Belief in Allah is the basis of religion and the first duty imposed on man, and upon it the other pillars of Islam are established, for without believing in Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, one’s belief in any of the other pillars of Islam and its subdivisions and traditions will be nullified.

So, belief in Allah, the Exalted, is the basis of all the deeds of Faith; therefore, it precedes the other pillars when it is mentioned with them, as in the saying of Allah (SWT): “…But righteousness is (the quality of) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books and the Prophets…” (II: 177) And His Saying: “O you who believe! Believe in Allah, His Messengers and the Book that He has sent down to His Messenger and the scripture that He has sent down to those before (him). And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Day of Judgement has gone far, far astray.” (IV: 136)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) describing Faith, said: ([it is] to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgement, and to believe in predestination whether bringing good or bad.)

How can other than Belief in Allah be the basis for all the deeds of Iman, since Allah is the Creator of the heavens, the earth, the angels, the Prophets and all human beings, and since it is He who has brought down the Holy Scripture and it is He (SWT) is the Owner of the Day of Judgement, the Day of Recompense and Reckoning?

Allah, who says in His Holy Book: “Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and for believing men and believing women, for Allah knows how you move about and how you dwell in your homes,” (XLVII: 19) has given us the ability to acquire that knowledge by creating for us the necessary devices of acquiring it, i.e. hearing, sight and heart. (Figure 1)    &   (Figure 2)

Allah (SWT) says: “And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and hearts that you may give thanks (to Allah)” (XVI: 78)

Allah (SWT) provided you with these devices to acquire the knowledge that you did not possess when you were born, so that you may use every device in accordance with the purpose it has been created for. Thus you may realize the value of these devices awarded to you by Allah, and the value of all the other graces of Allah bestowed on you.

The first Sign of gratitude is that you use these devices to know Allah and believe in Him. Allah (SWT) threatens those who misuse the devices with severe torture in the Fire of Hell. Allah (SWT) says: “Many are the jinn and men We have made for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, - nay more misguided, for they are heedless (of warning).” (VII: 179) Allah (SWT) also says: “They will further say, ‘Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire.” (LXVII: 10)

Faith is based on clear evidence, obvious proof and sound knowledge Allah (SWT) says: “And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge, for every act of hearing, of seeing and of the heart will be inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).” (XVII: 36) Allah (SWT) also says: “Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah, and His Messenger, and have never since doubted.” (XLIX: 15)

Allah (SWT) urges us to use these devices to get acquainted with the features of creation and creativeness surrounding us, which expose some of His Attributes, such as Wisdom, Knowledge, and Mercy.

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth.’ But neither Signs nor Warners profit those who believe not.” (X: 101)

To complete our knowledge about His Attributes and about what we do not know about the unseen world whence we have come and whereto we are proceeding, Allah has sent His Messengers to teach and guide us, as He says: “Similarly (to complete My favor for you), We have sent among you a Messenger of your own, reciting to you our Verses (the Qur’an) and purifying you and teaching you the Book and Wisdom and teaching you that which you have no knowledge of.” (II: 151)

Allah, who has imposed on us the obligation of knowing him, has created for us the means by which we acquire knowledge and made available the sources from which we my obtain the facts of science and the signs and proofs of Faith. Following are such sources:

The tokens of Allah’s Attributes and landmarks of His Creativeness can be observed everywhere in this Universe. All creation in this Universe is explicit evidence pointing to the Creator (SWT), Who has created it perfectly without imitating a previous model. Such Signs and proofs are clear and meaningful to reasonable people who want to know the Truth; therefore, Allah (SWT) addressing them, says: “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alteration of Night and Day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.” (III: 190) Allah (SWT) also says: “Soon will we show them Our Signs in the Universe and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that it is the Truth. Is it not sufficient that your Lord does witness all things?” (XLI: 53) Allah (SWT) also says: “And also in your own selves: will you not then see?” (LI: 21)

Abu Hanifah (May Allah bestow His Mercy on him) used the Signs in the Universe and in people’s own selves to refute the atheists’ arguments when they asked him about the existence of Allah. He said to them: “Let me think! I have been told of something: It is said that there was a vessel on the sea loaded will all types of merchandise, but it had nobody to guard it or drive it, yet it would go to and fro and move automatically, penetrating huge waves safely and go anywhere it wishes without being controlled by anybody!”

His disputants said: “This is something no reasonable man can say!”

He said: “Woe be to you! How then can all these existing things including those in the upper world and in the lower world with their well-made precise components be without a creator?”

They were then dumbfounded and returned to the truth and embraced Islam in his presence.

Ibn Al-Mu’taz and also Abu Al-‘Atahiya (May Allah bestow His Mercy on them both) are reported to have said (these poetic Verses):

I wonder! How can Allah be disobeyed? Or how can a disbeliever disbelieve Him, notwithstanding that Allah has a witness in every movement and every instance of immobility and that He has a Sign in everything indicating that He is Only One?

Once a Bedouin was asked what proves the existence of Our Lord (SWT), and he said: “Glory be to Allah! Dung indicates the presence of a camel, and footprints indicate walking! How can we then disregard as evidence of the existence of (Allah) the Knower of and the well-acquainted with the finest mysteries, such things as the sky with its constellations, the earth with its mountain passes, and the seas with their waves?”

Allah (SWT) supported all His Prophets with clear miracles and made them perform such unusual deeds or let such unusual events take place in their presence as would attract the attention of people and enchant them, and show the features of perfect Faith and the elements of satisfaction and assurance that they were Messengers from Allah (SWT) and that they were His Prophets; and that all the Miracles that Allah supported His Messengers with and that contradicted the universal laws and life laws, would prove the truthfulness of their Prophesy and the confirmation of their Message and that they were Messengers from Allah, from whom they received their instructions and their knowledge. Such Signs and Miracles were beyond human ability and were not in agreement with the laws of matter but violated the usual known practices.

The Miracles of the Prophets varied according to the conditions and situations in which every Prophet lived among his people. Our Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (No Prophet but was given what made human beings believe (in his Message), but what I have been given is inspiration revealed to me by Allah. Therefore, I hope that my followers on the Day of Resurrection will be the greatest in member.)

The Miracles would prove the Messenger’s truthfulness and that he was a Messenger from his Lord and thus would be one of the sources of knowledge about Allah which came from Him to support His Messengers. Thus, the Message which Allah’s Messengers convey become another source to inform us about Allah (SWT) and His Attributes and about what we do not know about Him (SWT).

Reason can offer definite evidence to settle the problems presented to it, and refute false misgivings, for Allah (SWT) has provided the mind with the power to measure, evaluate, and judge things clearly to support Faith and dispel falsehood, as is expressed in the Saying of Allah (SWT): “Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief.” (LII: 35-36) and His Saying: “If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both!” (XXI: 22) and His Saying: “Is then He who creates like one that creates not? Will you not receive admonition?” (XVI: 17)

The intellectual evidence, therefore, is considered as a source of knowledge about Allah (SWT) and a means of convincing people.

