The order of the universe demonstrates that creation is taking place within cause and effect relationships.
“We can think of Eternal Knowledge as knowing cause and effect at the same time. We cannot separate the cause from the effect and then look for the reason of the existence of an event. This would be against the order we observe in the universe.
When we think of the creation of an event, both cause and effect is created by God.
When we think of the relationship between human choice and the creation of what one chooses, we realize that human beings choose first and then God creates accordingly.
There is a relationship between what I choose and what is created, but it is not a causal relationship as it appears to be. That is, my choosing is not the creator of the outcome. What we perceive to be “cause and effect” are given existence at the same time. However, we observe creation in time and it may seem that the cause gives result to the effect. In reality, the act of creation belongs to the Creator of the universe, God only.
Human freewill comes first and creation of what we want follows it. In the creation, “cause and effect” are both created, hence we cannot attribute the act of creating to “cause”. Also, we cannot create anything, we only choose. The “cause and effect” relationship is nothing but how the order of the universe functions by its Creator.
Everything needs to be created. We cannot say that whatever seems to be the cause, is the cause of creation. Rather, everything is created in an order by the Creator of the universe. For example, turn the switch on, light comes. That does not mean that the switch is creating and supplying the light. Similarly, the universe is a continuous act of creation created in an order.
Although it may appear that the cause comes before the effect, we cannot divide the universe in intervals. There are no gaps in the universe as it comes into existence, hence it is pointless to study one moment of existence independent from the rest of creation. Everything is given existence altogether in reality, and we cannot separate the cause from the effect.
As far as my understanding of the universe is concerned, the universe is coming into existence within the order of “cause and effect” being created together. We must understand that, as we cannot argue against it. So if I imagine the absence of the cause, can I argue about the existence of the effect? No, because “cause and effect” are created at the same time and they cannot be separated. Most people use a confusing language that leads to misunderstandings such as “if it is determined for you, it will happen anyways”. For example, if you think that God decided or determined your life and that you will live for 100 years only. After 100 years, you will get into an accident and die. But, if there is no accident, will you die? No. Therefore, we cannot separate cause from effect and treat them independently. In reality, in this universe, everything is created within “cause and effect”. If we imagine the absence of one of them, then we cannot talk about the creation of the other.
From my perspective, I observe “cause and effect” and I know only the cause. From the Creator’s perspective, He knows the “cause and effect”. For example, when I turn the switch on, the light may or may not come depending on the electric supply or other factors such as bulb malfunctioning or wire damage. That is from my perspective, I only expect the results, but the Creator of the universe is Eternal and not limited to time. Hence, the Eternal One knows everything at the same time. His knowledge is eternal, not like our knowledge, and therefore, we can only talk about from our perspective, what I observe. When we say God’s knowledge, we are referring to the results expected from our side. That is, we understand from the creation of this universe that the Creator’s knowledge must be Eternal. That is my conclusion. Otherwise, if something is not eternal, then by definition, it is not subject to time. We are used to hearing confusing languages such as “if it is written and predestined for you, you shall get it”. Is it true? No. We choose and expect for the result to be created. If we do not choose, then we cannot expect the results. Let us take a scenario to understand this better. In a hypothetical war case, Person A pulls the trigger and Person B dies. Is the death of Person B determined by God? Yes. But, if Person A did not pull the trigger, would Person B die? No. Therefore, to speak about Divine Determining in terms of predestination is wrong, where we think that regardless of the action, the result will be created. In our scenario, thinking that Person B would still die if Person A did not pull the trigger because God has predestined his death in war is a fallacious argument. Similarly, Person A may miss the bullet on Person B. No one knows Eternal Knowledge. Therefore, the principle is that in the universe, creation is taking place in an order within the “cause and effect” relationship. God’s knowledge encompasses everything without being limited or bound by time, but we see “cause and effect” happening together.
The order of the universe is based on the “cause and effect” relationship. If I imagine the absence of cause, then the effect is not possible. We cannot speak about God’s Absolute Knowledge, we can only conclude that the Creator of the universe must have Absolute Knowledge. Everything is created within a “cause and effect” relationship. “Cause and effect” is taking place at the same time, we cannot separate it as far as the creation is concerned. In the absence of “cause”, we cannot talk about the existence of “effect” and vice versa. In the universe, creation is coming into existence with a ‘cause and effect’ relationship and we cannot talk about them independently.
The fallacy is that some people think that since God is the Absolute Knowledgeable One, then whatever I do is irrelevant because what He wants will happen anyways. We must think from our side of the matter, what can I do on my end with the options presented to me. We cannot say that since it is written, whatever I do will be pointless anyways. We must take care of our responsibilities and choose from the options available to us.
