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Uncreated Beings Besides Allah?

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Ustadh Farid Dingle is questioned about the possibility of their being other creators besides Allah.

Are there other uncreated beings alongside Allah? Seeing as how the definition of god is the one who created the universe and creation, is it possible for there to be uncreated beings that Allah did not create? A being that created their own universe and creation. That is not regarded as god by us but regarded as god by their own creation that they have created.

I am asking this question because I have a thought going through my head that before the existence of any creation Allah had a quarrel with other uncreated things over who is more powerful. And that is why Allah has created the mankind and jinn to worship him; to prove to the other uncreated things that He is the most powerful.

I also go through thoughts that other uncreated beings alongside Allah do exist, but they all live in peace and that they all have created their own things and only the things they created regard them to be gods but not the things that the other uncreated things have created.

I know this sounds like it is against the teachings of Islam and I have tried to find anything that goes against this but I can neither find any convincing evidence against this claim or for it. The Qur’an mentions the impossibility of multiple gods in Sura al-Anbiya 21:22. But that only had to do with multiple gods creating the same thing.

My question is to do with multiple uncreated beings that create their own creation who are not regarded as god by the creation of other uncreated beings, but regarded as god by their own creation.

Please I would like for you to clear this up for me and give me an answer as soon as possible, because I am extremely confused and I need to desperately know what is the answer against this claim.

I also have other thoughts that Allah has sexual organs. I go through this thought because Allah mentions he has hands and a shin. I need to know what is the response to all of the above queries I have.

Dear questioner, I would strongly advise you to listen to this series of podcasts: Why Islam Is True.

Regarding your question, it is logically impossible that there be multiple creators because that necessitate a level of dependency in being or actions.

Were there other beings with the power to create and destroy, nothing would stop them from destroying each other, and then they wouldn’t have necessary existence. Similarly, if there were there beings with the power to create and destroy, the execution of such powers would be contingent upon the agreement of other such beings, and this would also be a dependency.

In short, the being that keeps everything in existence and keeps things the specific way everything is exists without any dependency whatsoever, and this dictates that it (He) be one.

As for His not having body parts, this also returns to His freedom of need: parts take up a certain among of space and this would entail that He needs space to exist. Verses that mention His hand or face are metaphorical. For more detail, please see Literalism and the Attributes of Allah.

Theologically, whenever anyone returns the whole of existence to one being, that being must be completely self-explainable: that it is and what is does cannot return to some other external determiner.

This is why the Big Bang cannot be the reason for the universe, Brahma, Jesus or, anything else apart from Allah as He is in the Qur’an.

Allah summarizes this beautifully in Sura al-Ikhlas 112: 1-4.

Say: It is the Allah is One, the One to Whom all else returns;
Never has He had children, nor was He ever born;
And there was [and never will be] anything equal to Him.

Again, listen to the podcasts and this will be more than clear, insha Allah.

I pray this helps.

Farid

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

A Reader on Understanding the Attributes of Allah

How to Get a Better Understanding of Tawhid?

The Power of Monotheism – Abdal Hakim Murad

Farewell to The First 10 Days & To Each Other, #YourRamadanHub Xtra

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:55 — 6.4MB)

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Shaykh Muhammad Adeyinka Mendes sat down with Abdul-Rehman Malik for a quick debrief on his stay at SeekersHub Toronto. What was the crux of the first 10 days of Ramadan? Listen on this brief podcast.

We thank Shaykh Muhammad for accepting our invitation. It’s been an edifying and reinvigorating experience for us. May Allah always keep Shaykh Muhammad in His Shade, ameen.

“A night worth 80 years in worship and 80 years in sins forgiven” – Laylatul Qadr

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:54 — 11.4MB)

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Be prepared to feel your heart swell with hope and tears well in your eyes with this stunning elucidation of Laylatul Qadr. What is it? When is it? What do they say about it? And perhaps most importantly, how do you and I beneficially capture it?All the essentials in this concise 25 min recording.Ustadh Amjad Tarsin is a brilliant young scholar, a teacher at SeekersHub and Muslim Chaplain at the University of Toronto.