There is an empirical observed actual relationship between Allah (SWT) and His servants, the traces of which are manifest in the supplication of the believers and the distressed and His Response to them, as He (SWT) says: “When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me: Let them also respond to me and believe in Me in order to be guided.” (II:186)

So, Allah (SWT), answering those who ask about Him, says that He is close to them, for He hears their calls and prayers and then respond to them, and they see with their own eyes the result of that response.

Once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was on a journey when he heard his companions say Takbir (Allah is Greater) loudly whenever they ascended a high place. He said to them: (Don’t raise your voice, for you are not calling someone dumb or absent; you are really calling someone hearing, seeing and close (to you)”

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) regards invocation or supplication exclusively as worship only because it involves turning to Allah and admitting that He only deserves worship and renewing the pledge of monotheism and rejecting both explicit and implicit polytheism.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (Supplication is worship itself), reciting: “And your Lord said: ‘Invoke me; I will respond to you…”)

Supplication or praying to Allah implies that Allah (SWT) certainly has the Attributes of Richness, Hearing, Generosity, Mercy, and Power. Ibn ‘Aqil said: “Allah (SWT) urges (people) to invoke Him, which implies that He is characterized by:

Thus, response to invocations indicates some of the Attributes of Allah (SWT) and is, ultimately, an empirical tangible source leading to belief in Allah (SWT).

Man has an innate deep sense that he has a creator to whom he would appeal when facing dangers or afflictions. Allah (SWT) says: “When a wave covers them like the canopy (of clouds), they invoke Allah, offering Him sincere devotion.” (XXXI: 32)

Thus, an innate impetus directs the creatures towards their Creator and urges them to seek His Help when dangers aggravate and no means of security are available. Therefore, belief in Allah is natural and unquestionable in healthy souls, constant in clear minds and is almost intuitive knowledge.

Allah (SWT) says: “Set your face steadily and truly to the religion, worshipping none but Allah. (Such is) the pattern on which He has created mankind. No change (let then be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the straight religion, but most people know not.” (XXX: 30)

Recognizing the Lordship of Allah alone is innate in the human constitution. It is something the Creator (SWT) entrusted to human beings, who testified it concerning themselves.

Allah (SWT) says: “When your Lord drew forth from the children of Adam, from their loins--their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves (saying): ‘Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?’ They said: ‘Yes! We do testify it!’ (This) lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘of this we were never mindful.’” (VII: 172)

Man innately recognizes that Allah is the Only True God Whom he loves and worships and does not ascribe any partners to. But devils spoil such innate stance and corrupt it. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (Allah (SWT) says: “I created all My slaves as monotheists, but the devils came upon them and swerved them from their religion and held as forbidden for them that which I had made lawful for them.)

The innate stance of a child is also affected by those parents who are deviated from it. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (Everybody is born a monotheistic Muslim (innately), but its parents (may) make it a Jew, a Christian or a Magian…)

Thus the sound innate disposition is another source of having knowledge about Allah.

Allah, Who knows His slaves well, casts the Light of Faith in the hearts of whomever He wills of His slaves. Human hearts are brightened with Allah’s knowledge and wisdom after their being dark; or their Faith increases by virtue of the light they receive. Allah (SWT) says: “Can he who was dead, to whom we gave life, and a Light whereby he can walk amongst men, be like him who is in the depths of darkness, from which he can never come out? Thus to those without Faith their own deeds seem pleasing.” (VI: 122) Allah (SWT) also says: “Allah guides whom He will to His Light.” (XXIV: 35)

The proofs which the Holy Qur’an presents to acquaint us with our Lord are tangible, visible and observable. It displays the whole Universe as signs to achieve this purpose. Therefore, we have to find out how the Universe can be a guide towards Faith and how these created things can reflect some concepts of Faith.

There are certain intellectual rules, which, if known, understood and put into practice, can help you see the signs that urge you to believe in Allah overwhelming the whole Universe. These rules are:

That nothingness does nothing is a fact accepted by all people; nobody can deny it unless he is self-deceiving and disbelieving. A reasonable person cannot believe that the watch on your wrist, or the plane in the sky, or the ruler you use have been made by nothingness, and no manufacturer has produced it…!

This is a common rule acknowledged by all sane people. No non-Muslim atheistic researcher, or cosmologist was disputed with about this rule but acknowledged its validity. Even if a child were hit all of a sudden and asked who had hit him, he would not accept the answer: “Nothingness has done that.” This rule is unanimously acknowledged by all sensible people, not excluding even children. This is evident in the Qur’anic argument: “Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief.” (LII: 35-36)

Thus, every deed should have a doer; every product should have a maker, and every creature should have a creator.

You notice that the parts of your body, those of the animals or plants around you came into existence after being non-existent. Nothingness cannot have brought them into existence. Therefore, they themselves are clear evidence that they have a Creator that has created them.

The same is true about the various parts of the earth, such as its mountains, rivers, seas, air, etc. As geologists tell us, all these components came into existence after being non-existent. Even the earth itself, the stars and planets in the sky came into existent after being one mass of smoke, a nebula. Cosmologists would tell you that this nebula came into existent after its being non-existent. They even specify the time-point when the whole Universe started to exist. Nothingness cannot be behind the existence of all these created things. The proofs that confirm the existence of a creator for this Universe are as numerous as the created things themselves.

The relationship between the thing manufactured and its manufacturer is very close. By its means we can learn something about the manufacturer and about some of his attributes.

The thing manufactured is, then, a tangible token exposing some of the attributes of its manufacturer.

The ruler that you use reflects some of the aspects of the ability of the carpenter who has made it. You see it is made of wood, and this would mean that the maker of the ruler has wood, and that he can make rulers from wood. As the ruler is smooth, regular in form, and of straight edges, you can conclude that the maker of the ruler can make wood smooth, can cut it in regular patterns and can make straight edges. As the ruler is divided into equal parts with black lines, this implies that its maker has the ability to divide it precisely into equal exact parts. Consequently, you will know through reasoning some of the attributes of the maker of the ruler. The precision in cutting the edges of the ruler and dividing it into regular exact parts cannot be achieved but by a sensible, intelligent person that has the ability to cut and plan wisely and regularly. Thus the ruler reveals to your mind a lot about the attributes and abilities of its maker.

Similarly, if you think over a car you will conclude definitely that its manufacturer has iron, glass, wires and rubber, and that he can form all these materials into various patterns suitable for making the car, and that he has the ability to shape the parts of the car in the pattern you see in front of you. You will surely know, through reasoning, some of the attributes of the maker of the car. You will know that he is an expert in his craft, wise and precise in his work, and intelligent and not insane.

All these conclusions are based on the relationship between the maker and the thing made.

In the same way we can learn some of the Attributes of our Glorified Lord through observing the tangible tokens of these Attributes manifest in the creation around us.