Human freewill cannot create, but asks. I ask, God creates. I am not the Creator of my actions. With the example of turning on the switch, when I turn the switch on, in reality, I am asking God to create light for me within the order that I know. Similarly, in order to buy an orange, you know that you have to go to the grocery store and do some money transactions to get the orange. As far as your relationship with God’s act of creation is concerned, you are asking God to create the result for you by going to the grocery store and purchasing the orange. You have to follow the “cause and effect” relationship, but it does not mean that you are the cause of the existence of the effect.
Every human attempt is a worship. If we understand this, then belief in Divine Determining becomes worship. Most people think that everything is decided by God and we have no role in anything. Our role is to take care of our responsibility right now, which is to make choices based on options at our disposal. At the same time, we cannot determine anything because we cannot guarantee the effect. When I choose to do something, I am asking freely without being under the pressure of God’s determination. It is beautiful to be free to ask within the order of the universe. I know as much as I know about the order of the universe, but I do not know about the effect or results being created. That is, I am not free to decide about the effect.
In any event where your freewill is not involved, then you are not responsible for it. For example, your birthplace, your parents and the sun rising and setting. Now, as I am aware of myself, I have to start using my freewill in order to organize my life. We are discussing the relationship between my freewill and the creation of the result of my freewill. For example, did you choose to be born with a sense of compassion towards your child? No. Therefore, we have no right to say that the sense of compassion belongs to us and that we are using our freewill in the right way. Similarly, we cannot be proud of our two hands, it is given to us, and we can only be proud of its Creator.
Most people go on living their lives with psychological issues. For example, when people say that I cannot do something and give up because they feel that they are not free. These people have to build confidence in themselves, and say that my Creator has given me the freewill and I am free to sit here or sit there. However, you cannot guarantee the result because you may die or be given an illness. We must build confidence in using our free choice. We must be careful not to confuse God’s perspective with human perspective, and as a result lose confidence in oneself to the point of becoming psychologically paralyzed.
Comment: If the effect is decided by God, then how much confidence can I have on my freewill.
While you are speaking about your freewill, you cannot jump into the Creator’s will or realm of existence. You have to establish confidence in your freewill within the knowledge of the order of cause and effect relationship available for you. That is, by using your freewill and availing opportunities, you can change your life. For example, the light does not come when you turn the switch on. Perhaps the bulb needs to be changed or the wiring needs fixing. Hence you start searching the order there i.e. using freewill and seeking opportunities. That is why, we have to do our job and get confidence in our use of freewill while knowing that we cannot guarantee the results, but we will keep doing everything that we can in our hands.
Comment: How can we understand “written” especially in the context of some narrations (Hadiths) that mention that nothing will happen to a nation except if God has written or no one can do bad to a nation unless what God has written.
That is from God’s perspective. It means that God knows everything, there is nothing unknown to Him. For example, tomorrow is unknown to me, but when I think about the Absolute knowledge of God, I cannot talk about anything unknown to Him. In order to understand Hadith narrations, we must prepare ourselves well. The Prophets speak in order to let us know what we do not know about “ghaib” or “Absolute”. Similarly, the Quran speaks in order to let us know what we do not know about “ghaib”. We must bear in mind that the Quran and the Prophets speak to us in order to teach us what we do not know. For example, the Prophet asks me to drink water. I have to look at the aspect of this relationship as far as my relationship with God is concerned, because it is the Prophetic mission to teach me what I do not know. The Prophetic mission does not include what I should know in this world and the “cause and effect” relationship, like drinking water to stay hydrated. We must understand that the Hadiths and the verses of the Quran refer to God’s knowledge and Absoluteness. The same principle of understanding applies to the famous Hadith of tying your camel first and then trusting God. You cannot say that I will not tie my camel because it will be stolen anyways. This attitude shows a lack of belief in God. Similarly, when you tie the camel, it is not guaranteed that it will not be stolen. Therefore, you must do your part, and trust in God. We must read the Quran and the Hadith according to its function i.e. the Prophetic mission.
Our duty here is to learn the order of creation. When I learn the order of creation, I learn how God is creating. By learning the order of the creation, I will comply with it and I am worshipping God. As far as the result is concerned, I have nothing to do with the result, I cannot create the result and I cannot guarantee the result, but I will have done my duty. The Prophetic teaching tells us that if the last day is tomorrow, and if you have a sampling in your hand, then it must be planted. In other words, keep doing your duty until death, so when you go in front of God, you can say that you have done your job. Again, we have to take care of our part and learn the order of the “cause and effect” relationship perfectly and act accordingly, but never get disappointed if the result is not achieved by making yourself think that it will definitely happen.
