The big question

[FatimaAsSideqah]

Greetings.

Our life here on earth although short, is full of purpose and is totally meaningful within the complete framework of total submission (Islam).

Similarly, in the Next Life as well, our faith, intentions, attitudes and good deeds will all be weighed into our account as favorable putting us in high esteem with our Creator and Sustainer.

Because Islam teaches that this life is only a test or trial for the individual to show us our true nature it is only natural that we would accept death as not so much an ending to everything but more as a beginning of the final and lasting life in the Hereafter.

 

[Thinker]

Surely it can't just be for the sole purpose of having people to worship Him? That would be very self-indulgent!

Entirely so . . . . . First we define God . . . a perfect entity, all seeing all knowing, justice personified. Those are things a God must be, things God mustn’t be are the opposites of all those thing and also God cannot suffer human emotions like envy or avariciousness. Here it is suggested that, in the beginning there was God and nothing else and that God out of the need to be worshipped created men i.e. God is a bored, lonely individual with feelings!!

 

[- Qatada -]

Entirely so . . . . . First we define God . . . a perfect entity, all seeing all knowing, justice personified. Those are things a God must be, things God mustn’t be are the opposites of all those thing and also God cannot suffer human emotions like envy or avariciousness. Here it is suggested that, in the beginning there was God and nothing else and that God out of the need to be worshipped created men i.e. God is a bored, lonely individual with feelings!!

Question If God is so perfect, why does He need us to worship Him?



Answer:

First of all, what is worship? Worship is to do an act which Allah/God loves, whether its praying to Him, helping the needy, helping society become a better place, even small factors such as feeding your family and providing for them - with the intent of pl

Allah/God isn’t in need of our worship, but we as His creation are in need of His worship. We see as humans today that there is a great amount of evil that is widespread on the earth, people kill each other unjustly, loot each others wealth, taking the rights of people without any just cause. Now if the people were aware, and 100% certain without doubt that God is watching over them and that He would either punish them a severe punishment or reward them a great reward according to what they did do in this world, there would be a lot less evil, and much more harmony and peace on the earth.

So God isn’t in need of us or our worship, but we clearly see that there is a great deal of corruption when people do not worship God. Having a healthy fear of Gods punishment, hoping for His reward and Mercy, and loving Him for everything He has given us (sight, hearing, health, sustenance etc.) are all acts of worship – if these were instilled into the people, it would give everyone a balanced life in all aspects.
It would humble those who have been given authority and great wealth, aswell as give respect and kindness to those who may be given less in worldly riches. The rich would give a share of their wealth to the poor, hoping for reward from God, and the poor would be thankful for that. The family ties would be upheld, people would be pleased with that because they would be sure that this is what God wants, and they would hope that God would be pleased with them for that – and this would strengthen their love for God, aswell as God’s love for them, which would mean that God would give them an easier life in this world, and the one to come. If anyone ever thought of harming someone who had no right of being harmed, they could remind them of the punishment of God against injustice, which would make that person think twice before doing that evil.

From the above we see that all the aspects of worship which God orders us to perform are for the betterment of humanity aswell as ourselves, God never orders us to do something harmful for us unless the benefit is much greater than the harm.





Okay, that makes sense, but what about praying and fasting then? Why does God need you to pray to Him 5 times a day if He isn’t in need of your worship?

We fast – specifically in the month of Ramadan – in order to learn self-restraint, even when no-one is around we learn that God is watching over us, which will prevent us from committing evil and shameful deeds whether done in public or private. This is something praiseworthy no matter what way you look at it.
About the prayers, when we pray to God 5 times a day, the main central theme of the prayer is for our own benefit. If we look at what we recite, we praise God at the beginning, and then this is when the important part comes;

All Praise is to God, Lord of the Worlds.
The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Lord of the Day of Judgement.
You Alone we worship, you Alone we ask for Help.
Guide us to the straight path.
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

[Qur’an - Al Fatihah Chapter 1]


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Since praising Allah/God is a means of gaining His pleasure, then we praise Him and then invoke (pray to) Him after that, yet He is not in need of us praising Him since He is the self sufficient, free of all wants.
Back to the prayer, we see that the main central theme of our prayer is to actually invoke God and ask Him for our guidance, and as we finish the prayer – we continue praying for the believers. Again, this doesn’t harm or benefit God in the least, however – He loves His servants and wants us to surrender and submit to Him [literal meaning: Islam, one who submits – Muslim] out of our own freedom of choice. Then He is willing to reward us for being grateful, or punish those who were ungrateful and belied Him and His signs.

