The Creator of Everything Does Not Resemble The Creations

THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING DOES NOT RESEMBLE THE CREATIONS
Written by Administrator
Monday, 30 November 2009 20:39 - Last Updated Sunday, 19 April 2015 21:13
THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING DOES NOT
RESEMBLE THE CREATIONS
All praise and thanks is due to Allh, the Lord of the universe. We ask Allh to raise the rank of
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), and to protect his nation from that
which the Prophet himself fears for it. May Allh grant us sincere intentions and proper
comprehension and make us among those who acquire the correct knowledge, sincerely
implement it and guide others to that knowledge.
It is known by the sound logic and observation that an object has a boundary and a size. For
example, the sun has a boundary and a size and the Creator is the One who created it with that
boundary and size. In the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 13 verse:
8 : .
Means: Allh created everything with a specific size. Also, in the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 39 verse:
62
: .
Means: Allh created everything. It is Allh who created the objects and the Creator of all
objects is not an object, size, form or shape. In the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 42 verse: 11
: .
Means: Absolutely nothing like Allh in any way whatsoever.
1 / 14

Allh created two types of objects; objects we can grab (tangible), such as a rock or a tree and
objects we cannot grab (intangible), such as light or the soul. All the creations come under
these two categories. Allh does not resemble the objects that are tangible and the objects that
are intangible. One who resembles something cannot create. For example, the sun is similar to
the moon, both are objects and creations. It's not right nor is it logical to say the sun created the
moon or the moon created the sun. Also we do not say that the sun created humans or humans
created the sun. This is because the creation cannot create. However, Allh who does not
resemble the creations, it is He[1] only who has the attribute of creating (bringing things from a
state of non-existence, into a state of existence). Allh does not resemble anything we see in
the universe or anything that we can imagine, because our sights and imaginations are part of
the creations and are created by Allh.
[1] The words 'He', 'His' and 'Him' when used in reference to Allh must not be understood to
refer to gender, because the wording is the same. However, the meaning is different. Allh
created males and females and is not similar to any of the creations whatsoever.
The Creator is the only One Who exists eternally (i.e. an existence without a beginning). So
before Allh created any of the creations, nothing other than Allh existed. There was no place,
no time, no earth, no Heavens (skies), no space, no darkness, no light, no Hellfire, no Paradise
and no Ârsh[2]. Al-Bukhariyy, Al-Bayhaqiyy and Ibnul-Jarud related that the Messenger of
Allh, Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said:
Means: Allh existed eternally and nothing else existed. This saying of the Prophet clearly
proves beyond any doubt that the Creator of all places exists without a place, because it's
impossible that after Allh having been existent without a place, Allh would change and dwell
in a place! Also it is determined in the rules of the religion and the judgment of the sound mind
that Allh's existence does not change. Allh does not change, because change is a sign of
need and need is not befitting to attribute to Allh. What changes from one state to another
can't be God, because anything that changes is needy of the one that changed it and what
needs others is weak and what is attributed with weakness, is not God. The Creator of all things
that change, He (Allh) does not change.
2 / 14

[2] The Heavens are located underneath Paradise and the Ârsh is the ceiling of Paradise. The
Ârsh is the largest of the creations in size and has four pillars. Some refer to it in English as
'the Throne'.
What we as Muslims believe and say: 'After Allh created all the places (i.e. earth, skies, space,
Hellfire, Paradise and the Ârsh), His existence now is as He was eternally without a place'.
Imam abu Mansur Al-baghdadiyy who is a reliable scholar in Islam, in his book Al-Farqu
Baynal-Firaq, that Imam Âliyy ibn abi Talib, the fourth of the caliphs (i.e. fourth leader of the
Islamic nation) said:
' '
:
Means: Allh existed eternally and there weren't any places created and after He created all the
places, He is now as He was without a place. One must understand that before the places were
created, Allh who created everything (places and everything else) existed without a place and
after He created the places, Allh still exists without a place. Keep in mind all the places are
created and what is created exists with a beginning and Allh exists without a beginning.
Beneficial Information: The Ârsh (Throne) is the largest creation that Allh created in size;
Allh did not create anything bigger in size than it and it's the ceiling of Paradise. The Ârsh has
4 large pillars at each end which are carried now by four Angels. In describing the enormous
size of these Angels that carry the Ârsh, the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said
the distance between their ear lobes and their shoulders, is the distance of what a fast-flying
bird would cover in 700 years flying straight down. It is Allh who created the Ârsh as a ceiling
for Paradise and did not create the Ârsh as a place for Himself to sit on as some people
wrongly claim. Imam abu Mansur Al-baghdadiyy related that Imam Âliyy ibn abi Talib said:
:
.
3 / 14

