Exhausting the alternatives

There is an approach that is known as ‘Exhausting the Alternatives’. The Qur’an says that it is a revelation from the Creator of all that exists. If for some reason you do not believe in it, then what is it?

You have to give some explanation. It is paper and ink, where did it come from? It says that it is a revelation. If not then what is its source of origin? Where did it come from? Whatever answers people have given since the time the Qur’an was revealed have all been disproved. Some may say Muhammad (pbuh) was the author, whether for material gains, power, glory, unity of the Arabs or for moral reformation. All these answers fail to prove their points. Some may say he copied the Qur’an from some other source, while other may say that he was a liar and a crazy person. All of these are ideas without a logical explanation. The alternatives have been exhausted.

The Qur’an earns your respect because you cannot disqualify it. The Qur’an gives the answer that it is a revelation from God Almighty. In Surah Al – Jathiyah, Chapter 45 Verse 1 and 2:

“Ha Meem. The revelation of the book is from Allah, the exalted in Might, the Wise.”

Al-Qur'an 45:1-2

The Glorious Qur’an reconfirms that it is a revelation from Almighty God in several Verses:

~ Surah Al-Anam Chapter 6 Verse 19

~ Surah Al-Anam Chapter 6 Verse 72

~ Surah Yusuf Chapter 12 Verse 1 & 2

~ Surah Taha Chapter 20 Verse 113

~ Surah Naml Chapter 27 Verse 6

~ Surah Al-Sajdah Chapter 32 Verse 1-3

~ Surah Yasin Chapter 36 Verse 1-3

~ Surah Al-Zumar Chapter 39 Verse 1

~ Surah Ghafir Chapter 40 Verse 2

~ Surah Jathiyah Chapter 45 Verse 2

~ Surah Al-Rahman Chapter 55 Verse 1-2

~ Surah Al-Waqiah Chapter 56 Verse 77-80

~ Surah Al-Insan Chapter 76 Verse 23

FALSIFICATION TEST

The scientific community adopts the following approach. Many people come up with new theories but the scientific community does not even bother to listen to them. Scientists have a reason for doing so - they say, “if you have a theory, do not bother me with it unless you bring with that theory a way to prove that you and the theory are wrong’. This is called as a Falsification test.

This is the same reason why they paid attention to Albert Einstein towards the beginning of the century. He came up with the new theory and said, ‘I think the universe works like this and these are three ways to prove me wrong’. Scientists subjected his theory to tests and within 6 years it passed the tests, which he offered. This does not prove that he is great but it proves that he deserves to be paid attention to, because of the falsification tests, which accompanied his theory.

The Qur’an too offers its readers several falsification tests. Some of these were only meant for the past, yet others for all times. The Qur’an says that if it is not what it claims then all you have to do is this or that, to prove that it is false.

I have not come across this unique falsification test presented in any other religious scriptures. The next time you discuss with anyone regarding religion, ask them, ‘Is there anything in your religion which throws up a challenge and says that if I could do this or that I prove that your religion and the scripture wrong?

I doubt if anyone else would have anything such as a falsification test to offer. A person should not only present his belief but should also offer the other person a chance to prove the belief wrong. The Qur’an gives several such opportunities to prove it wrong. Some such falsifications tests offered by the Qur'an are:

A. THE STORY OF ABU LAHAB:

The Prophet (pbuh) had an uncle who was known by the nick name ‘Abu Lahab’ which means ‘Father of the flame’ because of his fiery temper. This uncle was one of the staunchest enemies of the Prophet and of Islam.

He used to follow the Prophet and whenever he saw him speaking to a stranger, he would wait till they parted and then ask the Stranger, ‘What did Muhammad (pbuh) tell you? Did he say black? Its white! Did he say morning? Its night!’ He used to state the exact opposite of what the Prophet said.

There is a Chapter in the Qur’an called Surah Al-Lahab i.e. Chapter 111 named after Abu Lahab. This Chapter prophesied that Abu Lahab and his wife will perish in the hell fire - implying he will never become a Muslim and therefore will enter the hell fire.

