My Beloved Muslim brothers and sisters, facebookers and bloggers,
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. And may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Holy Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, at all times.
Many people may ask this question: “In the Quran, it is stated that we are created to worship Allah (s.w.t)… But why must He test us? What is the reason of Him (s.w.t) creating us and then sending us to heaven and hell. What is the logic behind the creation of the soul by Him (s.w.t)?” In fact, thoughts like these have come across my mind some time ago, but I didn’t bother to find answers to them because I thought it was a disturbance from the Satan. And, it was a disturbance from the Satan indeed. But now, I’ve found it is necessary to sit down and think of answers to them, especially that, one of my dear brothers and friends voiced it out, and insisted his question must be answered.
One of the things we need to take a look at is the relationship between Allah, the Creator and us, the creatures. Let’s find out the relationship between a parent and his/her child, between an employer and his/her employee; and between a government and its citizens. We will find that these three groups are made up of two similar parties each. These two parties are: a higher level party and a lower level party.
In many cases, decisions are made by the higher level party, and it may be not negotiable (no dictatorship here, though), the lower party usually looks at things from a very narrow perspective, and due to that, it may oppose a lot of decisions made by the higher level party. Sometimes it takes some time for the lower level party to understand and willingly accept the earlier –opposed- decisions been made by the higher level party.
At the same time, because the higher level party (mostly) looks at things from their bigger pictures, it may not need to consult the lower level party before making decisions. Thus, whether or not the lower level party understands and accepts the decision, it will have to obey and abide.
In fact, this is the relationship between a master and his servant/slave. And the most superior relationship between a master and his servant/slave is the one between Allah, the Creator and us, the creatures (heavens and earths, human beings, animals, tree, the seen and the unseen worlds all together), Although there’s no way of comparison of the relationships that lie between creatures amongst themselves and the one that lies between the Creator and His creatures. Allahu Akbar!
Another thing is that, human being (Insan) may be very knowledgeable, very curious, and hence, discovering. But no matter how, our capabilities to understand and comprehend are very limited; they are limited to the only extent that Allah s.w.t wants them to reach. they can never go beyond that. That’s why many things can only be determined through revelation (Wahyu), and no other means of true spiritual discovery. An example is the world of Jinn, soul, life after death and life, the Day of Judgment, and etc, etc… Even, it is scientifically said that, the seen world, which we are proud of many discoveries in it, we are yet to discover 97% of it. This means man has so far been able to discover only 3% of the seen world. Subhana Allah!
Once we agree that the relationship between Allah s.w.t and us is the relationship of a master and his servant/slave, we have to be open minded and accept the fact that He favourably created us human beings in the first place. We shouldn’t compose questions that will never be answered. A Master is not to be questioned, as far as Allah s.w.t is concerned. He does and creates, gives and takes, permits and forbids whatever He wants. No questions to be asked, although, creatures (man) are subject to be questioned for their deeds. This is what the Master s.w.t. wants!! If He created me anything other than my present creature, -for instance- I would have been grateful to Him too. Because I would still be His creature! But He s.w.t has given me the honour and the privilege; and created me Insan and then He set all the other creatures to be at my service (for my usage), and He asks me after all, to show some respect, and He will make me happier (by sending me to Jannah), or else, He will take away the blessings He’s given me (by making the hell fire my home) Laa ilaaha illa Allah!!
Now, instead of spending my time to show respect and be thankful, so I can be granted the eternal happiness, Iblis (the satan) keep on whispering in my ears to mislead me from going through the right path. So that I will be his (Iblis) companion in the Hell fire.
We (Muslims and Non-Muslim) all believe in the existence of ghosts (jinn) and soul, but no one can really identify what ghost or soul is, and what are the exact natures of them. The reason is the limitation of our understanding.
A question like this will never be answered! And keeping on finding answer for it will lead us to a question ‘How did God come to existence?’ ‘Who created Him?’. And etc, etc.
If we think we are lucky to be created whom we are, then we should be grateful by surrendering ourselves to Him. This will open our hearts to look for more ways to do good deeds in order to achieve more happiness here and in the hereafter.
We benefit from worshiping Him s.w.t., whereby He never loses anything from our disobedience. Laa ilaaha illa Allah :’( :’( :’(
Allah s.w.t says in Surah Al-Anbiya: 23: “He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned”.
Also He says in Surah Al-Qasas: 70: “…and His is the command, and unto Him you will be brought back.”
He also says in Surah Al-Shuraa: 49: Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He createth what He will.”
Finally, I would like anyone reading this note (starting with myself) to take note of this, ‘No one will tell us the particular reason why Allah s.w.t has created us, although we didn’t ask to be created. But some will always try to their best help us come to a convincing thoughts regarding Allah s.w.t. But please try to convince yourself, and accept what Allah s.w.t Himself has said in Surah Al-Zhariyaat: 50: “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”.
May Allah preserve each one of us for the benefit of the ‘Ummah’.
Wassalamu alaikum.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
It is indeed encouraging to know of your success in setting up this blog. May Allah SWT make it beneficial to you and to the Ummah.
