The clearest explanation of the interconnectedness of all things was from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. It included the impact on us, here on earth, of the most distant star. (No. This excluded astrology.)

I was reminded of this as in recent weeks I�ve heard news items which take up the subject of the increasing rate at which various forms of life are becoming endangered.

The conclusion of many of those who have taken up such study is that the rate at which various species of life are permanently dying out is increasing at the greatest rate in history, as far as they can detect.

So what?

This is having an effect on the life of human beings. This is a big subject, as there are many scientists who are indicating that this is also the time when human beings are also on the endangered list.

Of course, there are many studies that demonstrate that the Black man in America is the highest on such lists.

The question being raised here is this: if it is true, that the rate at which various forms of life are dying out, why is this occurring at this time? What is the root cause of this phenomena?

Increasingly the scientists of this world are grasping the profound inter-relatedness, or the deep connections, that everything has to everything else throughout the whole of creation. As they grow to see this unity, an increasing number of them are looking with greater respect on the scriptures and on the findings of some of the religious scientists.

If they go far or deep enough, what will they find at the root of all things? They will find that the source of the physical aspects of the heavenly phenomena, or objects in outerspace, is the same source from which comes the magnificent insights contained in the scriptures. These wonderful insights are borne witness to by the scriptural scientists who are being true to the clear manifestation of the fulfillment of divine prophecy.

True science does not conflict with true religion, which is the nature of God, Himself, Who is also the Author of the laws that govern the creation upon which these scientists have built their sciences; and out of which they have produced this modern world.

Some of these scientists have learned and others are learning that the source of both the heavenly phenomena in outerspace and the source of the wisdom of the scriptures is right here on this earth.

Two things that are going on, which affect each of us in the most profound way were written in First Peter and in the book of Revelation.

1Peter 4:7 reads: "But the end of all things is at hand � ."

The book of Revelation 21:5 reads: "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."

Although the writer of 1Peter 4:7 was off by quite a few centuries, the advice he (or the various editors) gave is worthwhile or valuable.

In the Holy Qur�an, surah 46, verse 3 we read: "We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them save with truth and for an appointed time." (Muhammad Ali Translation)

This is but one of the places in this wonderful book, on which there is widespread agreement that this entire universe, containing innumerable objects in the all-but inconceivable vastness of space, will one day come to an end.

In the Yusuf Ali translation, footnote #5189 are these words: "The most magnificent works of man�such as they are�are but fleeting. Ships, empires, the wonders of science and art, the splendours of human glory or intellect, will pass away. The most magnificent objects in outer nature�the mountains and valleys, the sun and moon, the constellation Orion and the star Sirius�will also pass away in their appointed time. But the only One that will endure forever is the �Face� of God. �Face� expresses personality, glory, and majesty, inner being, essence, self, all the noble qualities which we associate with the beautiful names of God." The collective convictions of the world�s scientists of the physical aspects of the universe are that it is all decaying. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught the same.

Many places in the Holy Qur�an teach that Allah will reproduce the universe. For example, in surah 10, verse 4 we read that as Allah created the first creation He will reproduce it.

To reproduce anything is to "produce again or anew; re-create." So what does it mean to reproduce the universe?

We can also read variations of this very huge thought or idea in 27:64; 39:19-20; and that He will bring in a brand new creation in such places as 13:5; 14:48; 17:49 and 98; 21:104; 35:16.

Some of these verses teach that He will bring in a new universe. Other verses teach that He will re-create the human being. In both instances�the human and the rest of the whole of creation�the creation will be better.

This same thought or idea or prophecy can again be found in such places as Isaiah 65:17, wherein we read: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."

One cannot seriously think about the end of this world without asking certain questions, such as why was all of this and we created in the first place? And among the many other questions many have asked is: "What is salvation?"

So many countless human beings have asked these and other key questions that go to the heart of everything�questions about the ultimate meaning of things. They have died without ever knowing the answers to the ultimate reason and meaning of human life and of all things.

Yusuf Ali states this about the concept of salvation in Islam. In his translation, in Appendix number 12, note 15 he writes: "This, then is the Muslim idea of Salvation. It consists, not in being saved from the consequences of our sins by the sufferings or the merits of others, nor in Nirvana, or annihilation or absorption�but in the achievement of a perfected Personality, a Bliss that grows up within us, and does not depend on external circumstances. It may require the utmost effort of striving (Jihad) of a lifetime or more. But it is the Supreme Achievement, the attainment of all desires � ."

This brings me to the two areas that I have in mind with the above. One is a look at the views of Jews, Christians and Muslims about the end of the world. The other is the Study Guides of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

More next issue, Allah willing.