PEACE, PROSPERITY AND FAITH

BY

Muhammad Yousaf Gabriel

Oqasaorg@gmail.com

The world today is thirsty for peace and contentment amidst this maddening uproar and heart-breaking drudgery of Godless materialism. Mankind today pines for long-lost faith in this immoral and unspiritual age, and they now yearn after a world in which science and religion may exist side by side in perfect reconcilement. They find themselves unable to disown science and they feel in their mind a sense of emptiness due to the absence of faith. They cannot relinquish science, without the risk of uprooting the whole economic structure of the world, and they cannot now long renounce faith, for science has been long misused due merely to the absence of the element of faith. Unfortunately science and religion have been kept at loggerheads since the birth of modern science and modern civilization. Their reconcilement therefore seems now a matter of much difficulty. It might be difficult, yet it is not at all impossible, provided certain conditions are fulfilled, namely, that, science and religion, wealth and God, body and soul, matter and mind, this world and the next world, are allotted the places due to them in an atmosphere of faith, faith in God, the day of judgment and the life in heaven, and under complete sovereignty of the Creator.  Science ought to become a servant to faith, the wealth a mere means and necessity. Every act ought to reflect the thought of the judgment of God. Such reorganization may seem difficult, but when faith is there, nothing is difficult. The world will be seen astonished to see the nuclear energy - now so formidable a problem - dissolved before a creed, built in the heart of things, and the stock piles of the atom bombs will evaporate and disappear like mist before the rays of the rising sun. It will also be seen that mankind could live and happily enough without the agency of nuclear energy, and that the territories could be defended even without atom bombs. The sinking boat of humanity will be seen sailing again in calm and tranquil waters.

            But, if on the other hand, faith is not brought back amidst mankind, and matters are allowed to deteriorate gradually till at last the stage of atomic conflagration has approached and unfortunate humanity is costumed by atomic fire, then of course those responsible for this unprecedenting heinous deed shall be answerable for it before God, the master of all those innocent creatures who have most mercilessly been cast into the atomic hell. It shall not at all be possible for any one guilty of so terrible a crime to escape the wrath of the creator and severe is His vengeance. It is an uncommon evil to bring a world to such a tragic end.A world which might have taken millions of years to reach its present state of perfection. A garden planted by the Creator and watered and pruned for ages, and at last when the season of its blossoming arrived it was blighted by those for whose sake it was prepared. How woeful a day when the laughters shall be choked and merriments turned gloom. When beating hearts will fail, and the wailing souls caught in the blizzard of atomic bombs shall for ever be silenced amidst the groaning flames of all-consuming atomic hell.

            It was in 63, that I discovered this warning about atomic bomb in the Quran. I sat in my study engrossed in writing my book " The Mind of the Quran", when during my perusal of the Holy Quran, the secret just like a flash dazzled the eye of my mind. It indeed was a discovery, more startling and more important than all the greatest discoveries of science united, including atom bomb itself, and far more important than Galileo's astronomy, Darwin's Biology, Newton's Gravity, Einstein's Special Relativity. God at last had taken mercy on miserable mankind and had risen to the occasion. Mighty hand of truth had eventually appeared to give battle to the pernicious tendencies that led the helpless humanity like dumb, mute, blind victims to atomic shambles.

            I myself was dead certain about the truth of the prophecy, but to satisfy a sceptic world it was necessary to provide a proof in exact accord with the prevailing spirit of the age, the age of science. A scientific proof therefore was essential. Judging from the particular complexity, novelty and ambiguity of the topic of atom bomb, it was quite natural that the prophecy within the Quran remains a secret and be discovered only after the actual object of the prophecy has made its appearance before the world. The prophecy was a wonder in itself, and the wonder was further augmented by the aptness of the commentaries of the earliest commentators of the Quran, namely the Sahabah (disciples of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him), who had the honour of hearing from the mouth of Prophet himself.

            In an age like this in which the scientific proof be a criterion for judging every thing, it was justly feared that without a scientific proof and a perfect corroboration of the prophecy by the actual facts of nuclear science, the whole affair would be treated as a mere fantasy, and therefore my personal certainty would prove of little avail either to myself or the world at large. Nor the affair could be left away without a deep sense of gross injustice and great wrong to mankind, for it is not hard for anyone endowed with average understanding to at once realize both the urgency of the matter and the effective role which such a prophecy could play in saving mankind from a dreadful doom. It was a sure neutralizer of the atom bomb.An efficacious antidote against all the venomous characteristics which tended towards the destruction of humanity through nuclear weapons. A sure means of the survival and a hope for the revival of humanity, and a guarantee against the painful extinction of human species, a miracle of miracles, and an inestimable boon of the Beneficent and Merciful Allah, the prophecy possessed my soul, so that I thought, no toil, labour or sacrifice would be too much for a matter so great and so beneficial to fellow human-beings. And I believe in the light of my conscience, that I did all that  I could, in my humble way to achieve the scientific proof of the prophecy and to lend it a form presentable to humanity as a result of many years' toil and labour and perhaps sweat and tears too, if you can understand.