Means: Allh created the Ârsh as an indication of His Power and did not take it as a place for
Himself. One should remember these words and he/she would not go wrong. Before the Creator
created anything, He did not need anything. So those who believe or say the Creator is in need
of things, what we as Muslims reply back to them: "Why would the Creator need anything, when
He created everything?" It is easy for one to understand that Allh created the earth and He is
not in need of it. Likewise, Allh created the skies and all the other places and He is also not in
need of them. Allh existed before their existence and after creating them into existence; He still
exists without any need of them. In the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 112 verse: 2
: .
Means: Allh does not need any of the creations and all of His creations need Him. All the
creations are in complete need of their Creator. Remember, the one who is in need of
something cannot do without it for example; humans have a need to eat and sleep. They cannot
live without eating or sleeping and this is a weakness on their behalf. Allh is not in need of the
creations, because the one who is in need of something is weak and the one who is weak does
not deserve to be worshipped. Allh is not weak, because He is the Creator and the Creator is
the only One Who truly deserves to be worshipped.
The Creator of all things is not contained by the six directions. A well known Muslim scholar by
the name of Imam abu Ja^far At-Tahawi (b.229 d.321After Hijrah[3], 828/920), also lived in the
Salaf[4] era, wrote a very famous book called Al-Âqidah At-Tahawiyyah. He mentioned that the
subject of this book is an explanation of the Creed of the people of Ahlussunnah
wal-Jammaâh, which is also the same Creed Imam abu Hanifah and his to close students
adhere to. Imam abu Hanifah is one of the authorities of Salaf (b.80 d.150AH, 679/749). Imam
abu Ja^far At-Tahawi in his book Al-Âqidah At-Tahawiyyah statement #37 said:

. .
4 / 14

Means: Allh is clear[5] of all limits[6], boundaries[7], sides[8], organs[9] and limbs[10]. Nor is
He contained by the six directions as all the created things are. The six directions are (above,
below, in front, behind, right and left). These six primary directions which are created by Allah
contain only the created things.
[3] The immigration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), from
Mecca to al-Madinah was an order by Allh. This Hijrah was also the start of Prophet
Muhammad's Islamic nation calendar.
[4] The Salaf were among the Muslims who lived during the first three centuries after Hijrah. The
Prophet praised the Salaf by saying:
Means: The best of the people (i.e. the Muslims who live in Prophet Muhammad's nation) are
those who live in my first century, then those who come after them in the second century, then
those who come after them in the third century. So all what is relayed to us from those scholars
in that era, the Prophet praised them and we as Muslims must take their knowledge on board in
our lifetime, because their belief is in total agreement with the Messenger of Allh and all of his
companions. Imam abu Ja^far At-Tahawi lived during the first 300 years after the immigration of
the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), from Mecca to al-Madinah. Hence, Imam
At-Tahawi is among the Salaf scholars. The Creed that he complied and explained is the same
Creed of all the Salaf and also the Creed that is taught today to the students of Al-Azhar
Al-Shariff University in Cairo.
[5] Clear in this contexts means Allh is not attributed with these imperfect created attributes.
[6] All bodies have limits.
5 / 14

