“It is God save whom there is no deity other than Him,
-the Sovereign, the Holy One, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme;”
Glory be to God, who is far above what they associate with Him. God is far above anything they consider to be His partner.” 59:23
Recap: We have been going over the qualities that we see manifested in the universe. These qualities need to be understood in Absolute terms. That is, when you attribute the qualities that you experience manifested in the universe to an Absolute Source, these qualities need to be understood in Absolute terms as well.
What does “the Almighty (al-aziz)” mean?
- An exalted One.
- A One that controls.
How much control do you have over your existence?
- I have no control over my existence. I just choose to follow the already established order. In other words, I just choose and do not create.
How do I explain my existence?
- I cannot explain my existence unless I can conclude the Necessary Existence of an Absolute One to be the Source of my existence.
- Start from: How do I explain my sense of liking?
Everyone believes in an Absolute authority over the existence of this universe. When people take different stance in interpreting their existence, then that may imply a claim to have solved the riddle of existence. Is it even possible to claim to have solved the riddle of existence? We are all looking to make sense of our existence and we use the universe and scriptures to help in this endeavor. So, can anyone actually claim to have solved the riddle of existence? No. People can only make sense of their existence in a way that is satisfying to their human self.
Everything needs to be created and given existence. Anything within the universe must be existentially equal. Example: My existence and the existence of an ant must be equal because we need to be given existence.
Do I have any authority over anything?
No. I just use what is already existing. Existentially, I have no authority over anything.
If I can conclude the Source of Existence (SOE) of anything to be Absolute, then everything is under its control. Example: study the existence of a fly. Is it any different than you as far as it being given existence is concerned? No, it is no different than you and I. Anything in its creation is perfect. You are perfect in your existence as a human being, an ant is perfect in its existence as an ant.
- As far as my human qualities are concerned, I am a prisoner within the conditions of my existence because I do not give existence to anything.
- “I created you with My Hand.” How to understand this? It means that I am the product of an Absolute One with no intermediaries involved.
Anything negative (which looks in its existence useless, evil etc.) that I perceive has no reality in its existence, i.e. it does not exist.
An exalted One means that since I am given honor in my existence and I am practicing this honor, then my Owner is an Absolute Exalted One. I just practice the qualities manifested here because I am helpless in my existence.
What does “the Compeller (jabbar)” mean?
- When you feel motivated to do something, you are being compelled to do it within the conditions of His acts of creation, i.e. the universe that is set by Him, we have to follow His acts of creation. And in this way a Compelling One is manifesting itself to you.
To be compelled to do something within a given set of the order of the universe is not wrong.
- Can I change the order of anything? No.
- Can I give existence to anything? No.
- The Creator gives no other options than what He prefers.
- Do I get other options than what is presented? No. So, I am compelled to choose what is available to choose from and, I conclude, the Creator is the compeller.
Existence is compelling. I cannot add/subtract anything to existence. I am a slave at an existential level makes sense. I am a slave as a societal construct makes no sense. The relationship between me and my Creator is not at a social societal level, rather it is at an existential level.
Is the air serving me?
Does the air have the option to not serve me? No. At an existential level, the air does not have the option but to serve me.
Have you given existence to your sense of liking?
- I am made to like and dislike certain things.
Is learning superfluous to your existence?
- When I learn, I become aware of my own existence/reality (this is like a diamond and is durable as opposed to a glass which breaks easily).
Everyone is given the right to be free and so we have no right over other people’s freedom (taking offensive stance) given to them by their Creator. When someone attacks you, you are made in a way to defend yourself (defensive stance).
What does “the Supreme (al- mutakabbir)” in the verse above mean?
- It means it is indescribable within the conditions of this universe, but whose existence is necessary to explain the existence of the universe.
My sense of pride (mutakabbir) is to be used to practice His Name of mutakabbir, and this sense of pride does not belong to me.