            My difficulties are great and many. The ones that concerned myself personally I need not mention. But the main difficult incident on the topic itself has come to present itself in a formidable form. Namely, that the true appreciation of the subject, entails a set of pre--requisites not generally to be found together in a single person. It is hard to find one endowed at the same time with thorough understanding of science as well as that of Quran and Arabic language, and endued with a veracious mind, perspicuous intellect and keen sense of sympathy for the world-wide humanity. Darwin's Philosophy is generally and justly considered as a difficult subject, and implies deep understanding, yet that philosophy would not impose conditions of so diversified a nature for its true appreciation as this prophecy under discussion would essentially impose. Men of scientific caliber that of, say, Einstein, and the Philosophical caliber, say, that of Russel, and the Theological caliber, say, that of His Holiness, would indeed be available, but none of these could claim a thorough knowledge of either the Quran or the Arabic language, and also that they may be specialists only in their own respective fields. On the other hand, although there would not be a dearth of men learned in Quran and the Arabic language within the Islamic Counties, a few amongst them could be justly expected to be well versed in the matters of science or modern knowledge. Indeed, and yet, no mistaken notion of over-estimated and unsurmountable difficulties of the matter be entertained. Such high qualifications which we have desired are required only for extraordinary appreciation of the subject. Men so highly gifted would be enraptured by the topic and thrown into ecstasies according to their individual capacity. Otherwise as far as general understanding of the subject is concerned, there exists no such intricacy as would baffle an average understanding. Being  situated in a place far removed from all the acknowledged centres of science and learning, and the scientific and philosophical societies, I am obliged to rely on the good sense and charitable thoughts of the intelleigensia all over the world. Whosoever has recognized the truth of this prophecy, rather the warning, it is well in the wide interest of the humanity that the same be treated with sympathy and be given the publicity it rightly deserves, that perchance they may reflect and be saved. The circumstances of humanity today warrant a wider and broader outlook - let not our petty considerations in any way veil our understanding or obscure our vision, when we see that the very existence of mankind is at stake. It is my heartfelt conviction that the people all over the world, irrespective of their cast, colour, creed, country or religion, inclination, aptitude or considerations, will view this prophecy with the regard it deserves, and will lend their sympathies, in the name of humanity, and for the sake of their own home, hearth, children and all, since the nuclear explosion respects no such thing. It is a common foe, let us make it a common cause, or else nothing will be left, may, but you will not even have a chance to mourn your dear ones and your near ones. May God bless you with understanding and endow you with wisdom that you may discern the facts and avoid the approaching calamity. Amen.

            A fact which I cannot forebear from mentioning, and which has caused me no little embarrassment in the course of my writing a part of this book, has been the selection of an appropriate title for the unscientific scientist philosopher, during some philosophical discussions. This is not an individual, but actually is a symbol of a particular creed of philosophers, responsible for evolving a peculiar philosophy from the ascertained truths, and hypotheses, and propositions of science, by placing philosophical interpretations there-on. I have called him unscientific philosopher. He deserves the epithet, that of philosopher, since he has discussed philosophy; and he deserves the name of scientist, because he has tried to base his philosophy on the facts of science, but I have called him unscientific, because he has violated the rule of science in that he has not always produced the scientific proofs of his inferences, and has taxed his discussion with so many, "ifs", and "buts",  and "perhaps", and, " we cannot speak with any certainty", and "we don't know the answer", and has indulged so much in idle unscientific speculation and conjectures, and indeed in a manner so awkward, that, it is hard to think of any other, more befitting title for him than, " The Unscientific". All this I did, in order to distinguish him from the real scientist, for I did not like to do injustice to the scientist himself, and I think I have a heartfelt regard for the scientist for his scrupulous honesty in the matters of science, and his toil, labour and sacrifice for the physical welfare of humanity. Another appreciable quality of which the scientist as a rule is possessed is his regard for the facts as against the authority. He is prone to judge a thing on principle of science and then accept or reject accordingly, irrespective of his personal likes and dislikes. But our unscientific scientist philosopher has shown no such quality. He has basically a predisposed mind and all his endeavour has been to prove the desires of his own heart, and the images formed by his own mind, and force his decisions on science. I have made all this lengthy statement, merely with a view to make a distinction between him and the pure scientists. This fact should always be borne in mind while reading this book.

            Another fact which seems to be susceptible of creating much misunderstanding, and indeed a very unpleasant one, and which warrants a particular clarification is, that, because the philosophy of the unscientific scientist philosopher I have entirely quoted from the first twelve pages of the famous and really admirable book " The Mysterious Universe" of Sir James Jeans, there exists a great plausibility that the reader may attribute all the thought contained therein to Sir James Jeans himself. Far it be from the truth. Sir Jeans have merely reproduced the thought of a group of a particular type of philosophers. His own thought he has shown in the last chapters of the very same book and is quite different, quite sober and quite serene. It is hard to believe that a scientist and intellectual of the caliber of Sir James Jeans would commit such gross follies, and found fall into such unique absurdities as are in his first twelve pages. yet it could in no way be treated as an impossibility. The light of faith is quite independent of knowledge and intellect. Sir Jeans, however, has done well by including his own views in the end of his book. Otherwise the style in which he has written the first twelve pages of his book would leave no doubt that the thought expressed therein were his own. It pains me to say, but the fact is that, views such as our unscientific scientist philosopher have entertained, would do but an ill-service to science itself. Grievous wounds are inflicted in the heart of science, yet it is hard to believe that the unscientific scientist philosopher was ever aware of this disconcerting realities.

