I wonder, if you were to describe the Almighty Allah in a sentence or two, how would you describe Him (swt)? In a sentence or two?
Certainly, let me respond to this question with a verse from the book of the Almighty Allah and a hadith containing the words of the Messenger of Mercy. Our Almighty Lord says: “Your God is only One God. There is no god worthy of worship except Him—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.” (Baqarah, 2:163). The Prophet (saw) also stated the following to explain this Qur’anic verse: “First of all, there was nothing but Allah.” (Bukhari, Bad’ al-Khalq, 1)
Then how did all the created things come into being?
Allah created all things. Allah created the entire universe. He created the angels, jinn and Satan, which are invisible beings to us. He also created as well the visible world with its plants, animals, human beings, rocks, and landscapes. He created the water we drink and the air we breathe. He (swt) created the sun to provide light and warmth, and the moonlight to illuminate the night. He created the celestial ornaments of the sky with the stars.
Why did Allah create all these? Is there any wisdom behind these creations?
It is a fact, that Allah cannot be comprehended within a prescribed or foreseeable framework. That is why it is not right to seek reasons in His creation. However, He (swt) certainly created everything with wisdom. Yet, we cannot make definitive statements QUESTIONS ON MY MIND about it because we cannot fully understand the entirety of the universe or the essence of Allah. How much do we truly know about ourselves? We only possess knowledge to the extent that He reveals to us. As it is written, “With Him are the keys of the unseen— no one knows them except Him. And He knows what is in the land and sea. Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth or anything—green or dry— but is written in a perfect Record. He is the One Who calls back your souls by night and knows what you do by day, then revives you daily to complete your appointed term. To Him is your ultimate return, then He will inform you of what you used to do. He reigns supreme over all of His creation, and sends recording-angels, watching over you. When death comes to any of you, Our angels take their soul, never neglecting this duty. Then they are all returned to Allah—their True Master. Judgment is His alone. And He is the Swiftest Reckoner.” (An’am, 6:59-62)
What do you expect to happen when we die?
Well, death is the greatest truth. Who could escape death? No one and nothing can evade it. You know that Allah has created another world for us beyond this world. We are all destined for it. Based upon what we do in this life our Almighty Lord will determine what He grants us in the hereafter.
Why is that so?
This is because the Almighty Allah has created two groups of beings, human beings, and jinn, both are intelligent and willful beings. He (swt) informed them by sending prophets and scriptures that He would put these two groups to the test in the life of this world. As part of this test, He granted them the freedom of will, desiring that these intelligent beings with free will would recognize and appreciate the blessings bestowed upon them and not take them for granted. He (swt) clearly outlined how they should express gratitude through the messengers He appointed and sent. Allah did not compel anyone; those who perform good deeds in this world do so by their own choice, and those who engage in wrongdoing also act of their own accord. Only those who do good receive Allah’s mercy, and those who do evil are subject to His justice. He does not oppress any of His servants and seeks the well-being of each one. He has explained this through His books and messengers in the simplest way so that it can be understood by all.
What is the wisdom behind our Almighty Lord sending so many instructions to His servants?
This is because Allah is the only God and the ultimate sole Ruler. He has sent these instructions through His prophets as the sole owner of both worlds, encompassing the entire universe. To put it briefly, He created the universe, established its system, and conveyed His instructions to intelligent beings who also have free will. Therefore, these intelligent beings have choices and Allah the Almighty knows best, for He created them, which of these choices will be beneficial for them. Thus, the Almighty Allah has informed His servants about their choices through His mercy: “Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be conscious of Allah.” (An’am, 6:153)
What is this path? How will we know it?
The Almighty Lord has provided clear guidance on how to know this perfectly in Surah al-Fatiha. He named this path ‘the straight path’ (sirat al[1]mustaqim), emphasizing its direct and unwavering nature. He also told us how to recognize it for He said, the path of those whom I have blessed. Who are these blessed ones? The prophets, the martyrs, the truthful people, and the moral and reliable scholars who put into practice what they know… He said to follow the path they took. Moreover, He cautioned against deviating from the right path and associating with those who have rebelled and incurred His wrath, as they have strayed from the path of truth and followed misguided directions. Thus, staying away from wrong paths is taqwa (piety), and following the right path is iman (belief), ikhlas (sincerity), and ihsan.
So, does that mean there is no other possibility for us, and there is only one way?
Indeed, in this universe, human beings and jinn have no possibility of finding another god, because there is no other god. Therefore, it is in the best interest of people to submit to the true one God, Allah. Indeed, when they are punished instead of being rewarded in the hereafter, that is what justice requires. Actually, Allah states in the Surah al-Fatiha that He is the Sovereign of the Day of Recompense and commanding people to turn only to Him for help and worship. This is the only path for them, and straying from it will inevitably result in facing His wrath. In fact, Allah emphasizes His attributes as the Creator and Lord in the first verses He revealed (Alaq, 96:1). It is not unreasonable that Allah, who is the Creator of the whole universe and everything in it, is at the same time directing and administering them, evaluating people according to their actions and attitudes, and making decisions about them. This is because “He reigns supreme over all of His creation.” (An’am, 6:61)