 

[Thinker]

Question If God is so perfect, why does He need us to worship Him?



First of all, what is worship? Worship is to do an act which Allah/God loves, whether its praying to Him, helping the needy, helping society become a better place, even small factors such as feeding your family and providing for them - with the intent of pl

OK I’ll have that, in fact I’ve said all along that God, being a God, by definition could not condemn a good person to hell, that would be unjust and God can’t be unjust.

The problem is, the verse in question doesn’t say that it says I have only created Jinns and men, that they may worship/serve Me and as some Jinns are malevolent Jinns they are by their nature bad so does it then follow that a bad Jinn is doing God’s will by being bad i.e. a Jinn can attain a place in heaven by being bad because that is his way of serving God?

 

[أبو سليمان عمر]

OK I’ll have that, in fact I’ve said all along that God, being a God, by definition could not condemn a good person to hell, that would be unjust and God can’t be unjust.

Indeed God is the Most Just so Just that He could have put everyone in their respective places from the very beginning, but the people would complain as to why they were thrown in Hell without being given a chance. This life is exactly that; a chance to prove to ourselves who we really are and what we would really do if we indeed had a free choice.
Allah Knows everything that will happen, but we don't. That is why the test is fair.

The problem is, the verse in question doesn’t say that it says I have only created Jinns and men, that they may worship/serve Me and as some Jinns are malevolent Jinns they are by their nature bad so does it then follow that a bad Jinn is doing God’s will by being bad i.e. a Jinn can attain a place in heaven by being bad because that is his way of serving God?

56. Wama khalaqtu aljinna waal-insa illa liyaAAbudooni
Translation
56. And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).

The jinn
Who are the jinn? How did Allaah create them?

Praise be to Allaah.

The jinn are part of the creation of Allaah. He created them from fire before He created Adam, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.

And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire”

[al-Hijr 15:26-27]

Just as Adam had descendents, so Iblees had descendents too, as Allaah says of Iblees (interpretation of the meaning):

“Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zaalimoon (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc)”

[al-Kahf 18:50]

Allaah created the jinn and mankind to worship Him. Whoever obeys Him will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys Him will enter Hell:

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).

I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures).

Verily, Allaah is the All Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong”

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56 – interpretation]

All of the jinn, like mankind, are accountable. Among them there are believers and kaafirs, those who obey Allaah and those who disobey Him, as Allaah tells us that they said:

“‘There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups having different ways (religious sects)’”

[al-Jinn 72:11 – interpretation of the meaning]

The jinn will be rewarded or punished in the Hereafter just like mankind. Allaah tells us that they said:

“‘And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allaah, after listening to this Qur’aan), and of us some are Al-Qaasitoon (disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path)’. And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allaah), then such have sought the Right Path.’

And as for the Qaasitoon (disbelievers who deviated from the Right Path), they shall be firewood for Hell”

[al-Jinn 72:14-15 – interpretation of the meaning]

The jinn and mankind will all be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection before the Lord of the Worlds. None of them will be able to postpone that or flee from it.

“O assembly of jinn and men! If you have power to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allaah)!”

[al-Rahmaan 55:33 – interpretation of the meaning]
you can read the rest here about jinn
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/13378/jinn

 

[Karina]

We don't know of Allah swt 'motivation' for creation, we know merely our sole reason for existing. We might not be his most important of creation at all, as evidenced by the first verse of suret Al insan:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ
هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا مَّذْكُورًا {1}
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[SIZE=-1][Yusufali 76:1] Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing - (not even) mentioned?[/SIZE]


So to sum it up for you, our purpose for creation 'defined', and none of us can speak for God's plan or 'motivation' thus his intention motivation for creation is 'undefined'

Hope that answered your Q

all the best

I think Gossamer Skye has answered my question here, thank you, I appreciate this. :thumbs_up

There is so much information in the world about what God wants from us, but not much at all about His own reasons for creating us... I was just curious that's all!

My main issue is that it is mentioned time and time again that He will be "pleased" or show "anger" about certain behaviours - therefore he is "humanised" in this respect. These are human-like emotions and feelings.

If Allah has these emotional displays and thought processes, like us human beings, I wanted to know what his emotions and feelings were when he created us.

Humans do things for a reason. The general consensus seems to be that Allah does things for a reason. I just wanted to know his reason! [Wouldn't it be great if it turned out he was bored one day and thought "I know, I'll make something fun!"]