[7] A boundary is an enclosing line or border. What is surrounded is a creation and is in need of
one to have specified it with that boundary. What needs others is not perfect and is not God.
Imam Abu Ja^far At-Tahawi, is one of the Salaf scholars. He is confirming that Allh is not
attributed with a boundary. What has ends, sides, organs and parts, is a body. This disqualifies
one from being God. A body is either above, below, in front, behind, to the left, or to the right of
another body. Every creation is confined to these six primary directions. However, Allh the
Creator is clear of these six primary directions, because the Creator existed before He created
them, without Him being in one or more directions.
[8] All bodies have sides.
[9] Large bodily organs, like face, torso, arms, shins and foot etc.
[10] Small bodily organs, like eyes, ears, hands, fingers, tongue and lips etc.
It must not be believed or said that Allh exists inside everyone or He is everywhere. What we
as Muslims believe and say: "Allh has knowledge about everything in everywhere". A true
story that actually happened which concerns this topic. There once was an ignorant person who
believed that God physically exists everywhere and he was also explaining this wrong belief to
an Atheist. The Atheist said to him: 'If you claim that God exists everywhere, then God is under
my shoes!' The ignorant person had no way of refuting the Atheist, because he had the wrong
belief about God to begin with. Had he been on the right belief about God, that God exists
without a place and God is not everywhere, God has knowledge about everything in
everywhere. He then would have known how to have responded to that Atheist who had the
nerve to say such an ugly blasphemous statement. One must know that if a Muslim said God is
everywhere, but meant here God has knowledge about everything in everywhere then this
person does not blaspheme. But this statement (God is everywhere) is incorrectly worded and
is sinful in Islam. However, if one meant that Allah is physically everywhere, then one has
committed blasphemy for attributing Allh to containment in places.
Beneficial Information: When Muslims lift their hands and face towards the sky when performing
duâa (supplicating to Allh for something beneficial), it does not mean that Allh exists in the
skies. Imam Al-Nawawi said:
6 / 14

:
.
Means: The skies are the direction for the duâa (i.e. supplication). Muslims lift their hands and
face towards the skies, because it is the direction for the duâa, just as the Ka^ba (Mecca) is
the direction for all Muslims around the world face towards it when praying to Allh. Also one
must know that Muslims face towards the Ka^ba in obedience to Allh, because Allh ordered
us to do so when we pray. Muslims don't worship the Ka^ba or any other creation, we only
worship Allh. Therefore, Muslims lift their hands and face towards the sky when performing
duâa. This is because it is from the skies that the mercies and blessings from Allah descend.
No attention is given to the Mushabbihah[11] who say that the skies are the direction to perform
duâa (i.e. supplication) to use it as their so-called proof that Allh occupies the skies. The
Prophet made duâa when his forehead was facing the ground while in prayer. The Messenger
of Allh, Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said:
Means: There is no space in the sky equal to the width of four fingers, except one would find an
Angel worshipping and glorifying Allh, either in standing, bowing or prostrating position. The
Angels stay as such until the Day of Judgement, worshipping Allh their Creator. This saying of
the Messenger of Allh is another proof that Allh does not exist in the skies. This is because
those who claim that Allh exists in the upper skies are claiming Allh is in between the Angels
and His size is the width of four fingers? This is impossible, because the Creator is not a body,
object, size, form or shape.
[11] The term Mushabbihah is an Arabic word used to describe those who liken Allh to the
creations in which they attribute to Allh a place, direction, body and organs. These beliefs are
clear blasphemy.
It is Allh who created everything and He does not resemble anything whatsoever and this is
also easy to understand and accept. Humans have limits; they cannot always do what they want
to do. Allh is not like humans. Allh is not something invisible, because invisible is a created
7 / 14

thing. Air is something created, but it is invisible to us. Allh is not a light, either a white light or a
yellow light. Allh created the light. Light can be stopped by putting a dense solid object in front
of its source. Allh is not air. Air has a volume and needs space. Both light and air occupy a
space and Allh does not occupy a space, because space is contained in the six primary
directions. Space is a creation and Allh is not in need of space, because He existed eternally
before space and time were created. The Creator of space is not contained in space and the
Creator of time is not bound to time. Allh is not a colour. Colour is one of the creations of Allh.
Allh is not a spirit. Spirit is found in humans and in animals and Allh does not resemble
humans or animals. Allh is not an energy, gas, liquid or a solid.
Every Muslim must know that our Lord has no shape or form. Shapes and forms are described
with how questions and how questions do not apply to Allh. Muslims believe and say: 'Allh
exists without a how'. (How?) is a word used only to describe what is created and everything
other than Allh is attributed with a how manner. How is a question related to shapes, bodies,
places, depth, height, width and dimensions. Therefore, know beyond a doubt that the question
'how' (kayf ) does not apply to Allah. Imam Aliyy ibn abi Talib was once approached by
a group of people who asked him: 'How is Allh'. Imam Aliyy ibn abi Talib answered them by
saying:
:
.
Means: Allh created what is described with a how. So the word 'how' does not apply to Allh.
Hence, the statement: 'No one knows how Allh is', must never be said. This is because the
one who attributes how to Allh is like one is implying Allh is a creation, but is ignorant of the
how manner of it. Allh is the Creator of all that is attributed with how, the manner of being (i.e.
all things which make up the creations). Remember, when one asks the question how, the
answer would be like this or like that. Everything other than Allh is a creation. So for one to
say: 'Like this or like that', it would mean like this or like that created thing and Allh does not
resemble any of the creations. Also, it's not permissible and it's blasphemous to say: 'Where is
Allh (i.e. location)', because it is like one is implying that Allh is in a place and as we have
explained previously, Allh exists without a place. In the book Ar-Risalah Al-Qushayriyyah by
Abul-Qasim al-Qushayriyy, Imam Âliyy ibn abi Talib said:
8 / 14