Allah (SWT) says: “look then at the effects of Allah’s Mercy: how He revives the earth after its death. Verily the Same will give life to the dead; for He is able to do all things.” (XXX: 50)

So, Allah is described as Merciful, and the effects of His Mercy are manifest. Allah (SWT) wants us to look and see how He is Merciful. We can know the other Attributes of Allah concerning His Actions in the same way. The Universe testifies some of the Creator’s Attributes and Power. The Signs of the Universe are countless, and Signs indicating some of the Creator’s Attributes and Power are as numerous as the things created.

The manifestations of the Attributes of Actions of Allah (SWT) such as Wisdom, Knowledge, Subsistence, and Shaping are obvious in His creatures. Such Attributes can be realized through thinking over the creatures. Wherever you look you will see well-structured harmonized creatures: the right hand is in harmony with the left one and the right eye is in harmony with the left one. The lower eyelid corresponds to the upper one and both form a well-designed cover for the eye.

Throughout the Universe you see features of wisdom and precision; features of balance and equilibrating: every component is precise in its volume which is in harmony with the amounts of other components; features of symmetry in shapes: every organ and every system has the exact shape that enables it to perform its prescribed function. Its function is related to the functions of the other organs and systems. The shape of the heart well suits its function; the shape of the lung well suits its function; the shapes of the leaves of trees agree with their functions.

You will see the precise design and exact configuration of these creatures address your mind: Our Lord is Knowledgeable and Cognizant.

You will see the bestowed Graces that the creatures enjoy say to you mind: Our Lord is Merciful and Gracious.

Your mind will tell you that the observed tokens of Allah’s power and His other Attributes cannot be but of an Ever-Living Never-Sleeping Creator; i.e. Allah (SWT).

So, he who ponders over Allah’s creatures will find them a mirror reflecting the tokens of some of the Divine Attributes and will believe in His Lord strongly and firmly, as Allah (SWT) says: “Then behold (O man!) the tokens of Allah’s Mercy.” (XXX: 50) The Attribute of Mercy is realized through its observed traces; therefore, the Holy Qur’an urges us to ponder over Allah’s Signs and His creatures.

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily in the heavens and the earth are Signs for those who believe And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth) are Signs for those of assured Faith. And in the alteration of Night and Day, and the fact that Allah sends down sustenance from the sky and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the change of winds,--are Signs for those that are wise. Such are the Signs of Allah, which we rehearse to you in truth: then in what exposition will they believe after Allah and His Signs?” (XLV: 3-6) Allah (SWT) also says: “So also did we show Abraham the kingdom of the heaven and the earth, that he might have certitude.” (VI: 75)

In the hadith we read (Ponder on what is created by Allah)

Can a doer be one who has no power to do anything?

Suppose we saw a killed person beside a tree, could we accuse that intact living tree of killing him? Would the police come to arrest that tree for killing him?

Can we say that the classroom is the maker of chairs and tables because they are inside in?

The answer is obvious to every reasonable person: the tree is not the killer himself and the classroom is not the manufacturer, for a tree cannot kill people by itself and the classroom does not have the ability to make tables and chairs.

Therefore, a doer cannot be one that does not have the ability to act. Idols and nature do not have the power to create. We observe in the Universe the effects of great wisdom, whereas idols or nature has no wisdom.

We observe in the Universe the effects of great management, whereas idols or nature has no management.

We observe in the Universe the effects of high expertness and comprehensive knowledge, whereas idols or nature has no knowledge.

We see wise intelligent minds being created everyday, whereas idols or nature has no mind or management.

Allah (SWT) says: “O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, you call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch away anything from them they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are (both) the seeker and the sought.” (XXII: 73)

Thus, management, wisdom, expertness, knowledge, perfect creation and intelligent minds cannot be attributed to an idol or nature. They all belong to a Creator other than the things created by Allah, Who is Perfect in Knowledge and Wisdom, all-Powerful, the Doer of whatever He wills, the Well–Acquainted with everything.

Once I had a discussion with a notorious atheist called Professor Robert. I asked him if he was willing to discuss the issue of belief in Allah, and he agreed.

I said: A hundred years ago were you existent?

He said: No.

He said: No.

I said: Animals were not existent either.

He said: Yes.

He was amazed at this Verse!

He said: Yes, there must be a creator for this Universe.

I said: Who is it then?

He said: Nature.

He asked: What is it?

I said to him: Look at that lamp: (there was a fluorescent lamp in the room).

He said: Look at what?

I said: Does the person who made this lamp have glass?

He said: Yes. Otherwise, wherefrom has this glass come?

He said: Yes.

I said: He is able to make the aluminum into a cover.

He said: Yes.

He said: Yes.

I said: You testify to that.

He said: I do testify.

He said: How?

He said: How?

He said: It is fixed at 37C

I decided to cite him another example;

He said: Not wise!

I said to myself: Glory be to Allah! It is disbelief that conceals truths!

I said to him: Does not this indicate that it is the product of the Wise Creator?

Allah (SWT) has created in the Universe such Signs as indicate His Attributes, and made them observable indicators reflecting those Attributes. He also provides us with eyes to see those indicators, and minds to deduce those Attributes from their observable effects and traces, and to learn for sure that the creatures must be the creation of the Creator and that they have not been created by nothingness.

Sound minds would infer the Attribute of Wisdom on seeing its effect in the creatures; the Attribute of Expertise on perceiving the skill of precision; the Attribute of Knowledge on seeing the effect of knowledge in the creatures you see; the Attribute of Sustenance on noticing how sustenance is provided and managed; the Attribute of Mercy on seeing the consequence of Allah’s Mercy in His creatures, and the Attribute of Oneness on seeing the integrity of the components of the Universe and the stability that cannot be undermined. Thus the created things that fill the earth and the heavens serve as visible indicators manifesting some of the Attributes of Allah, the Glorified.

All these Attributes of Knowledge, Wisdom, Expertise, Oneness and other numerous ones that the Universe bears witness to, cannot characterize something created, an idol or nature. Sound minds would affirm that these Attributes belong exclusively to the Creator, the Owner of the High Attributes and the Beautiful Names.

The atmosphere is an ocean at the bottom of which we live, as do many creatures at the bottom of seas and oceans. It is a mass of gases surrounding the globe and extending up from sea level more than 18.000 miles, and 99 percent of this mass is compressed into the lowest 50 miles. This ocean weighs some 5.000 million tons, and it presses down upon each of our heads with a force of nearly 15 pounds (6.795 kg.) per square inch: But we do not feel this pressure because the Wise, Merciful Creator provides the blood and other fluids in our bodies with such pressure as will counterbalance this outer atmospheric pressure.

The aircraft of aviators that fly to high altitudes, where atmospheric pressure decreases, are modified so as to compensate for this decrease in pressure; otherwise, the blood of the aviators would burst out of their bodies and they would perish because of imbalance in pressure. Astronauts also have to wear special suits for the same reason. (Figure 4)

Thus there is precise balance between the atmospheric pressure on our bodies and the liquid pressure within them, manifesting that this is the making of Allah, the Wise, the Merciful.

Allah has made atmospheric air of various layers and had made it transparent allowing light to penetrate it. A portion of sunlight is scattered so that we have day, which makes it possible for plants to produce food and for man and animals to move seeking their living in daylight. Because of that also the sky appears to us beautifully blue.

Air is a necessary medium for the transmission of sound, and without it people would not be able to speak to each other or hear each other.

All this invites you to contemplate those Signs, which are tokens of the One Wise, Merciful, All-Knowing Creator.

Allah (SWT) has made air a gas that can expand to fill any available space, so that creatures can breathe it easily, and it can travel from one place to another producing winds and storms, and carry moisture and drive clouds and bring down rain to revivify the earth after having been dead. In spite of the movement of air from one place to another, it does not depart from planet earth, because Allah (SWT) has given the force of gravity to the earth to hold the atmosphere and prevent it from heading to space.

Although the atmospheric air is not one element but a mixture of several gases, each of these gases retains its own properties and does not react with the other elements; otherwise, new substance would be formed and we would be deprived of all the advantages Allah (SWT) has created for us in air. 50% of the mass of the atmospheric air is compressed in the lowest six kilometers, where it is most needed by human beings and other creatures. Glorified be the Creator, Who is full of Wisdom, Mercy and Knowledge.

Allah (SWT) has made the atmosphere 18.000 miles thick and designed it with utmost precision and exact balance to burn millions of comets and meteors before they reach the surface of the earth, (Figure 5) and to absorb the lethal radiation and lethal atomic particles before they reach earth. (Figure 6) The atmosphere is a shield that protects the population of the earth from all these dangers. It is like the placenta that surrounds the fetus; when blood passes to the fetus, the placenta prevents harmful objects and allows only useful ones to pass. (Figure 7) Similarly, the ozone layer prevents the radiation harmful to creatures from passing. (Figure 8) Do you not see that all this indicates that it is the Work of Allah, Who is full of Wisdom, Mercy, and Knowledge, and guards all living creatures against the dangers surrounding them?

Allah (SWT) has made moisture an important element in producing atmospheric phenomena and preventing most of the infra-red radiation from leaving the atmosphere, thus protecting earth against chilling, and keeping its warmth. Allah (SWT) has also made moisture a cause of warming the atmosphere by releasing heat on condensation and precipitation. All that witnesses that it is the Work of Allah, al–Mighty, Full of Wisdom, Who guards His creatures.

Earth is surrounded by two magnetic belts, known as Van Allen Belts, one at 3.200 km. and the other at 16.000 km. from earth. (Figure 9) Allah (SWT) has created them to protect earth from cosmic radiation that carries lethal atomic particles, by deflecting it.

All these are graces bestowed upon us by the Creator, Who has created life and guarded it. Glorious be Allah, Full of Wisdom, Who guards all.

Allah (SWT) has made atmospheric air a means to pollinate the flowers of plants that produce fruit. Most of the process of pollination in plants is carried out by winds; otherwise, it would be impossible to obtain food, grain and fruit.

Allah (SWT) has also made nitrogen constitute about 4/5 of the atmospheric air, because it is very important in helping beans to produce their food through absorbing it via their roots with the aid of bacteria. Lightning also combines oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere to form nitrous oxide, which comes down with rain to fertilize soil. (Figure10) All this is the Work of Allah, the Maintainer and Provider, Who says: “O men! Call to mind the grace of Allah unto you! Is there a creator, other than Allah, to give you sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He; how then are you deluded away from the truth?” (XXXV: 3)

Allah has kept the basic gases of air in constant proportions; oxygen always makes up 21% of the atmosphere, in spite of its being continuously consumed by living creatures and various combustion processes. Photosynthesis compensates for the used-up oxygen; plants absorb CO2 and release O2. The constant percentage of O2 is the right amount that meets the needs of life. If it decreased, all living organisms would perish and no fire could be lit; if it increased, fire would break out everywhere, because oxygen is an essential factor in most combustion and combustion processes. (Figure 11)

Thus all these precise proportions, amounts, and properties witness that they are the Work of Allah, Who is Full of Knowledge, Wisdom and Mercy.

Since air touches the surface of seas and rivers, Allah (SWT) makes oxygen dissoluble in water in small amounts, enough for water organisms to breathe.

Allah (SWT) has made air a means for birds to fly high, and without it no bird would be able to fly. Birds usually push with their wings enough amount of air to swim over. Allah (SWT) says: “Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He who watches over all things.” (LXVII: 19)

Air carries aircraft in their flight as seas carry ships. Besides, air has many other benefits.

The precision in constructing air and the exact constant proportions of its components and its various properties that preserve the life of living organisms and facilitate their existence are all Signs representing the tokens of Allah’s Knowledge and Wisdom.

Allah’s Signs in His creatures are numerous. An example is the availability of air in abundance, for it is the most important requirement of life for man, animals and plants. Man cannot dispense with air even for a few minutes; therefore the Merciful Creator provides it in abundance and makes it available everywhere without our having to collect, transport or store it. Nobody can monopolize it, for the Merciful Creator has made it a gas that spreads all over the world and caused it to surround us from all sides.

So, think over this great grace over which Allah has given no authority to anybody, and which He has made available in large amounts, enough to meet the needs of all creation everywhere and at all times. All this illustrates that it is the Work of Allah, Full of Mercy, Kindness, Generosity and Knowledge.

Respiration is a necessity for every cell; for a cell needs oxygen for burning food and producing energy and expelling CO2 as a byproduct. Since unicellular organisms, or tiny multi cellular organisms are small in size and their surfaces are in direct touch with the environment where oxygen exists, they need no specialized respiratory systems, for this would be futile. Therefore, Allah (SWT) has made these surfaces ready to carry out the process of gas exchange (receiving O2 and expelling CO2) through these surfaces directly. But when the animal has too many cells to receive air directly, it has to have a suitable means to carry air to all those cells. Therefore, Allah (SWT) has provided such creatures with various types of respiratory systems appropriate for the environment where they live. Fish, for example, use the oxygen dissolved in water, which differs, in its specific weight, its viscosity, the proportion of oxygen and the degree of gas diffusion in it, from the free atmospheric air. Therefore, Allah (SWT) has created for fish gills that are suitable for the properties of water and the existence of dissolved oxygen in it, to deliver it to every cell in their bodies.

Since insects have small bodies, Allah (SWT) has made the respiratory system simple, provided with openings on the chest and abdomen leading to a system of air tubes called tracheae that run into the body of the insect to carry oxygen to each cell in it. In order to prevent too much evaporation of water through these air tubes, Allah (SWT) has provided them with valves that control the process of evaporation.

As for organisms of big bodies like human beings and cattle, Allah (SWT) has created for them respiratory systems with specialized lungs that transport oxygen to the blood that circulates in the body to bring oxygen to every cell and take carbon dioxide to expel it out of the body. (Figure 12)

The human body would not benefit by oxygen unless it has a system to receive it; therefore, Allah (SWT) creates an intricate system in the human body while it is still a fetus in the womb; it is the respiratory system that starts functioning at the moment of the baby’s birth and continues till death without tiredness. It works everywhere in state of sleep or wakefulness. Out of His Mercy Allah has made oxygen easy to inhale, without pain, effort or difficulty. (Figure 13a)    &  (Figure 13b)

Allah (SWT) creates this respiratory system while you are in your mother’s womb surrounded by the amniotic fluid, where there is no air to inhale. So, the Creator, Who creates this system for you while you are still an embryo in your mother’s womb and prepares it to inhale oxygen which does not exist in the womb and exhale carbon dioxide, doubtlessly knows well that you will come out of your mother’s womb to a world that has air in it; so, He prepares what you will need in your life on this earth while you are still an embryo in your mother’s womb.

I had a discussion with a Swiss, wherein I gave many examples to illustrate that the Creator is Full of Knowledge. He was not convinced till I had given an example concerning the function of the respiratory system.

Allah (SWT) is the Creator of life; it is He Who provides living beings with the air they need; it is He Who protects them against the dangers of comets and meteors. It is He Who makes air a means to pollinate many plants, to carry rain and to counterbalance the liquid pressure in the bodies of living organisms.

Do you not notice:

Rather, this perceived wisdom, nice design, wise organization, precise balance and wonderful structure, all bear witness for those who are reasonable that they are the work of the Wise, Merciful, Great, All-Seeing, All-Knowing Creator, Who has created the air surrounding our earth wisely and nicely. He is unlike His seen creatures; He is Allah, the Great, and the Glorified, the Almighty.

Allah (SWT) shows us some marks in all that He creates to acquaint us with some of His Attributes. Thus we come to know our Lord, the Almighty and in this way all false claims attributing divinity to other than Allah (SWT) become invalid. The Holy Qur’an exhibits before us the Universe and invites us to look at the Signs of Allah (SWT) that point out to Him, for there is not even a single proof to attribute Divinity to other than Him.

Water is necessary to life; without it life is impossible.

When earth was separated from the matter of the Universe, Allah (SWT) stored water in large quantities to meet the needs of life on earth. Had that amount of water increased, continents would have been flooded and human beings and land creatures would have perished. Had the allotted amount of water decreased, there would not have been enough rain to maintain life.

Water constitutes the bulk of the bodies of living beings. In plants it amounts to 90%. It is the only appropriate medium for all biochemical processes to take place in the bodies of living beings. Cosmologists suggest that no life can exist on planets in the absence of water.

Allah (SWT) says: “Do the unbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (XXI: 30)

Had Allah (SWT) made seawater fresh, germs would have contaminated it and spoiled the earth environment, but Allah (SWT) made it salty lest it should get rotten.

Allah (SWT) has made the boiling point of water high (100 C) and not low like the boiling points of other solvents, like alcohol or benzene, which boil at low temperatures. Were water to boil at a low temperature, all the water in the seas and rivers would evaporate and stay suspending in the earth’s atmosphere as vapor as is the case in Venus. Were the boiling point of water to increase, the process of evaporation would slow down, and we would not have enough rain.

Glorified be the Wise Creator, Who knows everything.

Liquids, when reaching their solid state have the highest density, but water differs from other liquids in that it reaches it highest density when it is still in the liquid state at 4C. Its density then decreases as its temperature decreases and it freezes at 0C to change into solid ice, which is less dense than water in its liquid state. Therefore, ice floats in oceans, seas and rivers, keeping water under it in the liquid state that is suitable for the life of fish and other marine creatures. (Figure 14)

Were ice, similar to other liquids, more dense in its solid state, it would sink down to the bottoms of seas, lakes and rivers, and in cold regions in winter a sea would change into a mass of ice where you would see no traces of life and no one would be able to move.

Who then has given to water this property that distinguishes it from all other liquids? It is Allah (SWT), Who knows everything and is Merciful to water creatures.

Water has a high specific heat capacity. Heating one gram of water requires five times the heat required to heat one gram of aluminum to the same temperature; therefore, metal vessels get hot before the water they hold.

Because of this property, the temperature of seas and oceans rise slowly when they are exposed to sunlight; the seas and other water surfaces remain relatively cool during daytime, and keep air close to them cool also. Temperature on neighboring land remains higher because the specific heat of stone is lower than that of water. Air on land would rise because of high temperature that causes pressure there to decrease allowing wind to blow from sea where the pressure is higher than that on land. The weather on land gets mild, as a result, and this phenomenon is called sea breeze. (Figure 15)

At night seas and water surfaces lose their heat slowly and retain their relative warmth all night, and warm the air close to them, which in its turn rises, and pressure decreases allowing cold wind to blow from land, where the pressure is high, to sea, resulting in warming the seashore. (Figure 16) Thus the specific heat capacity specified for water by Allah (SWT) is a means to cause seas to modify the temperature on land day and night. Who then has fixed this specific heat capacity of water to bring out these favorable useful results? It is Allah, Who created everything precisely and with exact measures.

Water dissolves most substances and no other compound has this property; therefore, it is the right liquid to wash clothes and clean our bodies with. Allah (SWT) says: “And we sent down pure water from the sky.” (XXV: 48)

It is the suitable matter for dissolving minerals and salt from mountains and rock, or dissolving them in soil to make it easy for plants to absorb them, to be some of the components of the nutrients for plants, animals, and human beings.

Seawater dissolves oxygen that fish and some other marine animals absorb. It also dissolves carbon dioxide to regulate its proportion in the atmosphere.

Glorified be He Who says: “and we send down pure water from the sky, that with it we may give life to a dead land, and slake the thirst of things We have created, -cattle and men in great numbers. And We have distributed it amongst them, to remember (our signs), but most men insist on being thankless.” (XXV: 48-50)

The issue of rain, clouds and winds has been a topic of dispute between two cultures: first, the cultures of the eras of decadence characterized by intellectual stagnation and lack of insight and superficiality. People then, for example, thought that rain comes down through numerous holes is large tanks in the sky, an explanation that annuls the role of clouds and winds mentioned by the Qur’anic Verses. Second, the culture of the eras of imperialism, when experimental science realized great advances, in an atheist environment that misinterpreted universal phenomena and presented them in a form deprived of any manifestation of Faith; for whenever they discovered one of the Divine Laws they explained it from their false atheistic point of view.

Since they were the discoverers, people believed in their interpretations; therefore, they explained everything in accordance with their desires, ignorance and enmity to religions and their followers. They say, for example, that rain is a natural process that involves the heating of seawater, the rising of the heated particles in the form of vapor, which is driven by wind to a cold region in the atmosphere where it condenses into heavy drops increasing in size to fall down as rain. As a result of this process electric charges occur to produce lightning and thunder. They say that all that is a natural phenomenon (i.e. it is not the Work of the Creator.)

This incomplete explanation of the Divine Laws has made some Muslims either rashly accept it or refuse it altogether. Let us look into these Signs and the relevant Qur’anic Verses to find out their significance in revealing facts.

Sunlight evaporates seawater that rises into the sky as fresh palatable water. But it does not continue rising to fall down on the moon or Mars, for it is not intended to pour down there, but to pour down on the interior of the continents and other parts for Allah’s servants, because it is badly needed there. Allah (SWT) has established a precise system and assigned an exact amount of heat enough to change seawater into fresh water for His servants. If sunlight increased a little, all seawater would evaporate, but it is a limited specific amount of heat. If the area of the surface of sea were less than it is now (which is ¾ of the globe), (Figure 17) rain would be less than it is, for the quantity of rain is proportional to the area of sea surface. A wide area of sea surface is necessary to produce the rain needed on dry land. Every year solar energy lifts about 400.000 cubic kilometers of moisture, and two-thirds of this falls right back into the ocean, but the remainder reaches dry land in the form of rain, snow, sleet, hail and dew.

Dear Brother Shaykh Abdul-Majeed Al-Zindani,

I present this unique photo of the earth taken by Apollo 17 Astronauts on their way back from the moon. It shows the features of the Arab Homeland. With my respect, love and best wishes.

Fares Al-Baz

12/1/1995

Allah (SWT) has made solar energy and winds a means to lift water vapor from sea to altitudes higher than mountain tops, so that water would not be prevented from transferring from above sea to the interior of continents, and in order that water molecules may condense to form clouds. Allah (SWT) has limited the level which water vapor may reach, but not exceed, towards outer space and leave earth for good. Allah (SWT) says: “And we send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and we cause it to soak in the soil; and we certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).” (XXIII:18)

Allah (SWT) lifts seawater as vapor without the salt mixed with it, for the salt would be harmful to man, animals, and plants. Drinking salt water or watering plants with it would be very harmful to us, and our plants and animals. Allah (SWT) tells us of this in His Saying: “Have you noted the water you drink? Do you bring it down from the clouds, or do we? If we will, we can make it salty (and unpalatable). Then you should be thankful.” (LVI: 68-70)

Water vapor is so light that it rises up and cannot be seen unless it condenses. Allah (SWT) sends winds carrying very tiny particles of smoke and dust, as well as pollen and other particles of condensation. The particles of water vapor are pollinated and stimulated by them.

Water vapor gathers around those particles forming water envelopes around them. This results in droplets of water that we see as clouds. These droplets grow into heavier drops that fall down as rain. Allah (SWT) says: “ It is Allah Who sends the winds, to stir up clouds. Then He spreads them in the sky as He wills, and breaks them into fragments, then you see rain–drops coming down from the midst thereof. When He has made them reach whomever He chooses from among His servants, they rejoice.” (XXX: 48) (Figure 18)

The third Divine Law is the transmission of water from over sea into the interior of the continents by means of winds that drive the clouds gratis, because they are commanded by Allah (SWT) to serve His creatures. Allah (SWT) says: “ It is He Who sends the winds like heralds of good tidings going before His Mercy. Once they have carried heavy clouds, we drive them to a land that is dead, and make rain descend thereon, and produce therewith every kind of fruits. Thus we will raise up the dead; perchance you may remember.” (VII: 57)

The Verse above describes the process of driving clouds by winds. Winds drive clouds at the order of Allah (SWT): “We drive them to a land that is dead.” Some barren desert areas have indeed changed into agricultural lands. Similarly, as Allah (SWT) changes dead land into living land, He will raise up the dead by sending down rain from the sky with which the human bodies will grow. Allah (SWT) says: “ …and produce all therewith every kind of fruits. Thus We will raise up the dead. Perchance you may remember.” (VII: 57)

Look at (Figure 19) and note the wisdom underlying the phenomenon of winds. They travel according to precise purposeful rates and measures, so that they are enough to stir up clouds and transmit them, without being destructive. Allah (SWT) shows us now and then destructive storms and hurricanes that travel at the speed of 75 miles per hour. Would the speed of winds reach 200 miles per hour they would destroy everything on earth. Yet, there are such very fast winds only five miles above your head in a zone called the zone of jet stream. Were these winds that travel at the speed of 200 miles per hour, 5 miles above sea level, to come close to the surface of the earth, life would be disturbed and the rain system would be drastically changed. If zone number1, which is near the surface of the earth, were replaced by zone number 3, no water would move into the interior of the continents; rain would stay over the sea, and people, animals and plants would die out of thirst. (Figure 20a)    &   (Figure 20b)

Then see Allah’s Wise and Merciful management of the earth.

The clouds that are between the sky and the earth undergo equal forces of pulling down and pushing up. If such balance between the two forces continued, no drop of rain would come down. But Allah (SWT) sends winds to lift the clouds to higher colder altitudes, where condensation increases and water drops get larger and heavier, so that the force of pulling down outbalances the lifting force, and rains comes down by Allah’ power. Allah (SWT) says: “It is He who sends the winds like heralds of good tidings going before His Mercy. Once they have carried heavy clouds, we drive them to a land that is dead, and make rain descend thereon, and produce therewith every kind of fruits. Thus we will raise up the dead: Perchance you may remember.” (VII: 57)

But rain does not come down in one whole mass; for Allah (SWT) makes it come down in small drops, because of the law of surface tension, to protect earth from complete damage.

Allah (SWT) has made rivers a means for rainwater to flow through and spread on land to large areas so that it may be benefited by in as large an area as possible. Water flows as rivers, torrents and streams running in the land as the blood vessels spread in a human body. Allah (SWT) says: “He sends down water from the sky causing the valleys to overflow, but the torrent bears away foam that mounts up to the surface.” (XIII: 17); and Allah also says: “And He also commanded the rivers to serve you.” (XIV: 32)

Water also runs underground in specific pathways through rock like pipes, and when a fracture occurs in them, springs gush out. So the benefit of this stored water reaches distant places and causes oases in deserts and other places to exist.

Allah (SWT) says: “ Do you not see that Allah sends down from the sky water and leads it through springs in the earth, then He produces therewith plants of various colors. Then they wither and you will see them grow yellow; then He makes them dry up and crumble away? Truly, this should be a reminder for those who posses intelligence.” (XXXIX: 21)

If all rain water stayed on the surface of the earth where it comes down, it would form lakes and large marshes that would spoil man’s life; he would not be able to use that land which is covered with water for transport, cultivation or building. But Allah has given earth the property of absorbing water to reach the layers close to the surface, where it would run in pathways and gather in underground aquifers away from germs of decay, and meanwhile keep the surface of the earth fit for life without hindrances caused by excess of water. Allah (SWT) says: “And we cause it to soak through the soil.” (XXIII:18)

If water continued running underground deeper and deeper, it would be lost in the distant depths of the ground and we would be deprived of its use. But Allah, the Almighty, made in the nearby layers of the earth aquifers of rock and mud to keep water and prevent it from sinking too deep, so that it may be close enough for people to use continuously. Allah (SWT) says: “Say: ‘What if your water be some morning lost (in the underground earth) who then can supply you with pure water?” (LXVII: 0) (Figure 21a)  ,   (Figure 21b)   &  (Figure 21c)

Allah (SWT) has created everything and specified the measures and is controlling and managing the Universe according to fixed constant laws. He has made creatures live according to these laws and adapt their living accordingly. But He Who has made these laws can realize their outcomes through these laws themselves or through other laws or through any way and at any time He wills

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily, when He intends a thing. His command is, ‘be; and it is!’” (XXXVI: 82)

An example thereof is represented by Allah’s response to the Muslims invoking Him for rain at times of drought, whereupon Allah responds to their prayers and sends down rain within a few hours. Sometimes, rain comes down immediately after finishing the prayer, although people have despaired of having rain because the usual causes of its formation are not available then. But the Creator of the laws hears the call of the people praying for help and resorting to Him and sees where they are, and drives rain, through other laws, to their specific location on earth.

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily, when He intends a thing, His command is, ‘be’, and it is!” (XXXVI: 82). He also says: “When My servants ask you about me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me: Let them also respond to me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.” (II: 186)

Ask your father, mother, any relative of yours, or your learned teachers who are aware of the Mercy of your Lord, Who listens to prayers and supplications; ask them about Allah’s response to the prayers of people in distress and those who are badly in need of help. They would tell you tales about cases of drought when Muslims came out to perform prayers, as Allah’ Messenger (Peace be upon him) had taught them, invoking their Lord to help them, and Allah (SWT) would respond to them and bring His Mercy down upon them. Thus, we learn that Allah, the Creator, hears his servants and responds to their prayers, which is a practical application of the meaning of Allah’s saying in Verse (II: 186) above.

In a Yemeni region called Harf Sufyan, Chinese laborers were constructing a road joining Sana’a and Sa’da in 1973. They had to dig artesian wells there because the region was suffering from drought. Sheikh Abdullah ‘Ushaysh suggested that people perform a rain prayer, but nobody agreed except one man called Yahya Al-Aqtal. They both performed the prayer in the latter’s farm and asked Allah for rain. Then rain came down on that farm exclusively. A few months later the travelers passing by the region would see only one spot covered with plants surrounded by barren pieces of land. On asking, they would be told that it was the farm of Yahya Al-Aqtal, who had performed the prayer for rain.

During the communist regime in Ethiopia there was severe famine and drought and people were in great distress. A large number of cattle and some people perished. The government had to allow Muslims and Christians to practice their religions rituals and pray to Allah for rain. The Christians prayed in their churches and asked Allah for rain, but no rain came down.

Meanwhile the Imam of the Great Mosque in Addis Ababa, who was the religious leader of the Muslims there, invited people there to perform the rain prayer on a certain day and suggested that the Muslims fast for three days before going out to perform the prayer. The communists there were happy, for they expected that the Muslims would be disappointed as the Christians had been denied rain, in which case they would have a chance to ridicule them as they had ridiculed the Christians. Later the Imam of the mosque and those who had been with him told me that they had been embarrassed, and had not been concerned about rain so much as they had been concerned about the probable slanders among the Christians and the communists. They added: “ Therefore, we went on asking Allah earnestly and persistently till the time of the prayer was due. We, then, went out and performed the prayer. By the time of the afternoon (prayer) rain began pouring down heavily after years of continuous drought. That rain was a new life for both the land and the hearts of young people, for the Christians said that it was the Muslims’ rain and many youths turned to Islam after their having aversion to it.

Al-Azhar`s Rector, Jad Al-Haqq Ali Jad Al-Haqq (Allah’s Mercy be upon him) said to me: “The inhabitants of Sinai complained of severe drought and I advised them to perform the rain prayer. The governor of the province gathered the people and the learned men and all of them went out to perform the prayer, whereupon it rained so heavily that the Governor telephoned me asking for help, saying: “O Rector! We have had too much rain! What should we do?” I told him to invoke Allah to cause the rain to fall on the neighboring areas but not on them directly.

Al-Tayyib Ordaghan, one of the leaders of Al-Rafah, an Islamic party in Turkey, won the position of the Mayer of Istanbul municipality in the mid-nineties. He achieved great services to the people, but he had the problem of the scarcity of water, for every individual received his share of water once a month. He said: “We learned in the Institutes of Preachers and Imams that when there is severe drought, people should perform the rain prayer.” He then invited the people to that, which aroused the secularists’ ridicule, which increased the embarrassment of the believers.

Sheikh Amin Siraj, the Imam of Al-Fatih Mosque in Istanbul said to me: “We went out to perform the rain prayer, worrying about the secularists’ malice towards us. We appealed to Allah for help and protection against slander. The day following the day when we performed the prayer, rain started falling and continued till people were satisfied.”

In 1417 AH I visited the region of Yahar in Yafi’ in Yemen. People there were suffering from drought and scarcity of water. While I was delivering a speech in the open, they said: “Look, our Sheikh! Our plants are withering and the coffee trees are drying. Please ask Allah for rain for us!” I asked them to participate in my supplication and prayer earnestly and sincerely. We then started praying to Allah. One of those present said: “If rain should come down I would perform the prayers and repent soon.” No more than about 80 minutes had passed when it began raining heavily on that region and the valley after the sky had cloudless and there had been no moisture in the atmosphere.

Glorified be He who responds to prayers and supplications!

Allah (SWT) knew that living things on the earth would need water. He ordained and knew that they would live on the earth; therefore, he created water and brought it out of the interior of the earth to its surface. Allah (SWT) says: “He draws out of it its water and its pasture.” (LXXIX: 31)

He knew that water decays; therefore, he mixed the water of the sea with salt to prevent decay. He knew that the inhabitants of the continents would need water, so he ordered the sun to evaporate water, and the winds to lift it and drive it. He knew that the surface of the earth would be harmed, should rain come down in one mass; therefore, He brings it down in the form of drops.

He knew that if the water remained on the surface of the earth, it would spoil the life on that surface, and it itself would be contaminated by germs; therefore, He let it run underground away from germs and without forming problems for transportation or agriculture. He directs some of the rainwater to form rivers, which benefit large areas. The running water in rivers does not decay and is used for transportation.

He knows that people need water, so He stores it near the earth’s surface, so that they can always have water from springs and wells, where rivers are not available.

All these are Signs and Proofs indicating that the Creator knows everything and that He is Merciful to His servants and that He is their Maintainer and Sustainer.

Note the Wisdom of Allah (SWT), Who created everything perfectly and harmoniously. The amount of water created with the earth is the right amount agreeing with the need of those that inhabit it. The area of sea surfaces agrees with the amount of rain the earth needs. The heat coming from the sun is just enough to lift the required amounts of rain. The distribution of heat in the various atmospheric layers is such that clouds can be formed, but cannot escape from planet earth. The speeds of winds in the various layers of the atmosphere are controlled and regulated in a way that allows the atmosphere to move without causing damage to the earth. Rain comes down in small drops causing no harm or damage. Water is sent underground to cover large areas that can then be inhabited by living organisms. Note how the layers of the earth are given the property of absorbing water without allowing it to sink too deep.