This Surah was revealed 10 years before Abu Lahab died as an unbeliever in the battle of Badr. Many of Abu Lahab's friends and other disbelievers accepted Islam in the span of 10 years since this Surah was revealed. Abu Lahab was very intelligent and one of the staunchest enemy of Islam who was always eager to try and prove that the Qur’an was false and was of human invention. All that Abu Lahab had to do to prove the Qur'an and Surah Al-Lahab wrong was state ‘I am a Muslim’ - the Qur’an would have been proved wrong.

He did not have to behave like a Muslim. Even if he falsely, for name sake say that he was a Muslim, the Qur’an would have been proved wrong in the eyes of men. It is as though the Prophet was telling Abu Lahab you hate me, you want to finish me, here say these words, ‘I am a Muslim’ and I am finished! Come on say them! Imagine Abu Lahab had 10 years to think over it but yet he never uttered this statement. No logical person will ever put such a claim in his book. The Qur'an is a revelation and not the handiwork of the Prophet.

B. THE JEWS WILL NOT SEEK DEATH:

In Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 94 & 95, Allah commands:

Say (O Muhammad), “If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is for you alone and not the (other) people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful." "But never will they wish for it, ever, because of what their hands have put forth. And Allah is knowing of the wrongdoers."

Al-Qur'an 2:94-95

When the Jews came to the Muslims to have a confrontation, they said the last home with Allah, i.e. Paradise, is especially meant for the Jews only and not for anyone else.

The Qur’an ask the Jews to seek death, if they were sincere and spoke the truth. The Qur’an continues and says that they (the Jews) will never seek death, because of the sins that they have committed. The only thing that Jews had to do at the time of Prophet (pbuh) in order to win the argument and to prove the Qur’an wrong was to call for their own death. Even if any one of the Jews would have opted to say, "I beseech the Lord for my death" just for namesake, not that he actually had to die, the Qur’an would have been proved false. It was so easy to prove the Qur’an wrong.

The Qur’an continues in Surah Al-Baqrah Chapter 2 Verse 96

“And you will surely find them the most greedy of people for life - (even) more than those who associates others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the (coming) punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is seeing of what they do.”

Al-Qur'an 2:96

C. CHRISTIANS WILL BE CLOSER TO MUSLIMS THAN THE JEWS:

There are certain falsification tests in the Qur’an, which are even applicable today and for all times. The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Maidah, Chapter 5 Verse 82:

“You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity towards the believers (to be) the Jews and those who associate others with Allah, and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say "We are Christians. That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.”

Al-Qur'an 5:82

The Qur’an says that between the two groups of people - the Christians and the Jews - the Christians as a whole will treat Muslims better than the Jews as a whole will treat Muslims. There are several Jews who have accepted Islam while some others are good to Muslims, but as a whole community, the Jews will never be better than the Christians in their treatment of Muslims.

Today the Jews have a good opportunity to prove the Qur’an wrong. They have to organize themselves and decide as a whole that for a couple of years they will treat the Muslims kindly and better than what the Christian do. They can then ask the Muslims: "Who are your best friend in the world? The Jews or the Christians?" The Jews have not done so as yet, but the offer still stands open to them and they can still prove the Qur’an false by doing so - but they never will.

D. PRODUCE A SURAH LIKE IT:

Muslims and non-Muslims alike acclaim that best Arabic literature available on the face of the earth is the Glorious Qur’an. Its language is rich, noble and eloquent.

When the pagans alleged that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had committed forgery and thus produced the Qur'an, the Qur’an immediately challenged them and offered them a falsification test.

(i) In Surah Al-Isra Chapter 17 Verse 88:

“Say: “If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support."

Al-Qur'an 17:88

The Qur’an repeats the challenge to produce a work like the Qur’an in Surah Tur Chapter 52 Verse 34:

Let them then produce a recital like unto it – if (it be) they speak the truth!