Join us for an all night program on the 27th of Ramadan, 13th July 2015, in Mississauga, Canada – it’s FREE and everyone including families with children is welcome. Details are here.

Allah’s Mercy and the Mercy Showed by People

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Answered by Ustadh Torab Torabi
Question: Hi , I would like to ask if this is the correct understanding:
As we know Allah is uncreated. His attributes as well.
I also understand that the mercy showed by humans is created and not like the Mercy of Allah which is uncreated. Now with this said should I avoid to go into details regarding this matter as it might bring up a wrong train of thought ?
Answer: Asalaam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh.
I pray that Ramadan has proven to be a blessed month for you and your family.
Everything that you have stated is true. Allah is Eternal, He has no beginning and no end. He is the uncreated Creator and Master of the heavens and the earth. He is unparalleled and there is none unto like Him. And as you mentioned, the attribute of Mercy in Allah is uncreated and is absolutely different from the attribute of mercy that we attribute to human beings.
Please read this succinct answer by Ustadh Abdullah Anik Misra: Understanding Allah’s Attributes
You should actually delve deeper into this matter by studying with a reliable and trustworthy scholar whom can guide you on your path of knowledge. A little bit of knowledge can sometimes prove to be more detrimental than beneficial and I urge you to complete a text in the science of Islamic Theology. Seekersguidance is providing an amazing course and it would would behoove you to register and benefit, inshaAllah.
Here is a link to the Kharida (Aqidah) Class, taught by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani. Registration is still open.
Keep us in your duaas.
And Allah knows best.
Torab Torabi
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

A Reader on the Problem of Evil, Suffering, Destiny, and Allah’s Mercy

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“Do not despair of Allah’s mercy.”[Qur’an, 39.53]

The Problem of Evil and Suffering
The Problem of Evil and a Summarized Islamic Response

and Divine Wisdom
Why Do Good People Suffer While Bad People Get Away With Crimes?
Destiny
Belief in Destiny, It’s Good and Evil
Destiny and Human Responsibility in Islam
Can Supplication Change Destiny?

Divine Decree, Contentment, and Lessons From the Prophet’s Life
Allah’s Mercy
The Reality of Allah’s Mercy and the Divine Wisdom Behind Suffering
Understanding Allah’s Attributes: Love & Mercy
Seeking Allah’s Mercy by Being Merciful
Qur’anic Reflections: Keys to Allah’s Love and Mercy (Qur’an 3.29-31)

Praying for Deceased Muslims Who Were Murderers

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Answered by Shaykh Rami Nsour

Question: Is it disliked to pray for Muslims who kill?

Answer:

Prayer for a Deceased Muslim

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) taught us to perform the funeral prayer (janazah) for every single person that passed away as a Muslim. He would only ask whether or not a person was Muslim to perform the prayer, which would include asking forgiveness for the deceased.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) was also very regular in asking forgiveness for his entire community (umma) as Allah had ordered him to do so [Quran 47:19]. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was well aware that would include people who had committed every type of sin.

The Vastness of Mercy

One teaching that we learn from asking for forgiveness of people who have transgressed is a reminder of the vastness of the Mercy of Allah (the majestic) and how He can forgive any sin except for associating partners with Him [Quran 4:48]. We also learn to ask forgiveness for those who oppress us as the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) did during the Battle of Uhud when he was hit in the face and injured.

With blood dripping form his face, he said, “O Allah, forgive my people for they know not what they do” [Bukhari]. One of the scholars said that the verse that give us the most hope is, “Say, ‘O my servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah forgives all sins” [Quran 39:53].

Prayer for an Oppressor Does Not Preclude Justice

It is important to note that while we pray for the forgiveness of all Muslims, that does not prevent us from establishing justice. Although the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) made dua for his enemies at Uhud, he continued in the battle against them until he defeated them. We have compassion for oppressors and criminals, but that does not prevent us from ensuring that justice is fulfilled through the routes of authority and courts.

