Part 39

Since it is not possible that the creation brought itself into existence, nor that it came into being randomly and without a cause, then it has to be the case that it has One who brought it into being, and He is Allaah, the Lord of all creation. Allaah, the Most High, mentions this intellectual proof and this decisive and conclusive argument, He, the Most High, says, "Were they created by nothing or did they create themselves?!" [surah at-Toor (52):35] Which means that they did not come into being without a creator, and they did not create themselves, so it is established for certain that their Creator is Allaah, the Exalted and the Most High. This is why when Jubayr ibn Mut'im, radiyallaahu 'anhu, heard Allaah's Messenger recite surah at-Toor until the Aayaat: "Were they created by nothing, or did they create themselves?! Or did they create the heavens and the earth?! Nay they have no certainty; or do they have possession of the treasures of your Lord?! Or are they the ones having power and control over the affairs?!" [surah at-Toor (52):35-38] Jubayr was a mushrik at the time, he said afterwards, "My heart almost flew, and this was when eemaan first settled in my heart" [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 6/357/no.377)]. Let us also give an example which will make this clear: If a person told you about a decorated palace, surrounded by gardens, through which rivers flowed, and that it was filled with carpets and couches, and decorated with all sorts of adornments and treasures. Then he said to you that this palace and all within it brought itself into existence, or that it just suddenly appeared like that without any cause or creator. Straight away you would deny that and declare that he was lying, and you would take his words to be foolishness. So can it then be permissible to say that this vast creation, containing the earth and its sky, its stars and all within it, and its amazing and astounding order, brought itself into being, or that it just appeared without anyone creating it?! (iii) As for the proof of Revelation for the existence of Allaah, the Most High, then all of the Revealed Books state that. Also the rulings and laws sent down in Revelation which ensure the wellbeing of the creation are a proof that they are from a Wise Lord who knows everything that benefits His creation. Also the information about the creation contained in the Revelation, which is testified to by reality proves that it comes from a Lord who is fully capable of creating and bringing about whatever He informed of. (iv) As for the proof contained in what is experienced and perceived for the existence of Allaah, then that is from two angles: [a] We hear and see those who supplicate being answered, and those in distress who call upon Him being relieved to such an extent that it is a certain proof of His existence. Allaah, the Most High, says, "And remember Nooh, when he called upon Allaah to destroy his unbelieving folk who obstinately denied and rejected Allaah, so Allaah answered his supplication and saved him and the Believers from his family." [surah al-Ambiyaa (21):76] Allaah, the Most High, says, "When you sought aid and deliverance of your Lord and He responded to you." [surah al-Anfaal (8):9] It is reported from Anas ibn Maalik, radiyallaahu 'anhu, that a bedouin Arab entered the mosque on the day of Jumu'ah whilst the Prophet (3j§) was delivering the khutbah, and said: "O Messenger of Allaah, property is being destroyed, the dependants have become hungry, so supplicate to Allaah for us." So he raised up his hands and supplicated. So clouds like mountains appeared, and he did not come down from his mimbar before I saw rain flowing down his beard. Then on the succeeding Jumu'ah that same bedouin or someone else stood and said: "O Messenger of Allaah, the houses are collapsing and wealth is being flooded, so supplicate to Allaah for us." So he raised his hands and said: "O Allaah, around us and not upon us" and he did not point to any direction except that it cleared" [Collected by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 2/26/no.55)]. It has been something always witnessed till this day, that those who call upon Allaah, the Most High, sincerely and fulfil the conditions for the supplication to be answered are indeed responded to. [b] The clear signs known as 'miracles' brought by the Prophets and seen by the people or heard of by them are a decisive proof for the One Who sent them, i.e. Allaah, the Most High. This is because they were things outside the realm of human ability, and were done by Allaah, the Most High, to aid and help His messengers. An example is the sign given to Moosaa, 'alayhis-salaam, when Allaah, the Most High, commanded him to strike the sea with his staff.