I think from what has been said though is that we should just accept we are here and what is expected of us..... without such an inquisitive mind as my own!

 

[idk]

No, actually, im a muslim and ive had that question a thousand times.
Sorry for not being able to give u a complicated answer lol.
I believe that life is like an exam - you have the right to mess around in your exam and write all the wrong answers, but then you wont get the marks, will you?
You see, as we are all humans we can make a few mistakes, god expects that, but if you utterly hopelessly fail then none can save you.

theres alot of questions we cant ever find answers for - I just believe that God is wise and if you think about it everything created has a reason and a purpose - and although i cant answer your question i can assure you if our brains were smarter and if we were wiser we could maybe begin to understand why, but you see we get confused over what make up to use and what to wear in the morning, and so how can we possibly start to question why god made us ?

When we reach a ripe old age we sit back and think 'Now i know why i fell in love with so and so but got married to so and so - because he treated me better ' you see at some point all the confusion goes away, and you sit back and smile, so basicly im just saying that theres a wisdom behind everything that happens, and someday, sooner or later you will realise that.


Take care x

 

[Yanal]

Or here's my view:
Life is like a job,we are low class workers,the Prophets were superindendents(people who warn) and they have left,the owner is Allah,at the day of judgement we will get our pay judging on our work(deeds) if you did bad you get fired(thrown in hell) if you did good you get heaven.

Try to understand it that way.

 

[Karina]

No, actually, im a muslim and ive had that question a thousand times.
Sorry for not being able to give u a complicated answer lol.
I believe that life is like an exam - you have the right to mess around in your exam and write all the wrong answers, but then you wont get the marks, will you?
You see, as we are all humans we can make a few mistakes, god expects that, but if you utterly hopelessly fail then none can save you.

theres alot of questions we cant ever find answers for - I just believe that God is wise and if you think about it everything created has a reason and a purpose - and although i cant answer your question i can assure you if our brains were smarter and if we were wiser we could maybe begin to understand why, but you see we get confused over what make up to use and what to wear in the morning, and so how can we possibly start to question why god made us ?

When we reach a ripe old age we sit back and think 'Now i know why i fell in love with so and so but got married to so and so - because he treated me better ' you see at some point all the confusion goes away, and you sit back and smile, so basicly im just saying that theres a wisdom behind everything that happens, and someday, sooner or later you will realise that.


Take care x

Aww what a lovely answer, idk! Your reply really made me smile

THANK YOU x

 

[Karina]

Or here's my view:
Life is like a job,we are low class workers,the Prophets were superindendents(people who warn) and they have left,the owner is Allah,at the day of judgement we will get our pay judging on our work(deeds) if you did bad you get fired(thrown in hell) if you did good you get heaven.

Try to understand it that way.

Oh I do, Yanal, I do.

I just kind of wonder why the owner started his business that's all!

 

[AntiKarateKid]

Oh I do, Yanal, I do.

I just kind of wonder why the owner started his business that's all!

Are you glad that you have been given the chance to enter Paradise? Eternal and Perfect Happiness? Did I mention it's eternal!

No soul is burdened beyond what it can bear so you have every opportunity to enter it or ban yourself from it.

It is a mercy that we all should be thankful for, no matter how bad our situation, the hereafter is true life.

 

[جوري]

I think Gossamer Skye has answered my question here, thank you, I appreciate this. :thumbs_up

my pleasure...

There is so much information in the world about what God wants from us, but not much at all about His own reasons for creating us... I was just curious that's all!

You can't usurp God with such a humble question.. God's reasons belong to God!

My main issue is that it is mentioned time and time again that He will be "pleased" or show "anger" about certain behaviours - therefore he is "humanised" in this respect. These are human-like emotions and feelings.

This might better address your question

Name of Questioner

S. M - Canada​

Title

The Nature of Allah​

Question

Scholars of Islam, as-Salamu `alaykum. I am curious about the nature of Allah. I know Allah is not a person, nor anything like a man, but the Qur’an always refers to Allah as “He” or “Him” and even sometimes “I” and “We”. Is this just for our understanding, or maybe something that is lost in the translation? I see Allah as an unfolding, never ending source of power, but without any emotion or the same kind of thought process as mortals. I was wondering if you could help me on this.​

Date

07/Jul/2003​

Name of Counsellor

Muzammil Siddiqi​

Topic

Muslim Belief​

Answer​

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question which reflects your care to have a sound belief and faith. Allah commands Muslims to refer to people of knowledge to become well-acquainted with the teachings of Islam in all aspects of life.