And Allah knows best

The Reality of Allah’s Mercy and the Divine Wisdom Behind Suffering

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Answered by Sidi Abdullah Anik Misra

Question: Does Allah take pity on a disbeliever if they are in pain and are suffering? does he feel any sort of pity or mercy towards them even though they are kafirs?

Answer: As salamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Thank you for your question.  Allah Most High has shown immense, immeasurable mercy to all of His creation – believing and non-believing- in countless ways, and continues to do so at every moment.

Suffering creatures – and even those who are disbelievers – are being shown divine mercy, but our lack of perfect wisdom does not always allow us to see the mercy in a given situation, because as humans our first instinct might be that suffering should not exist, or that it is evil.  This is an erroneous assumption, rather it exists for a divine purpose.

The Reality of Allah’s Mercy is Vast and Incomprehensible

Allah’s mercy encompasses everything in this world, as He says in the Qur’an:
“… My Mercy has encompassed all things.” [al-Quran 7:156]

And

“Our Lord!  You have encompassed everything by [Your] Mercy and [Your] Knowledge…” [al-Quran, 40:7]

Imam al-Alusi, in commenting on the first verse, mentions that the nature of the Divine Mercy is that it “is vast, it reaches all things… there isn’t any Muslim nor disbeliever, nor obedient or disobedient who is not being constantly overturned in this world by [His] generous bounty.”  [Ruh al-Ma’ani, al-Alusi]

How are the disbelievers being shown mercy?

The simple fact that a being in this world, even a disbeliever, was created is a mercy from Allah, because it is a chance at existence and life, and existence is better than having never existed at all.  Then, Allah nurtured and fed and sustained that disbeliever- despite the fact that the disbeliever may be unaware or in denial of His existence and generosity.  Is this not mercy?

Allah also grants disbelievers health, wealth, happiness, family and most worldly pleasures on an equal basis with those who believe in and obey Him.

Disbelievers are also given rights and accorded human dignity in Islam, which is a mercy from Allah.  They are only held accountable for their actions and for their beliefs if the truth reached them in a clear way and they were able to recognize it.  This is also a mercy from Allah to the disbelievers.

Finally, after all the countless mercies that we can never fully realize, simply being given the opportunity to know, accept and love Allah- is that not a great mercy from Allah?  It only remains that they acknowledge this mercy when it becomes clear to them, and show gratitude for it by submitting to their Creator’s commands.  This merciful chance remains as long as they remain in this world.

The Divine Wisdom Behind Suffering

Many times, we do not understand the Divine Wisdom behind suffering in this world, and hence, we rush to the judgment that it should not take place, or that Allah is obliged to remove it.  People are even led to atheistic thoughts when they erroneously ask themselves how Allah could allow such a thing to occur.

In Islam, the question of suffering in this world, called theodicy, is easily answered when two things are put into proper context: 1) that there is an All-Wise Creator who has created us all that we might worship Him, and 2) that we return to Him for an eternal life after this temporary worldly life, the nature of which will be determined by the choices we make in our lifetimes.

For Muslims in this world, every good they do, they are rewarded for, and every difficulty or calamity that they bear patiently with, some of their sins are wiped out or they are given reward for.  Their entering Paradise however, is not by their deeds or rewards, but through Allah Most High’s mercy upon His believing servants.

For those who knowingly reject the Creator and the truth, there is suffering also, but they are not rewarded for bearing through it, rather, it is a calling for them to reflect further on reality.

Suffering could make them realize the bounty of health and life, or recognize their dependency, or cry out for help to Allah when all worldly avenues have been exhausted, or cause them to reflect on the greater purpose of life, or cause them to be cured and become grateful- all of these reflections can direct one to Allah.

Hence, sometimes a person may be so wrapped up in their worldly pursuits and pleasures that it takes some suffering to make them refocus and realize who their Lord is.