Al-Qur'an 52:34

(ii) Later the falsification test was made easier in Surah Hud Chapter 11 Verse 13-14:

Or they may say, "He forged it?" Say, "Bring you then ten Surahs forged, like unto it and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! - If you speak the truth! “If then they (your false gods) answer not your (call), know you that this Revelation is sent down (replete) with the Knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He! Will you even then submit (to Islam)?”

Al-Qur'an 11:13-14

(iii) The Qur’an repeats the challenge and further simplifies the falsification test in Surah Yunus Chapter 10 Verse 38:

Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say, "Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah, if it be you speak the truth!

Al-Qur'an 10:38

CRITERIA FOR PRODUCING A SURAH LIKE THE QUR’AN

The criteria for producing a Surah like the Qur’an are as follows: since the Qur’an is in Arabic, the Surah so produced should also be in Arabic, which should be equivalent in standards to that of the Qur’an.

(i) The Qur’an maintain throughout the highest possible standard of in its speech.

(ii) The Language of the Qur’an is most clear, meaningful, intelligible, unsurpassable and miraculous.

(iii) It does not deviate from the truth and still maintains its eloquence, rhythm and style unlike human poetry and literature.

(iv) The Qur’an repeat several information in difference styles and by passages and narrations of varying sizes, all being of a very high standard that one cannot be preferred to another.

(v) The Qur'an encompasses a vast range of meaning in a surprisingly small number of words without losing its charm and majesty.

(vi) The Ability of the Qur’an to address a multitude of people. The same Verse of the Qur’an is appreciated by an intelligent person as well as a common man.

Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say, "Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can besides Allah, if it be you speak the truth! Nay, they charge with falsehood that whose knowledge they cannot compass, even before the elucidation thereof has reached them: thus did those before them make charges of falsehood: but see what was the end of those who did wrong!

Al-Qur'an 10:38-39

Even this easy challenge was unmet and thus the pagans had no ground to say that Prophet Muhammad had presented the Qur'an through forgery.

Finally the Qur’an put forward a falsification test, which is the easiest of all. In Surah Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 23 and 24:

And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. But if you cannot – and of a surety you cannot – then fear the Fire whose duel is Men and Stones – which is prepared for those who reject Faith.

Al-Qur'an 2:23-24

The highlighted Qur’anic verse says -مِّثْلِهِ مِّن - ‘Mim Mislihi’ i.e. somewhat similar, it does not say -مِّثْلِهِ - ‘Mislihi’ i.e. exactly similar, like in the previous challenge.

Certain Surahs (chapters) of the Qur’an hardly contain three Verses which consist of only a few words. Not that people did not take up the challenge, the best poets of Arabia at that time tried their level best but they miserably failed. Some of what they produced has been preserved in historical books to show that they were the laughing stock. They did not have a rhythm similar to Verses of the Qur’an. The context of this Verses were trivial, they contained no wisdom and were hilarious.This is yet a standing challenge and a falsification test which is unanswered for the past 1400 years and will not be answered till eternity.

THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN

NO SINGLE CONTRADICTION

The Qur’an also gives a falsification test in Surah Al-Nisa Chapter 4 Verse 82 which anyone in the world can try:

Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.

Al-Qur'an 4:82

Today if anyone wants to prove that the Qur’an is not the word of God, he just has to point out a single contradiction in the Qur’an.

There are many unbelievers who tried to point out several alleged contradiction in the Qur’an but all of their attempts were either out of context, mistranslations or misquotations. An Islamic Scholar who may be an expert in the historical knowledge of Qur’an and Islam but who is not very well versed in the field of science, and is asked regarding an alleged scientific mistake in the Qur’an, he may not be in a position to clarify it. This does not indicate that the Qur’an contains a scientific discrepancy and is thus not the word of God.

The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Furqaan Chapter 25:59, ‘Ask the person who is well – acquainted' meaning ask the person who has knowledge about that field. Similarly, if you want to enquire about the scientific knowledge mentioned in the Qur’an, you should ask a scientist. In the same trend, if you ask me a question regarding Arabic recitation of the Qur’an or if you point out a grammatical mistake in the Qur’an, I may not be able to answer your question because I am just a student in the field of Arabic.

