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244
When Life Begins --------- ---------
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When Life Begins ---------
Some Important Points - An
Explanation
The Feedback received on the novel mainly comprised of praise and
commendation. The volume of comments received was huge and the
appreciation conveyed, highly generous. Such praise evokes in me only
one thought - that only our Lord, the Almighty God, is truly worthy of all
praise and excellence. The reason is that any beauty and goodness
found in this world is in fact a manifestation of God’s attributes of
magnificence and excellence. The only significance of us, his creatures,
is that he uses us for any purpose he desires. To accomplish his
schemes, he can use a tiny mosquito or even a smaller being if he so
wishes.
This statement is not an expression of humility but a declaration of
truth. No doubt, the existence of creatures has no significance when
compared to the excellence, magnificence, splendour, and majesty of
the Almighty God. In any case, I remain grateful and indebted to my
Lord for choosing me, a humble servant, to provide a service through
writing this novel. I also request the readers to remember me in their
prayers.
Overall, the feedback was highly favourable. However, some
readers and friends offered suggestions for improvement. A few also
asked questions and sought explanations. Occasionally, there were
objections as well. I have made a few changes in the light of the useful
suggestions I received. I thank those who took the time to forward
them. I have also made a few changes on my own initiative as all works
of this nature continue to be improved with time.
I have addressed the most important issues, questions, and
objections as follows:
The First time Human Beings were created
The most common query was about creation and life of human
beings for the first time, that is, before they were born again in this
world. Oft repeated comment about what I had written was that people
felt that their hearts were inclined towards the idea. However, was it
based on any concept in the Qur’an?
In response, I submit that the basis of what I wrote is undoubtedly
found in the Qur’an. The Qur’an has stated in chapter
Al-
'A`rāf
(7:172)
that humans were born once, before the life in this present
w
orld
began. The verse clearly mentions that at one point in time all human
beings were present together. The occasion is commonly known as the
Covenant of Alast
.
Similarly, the idea that the human beings willingly agreed to be
subjected to a worldly test is also explained in the Qur’an. The chapter
titled
Al-‘Ahzab
(33:72) clearly states that when this burden was offered
to other creations, all of them declined to take it. It was only the human
beings who came forward and accepted this test.
Both concepts as stated above, i.e. the presence of all human
beings together in a previous life and their decision to undertake this
test of their own free will are the basis of my extrapolation that each
human being also chose the specific level of the test he or she wished to
undergo. That is, each person chose one of the three tests: a test based
on guidance found in one’s innate nature, a test based on being the
direct addressee of a prophet or a test based on being amongst the
followers and nation of a prophet after that prophet had passed away.
It is obvious that the tests of people in this world are not the same.
We also know that a Deity who repeatedly states that he does not inflict
even the slightest injustice on his servants is conducting this test. How is
it then possible that the absolutely just God would subject his servants
to a test whose possible outcome includes the horrible fate of being
sent to Hell, without informing them beforehand of the details of the
test and seeking their consent to it? It is based on these facts that I have
presented this particular point of view in the novel.
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