:
.
Means: The question of 'where' (i.e. location) does not apply to the One who created the
whereabouts. Imam abu Hanifah, in his book Al-Fiqh Al-Absat said:

:
.
Means: Allh existed eternally and there was no place. He existed before creating the creation.
He existed, and there was no place, creation, or thing. He is the Creator of everything. Also in
the same book Al-Fiqh Al-Absat, Imam abu Hanifah said:
:
.
Means: Whoever says: 'I don't know if Allh is in the sky or on the earth', commits blasphemy.
This is because they imagined Allh in some place and whoever imagines Allh in a place, is a
person who likens Allh to the creations. It is also blasphemous to believe or say: 'No one
knows Allh's place except Allh' or 'We don't know how Allh's place is'. These two phrases
are also attributing Allh with a place.
Our existence is in a place and Allh's existence is not in or on a place and if Satan or a devil
whispers to you and says: 'How can Allh exist without a place?' Just remember this example.
There was once no darkness and no light created. In the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 6 verse: 1
: .
Means: Allh created the darkness and the light. Since the human mind is limited to what it can
9 / 14

imagine, so can we imagine how it would have been before Allh created the darkness and the
light? The answer is 'No'. The same judgement applies to the human soul. We as humans are
ignorant of the how manner of our soul in our own body. Then how dare some people who have
that nerve to come to a conclusion and say: 'How is Allh', when Allh exists without a how and
without a place.
As the sound mind determines that Allh existed without a place before creating the places, the
sound mind also determines that after Allh created all the places, He still exists without a
place. The Creator of all things that change, He (Allh) does not change. A Muslim scholar who
is well known for being very God fearing, by the name of Ahmad ar-Rifaîyy al-Kabir said a
wonderful statement:
:
.
Means: The ultimate knowledge about Allh is to be certain that Allh exists without a how and
without a place.
The belief that Allh exists without a how and without a place is the creed of the Messenger of
Allh (peace and blessing be upon him), the Companions and those who graciously followed
them and it shall be till the Day of Judgment. The proof of this precious statement is what is
mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 42 verse: 11
: .
Means: Absolutely nothing like Allh in any way whatsoever. This verse reflects the core of
Tawhid[12] and is the clearest verse in the whole entire Qur'an that when it's recited, its
meaning is so clear that Allh is absolutely and totally clear from resembling the creations in
everyway. Hence, it's also proof that Allh exists without a place, because whatever exists in a
place would be made up of particles (i.e. it would be a body occupying a space) and the Creator
is not a body that occupies a space. The words body, place and space means: That which has
depth, height and width. What has depth, height and width is a creation beyond any doubt.
Imam Ja^far as-Sadiq who is among the Salaf said:
10 / 14

:

.
Means: Whoever claims that Allh is in something, or on something, or from something,

commits shirk[13]. This is because if Allh was in something, He would be confined. If Allh was
on something, He would be carried. If Allh was from something, He would be something that
has a beginning (i.e. creation).
[12] Tawhid (the Uniqueness) means no other has Allh's attributes and that Allh is the only
God who does not resemble any of the creations.
[13] Associating partners to Allh or in another phrase, worshipping other than Allh, which is
blasphemy.
Beneficial Information: Taâla is a word from the Holy Qur'an which means: Allh is
absolutely and totally clear of all non-befitting attributes that the blasphemers attribute to Him.
Allh is not attributed with attributes of the creation, like bodily attributes, colours, shapes,
movements, stillness, suspending, sitting, resting, descending, climbing and any other attributes
of the creations. This is why the people of Truth (Ahlussunnah wal-Jammaâh put footnote and
explain who we are) say: "Allh exists without a place", because the one who exists in a place
must have a limit and anything that has a limit is a creation and is also in need of the one who
specified it with that limit. Furthermore, whatever is in need, certainly is not the Creator. This is
the proof that Allh is clear of existing in any place or direction. We do not say that Allh exists
in the direction of above. We do not say that Allh exists in all places, or everywhere. Rather,
Allh exists and He does not resemble other things that exist. Hence, Allh exists without a
place.
Very Important Note: When we as Muslims believe and say that Allh exists without a how,
without a place and without a direction; this does not imply that Allh does not exist. Allh exists
without a doubt. However, Allh's existence does not resemble other things that exist and
Muslims submit to this without any doubt whatsoever.
11 / 14