Before addressing this question, it is essential to state the following: The Islamic approach towards dealing with any issue relating to faith and practice is direct. Thus, this invariably involves looking at what the Qur’an has to say, how this was understood and applied by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the pious generations, who are considered our perennial role models in all matters of deen (religion).

First of all, we would like to stress the fact that, every committed Muslim should have a firm belief that Allah Almighty is UNIQUE in everything. There is no resemblance between Allah the Creator and His creation. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: "Nothing is like Him and He hears and sees all things." (Ash-Shura: 11)

In his response to your question, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

“According to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, we say Allah is the Most Powerful (Al-Qawiyy). We may say that Allah’s power is unfolding and never ending, but we do not say that Allah is ‘an unfolding never ending power.’

In Islam, we believe that Allah has many Names and Beautiful Attributes. Allah sees, hears, speaks, likes, and dislikes. Allah listens to our prayers and blesses those who believe in Him and obey Him. It is correct that Allah is not a person like a man, but this does not mean that Allah is some kind of abstract being, or mere energy or power. If you read the Qur’an, you will see that there are many personal qualities of Allah. But the Qur’an reminds us that “Nothing is like Him and He hears and sees all things.” (Ash-Shura: 11) This is a very profound statement. On the one hand it denies all anthropomorphism (tashbih), and on the other hand it rejects all kind of nihilism (ta`til).

Allah Most High also loves, hates, is pleased, gets angry, wishes us to do certain things, and does not like us to do some other things. But in the case of Allah these are not emotions like those of mortals. These are according to His own Majesty and Greatness. We cannot fully grasp His Attributes, because He is infinite and we are finite. We have no other way of knowing Him, except what He tells us through His Book and His Prophets. In the Qur’an Allah says about Himself in the famous Ayat al-Kursi: “Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne does extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them, for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).” (Al-Baqarah: 255)

The pronouns ‘He’, ‘Him’ or ‘I’, ‘We’ are to indicate that Allah is a Being, not a thing. We do not use the pronoun ‘It’ for Allah. If it were our belief that Allah is ‘power’ or ‘energy’ then we could have used the expression ‘It’, but this is not acceptable in Islam. We do not believe that Allah is a male or a female. Allah is beyond maleness and femaleness. Allah is the Creator of both males and females. Muslims do not make an image of Allah. Even if an image comes to their mind they say, ‘Allah Akbar,’ (Allah is Greater) and He transcends this particular image. In the Qur’an Allah speaks sometimes as ‘I’ and sometimes as ‘We’. This is to describe His power and His closeness. But Allah is never referred to as ‘They’ or ‘You’ in the plural (hum or antum).

I suggest you read the Qur’an carefully and see for yourself what Allah says about Himself. There is no book in which you can find a more authentic and direct word of Allah better than the Qur’an.”

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.pakistanlink.com

You can also read:
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Naught Is as His likeness!


Pronoun ‘He’ Referring to Allah in the Qur’an


The Pronoun ‘We’ Referring to Allah in the Qur’an

If Allah has these emotional displays and thought processes, like us human beings, I wanted to know what his emotions and feelings were when he created us.

See previous two replies.

Humans do things for a reason. The general consensus seems to be that Allah does things for a reason. I just wanted to know his reason! [Wouldn't it be great if it turned out he was bored one day and thought "I know, I'll make something fun!"]

see previous three replies

I think from what has been said though is that we should just accept we are here and what is expected of us..... without such an inquisitive mind as my own!

I think ALL people ask the same questions it is natural.. not a super trait!


all the best

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you Karina;

I just kind of wonder why the owner started his business that's all!

My parents brought me into this world for all their reasons or mistake, but I had no choice in this matter. We talk about our free will, but I seem to have had no choice at all in this most important question for me. If I knew that if I messed up in this world I would receive eternal hell, then I might choose not to be born at all. But I wasn’t given that choice, and I didn’t even have too much proof that God exists, so why should I be condemned?

I now know beyond a doubt that God exists, but what about the billions who believe that God exists in a different way for them?

Before the creation of the world began, God knew how we would come into this world. We cannot know the mind of God, we can only hope and pray that God had a fair, just and forgiving reason to bring us all here.

Before the creation of the world began, God knew there would be Muslims, Atheists, Christians, Hindu and all others. We hope and pray that God has a fair and just way of dealing with this problem of who attains salvation.

There are more questions than answers, we need faith and trust to just accept that God exists fully and totally, and God is good.

In the spirit of searching for a loving and forgiving God

Eric