Mabruk! Congratulations to your first blog posting. I was referred to your article by Sameer and would like to offer my comment, if you do not mind:
I have always believed that curiosity is granted to mankind by Allah SWT, such that it enables us to learn.
I believe that the beginning of Wisdom is when you realize that you don’t know. And our Prophet s.a.w. had once said that the cure for ignorance to ask questions.
So the urge to question in fact is necessary (as for example the manner Archangel Jibrail a.s. posed questions to our Prophet s.a.w. to teach us our Deen).
It is in the manner of asking the questions that one must be careful.
Islam in fact commands us to USE reason, What Islam is against is the ABUSE in the way reasoning faculty is utilized. Question if you must, but It must conform to proper Adab.
In short, let me share my thoughts with you with this (I’ve just composed -wal-Hamdulillah):
“You can POSE any Question if you want to learn, but do not ask any Question with the intention to OPPOSE.”
.. the capitalized words are intentional to highlight the rhyme to my quotes … (“,)
Your curiosity is in fact good, A naturally and pure Allah-given instinct (fitrah). It is the intention (motivation) to asked that we have to be careful of, because it is here that satan may be lurking to instigate a person to use reason (i.e. abuse) to oppose his Creator.
So do not fear to think, to reason and to question. Just seek Allah SWT’s protection from the accursed satan with this our Du’a :
“Robbi a-‘uu-dzubika min hamazaa-tish-sha-yaa-tee-na wa a-‘uudzubi rob-bi anyah-dwu-ruun”
In my view, Islam has all the answers, and Allah SWT intends for man to be taught much knowledge of whatever that man do not know (re. Q: Surah al-.‘alaq, ar-Rahman etc.).
To conclude my brief comment, I leave you with this ayat as reminder from Allah SWT, as assurance:
“And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the Truth and the explanation thereof”
(Qur’an : Surah al-Furqan : 25: 33)
waAllaahu a’lam
was-salaam
with love from your brother,
zhulkeflee
* invite you to visit my blogs -
By: Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail on November 25, 2009
at 13:59
Masha Allah..
Uszaz Zulkeflee, I’m really honoured that you have got the time to comment on my post and to share with us some your knowledge on this platform.
In fact, your comment is something I’ve been looking forward to, knowing that there will missing ideas in whatever I may write without structured guidance from some intellectuals like you.
Ustaz, please do comment frequently on my posts should there be any. Your advice and hikmah is always needed.
Jazaka Allahu khairan.. Ameen
Wassalam
By: Abdul-Salam on November 25, 2009
at 15:32
Salaam Mallam,
This is what we are lacking, With the permission Allah you have crafted a wonderful Blog and a article. May Allah SWT increase your knowledge and let Ummah learn from it, In Sha Allah.
My comments will be that, Rasul Allah S.A.W. once said there are two type of people who should not keep quite, the one who has knowledge and the who does not know. Indeed your article will be addressing an important issue that many people will have in their mind but concealing it.
The questionee can question only to increase His/Her knowledge but not to bring dispute in the religion of Allah SWT
The latter i urging us not to be silent, HJ Ismail commented “So the urge to question in fact is necessary (as for example the manner Archangel Jibrail a.s. posed questions to our Prophet s.a.w. to teach us our Deen)” Our qestions should not lead us to the wrong path In Sha Allah.
Quran Surah Ibrahim 14:27″Allah ‘ll keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world and in the hereafter”
We also learnt that, we are here on this earth to discover what Allah has created and praise Him alone. As you rightly said that we have discoverd 3% out 100%
I leave you with this Quran Surah Al-Anam 6:162″Verily my Salat, my sacrifice, my living, and my dieing are for Allah, the Lord of the Alamin
May Allah guide us to the right path and also increase our Iman
Wa’asalam.
By: MAHMOUD GOMDA ABDUL- SAMAD on November 26, 2009
at 12:14
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah
Brother Mahmud,
Masha Allah, I’m very glad to have you drop by this humble blog and key down your comment. I’m looking forward to a frequent visit from you to this blog, insha Allah. May Allah s.w.t. guide us and purify our hearts at all times.
Well, In Islam, we are always encouraged to ask questions as Ustaz Zulkifli did emphasize in his comment, but those type of questions must be with regard to Ahkam related to our deeds and daily life (practical), in situations where we don’t know and want to learn.
Allah said in Surah Al-Nahl 43, and Surah Al-Anbiyaa:7 “Ask the followers of the Reminder if ye know not”
Sayyidah Aisha once said: “May Allah bless the women of Ansar, timidity couldn’t stop them from asking questions about their religion [Bukhari & Muslim]
So this is not the fact here. The fact is when one asks questions that are not possible to be answered, or that are already answered, of course in Qur’an and Sunnah authentically, but one is not satisfied.
What would you say if someone asks one of the following:
“Who created Allah?”
“Why did Allah created me black and not the other?”
“Does Allah really care about me?”
And so goes the lists of the questions..
Answeres to the above mentioned type of question are already in Quran and Sunnah, but what if the person wants to challenge those answers.
