Page 21 - Eternity Has Already Begun

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)

he concept of "the real nature of matter" is one liable
to change one's outlook on life, and indeed, one's
whole life, once its essence is known. This subject is
directly related to the meaning of your life, your ex-
pectations from the future, your ideals, demands, plans, the con-
cepts you esteem, and the material things you possess.
The subject matter of this chapter, "the reality of matter", is not a
subject raised today for the first time. Throughout the history of hu-
manity, many thinkers and scientists have discussed this concept.
Right from the start, people have been divided into two groups on
this issue; one group, known as materialists, based their philoso-
phies and lives on the assumption of absolute existence of matter
and lived by deceiving themselves. Another group acted sincerely,
and being unafraid of thinking more profoundly, led their lives by
grasping the essence of the "things" to which they were exposed and
the deep meaning lying beyond them. However, advances in the sci-
ence and technology of our age have finally ended this controversy
and indisputably proven a self-evident fact that we can never en-
counter directly with the essence of matter.
The importance of the subject comes from its impact on man's
whole life. Every person has a limited lifetime, and Allah tests them
during this period. Each individual will subsequently be recom-
pensed strictly according to the path he chose to follow, the manners
and character he displayed in this world, his eternal life being
shaped by what he has merited. This means that in his endless life,
he will be requited for the life he has chosen in the world, and will
never again have the chance to make amends for his mistakes.
From this viewpoint, it is easier to understand the value of peo-
ple's lives on earth. Hence the importance of the subject tackled in
this book. Since everyone has a short test time, and will be reward-
ed or punished for his deeds in his endless afterlife, then it surely
follows that he must spend this period in the wisest way. If he fails
to do that, his ultimate remorse will be of no avail.

19