The followers of Ahmad Ibn Taymiyah (b.664 d.729AH, 1263/1328) and Muhammad ibn
Âbdil-Wahhab (b.1117 d.1206AH, 1703/1792) are among the group of the Mushabbihah and
their followers today are known as Wahabies. They believe Allh is a body and exists in a place
(they believe and teach Allh exists above the Ârsh and they say Allh changes and occupies
the skies). These statements are clear blasphemy. The Mushabbihah claim to follow the Holy
Qur'an and the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), however that is not the case in
reality. They take only the literal meanings to the ambiguous verses in the Holy Qur'an and the
ambiguous Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) to which they liken Allh to physical hand or a face,
or that He sits on the Ârsh (ceiling of Paradise), or that He occupies a certain direction and
place. Such false interpretations results in likening Allh to the creations, which Islamically is
blasphemous and clashes with a unambiguous fundamental verse in the Holy Qur'an, chapter
42: verse 11:
: .
Means: Absolutely nothing like Allh in any way whatsoever. As a result, they have been lead
astray and de-railed from the path of Islam. The scholars of Islam have said the Mushabbihah
recite this verse in the Holy Qur'an, in chapter 42: verse 11:
: .
Means: Absolutely nothing like Allh in any way whatsoever. However, it does not go past their
collarbone. If it did go past their collarbone, then the meaning of the verse would have entered
their hearts and they would not have contradicted a fundamental verse in Holy Qur'an.
O people be alert and don't be mislead by those mushabbihah who have been lead astray from
the path of Islam in relation to what's above the Ârsh (the Throne; ceiling of Paradise). They
believe and say Allh exists above the Ârsh and they (the mushabbihah) also claim Allh is
sitting on the Ârsh. This belief and statement is clear blasphemy. Did mushabbihah forget that
above is a direction and what has a direction is a place? Imam abu Ja^far At-Tahawi (b.229
d.321AH, 828/920) in his book Al-Âqidah At-Tahawiyyah statement #37 said:
12 / 14

.
.
Means: Allh is clear of all limits, boundaries, sides, organs and limbs. Nor is He contained by
the six directions as all the created things are. The six directions are (above, below, in front,
behind, right and left). These six primary directions which are created by Allh contain only the
created things. Imam abu Ja^far at-Tahawi who is among the Salaf, openly stated that Allh is
totally clear of being contained by the six directions. Imam abu Hanifah (b.80 d.150AH,
679/749) who was also among the Salaf, in his book Al-Wasiyyah, said:
:

.
Means: Allh is the maintainer of the Ârsh and everything else. Allh is not in need of anything.
For had Allh been in need, He would not have the power to create, control and maintain the
world. Furthermore, had He been in a place needing to sit and rest, before creating the Ârsh,
where was Allh? That is, the question: 'Where was Allh', would have applied to Him, which is
impossible.
The Fatw[14] of Imam Abu Hanifah in regards to the blasphemy of those who maintain that
Allah is in the sky. In his book Al-Fiqh Al-Absat, Imam Abu Hanifah said::
:
.
Means: Whoever says: 'I don't know if Allh is in the sky or on the earth', commits blasphemy.
13 / 14

Keep in mind that those mushabbihah who say Allh exists in the upper direction and is sitting
above the Ârsh, are claiming that the directions and the Ârsh are eternal entities (i.e. an
existence without a beginning)! Here they have belied a verse in the Holy Qur'an, chapter: 57
verse: 3
: .
Means: He is the First (Allh's existence is without a beginning). Allh is only One Whose
existence is eternal without a beginning. Remember, the Creator means: The One who brings
everything from the state of non-existence into the state of existence. In the Holy Qur'an,
chapter: 39 verse: 62
14 / 14

The Creator of Everything Does Not Resemble The Creations

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Creator of Everything Does Not Resemble The Creations

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING DOES NOT RESEMBLE THE CREATIONS