Because I am unable to clarify the alleged Arabic mistake in the Qur’an that does not prove that Qur’an contains mistakes and is not the word of God.

The Qur’an says ‘Ask the person who is well acquainted with’. Thus you should enquire with a Qari who is an expert in recitation of the Qur’an or a person who is an expert in Arabic grammar.

In sum, we have disproved and confuted all the allegations of disbelievers and critics regarding the origin of the Qur’an. The Qur’an earns your respect because you cannot disqualify it. The Qur’an is of Divine Origin. It is a revelation from the Creator of the humankind.

CONCEPTUALIZATION OF GOD

Every theist should agree that the Glorious Qur’an is the Word of Almighty God. No logical person who believes in the existence of God can deny that Qur’an is God’s word after being presented all these proofs. To the atheist who does not believe in the existence of God, the question, “Is the Qur’an the God’s word?” is baseless. He does not believe in God, therefore such a question does not arise in his mind.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ATHEISTS

The first thing I would like to do, on meeting an atheist is say ‘congratulations’. Most of those who believe in some concept of God have blind faith or belief. Many a person is a Christian, because his father is a Christian; many others are Hindus because their parents are Hindus. Many Muslims are Muslims simply because their parents are Muslims. A vast majority of the people in the world blindly follow the religion of their parents. An atheist, on the other hand, even though he may belong to a religious family, uses his intellect while denying the existence of God because he/she disagrees with the qualities of God that he has learnt in his religion or from his parents.

Muslims may question me: “Why do you congratulate an atheist?” The reason that I congratulate an atheist is because he agrees with the first part of the Shahaadah i.e. Islamic creed which reads ‘Laa ilahaa’ i.e. ‘There is no God’. Half the job is already done. Now the only part left for such a person today is ‘illallah’ i.e. ‘except Allah’. Whereas with others, one has to first remove the wrong concepts of God they have in their minds, and then put the concept of the One True God.

LOGICAL CONCEPT OF GOD

My first question to the atheist is “What is the definition of God?” For a person to say there is no God, he should know what the meaning of the word ‘God’. Suppose I hold a book and say ‘this is a pen’. The opposite person should know the definition of a pen for him to refute and say that it is not a pen. Even if he does not know what I am holding in my hand, for him to say that this is not a pen, he should at least know what does a pen mean. In a similar manner, for an atheist to say ‘there is no god’, he should at least know the concept of God. His concept of God is derived from the surroundings in which he lives or has been brought up. The deity that people worship has human qualities and hence he does not believe in such a god. Similarly, a Muslim too does not believe in such false gods.

If a non-Muslim believes that Islam is a merciless religion that preaches terrorism, a religion that does not give rights to women, a religion that contradicts science, in this limited sense that non-Muslim is correct to reject his notion of Islam. The problem is that he has a wrong picture of Islam. Even I reject such a false picture of Islam, but at the same time, it is my duty as a Muslim to present the correct picture of Islam to that Non-Muslim. It is up to us to remove misconceptions and explain that Islam is a merciful religion that it gives equal rights to women, it does not conflict with logic, reason and science – and once we do so, that non-Muslim may InshaAllah -God’s Willing- accept Islam.

Similarly, an atheist rejects the false models, notions and concepts of God. It is the duty of every Muslim to present the correct concept of God.

CONCEPT OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE GLORIOUS QURAN | SURAH AL-IKHLAS

The best definition, of Almighty God, that you can find in the Qur’an is in Surah Al-Ikhlas, Chapter 112 Verse 1-4:

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;

Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.

Al-Qur'an 112:1-4

The wordالصَّمَدُ–‘assamad’ is difficult to translate. It means that absolute existence can only be attributed to Allah, all other existence being temporal or conditional. It also means Allah is not dependant on any person or thing but all persons and things are dependent on Him.

This is a four-line definition of Almighty God according to Qur’an. If any candidate claims to be God and satisfies this definition, we Muslims have no objection in accepting such a candidate as God. This Surah Al-Ikhlas is the acid test – it is the ‘Furqan’ - the criteria to judge between the One True God and the false claimants to divinity. Whichever deity that any human being on the face of this earth worships – if that deity fulfils these four criteria then such a deity is none else than the One True God.

