The Attributes of God the Creator according to the Muslims (3/5)

There are a few of the Attributes of Allah (Glorious & Exalted) that we would like to discuss in greater detail, in less general terms, due to their importance, and the confusion some people have concerning them. Among these Attributes are:

1. The Attribute of Creation Itself:

This is referenced in such Verses of the Quran as: “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian over all things.” [Surah Al-Zumar 39:62]   

Allah (Mighty & Majestic) is the One Who brought all things into existence after they had not been present, and He decreed things in Eternity after they had been nonexistent.    

Allah (Glorious & Exalted) is the Creator Who creates from nothing, with foreordainment and knowledge, then by forming and creating with ability and independence, in accordance with the Saying of Allah Most High, “Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!"—and it is!” [Surah Ya-Sin 36: 82] He (Glorious & Exalted) is the Supreme Creator Who originates in His creation as much and however He likes.

2. The Attribute of Eternity and Infinity:

These are two of the Attributes mentioned in the Holy Quran, in the Saying of the Most High, “He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him).” [Surah Al-Hadid 57: 3]   

Allah (Glorious & Exalted) preceded in His Existence everything that exists other than Him. He (Noble & Sublime) is the Everlasting; He remains after every creature that is transient goes away. He (Glorious & Exalted) is the First Who is not preceded in Existence by anything, and He is the One Whose Being and Stature is exalted above all else. He is not in need of anything. He is the Self-Sufficient, Who is not dependent on anything.    

Since Allah (Glorious & Exalted) is Eternal, He must necessarily be Self-Sufficient, Independent of anything else.    

He (Glorious & Exalted) is described by perpetuity and permanence. He (Noble & Sublime) is the Everlasting, Who remains after His creation has ceased to exist. This is indicated in the meaning of the Saying of Allah Most High, “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. * And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever.” [Surah Al-Rahman 55:26-27]    

Here the question presents itself:   

How do we combine and reconcile the description of Allah (Mighty & Majestic) as the Last, the Remaining, Whom nothing comes after, and the eternity the created will spend in Paradise? The Most High has said the following about the people of Paradise, its blessings, and the permanence of its pleasures and entertainments:

 “Allah will say, "This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise).” [Surah Al-Ma'idah 5: 119]

Allah (Mighty & Majestic) also said the following in His Perfect Book about the people of the Hellfire, their torment, and their evil destiny:

"…and whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the Fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever." [Surah Al-Jinn 72: 23]

There is also the exegesis of Allah's Saying, “And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will abide forever.” [Surah Al-Rahman 55: 27] and the hadith related by Muslim, that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to say in his prayers, "And You are the Last; there is nothing after You."   

The answer is: though it may seem contradictory on the surface that the people of Paradise and the Hellfire will remain there for all eternity and that Allah Alone (Mighty & Majestic) is Eternal, and that He is the Last, and there is nothing after Him, this contradiction vanishes when we learn that there is an essential difference between the Eternity of Divine Being and Attributes and the forever of beings created by Allah (Mighty & Majestic), such as Paradise, the Hellfire and everything in them.   

Paradise, for example, will remain forever by the Eternal Permanence of Allah (Mighty & Majestic) and because of it. The blessings that are renewed in it are dependent for their existence on the Will of Allah (Noble & Sublime).    

Allah's Being and Attributes, on the other hand, will remain forever by His Own Eternal Life.    

How great is the difference between the Eternal Life of Allah (Glorious & Exalted) and that which remains through His maintenance.    

Paradise is created, since Allah (Mighty & Majestic) brought it into being, and it exists subject to His Command; it is a captive to His Will and Wisdom.   

Thus, the existence of Paradise and its inhabitants for time without end is merely by the preservation of Allah (Noble & Sublime) and His Will, for existence and eternity are not characteristics of that which is created, nor are they part of its essence; rather, the nature of all created things is impermanence.    

Eternal life is neither from the essence nor nature of created things; in fact, only through continual extension from Allah Almighty and His constant maintenance is it not discontinued.     
 

3. The Attribute of Knowledge:

This is the Attribute referred to in Allah's Saying, “So Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 137]

One of the Attributes of Allah (Mighty & Majestic) is that He is Omniscient. He knows everything that was, everything that is, and everything that will be. Nothing is hidden from Him (Noble & Sublime) in the earth or in the heavens, may He be glorified above all imperfection. His knowledge encompasses all things, evident or concealed, great or small. Indeed, He knows things before they exist.

Allah (Mighty & Majestic) knows everything that was, everything that is, and everything that will be. By virtue of His Ultimate Wisdom, He even knows everything that, if it would be, how it would be.    

The Knowledge of Allah (Glorious & Exalted) is described as Comprehensive Knowledge, in that His Knowledge extends to and contains all things.   

What a difference there is between the Eternal, Permanent Divine Knowledge of the Creator and the knowledge of transient, created slaves! The Knowledge of Allah (Noble & Sublime) is Vast, Complete Knowledge which is not preceded by ignorance, while the limited, narrow knowledge of the created is preceded by ignorance.  

Thus, His Name, the All-Knowing, as mentioned in the Noble Verse and other scriptural sources, is a proper name, which indicates an attribute and its absolute quality.

4. The Attribute of Power:

This Attribute is referred to in the Sayings of Allah Most High, “And Allah is Able to do everything,” [Surah Al-Kahf 18: 45] and “He creates what He wills, and it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.” [Surah Al-Rum 30: 54] 

Indeed, one of the Attributes of Allah (Mighty & Majestic) is that He is Able to do anything. This is the meaning referred to by the Name, al-Muqtadir, that was mentioned in the first Noble Verse. 

He (Glorious & Exalted) is al-Muqtadir, Whose Knowledge completely encompasses a thing, Who has absolute mastery over it with power, Who is in full control of it with complete mastery and ability, so that nothing is impossible for Him.    

The Ability of Allah (Mighty & Majestic) is described as Absolute Power. This description is not fit for anyone besides Him (Noble & Sublime), for Allah (Glorious & Exalted) is the Eternal, Everlasting God, the Creator of all things.

(Continued)