If you are aware that whatever you are doing is obeying the order of creation which is established by God, then it means that you are worshipping God. When you obey the order, you must know that this order is established by the Creator of the universe. Your duty is to follow the order to obey the Creator of the universe. If you carry this consciousness, then your actions will be in obedience towards God. For example, I am thirsty, and there is water here. The thirst must remind me of who established this order to give me the sense to remember and understand that I need water. I do not know how this phenomenon of thirst and quench exists where the body understands that it needs water; nevertheless, it is miraculous. That is how the creation is perfect. If I am conscious that this is how I am created, and I have to follow the order of the Creator, I am going to drink water in order to obey the Order-er. That is worship and acting in the Name of God. While you are drinking water, you will be rewarded as if you are praying.
Don’t get caught up by thinking that things are already known by the Creator, because that is His business as He gives you existence. I have to take care of my business to obey Him. He says that you have to obey My order. For example, why do we keep studying the universe? To find out the fine points in creation, in order to obey the Order-er. The more you study the universe, if you are conscious of it, the more you are becoming aware of the will of the Order-er and obeying Him. That is why the more you know about creation, there is a possibility that you worship God more. If you know the details of something and you act accordingly, then you need to be conscious of it in the name of God. Some people just follow the order in the name of nothing or nature. However, what is expected of a believer in God is to understand the reality and obey the will of the order-er, because He wants you to fulfill your mission here as the universe has been established by Him. My duty is to find out His will and obey it. We do not know what will be created tomorrow, but our duty is to know that everything is created by Him and He knows everything and I have to take care of my responsibility.
God is creating according to your choice. God says, “whatever you want, ask Me and if it is within the order of My act of creation, I will create it. If I do not create it then you will learn that it is not within My order or you must investigate the best order”. As a human being, I am responsible for my choice. I have to be comfortable not to think of the result but to be comfortable with my choice of following the order and what I can do. In the light switch example, if you turn on the switch, and light does not come, it is not that God did not create the light for you, rather you did not learn the order of acquiring the result properly. That is your mistake, because the order of the universe is established by God, and your duty is to investigate the best order and follow it.
When we talk about the attributes of God, we must not think in terms of this universe, rather what our conclusion from this universe points to about the Absolute. When you look at this universe, do you think that this universe needs to be created? Yes. So, the Creator must be Absolute. Do you think that there is an order in this creation? Yes. So, the Creator must be an Order-er. We cannot talk about how God decides, rather we can only talk about what we observe i.e. we see that whoever gives existence to this universe decides on justice. Look at the galaxies, there is no disorder or injustice in the existence of a tiny particle. Therefore, my Creator is the Just One. However, my freewill and my attitude towards God is at the center of today’s discussion. If you say, I did this, you are talking about how you use your freewill and it does not imply creation, because you are only responsible to follow the order and beg God to create the result for you.
Finding out the order of creation is really important. As a result of following the order, you become aware of what God creates. When you study in discovering how to follow the order of creation to achieve results, you become aware of how God creates. It is simple, whatever you want, ask God to create within His way of creation by following the order. The way that creation is established is the way that God speaks to us. When you need light, you are begging, “Please give me light, O God you are great!” If light does not come, you cannot just sit there and keep praying to God to give you light. You have to turn the switch on to get light, that is how the relationship with God is established through creation. God is speaking to us through the order, therefore, if you do not know the order, investigate and discover it. The universe is a speech of God i.e. His command is established in the order of the universe. The Quran teaches us how to interpret the order of the universe and come to a conclusion about the Absolute realm of existence. Revelation lets us know the relationship between the order of creation and the Order-er.
When you look at the Cause of existence of anything, always think of it in terms of a vertical relationship i.e. what is going on in the universe. If something comes into existence, what is the source of its existence? Don’t look at the horizontal relationship of the order, you will always be lost, for example, because of water the tree grows. Always ask for the source of the existence of whatever you are questioning. Don’t get stuck in the order of creation. In science studies, the source of existence is not questioned, and the order is focused on, therefore, we end up with a horizontal relationship of creation. Although, we can only obey God with the horizontal relationship, by bearing in mind that He is the One who establishes the order. My relationship with my Creator is always horizontal. When I pray, I am in the presence of God, I may start thinking of me and my Creator only. However, we must be careful not to imagine God or pray to an imaginary God as it becomes dangerous. Rather, start with yourself, here I am, I have my freewill, this is my reality. You investigate yourself, “my existence has been given to me by the One who created the universe, so I have to express and exclaim it. I am a created being, I cannot guarantee anything for my existence which is a gift”. When you prostrate you are prostrating to this reality. When I pray, I am expressing my reality that I cannot own anything, I am nothing. That is why you go into prostration.
Finally, when you think of the source of existence of anything, always keep the horizontal relationship alive while you are intercting with creation horizontally.