THE TOUCHSTONE OF THEOLOGY

Surah Al-Ikhlas i.e. Chapter 112 of the Glorious Qur’an is the touchstone of Theology. ‘Theo’ in Greek means God and ‘logy’ means study. Thus ‘Theology’ means ‘study of God’ and Surah Ikhlaas is the touchstone of the study of God.

If you want to purchase or sell your gold jewellery, you would first evaluate it. Such an evaluation of gold jewellery is done by a goldsmith with the help of a touchstone. He rubs the gold jewellery on the touch stone and compares its colour with rubbing samples of gold. If it matches with 24 Karat gold he will tell that your jewellery is 24 Karat pure gold. If it is not high quality pure gold, he will tell you its value whether 22 Karats, 18 Karats or it may not be gold at all. It may be fake because all that glitters is not gold.

Similarly Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112 of the Qur’an) is the touchstone of theology, which can verify whether the deity that you worship is a true God or a false God. Thus, Surah Al-Ikhlaas is a four-line definition of Almighty God according to the Qur’an. If anyone claims to be, or is believed to be Almighty God, and satisfies this four-line definition, we Muslims will readily accept that deity as God. This Chapter of the Glorious Qur’an, Surah Al-Ikhlas, is the acid test. It is the ‘Furqan’ - the criterion to judge between the One True God and false claimants to divinity. Hence, whichever deity any human on earth worships, if such a deity fulfils the criteria specified in this Chapter of the Qur’an, then this deity is worthy of worship and is the One True God.

Let us put the deity we worship to the Test of Divinity as prescribed by Surah Al-Ikhlas, the Touchstone of Divinity:

(i) The First Criterion is أَحَد قُلٌ َهُواللَّهُ - ‘Qul hu Allah hu ahad’ -‘Say, He is Allah One and Only’. Is the deity we worship - One and Only? We know several such fake god- men and claimants of divinity amongst humans. Almighty God would never become like His creations neither would He even coexist as a human claimant to godhood. However, some individuals may still state that the deity they worship is unique and that he is one and only.

(ii) Let us analyze the second criterionالصَّمَدُ اللَّهُ-‘ Allah hus samad’ – ‘Allah the Absolute and Eternal’. Is the deity we worship absolute and eternal? We know that all human claimant to godhood were never absolute nor were they eternal.

(iii) The third Criteria is لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ - ‘Lam ya lid wa lam yu lad’ – ‘He begets not, nor is begotten’. However, all human claimant to godhood were begotten. Like all humans, he were once a foetus in their mother’s womb.

(iv) The fourth test is so stringent that none besides the One True God, Allah (swt), can pass it.وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ - ‘ Wa lam ya kullahu kufuwan ahad’ which means, ‘there is none like Him’. The moment you can imagine or compare the candidate or claimant to godhood to anything, this candidate is not God. Neither can you have a mental picture of God.

We know that all human claimant to godhood were human beings having one head, two hands, two feet, and bearing human forms. The moment you can think or imagine what the claimant to godhood is, he or she is not God.

Suppose someone says, “Almighty God is a thousand times as strong as Arnold Schwarzenegger”. Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the strongest men on earth. He was given the title ‘Mr. Universe’. The moment you can compare Almighty God to anything, whether it is a 1000 times stronger or a million times stronger, whether it be Darasingh or Kingkong, the moment you can compare the claimant to godhood to anything, he is not God.

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ - ‘ Wa lam ya kullahu kufuwan ahad’ - ‘there is none like Him’.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

(I) GOD DOES NOT BECOME HUMAN BEING NOR TAKE HUMAN FORM:

Some may argue that God does not become a human being but only takes a human form. If God only takes a human form but does not become a human being, He should not possess any human qualities. We know that all the ‘God-men’, have human qualities and failings. They have all the human needs such as the need to eat, sleep, etc.

