The article's major points can be summarised as follows:
1. Allah rejects the notion of fathership; the Qur'an depicts him instead as a master
2. His love is restricted to a select few
3. Muhammad did not experience contentment with 'his god', but rather fear.
4. Therefore, Allah is distant, and His love is shallow.
If I've missed any points let me know. I'll attempt to address each point in order now, inshaa'Allah.
1. The first point arises from a failure to understand the Qur'anic concept of God and its description of God as our
Rabb. The word Rabb implies a cherisher, sustainer, lord, and guardian. It carries many of the meanings associated with the english word 'father', yet it maintains the superiority and invulnerability of the entity in question. It maintains any good meaning of the word father, while dismissing all the confusion that has arisen from the term.
2. The second point is also mistaken as the Qur'an clarifies that Allah's love may be universal and it also may be specific. (see
here, which I think is a good overall response to your article) As the Qur'an states:
My punishment I inflict upon whom I will but My rahmah embraces all things... (7:156)
O our Sustainer! You embrace all things within (Your) rahmah and knowledge. (40:7)
God's mercy is probably the most emphasized concept in islam. We invoke it twice before reciting any chapter in the Qur'an (save the ninth), and both the Qur'an and our Prophet have been described as a manifestation of God's mercy (45:20 and 21:107, respectively). The Qur'an repeatedly tells man never to despair of God's mercy (39:53). After reading the Qur'an carefully, one can not help but come away with an image of a loving God who even 'races' to those servants who merely take one step towards Him (Hadith Qudsi).
3. This entire argument is flawed since it was not Allah whom Muhammad met at cave Hira, but Angel Jibreel, who came in an imposing manner to inform Muhammad (pbuh) of his Prophethood, which itself carries much wisdom. However the ahadith and the Qur'an clearly mention the tranquility and comfort the believers feel when close to their Lord, and the invincibility they acquire to all worldly things. For example the Qur'an states that when God is pleased with His servants, they experience peace and tranquility and increase in faith (48:18). And when believers profess their faith in God they recieve a sense of peace and warmth (46:13). In recounting His favours upon Muhammad, Allah mentions that He provided him with safe refuge and granted him peace and contentment (93:5-8). Allah also opened his heart and removed his burden (94:1-3). Allah repeatedly states that He is gentle, kind and gracious to His servants (42:19). He is the Friend, Protector and Guardian of those who have faith (2:257).
4. The last point should be obviously false by know, but just to make sure, let's quote the Qur'an again...
2:186 When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
Bookmarks