* As an introduction to the heavy topic of Qadar, the first few parts in this series will focus on establishing the foundations of belief. This will include discussion on words often taken for granted, such as God, Absolute, All-Knowing Creator. The repetitions that may surface in the discussion should not be brushed away. Rather, they should offer points for contemplation as the subtleties of the topic are often overlooked.
We have to always begin by questioning the reality of our being
- Without a firm understanding of one’s own purpose in existence (who am I/why am I here) there can be no way of obtaining a satisfactory answer to any other question we may have
“And there is not a thing but its (sources and) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us; but We only send down thereof according to a known measure.”
Hijr (15):21
Any notion of the Creator, must necessarily incorporate the fact that He is Absolute, for anything less than Absolute would be a contradiction.
- Every being in this universe declares that its Creator must be Infinite; beyond the nature of this universe (covered more extensively in Part 3 of the discussion)
Everything that we experience in this world may seem like a ‘static’ occurrence.
However, if we spare a second thought to the universe, we realise that it is ‘dynamic’. The universe is constantly be created anew.
- Time is nothing but the renewal of the act of Creation
- The time dimension of existence reveals to us that every moment is a new act of creation
- Nothing apart from the Absolute Creator can bring about the existence of tomorrow
- The universe will exist at the next moment, only if He wills it.
The Prophet SAW said in a hadith: Don’t swear by time because God is time
- Time is not an independent entity
- Rather, time is the continuation of creation (only possible by God)
Quran: We have created this universe with our direct power without being in need of anything and it is us that makes it ever-widening (expanding)
“And it is We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power; and, verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it.”
Zari’at (51): 47
- The universe is not static
- It is continuously expanding (in time)
- Everything (yesterday, today and tomorrow) is ALL coming from an Absolute Source
When you see a bird, do not kill it for no reason because it would mean that we are insulting the bird’s Creator and its cause of existence
- Through my meaningless action, I am indirectly accusing the Creator of creating meaninglessly
At every moment, we are observing the act of the Absolute Creator
- We need to be aware of the fact that we are continuously interacting with the Creation. Whatever is created should mean something to us.
Known measure: The Creator knows what He Creates in exact proportions. We conclude this as a result of our experience with the creation
- Everything in existence demonstrates that it can only be created by One who is Absolutely perfect and who has a known measure of everything
- Nothing is ‘accidental’
- The cause of existence of every being is the result of a Conscious Will
- The objects themselves are limited because they need to be given existence.
Without understanding the nature of this universe, one cannot understand Divine Determining.
- We need to observe and investigate creation
- Through our investigations, we ought to reach the conclusion that every object in the universe is subject to change and is the result of the deliberate choice of the Creator.
- Only then can we comfortably say: He creates with a known measure.
“For, with Him are the keys to the things that are beyond the reach of a created being’s perception: none knows them but He. And He knows all that is on land and in the sea; and not a leaf falls but He knows it; and neither is there a grain in the earth’s deep darkness, nor anything: fresh or dry (living or dead,) but is recorded in a clear book.”
An’am (6): 59
Knows: Nothing happens randomly
We can only experience that which is created. However, through all that we observe we may KNOW the Source of its creation.
- Through our observations, we realise that everything is created within a perfect order
- While the objects are within my perception, I am unable to see the cause of the existence of the objects
Example: A bird
- My observation of the bird in this universe is limited because both my perception AND the bird are being given existence continuously, which means they are being created by a source which cannot be as of the same nature to component part of the bird.
- I am led to conclude that the bird must be created by the Absolute
- I cannot define what the Absolute is; I am only able to conclude that is Absolute (beyond my limited perception because I am a created being)
- The Absolute being’s knowledge is beyond my comprehension
While it is impossible for me to perceive what is contained in this universe, I can be sure of the Absolute-ness of the Creator of the bird.
Scriptures are the speech of the Creator BUT they speak to human beings on their level
- My Creator speaks to me only within my capacity of understanding
- Hence the reference to leaves, the sea, grains, sun, moon, etc.
- The setting of the sun and the revolving of the earth are occurrences that we observe
- Through these observations, we are being guided to reach the conclusion that the event is being created by an Absolute Creator.
- We should not be overly concerned with the object itself to know it for itself
- Rather, our responsibility is to know the qualities of its Creator manifested in its existence.