The worship of God in human form is therefore a logical fallacy and should be abhorred in all its forms and manifestations. That is the reason why the Qur’an speaks against all forms of anthropomorphism. The Glorious Qur’an says in the following verse:

…There is nothing whatever like unto Him…

Al-Qur'an 42:11

(II) GOD DOES NOT PERFORM UNGODLY ACTS:

The attributes of Almighty God preclude any evil since God is the source of justice, mercy and truth. God can never be thought of as doing an ungodly act. Hence we cannot imagine God telling a lie, being unjust, making a mistake, forgetting things, or having any such human failings.

::: DO YOU KNOW?:::

God does not become unjust:

God can do injustice if He chooses to, but He will never do it because being unjust is an ungodly act.

The Qur’an says:

…Allah is never unjust in the least degree…

Al-Qur'an 4:40

God can be unjust if He chooses to be so, but the moment God does injustice, He ceases to be God.

God does not make mistakes:

God can make mistakes if He wants to, but He does not make mistakes because making a mistake is an ungodly act. The Qur’an says:

…my Lord never errs…

Al-Qur'an 20:52

The moment God makes a mistake, he ceases to be God.

God does not forget:

God can forget if He wants to. But God does not forget anything because forgetting is an ungodly act, which reeks of human limitations and failings. The Qur’an says:

…my Lord never errs, nor forgets…

Al-Qur'an 20:52

(iii) GOD ONLY PERFORMS GODLY ACTS:

The Islamic concept of God is that God has power over all things. The Qur’an says in several places (Al-Qur’an 2:106; 2:109; 2:284; 3:29; 16:77; and 35:1):

…For verily Allah has power over all things…

Al-Qur'an

Further, the Glorious Qur’an says:

…Allah is the doer of all that He intends…

Al-Qur'an 85:16

We must keep in mind that Allah intends only Godly acts and not ungodly acts.

PHILOSOPHY OF ANTHROPOMORPHISM

Many religions at some point believe, directly or indirectly, in the philosophy of anthropomorphism i.e. God becoming a human. Their contention is that Almighty God is so pure and holy that He is unaware of the hardships, shortcomings and feelings of human beings. In order to set the rules for human beings, He came down to earth as a human. This deceptive logic has fooled countless millions through the ages. Let us now analyze this argument and see if it stands to reason.

THE CREATOR PREPARES THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL:

Suppose I manufacture a video cassette recorder (VCR). Do I have to become a VCR to know what is good or what is bad for the VCR? What do I do? I write an instruction manual: "In order to watch a video cassette, insert the cassette and press the play button. In order to stop, press the stop button. If you want to fast forward press the FF button. Do not drop it from a height or it will get damaged. Do not immerse it in water or it will get spoilt". I write an instruction manual that lists the various do’s and don’ts for the machine.

THE QUR’AN IS THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE HUMAN BEING:

Similarly, our Lord and Creator need not take human form to know what is good or bad for the human being. He chooses to reveal the instruction manual. The last and final instruction manual of the human beings is the Glorious Qur’an. The ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for the human beings are mentioned in the Qur’an.

If you allow me to compare human beings with machines, I would say humans are more complicated than the most complex machines in the world. Even the most advanced computers, which are extremely complex, are pale in comparison to the myriad physical, psychological, genetic and social factors that affect individual and collective human life.

The more advanced the machine, greater is the need for its instruction manual. By the same logic, don’t human beings require an instruction manual by which to govern their own lives?

ALMIGHTY GOD CHOOSES MESSENGERS:

Almighty God need not come down personally for giving the instruction manual. He chooses a man amongst men to deliver the message and communicates with him at a higher level through the medium of revelations. Such chosen men are called Messengers and Prophets of God.

SOME PEOPLE ARE ‘BLIND’ AND ‘DEAF’:

Despite the absurdity featureds through the philosophy of anthropomorphism, followers of many religions believe in and preach it to others. Is it not an insult to human intelligence and to the Creator who gave us this intelligence? Such people are truly ‘deaf’ and ‘blind’ despite the faculty of hearing and sight given to them by Allah. The Qur’an says:

Deaf, dumb, and blind, They will not return (to the path).

Al-Qur'an 2:18

The Bible gives a similar message in the Gospel of Matthew:

"Seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."

The Bible, Matthew 13:13

A similar message is also given in the Hindu Scriptures in the Rigveda:

"There maybe someone who sees the words and yet indeed does not see them; may be another one who hears these words but indeed does not hear them."

Rigveda 10:71:4

All these scriptures are telling their readers that though the things are made so clear yet many people divert away from the truth.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD ARE UNIQUE AND SELF-POSSESSIVE

Not only does God possess unique attributes, but also each attribute of Almighty God is sufficient to identify Him. I shall clarify this point in detail. Let us take an example of a famous personality, say Neil Armstrong. Neil Armstrong is an astronaut. The attribute of being an astronaut possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but not unique to Neil Armstrong alone. So when one asks, who is an astronaut?

The answer is, there are hundreds of people in the world who are astronauts. Neil Armstrong is an American. The attribute of being American possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but not sufficient to identify him. So when one asks, who is an American? The answer is, there are millions of people who are American.

To identify the person uniquely we must look for a unique attribute possessed by none except that person. For example, Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. So when one asks, who was the first man to set foot on the moon?, the answer is only one, i.e. Neil Armstrong.

Similarly the attribute of Almighty God should be unique. If I say God is the constructor of buildings, it is possible and true, but it is not unique. Thousands of people can construct a building. But each attribute of Allah is unique and points to none but Allah. For example, God is the Creator of the universe. If someone asks who is the Creator of the universe?, the answer is only one, i.e. Almighty God is the Ultimate Creator. The following are some of the many unique attributes possessed by none other than the Creator of the universe, Almighty Allah:

"Ar-Raheem", the Most Merciful

"Ar-Rahman", the Most Gracious

"Al-Hakeem", the Most Wise

So when one asks, "Who is ‘Ar-Raheem’, (the Most Merciful)?" there can only be one answer: "Almighty Allah".

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD SHOULD NOT CONTRADICT WITH OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Besides the attribute being unique, it should not contradict other attributes. To continue with the earlier example, suppose somebody says that Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut who was the first human to set foot on the moon and was an Indian. The attribute possessed by Neil Armstrong of being the first man to set foot on the moon, is correct. But its associated quality of being an Indian, is false.

Similarly if someone says that God is the Creator of the Universe and has one head, two hands, two feet, etc., the attribute (Creator of the Universe) is correct but the associated quality (in the form of human being) is wrong and false.

ALL ATTRIBUTES SHOULD POINT TO THE ONE ALMIGHTY GOD

Since there is Only One God, all the attributes should point to One and the same Almighty God. To say that Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut who first set foot on the moon, but he was born in 1971 is also wrong. Both these unique qualities must belong to one and the same person, i.e. Neil Armstrong. Similarly to say that the Creator of the universe is one God and the Cherisher is another God is absurd because God possesses all these attributes combined together.

UNITY OF GOD

Some polytheists argue by saying that the existence of more than one God is not illogical. Let us point out to them that if there were more than one God, they would dispute with one another, each god trying to fulfill his will against the will of the other gods. This can be seen in the mythology of the polytheistic and pantheistic religions. If a ‘God’ is defeated or unable to defeat the others, he is surely not the One True God.

Also popular among polytheistic religions is the idea of many Gods, each having different responsibilities. Each one would be responsible for a part of man’s existence e.g. a Sun-God, aRain-God, etc. This indicates that one ‘God’ is incompetent of certain acts and moreover he is also ignorant of the other Gods’ powers, duties, functions and responsibilities. There cannot be an ignorant and incapable God. If there were more than one God it would surely lead to confusion, disorder, chaos and destruction in the universe. But the universe is in complete harmony. The Glorious Qur’an says:

If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! But glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!

Al-Qur'an 21:22

If there were more than one God, they would have taken away what they created. The Qur’an says:

No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!

Al-Qur'an 23:91

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