             And now in the end please pay attention, for I am about to say something which is important. Lest you say, tomorrow, we were not told.

             If this garden of Allah, and all his creatures are destroyed in an atomic conflagration, then everyone responsible for the catastrophe shall be called to account by the Creator on the day of judgment. The enraged Creator of the world, then is well justified in avenging himself on the criminals. His Mercy also finds no bounds. He may forgive everyone, but we must take into account our deeds.

             If this world of Allah is consumed by atom bombs, without this prophecy, rather warning of the Quran, having received the publicity which a thing like this rightly deserves, due either to my indolence, or helplessness, or, the neglect of those who are in a position to cooperate in this matter, then we shall be answerable before Allah on the day of judgment. Allah may ask the atomic powers or others having a share in the atomic devastation of the world whether they had received the warning of the Quran, and had considered, the methods of averting the atomic danger contained therein. To which they may reply in negative. I then may be questioned by Allah, what I had done in making the prophecy known to mankind. If I then say, that I did whatever was within my powers, I conducted a research and sought the scientific proof and then wrote the book, but thereafter, no cooperation came from any where. The Muslims excused themselves, for they thought they had their own problems of a material nature more important and showed utter indifference, and I not being myself in a position to cope with the situation single-handed in an age of presses and publication, found myself quite helpless. The Non-Muslim powers were situated remote from me and out of my reach and I could not afford to approach them. The thing therefore was lost. Then Allah may question the Muslims. They may answer they did not understand the topic of the Prophecy and they had a multitude of other problems before them to solve. Allah may then display the atomic hell before their eyes and may explain to them the text of His prophecy and they may then learn a practical lesson soon . But, if this prophecy has reached all the four corners of the world, and this could be achieved only through the cooperation of all concerned, and then thereafter the world has not heeded the word of Allah, and have failed to remove the causes that the Quran has given out as responsible for the emergence of Nuclear Energy and the atom bomb, and mankind is consequently consumed by the nuclear fire, or has turned monster, then all those who have done their duty that of giving due publicity to this prophecy shall be absolved from the guilt and the responsibility shall be shifted on to the negligent part of humanity. Do you now understand? Or will the terrific blast of atom bomb only start your thinking? But will that then a wail you aught? Or will these Muslims understand only after they have received a practical bath in the nuclear hell?

             And now please listen. The devil may effectively whisper in your ear, " do not hearken to it, it is the Quran, a book in which you do not believe". And unfortunately the world of this arch-seducer of men " the Satan", may please you, but it is something against the dictates of wisdom, and may eventually prove fatal, and it may bring about grievous consequences, but alas! then. O, ailing soul if you could acquiesce in the physical treatment of your body by a doctor apparently of a faith different from yours, why then deny life if vouchsafed by an advice appearing in a book in which you do not formally believe. An advice in no way contrary to the scripture in which you might have believed. There is an overflowing cup of life-giving elexir pure and celestial, whosoever shall accept it shall do so to his own good, and whoever shall reject the same, shall reject it to his own hurt. Blessed are they who take up the word the truth wherever found, and rejoice therein.

             It indeed is most proper that a work of this nature be subjected to extreme scruting, but a few elite and few only through out this vast world, will be able to judge, for an enterprise of this nature entailed Einsteinius scientific genius, Socratic sight of discernment, Darwinian depth of thought, a deep insight into the inner heart of the scripture under discussion, and a penetrating eye to observe the trends, tendencies, ideas, problems and answers to the problems of the modern age. A gruesome ordeal, and a grim fact, and turned more grim due to the fact, that but a few could judge while the applause of the generality of mankind would but be an echo of the recognition by the few elite, in a pioneer work with no model no precedent.

             I do not know when this book will be published, and it is possible, some one may in the meantime try to write on the topic in the light of my two articles, namely, " The Quran and the atomic hell." published in the daily " Pakistan Times", dated 20-1963; and "Atom bomb Ka Dhamaaka Azzab-e-Elahi hai" , published in the daily " Mashrique (Urdu) Lahore dated 5-7-1970, and also several lectures delivered by me before various audiences. But let me warn such people that it is a most difficult and most delicate of all topics, and it is rightly to be feared that such writers despite best intentions may throw the whole thing into utter confusion resulting in irreparable losses to the topic and consequently the mankind itself. This work has to be scrutinized by the most competent judges all over the world, and it is destined to become the by-word throughout as the sole hope of a doomed humanity in which the Yousaf Gabriel is to figure as the martyr. And peace be with you all.