If they become guided then, they would thank Allah for the temporary suffering that led them to the truth, as it is negligible in comparison with everlasting peace and joy.  Hence, they would see that their suffering was actually a mercy for them, while their remaining unmoved and in pleasures was a punishment.  [for further reading see “Wisdom and Divine Suffering”, Shaykh Nuh Keller]

Perhaps a certain disbeliever is meant to suffer, only so that a Muslim can pass by and lovingly help them, so that they see the beauty of Islam and embrace it.

What we are sure of is that we can never fully comprehend Allah’s wisdom and mercy behind suffering. However, that does not mean we shouldn’t work to alleviate the suffering of all creation- believers, disbelievers, and even animals and the environment.

Doing so would be to follow the teachings and example of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who was sent as a “Mercy to the All the Worlds”.  Perhaps if we truly imbibed this teaching of helping those who are suffering, we would then become instruments of Allah’s mercy to all those who don’t yet know Him.   And Allah knows best.

Wasalam,

Abdullah Anik Misra

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Understanding Allah’s Attributes: Love & Mercy

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Answered by Sidi Abdullah Anik Misra

Question:

1. When Allah “loves” someone He shows Him Mercy. When Allah “doesn’t love” someone He punishes Him. So if someone wants Allah’s Mercy he must seek Allah’s Love through good deeds because Allaah won’t show Mercy to someone He doesn’t love. As far as I understand no one can hope for Allah’s Mercy if Allah does not love him. For each human being Allah loves him or He does not love him  but there is no such things as being “indifferent ” towards somebody. Is all this correct?

2. A scholar said: “Allah’s love is translated in His attributes of forgiving, compassion and mercy.” Is that correct?

3. Are Allah’s Mercy and Love are the same thing? If not what is the link between Allah’s Love and Mercy?

Answer: As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Thank you for your question. I apologize for the late response.

Firstly, its important to understand that Allah Most High is transcendently different from His whole creation. Thus, human beings experience emotions, and changes of heart and state, and they fluctuate in their feelings, depending on how they are affected by things around them. Allah the Creator of all things then, is utterly unique and is far above being affected and motivated by anything of the such.

Even when words are ascribed to Him in the Qur’an that resemble what humans feel or do, such as love or mercy or anger, what is to be understood is not with what those words literally entail for created beings, but the tangible end results that those words indicate.

For example, “having mercy” with respect to humans is the softening of the heart that inclines one to favor or do well to someone. With respect to Allah Most High, who is far exalted beyond having a heart and feelings like creation, it means the actual act of doing well for one of His creation, or His Will to do so – not any sense of emotional change. [al-Bajuri, Sharh al-Jawhara]

So when Allah says He loves a group of people, it entails His praising them, rewarding them and forgiving them. [al-Baghawi, Tafsir]

When Allah says He doesn’t love a certain type of people (say, those who transgress), this does not directly entail their punishment, rather it means that He does not will for them any good, and the point of the statement is to be understood as a strong reason not to be like those people. [Abu Sa’ud, Tafsir]

Using these definitions, to answer your main questions:

1. Allah’s Mercy comes before His Love. Thus, He shows mercy to all of creation by simply blessing each being with bounties such as existence, life, health, etc. His Love, which is a more particular form of His blessing, is reserved in the Qur’an for the more deserving of His servants, such as those who: believe, show excellence, repent, rely on Him, are just, fear Him and those who struggle against wrongdoing for His sake.

If Allah Most High did not love a servant first, they could never love Him. So if we want Allah to love us, we must show love to Him by doing the things He loves and leaving that which He doesn’t love, and we should know that the fact that we were given the ability to love Him, means He loved us in pre-eternity out of His pure largesse and generosity.

In terms of indifference (neither loving nor hating), this does not apply to Allah Most High.  Imam al-Alusi says in his commentary: “And there is no middle station between Divine love and Divine hate with respect to Him, mighty is His affair, and that is in contrast to the love and hate felt by human beings, because there is a middle-ground between the two, which is the absence of the two [which is indifference].” [al-Alusi, Tafsir]

2. and 3. – See definitions above.

May Allah Ta’ala make us amongst those who love Him, and amongst those He loves, and those who stay away from that which He does not love.

wasallam,

Abdullah Anik Misra

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani