Page 494 - Atlas of Creation Volume 2

The true religion, together with superstitious beliefs, have
existed in all periods of history, just as they do today. At
all times, believers have fulfilled their religious obser-
vances in obedience to God's command.

Throughout history, believers who have lived
with the prophets have enjoyed high-quality lives
under very civilized conditions. They lived within

a sophisticated social order in the days of the
Prophets Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and
Solomon (peace be upon them all), just as they do
today. In all ages, believers have prayed, fasted,

heeded the bounds set by God, and lived clean
and lawful lives. Archaeological findings reveal
the best, noblest and cleanest standards of living
from those possessed by devout believers in God.

The prophets and true believers used the finest
means available in their times, in a manner appro-
priate to His approval.
All technological progress in the time of

Nimrud was used in the best way by Prophet
Abraham (pbuh) and those who believed with
him. Technical knowledge in the time of Pharaoh
was used in the service of Prophets Joseph, Moses,

Aaron (peace be upon them all) and true believers
of that time. The high level of technology attained
in the fields of architecture, art and communica-
tions in the time of Prophet Solomon (pbuh) was

employed in the wisest manner. The wealth and
magnificence that our Lord bestowed as a bless-
ing on Prophet Solomon (pbuh) inspired awe
down the generations.

We must remember that the information and means possessed by those living hundreds of thousands of
years ago, and by people alive today, are blessings from God. People who founded civilizations hundreds of
thousands of years ago, who created beautiful paintings on cave walls tens of thousands of years ago, who
built the pyramids and ziggurats, who constructed giant stone monuments and who constructed great struc-

tures on the highest altitudes in Peru did so through God's inspiration and teaching. People who study the sub-
atomic particles today, who send shuttles into space and who write computer software do so because God so
wills. All the information that human beings have possessed since they were first created is a blessing from
God, and every civilization they have founded is equally the work of our Lord.

God created man out of nothing and gives him various tests and blessings throughout his life in this world.
Every blessing bestowed is also a test. People who know that the civilization, technology and means they pos-
sess are actually all blessings from God give thanks to our Lord, Who increases His blessings on them:

And when your Lord announced: "If you are grateful, I will certainly give you increase..." (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
God causes His devout servants to enjoy pleasant lives both in this world and in the Hereafter. This is re-
vealed in the Qur'an:
Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense
them according to the best of what they did. (Surat an-Nahl: 97)

As a manifestation of this verse, all Muslims throughout history have possessed the finest means of the age
they lived in, and have led pleasant lives. Naturally, some have been tested with difficulty and troubles, but

492 Atlas of Creation Vol. 2