Is God vain?

[Ghazi]

I'm saying that a lot of people portray God to be this big arrogant entity sittintg in the sky who says, "worship me or die". Does that really make sense? That is certainly not my view of God.

Out of the 99 names for Allah, is one of them "the arrogant"?

No that's not one of his names.

 

[Fishman]

I'm saying that a lot of people portray God to be this big arrogant entity sittintg in the sky who says, "worship me or die". Does that really make sense? That is certainly not my view of God.

Out of the 99 names for Allah, is one of them "the arrogant"?

Please stop talking about Allah like that sister. You're questioning Allah's decision, which is NOT an good thing.

The purpose of our lives is to worship our Lord, and I'm certainly happy with that. Allah is the only One who deserves to be worshipped. Worship can mean anything, from praying, to going on Hajj, to helping others, to changing your name (to something good, such as Abdullah).

 

[IbnAbdulHakim]

Naudhubillah, sister you must stop taking your religion so lightly, dont even let the word arrogant and God be in the same sentence. lets avoid this inshaAllah

 

[Duhaa]

Also we must understand that God does not have qualities of a human so how could He be 'arrogant'?
If you believe that God created us and He knows everything and He sees everything etc, then how can He be vain, or arrogant or any such thing? If you believe He created everything mankind and the universe and such then He is above everything and capable of anything so He has every right to be worshipped.

Of course it is important that you learn about God because I have to say sister Les_Nubian your views are not entirely islamic.
No offense intended.

 

[Fishman]

Also we must understand that God does not have qualities of a human so how could He be 'arrogant'?
If you believe that God created us and He knows everything and He sees everything etc, then how can He be vain, or arrogant or any such thing? If you believe He created everything mankind and the universe and such then He is above everything and capable of anything so He has every right to be worshipped.

Of course it is important that you learn about God because I have to say sister Les_Nubian your views are not entirely islamic.
No offense intended.

Only a creation can be called arrogant, and Allah is not a creation.

 

[GARY]

You're questioning Allah's decision, which is NOT an good thing.

I beg to differ. For some people it is enough to just accept. For others, like Les_Nubian (and myself) who have nore critical, fact driven minds we need more.(remember, God gave us these minds). If we forced ourselfs to just accept, we would never truly believe with all our mind and soul. There would always be some doubt. It is a good thing to question, it is a 'must' for some of us.
I think that once those with a skeptical mind have decided, their belief would be rock solid.

 

[GARY]

Only a creation can be called arrogant, and Allah is not a creation.

Is that a written law somewhere? Can you provide proof that only a creation can be arrogant?

 

[- Qatada -]

Hi Gary.


It's part of our belief in Allaah that the best Names belong to Him only, and these are the 99 names mentioned within the Qur'an.

You can read more about them from here:

http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/99names.htm


And anything negative ascribed to Allaah is rejected i.e. that He has any partners, or a son etc.


Allaah Almighty knows best.


Peace.

 

[MinAhlilHadeeth]

I'm saying that a lot of people portray God to be this big arrogant entity sittintg in the sky who says, "worship me or die". Does that really make sense? That is certainly not my view of God.

Out of the 99 names for Allah, is one of them "the arrogant"?

No it isn't. Sister... sit down and see if you can write down every single blessing and favour Allah The Most High has granted you, then tell me if it is Mankind who is arrogant. Allah needs nothing from us. We need everything from Him. There are some that curse Allah and do nothing to show thanks yet Allah still sustains them. Truly He is the Most Merciful, The Sustainor!

:wasalamex

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

Sometimes, even though I'm a new Muslim, I think that a God who created us soley to worship "Him" must be vain! I mean, no offense to Allah or anyone else here, but when I think of how people say that "He" made us JUST to worship him, the word arrogance comes to mind.

The Islamic concept of 'Ibadah (trans. as 'worship') is far more comprehensive than what you have in mind with the english term. So when we say that God created us for His worship it is to say that God created us for loving devotion to Him and striving towards Him by performing righteous deeds so that we may come closer to Our Lord and know Him better. So our relationship with Our Creator is definitively one of love not reluctant enslavement. When we enjoin righteousness and good we are performing 'Ibadah and it allows us to strengthen our relationship with God, granting us the inner peace and tranquility that we desire as spiritual beings. When we contemplate Our Lord's infinite blessings upon us and thank Him for that we grow as individuals and are enlightened. When we are merciful to others on earth, that is worship of God and it allows us to better appreciate His mercy and so we come closer to Him. God is the only one in the universe who merits our loving devotion and worship.

 

[Les_Nubian]

I beg to differ. For some people it is enough to just accept. For others, like Les_Nubian (and myself) who have nore critical, fact driven minds we need more.(remember, God gave us these minds). If we forced ourselfs to just accept, we would never truly believe with all our mind and soul. There would always be some doubt. It is a good thing to question, it is a 'must' for some of us.
I think that once those with a skeptical mind have decided, their belief would be rock solid.

Thank you for that. You know, I "accepted" Islam in my heart, because I do believe that it is an absolutely beautiful and near perfect religion, with wanting to do the will of our "creator" and all.

But I cannot just blindly accept everything without thought! Some people are like that! And you know what, I wish I was like that! I really wish that I could just "believe" in something without thinking about it...that would eliminate some of the internal confusion/struggle, but I can't do that. I can't force myself to believe every little thing without question. It wouldn't be completely sincere if I did that. And as you all say here, "Allah knows best". If this is the case, then Allah knows me better than any of you.

 

[Fishman]

Thank you for that. You know, I "accepted" Islam in my heart, because I do believe that it is an absolutely beautiful and near perfect religion, with wanting to do the will of our "creator" and all.

But I cannot just blindly accept everything without thought! Some people are like that! And you know what, I wish I was like that! I really wish that I could just "believe" in something without thinking about it...that would eliminate some of the internal confusion/struggle, but I can't do that. I can't force myself to believe every little thing without question. It wouldn't be completely sincere if I did that. And as you all say here, "Allah knows best". If this is the case, then Allah knows me better than any of you.

Only near-perfect?

I think that the time for questioning and being critical is before you actually revert. Once you become a Muslim, you must clear all of your difficulties like this away and surrender yourself to Allah. I understand what it is like to be a revert, as I am one, and what I tried to do was to learn as much as I can, then take shahadah.

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

Thank you for that. You know, I "accepted" Islam in my heart, because I do believe that it is an absolutely beautiful and near perfect religion, with wanting to do the will of our "creator" and all.

But I cannot just blindly accept everything without thought! Some people are like that! And you know what, I wish I was like that! I really wish that I could just "believe" in something without thinking about it...that would eliminate some of the internal confusion/struggle, but I can't do that. I can't force myself to believe every little thing without question. It wouldn't be completely sincere if I did that. And as you all say here, "Allah knows best". If this is the case, then Allah knows me better than any of you.

God does not want you to blindly accept. God wants you to use reason and thought to find the truth, this is what the Qur'an teaches!

Qur'an 34:46 Say, "I only advise you of one [thing] - that you stand for Allah, [seeking truth] in pairs and individually, and then PONDER AND REFLECT."

Qur'an 17:36 And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

Qur'an 47:24 Will they then not contemplate the Qur'an? Or are there locks upon (their) hearts?

If you don't understand something just ask. In Islam there is an answer for everything. The Prophet said: 'The cure for ignorance is to question.' (Sunan Abî Dawûd).

It is through using the faculties of reason and thought which God has endowed us with that we are able to find the truth.