Session 27 Notes
We are studying to understand the Absoluteness of the Creator of the universe (Tawhid) so that we can challenge the view of “nature”, “natural laws”, “things happening by itself”, and “evolutionary” that are the “plots” of disbelievers. The Qur’an cannot be studied just to get information but for guidance. For example, when it mentions that Paradise is for believers, I must ask: “Why is the Qur’an telling me this?” There is a strong connection between belief and the reward of Paradise. With belief, I can experience a Paradise like life here in this world. For example, when materialists say that the universe is meaningless, how do I feel, how do I evaluate my life? In the same line, if I understand the universe to be meaningful, how do I feel with that understanding? Once I grasp the understanding that everything is under the control of this Absolute Being, all my hopes now direct to this Being. Only He can satisfy my expectations for happiness, satisfaction, meaning in my existence that He gave me. He is inviting me to acknowledge Him and live accordingly.
Similarly, if we take the message mentioning the plotting of unbelievers just as information, I must ask: “Why does my God tell me this?” I must have some responsibility regarding this information. First I must be aware that a plot is going on by those who deny the reality. Second, the One who is telling me this must provide me with the means to defend the truth from the Qur’an with the evidence presented. The plot of our age is by the materialists who take hold of the universe and interpret it without the need of a Creator. We are studying the verses that respond to these plots by providing evidence in a satisfactory way. The challenge is ideological so the answer must also be ideological. This is the ideological “Jihad” that counters the interpretation of the universe without the need of a Creator. Historically, Muslim countries colonized by western countries rebelled physically but not ideologically and are still suffering that influence. We actually pay enormous amounts for secularized interpreted education. The Qur’an is warning us to pay attention to our eternal life which we are destroying at the expense of a few years of temporary life.
ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَكِيلٌۭ
“This is God, your Lord, there is no God but Him, the Creator of every single thing, all of them, so worship Him; He is in charge of everything.” (6:102)
This verse is emphasizing who God is which Muslims may be familiar with “ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ”, There is no god but Him. The phrase “كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ”, the word “كُلِّ” indicates something wholesome whereas “شَىْءٍۢ” indicates each and everything in it belongs to Him as their Creator. This is where we need to be careful as we understand that the universe is created by God but may fall into the secularist view of cause and effect in terms of how things are happening in the universe such as God created the thing but things are developing, adapting, improving by themselves or as a result of something else. That is why we are reminded that it is so important to live with “ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ”, there is no god but Him and everything in the universe is created by Him. For example, to get warm tea, I put water into a pot and put it on a gas stove thinking that the fire is warming up the tea. We don’t think about the fire, heat being created by God and say: “Oh my Lord, thank you for creating the fire, the heat and employing them so I can enjoy my warm tea”. The phrase “كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ” means each and every being all together, and this phrase is repeated 85 times in the Qur’an. The particles of conjunction “ف” in the beginning of “ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ” expresses the meaning “as a result of all of these creations the only thing is expected of you is Worship Him (the Lord of all things) alone”.
This reminds us of the blessings (salawat) on the prophet Muhammad (pbuh), to the number of particles because each particle becomes meaningful from the message he brings. Galaxies, atoms, molecules, cells, particles, each composition, each layer, they all become meaningful from the message of the Qur’an brought by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Some even add angels as each angel brings the message from my Creator. I am pleased with the message the prophet (pbuh) brings and welcome it, as the message satisfies my heart and mind. The prophet (pbuh) is a gift from my Creator, employed by Him to serve me. All the prophets struggled to convey the message tirelessly so that I may live a meaningful life right now.
Another verse mentions the creator of “every single being”. The “everything” or “all things” covers up the meaning where each and every being in the universe is created and handled by Him.
ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَكِيلٌۭ
“God is the Creator of all things, He has charge of everything” (39:62)
The following verse gives further explanation:
هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرُ وَٱلظَّـٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“He is the First and the Last, [as well as] the Outer and the Inner; He has knowledge of all things.” (57:3)
The creation of beings is done with One who knows them, things are consciously created within the context of the whole universe. We must see the precise and infinite knowledge in each and every being. For example, the cell in my eye is put in a particular position to perform its function with the knowledge of the whole body and how it fits within the whole universe. He creates each and everything out of His Mercy. There is “Rahman” which is Mercy in this world enjoyed by everyone and then there is “Raheem”, infinitely Merciful which extends to infinity and the Hereafter. Who can give me eternal satisfaction? The One who gave me this desire can be the Only One to fulfill it.
The First being the One who starts the universe where in fact every moment of existence is a new beginning, the Last being He who ends the universe as well as ends the previous moment of existence. The Inner means knowing all those things in between the start and end where things continuously demonstrate the manifested qualities of their Maker. The Outer is what I see in creation existing physically out there and the Inner is the qualities manifested in the existence of each being, which He has knowledge of, created with His infinite Knowledge. We must wonder at the changes happening such as the creation of twilight, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night which are completely different creations and then this cycle repeats. This is an incredible demonstration for me to be amazed at. My own existence as a child and over the years created as an adult as a completely different new being. At every moment of change, I can witness that God is the First, the Last, the Inner and the Outer. We should be careful not to put God at the start of the creation of the universe (in a theory it is called “big bang”) till the end of times as He is an eternal being. In each demonstration of His action and change from our perspective is the aspect of First, Last, Inner and Outer. There is a secret in creation that is mind blowing. For example, the seed is put in dirt, it is further sullied with animal waste and the result is the sweetest smelling fruit. The dirty animal waste is in contrast to the sweet smelling delicious fruit. One cannot reduce the creation of this sweet smelling fruit as a result of dirty animal waste which is what the materialists who attribute the creation to matter only indicates to claim. This creation in such a way is incredible Mercy and Generosity from the One who is creating continuously. This is how the universe becomes so meaningful with nothing missing. When we see and confirm this, that is belief.