can one enjoy their expensive self driving car where they enjoy riding with their friends knowing that there is a cliff at the end where they will definitely fall?
Let’s take an example of a child who enjoys chocolate but is sad when the chocolate finishes. The child’s sense of loving the chocolate is always alive even after the chocolate finishes (dies.) The human body dies but the spirit where this sense resides doesn’t die. Human beings are created for eternal satisfaction. No human sense accepts to perish and become compost to be buried in the earth. This is what the materialist mindset struggles with where the feelings and senses do not die. They offer solutions such as buying a house with the best schools and when the children are educated, sell the house and move closer to the hospital. All secular education for the child creates this emptiness within, trying to see meaning and purpose in life where the end result would be the graveyard. Some others console themselves with the thought that they will not cease to exist after death; rather, the particles of their bodies will merge with nature and eternally sustain their existence. For they had already conditioned themselves by conditioning themselves as to be nothing more than a mere aggregate of matter. They deny those very feelings within them that yearned for eternal happiness.
That is what the materialist mindset reduces one’s life to. This is what the Qur’an means in terms of the torture that unbelief brings. We must engage with the Qur’an to work on our belief and experience joy and pleasure in our life now.