Consider the universe. What is the point of it all? As vast as it is, as incredibly complex as it is, as wondrous as it is, but really what is the point of all the stars shining, of planets moving, of black holes usurping, of supernovas exploding, of pulsars emitting? And what is the point of what started it all…the Big Bang. After all, aren’t all these things just behaving by defined laws? Aren’t they all just doing what they are meant to do? They don’t have any choice in the matter do they? And if they don’t have any choice in the matter, well…it's nothing more than an elaborate but rather pointless symphony.
The same can be extended to plants and animals here on earth. Birds fly, bacteria divide, plants photosynthesize, fish swim, bees buzz…everything follows a prescribed course of action. And since they don’t have a choice in the matter, in that sense, they too are just like the rest of the inanimate objects that make up our universe. It’s all rather pointless. Or is it?
In fact, God has given all of this meaning by also creating an intelligent life form. It is only intelligent life that can appreciate creation. It is only intelligent life that has a say in what it will do next. It is only intelligent life that can exercise freewill. The whole point of the universe in fact, and all its infinity, is only so one little blue planet can house intelligent life. That is what gives the universe meaning. For all my life, I thought we were insignificant in the face of the universe...now I realize it’s quite the other way round. Consider the Qur'anic verse,
"And We have created the heavens and the earth for the benefit of mankind."
God did not create man for the benefit of the universe, God created the universe for the benefit of man. And if the universe was created for the benefit of man, then it follows it is man that gives the universe purpose and meaning. It is only an intelligent life form that can truly appreciate the universe and all that it contains, and it is only an intelligent life form with the capacity to do what no other of God's Creation can do; to willingly uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. Where in the universe do you see Moral Trust being applied? Do you see it in the way lion’s behave? How about when dying stars explode? Do you see Moral Trust upheld when volcanoes erupt or when a whale nurses its young? No…everything is just doing what it’s meant to do.
The purpose of all of creation is only to house an intelligent being who can exercise the responsibility of Moral Trust.
That is why we are here. This is our responsibility, exclusively. This is our Test. Consider the Qur’anic verse,
33:72 “We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth and the mountains, yet they refused to undertake it and were afraid of it; mankind undertook it – they have always been inept and foolish.”
So we can see God offered the Trust, of Moral Responsibility, to all of Creation…but only mankind undertook it. Indeed, we were foolish to undertake it, because it is one very major responsibility. And if we mess up on it…the consequences simply do not get any more severe; the torment of hellfire.
So we are here, not to be the best scientists, not to be best athletes, not to be the wealthiest…we are here to be tested, to see who can best uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. And what defines what moral responsibility is? What defines correct moral conduct? That is the purpose of the Qur’an. God, who created the entire universe, who created human beings…who put man to the test…has also given man the guidance to pass this test.
Our job, each and every one of us, every day when we wake up - whether we are aware of it or not - is to uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. We are the only Creation, in all of God’s Creation, who has been given the ability to do this. And we are tested every single day by way of interaction with both our environment and especially with other people, to uphold The Trust. If we want to pass this test, we must all read, understand and apply the Qur’an in our daily lives.
Now that's something to think about when you wake up tomorrow morning.
The same can be extended to plants and animals here on earth. Birds fly, bacteria divide, plants photosynthesize, fish swim, bees buzz…everything follows a prescribed course of action. And since they don’t have a choice in the matter, in that sense, they too are just like the rest of the inanimate objects that make up our universe. It’s all rather pointless. Or is it?
In fact, God has given all of this meaning by also creating an intelligent life form. It is only intelligent life that can appreciate creation. It is only intelligent life that has a say in what it will do next. It is only intelligent life that can exercise freewill. The whole point of the universe in fact, and all its infinity, is only so one little blue planet can house intelligent life. That is what gives the universe meaning. For all my life, I thought we were insignificant in the face of the universe...now I realize it’s quite the other way round. Consider the Qur'anic verse,
"And We have created the heavens and the earth for the benefit of mankind."
God did not create man for the benefit of the universe, God created the universe for the benefit of man. And if the universe was created for the benefit of man, then it follows it is man that gives the universe purpose and meaning. It is only an intelligent life form that can truly appreciate the universe and all that it contains, and it is only an intelligent life form with the capacity to do what no other of God's Creation can do; to willingly uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. Where in the universe do you see Moral Trust being applied? Do you see it in the way lion’s behave? How about when dying stars explode? Do you see Moral Trust upheld when volcanoes erupt or when a whale nurses its young? No…everything is just doing what it’s meant to do.
The purpose of all of creation is only to house an intelligent being who can exercise the responsibility of Moral Trust.
That is why we are here. This is our responsibility, exclusively. This is our Test. Consider the Qur’anic verse,
33:72 “We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth and the mountains, yet they refused to undertake it and were afraid of it; mankind undertook it – they have always been inept and foolish.”
So we can see God offered the Trust, of Moral Responsibility, to all of Creation…but only mankind undertook it. Indeed, we were foolish to undertake it, because it is one very major responsibility. And if we mess up on it…the consequences simply do not get any more severe; the torment of hellfire.
So we are here, not to be the best scientists, not to be best athletes, not to be the wealthiest…we are here to be tested, to see who can best uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. And what defines what moral responsibility is? What defines correct moral conduct? That is the purpose of the Qur’an. God, who created the entire universe, who created human beings…who put man to the test…has also given man the guidance to pass this test.
Our job, each and every one of us, every day when we wake up - whether we are aware of it or not - is to uphold the responsibility of Moral Trust. We are the only Creation, in all of God’s Creation, who has been given the ability to do this. And we are tested every single day by way of interaction with both our environment and especially with other people, to uphold The Trust. If we want to pass this test, we must all read, understand and apply the Qur’an in our daily lives.
Now that's something to think about when you wake up tomorrow morning.