Here, there will be a need to remind him of “Sami’naa wa ata’anaa” (We’ve heard and obeyed” as in the last verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Also, we will in cases like this need to make dua for the person for ‘Hidayah’ (guidance), because we may give people everything but Hidayah. Only Allah s.w.t can grant grant Hidayah to His servants.
I would like to recall the verse in which Allah s.w.t. warns us from asking too many questions, even in Halah walharam; “O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur’ân is being revealed, they will be made plain to you. Allâh has forgiven that, and Allâh is Oft¬Forgiving, Most Forbearing” [Surah Al-Maidah: 101]
And there is a Hadeeth which I’m yet to find its source, that says “Beware of asking too many questions”
So my argument in this article is not to stop people from asking question. But to identify that some questions are non-answerables. Allah knows bets.
Wassalam
By: Abdul-Salam on November 27, 2009
at 21:31
As-salaa-mu ‘alay-kum waraH-matullaah,
Brothers,
AlHamdulillah! Please permit me to offer my comment.
I appreciate Ustaz Abdul Salam’s concern of certain people who may pose questions which for him “are non-answerables”, and thus he is of the opinion that such questions should not be asked.
But please allow me to offer a different perspective from this, because in my experience teaching Islam to non-Muslims (including even proud and cynical atheists and agnostics) I would not stop any of them from posing whatever questions they may have (even such “non-answerable” as categorized by Ustaz Abdul Salam).
This is because I sincerely believe in what Allah SWT says, that our perfected Deen al-Islam has all the answers and it can respond to any questions.
I, may not know or have all the answers though (and this will then motivate me to search for these answers myself), but this is not to say that Islam does not have the answer or cannot respond to any questions. This is how I understand Allah’s promise:
“And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the Truth and the explanation thereof”
(Qur’an : Surah al-Furqan : 25: 33)
Also, how would we know that a question will be “non-answerable” unless it has already been posed to us? And to then censure them for asking such questions would give the wrong impression in their mind that Islam is indeed defective.
Actually, what Ustaz Abdul Salam termed “non-answerable”, I would rather regard them as questions which are illogical, “antithetical – a rational impossibilities – mustahil” , and I would respond by patiently showing them why it is absurd. But I would never curtail or appear to prevent them from asking.
To elaborate:
Applying what we Muslims are taught in our Usuluddeen (Aqeedah), even those examples of the so-called “non-answerable” (A, B & C) can be responded to, inshaAllah.
[A] “Who created Allah?”
My Response: When we speak of Allah (God), we mean the only Being Who is Divine. The term “divine” means that He existed without a beginning i.e. He does not depend on anyone to cause Him to come into existence. In other words, Allah (God) is the only Uncreated being whereas all others are created by Him. So to ask: “Who created Allah?” is making an absurd statement because it is like saying: “Who created the Uncreated?!?” – then I will ask them: isn’t this absurd?
[B] “Why did Allah created me black and not the other?”
My Response: This type of question can be applied to every creation – why does Allah SWT created this and not that?”.
In fact, there has been a response by Allah SWT to such type of questioning (which are posed as though challenging Allah’s wisdom, because one do not understand fully the rationale), when He told the angels:
He said: “I know what ye know not.” (Q: Baqarah: 2: 30)
And as to the reasoning for making us different, Allah SWT says:
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Q: Hujurat: 49: 13)
[C] “Does Allah really care about me?”
My Response: Yes! Indeed Allah SWT cares and wish us to receive His Mercy. He is Ar-Rahmaan, the Most Compassionate to His creations, especially mankind whom He has created destined for Paradise. But Allah is also just and therefore His Wisdom and justice requires us all to be tested. Thus human beings are endowed with a limited freewill, granted ability to think and reason, provided and shown guidance of what is right or wrong, given a term of live for mankind to come to the right decision, even if man did wrong and commit sins Allah SWT still provide and Sustain him and even promises forgiveness and willing to accept their repentance, etc. :
Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Q: az-Zumar: 39: 53)
As to Ustaz Abdul Salam’s concern:
“ … but what if the person wants to challenge those answers” , I would say:
If we are dealing with non-Muslim, we are commanded to deal with them:
“… and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious:” (Q: Nahlu: 16: 125)
We cannot expect them (especially as they are non-Muslim) to adopt the attitude of “Sami’naa wa-a-to’-naa”, unlike Muslims.
I hope my comments here can be of benefit for us all, waAllaahu a’lam.
Wa-bil-laahi Taufiq wal – Hidaa-ya
Was-salaam.
Your brother,
Zhulkeflee
By: Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail on November 29, 2009
at 11:23
Assalamualaikum,
Just something to share and point me out if my analogy is incorrect.
Let us take the example of exams in schools.What is the purpose of exams? So that we know that we have reached to a certain level and that we may proceed to the next.
Similar to tests in our daily lives by Allah s.w.t.
No tests means no real understanding of ourselves.
Also a way of Allah s.w.t getting us closer to Him. One of his blessings.
By: Mohamed Ghazali Mohamed Yacob on December 14, 2009
at 12:20