All that not only manifests Allah’s Wisdom, but His Mercy, Power, Mighty, Knowledge, Hearing and Responding.

Thus, Allah’s creation acquaints us with some of the Attributes of its Lord, the Creator, most Wise, the Knower, the Great, the Maintainer and Merciful.

How would our situation be without the existence of the sun? We would be engulfed by darkness; plants would no longer grow; air would be spoiled. Because of the absence of the oxygen that is produced by plants, no food would be available. The earth would get so cold that life would be impossible on it, and no rain would fall down. This would mean that no creatures could then live on the earth.

If we were to compensate for the sunlight by using lamps for lighting and heating, then we would need such networks and lines as would cover every spot on the earth. Yet, we would need tremendous heat energy covering the surface of the seas and oceans to evaporate the required amounts of water to form clouds and drive the winds. Such heat sources would have to be far enough from earth to protect the population of the earth from burning. Then we would have to have enough continuous fuel to keep the source of the heat energy aflame and we would need formidable power to lift that fuel far from the earth.

Who is it that would be able to offer all these lighting networks and all these furnaces with all these specifications? It is none but Allah (SWT) Who has created the means of life and has created the sun being the most important cause of sustaining life on earth.

Allah (SWT) has made the sun into a burning sphere, a tremendous nuclear furnace consisting of flaming gases. Its diameter is 1,392,530 km, 100 times more than the earth’s diameter. Its weight is 1,350,000 times greater than that of the earth. Its mass is 332,950 times more than that of the earth; it amounts to 1,9891x10 ³⁰ kg.

The temperature of the outer solar surface may amount to 6000 Celsius, increasing towards the center till it reaches 20 million Celsius in the center. This great heat in the core of the sun results from the collision of the hydrogen atoms (nuclear fusion) which leads to the formation of helium at the rate of 4 billion tons a second, producing tremendous energy in the form of Gamma ray which is absorbed by the gas surrounding the sun, and that causes great heat energy and light of various wave-lengths, both visible and invisible. The sun radiates energy, the mass of which is estimated at 40 million tons per second. Of this energy, only 4 pounds per second reaches the earth, yet the sunlight that falls down on the earth annually is 178,000x10¹². 30% of the energy reaching the earth is reflected again to the space, while 50% thereof is absorbed by the earth, and then changes into heat to be radiated again to the space. Only the remaining 20% of that energy in used to drive winds, maintain the water cycle and provide the processes of photosynthesis in plants. (Figure 22)

The sun’s average distance from us is about 150 million km. Light crosses this distance in about eight and one-third minutes. Should this distance increase by half, the energy reaching us would decrease so much so that all living creatures would die and their blood would freeze in their vessels. Should the distance decrease by half, the sun would burn everything. But Allah (SWT) holds the earth and the sun at exact measured distances, which makes life possible and viable in this splendid remarkable system. (Figure 23)

When you move your hand you need energy. This energy was created by Allah (SWT) initially in the sun, and then it was transmitted to our bodies by the food. A hungry person who has been denied food for a long time can hardly move. But if he eats, he becomes active again because of the energy he receives from the food. This energy was stored in the plants when they were exposed to sunlight. The light energy was transformed into chemical energy that is stored in the food we eat.

This is true of the movements of animals. Similarly, the movements of clouds, rivers and the waves of the sea are all caused by the energy that Allah (SWT) sends from the sun. The sun heats the surfaces of seas and oceans to release the hot water molecules from the sea and lift them up to condense and form clouds.

Winds move when the sun heats the air, which then expands during the day, while the air mass in the region when it is night remains contracted. This expansion and contraction along with the rotation of the earth result in the movement of the winds, by Allah’s command.

Rivers are nothing but rainwater, which Allah (SWT) has lifted up by heat in the form of vapor from the sea to the sky and which the winds have driven to fall down on mountain tops and then flow by the force of gravity. Allah (SWT) has made the sun a means to lift this water to this position. Waterfalls and currents of rivers are used to generate electricity in many countries.

All types of fuel that produce energy, whether coal, petrol or their derivatives, are the product of the solar energy, because they originated in the plants that had stored the solar energy.

Imagine then how life would be without the sun!

If movement means going from one place to another or changing from one state to another, and it cannot be done except with certain power or energy, we realize the meaning of our saying: “There is no power and no strength except in Allah,” fore no movement in this Universe can take place without energy and every energy is from Allah (SWT).

This huge mass of the sun is suspended in the sky without visible pillars or hangers. Besides, it moves and runs in various regular measured directions. It:

In all these movements the sun pulls with it all the other members of the solar system, the planets and the satellites. In all these movements it covers a fixed distance in a measured period of time and in a constant direction.

Were these movements to change in their fixed speeds or directions, the whole solar system would be confused. We know now that the sun has several movements in various directions at various speeds simultaneously.

Yet the sun maintains its exact, precisely measured relations with all the planets, satellites and stars; these exact fixed movements continue for billions of years among billions of stars and billions of galaxies. Every movement is accurately calculated, and according to these calculations the sun moves, as Allah (SWT) says: “The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed.” (LV: 5)

These exact measures of the movements of the sun and its planets and satellites are clear evidence of the Will of the Creator, Who has specified and assigned these accurate right measures which, if changed, would trouble the whole system. Allah (SWT) says: “And the sun runs its course for a period determined for it: that is the decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. And the moon, we have measured for it stages, until it becomes like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk. The sun is never to catch up with the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit.” (XXXVI: 38-40)

Pondering on the structure of the sun, its size, location, movements and system, you will see the tokens of power and ability that have lifted it up, set it ablaze and moved it. All this manifests the Power of the Powerful and the Might of the Mighty, the Glorified Creator. If one thinks of its movements and precisely calculated travel, one will notice the exact balanced specifications of distances, times and directions, which show that the Creator is All-Wise and has a Powerful Will to do whatever He wishes.

We notice the effects of this glowing lamp in life on our planet and realize that it is the creation of the Creator, Who knows well the needs of people and other living beings, and that it is the Merciful Sustainer Who provides them with the necessary energy to grow plants, ripen fruits, form clouds, drive winds and send rivers flowing.

How can people then worship idols and other false deities besides Allah, while none has true power and authority except Allah?

Allah (SWT) says: “He merges night into day and He merges day into night, and He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law). Each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord: To him belongs all Dominion. And those whom you invoke besides Him have not the least power.” (XXXV: 13)

When we think of ourselves, we will see Allah’s Signs in everything, starting with the invisible cell and ending with the various systems of the body. Allah (SWT) gathers the cells together to perform the function of a certain tissue. Various tissues are put together to form a certain organ in our bodies. Allah has given these tissues specific particular shapes and made them of certain materials and placed them in special positions to perform the functions assigned to them by Allah (SWT). The various functions of the organs cooperate to carry out a greater function, that is the existence of the human being on this planet.

Allah (SWT) says: “Look further at the bones, how we bring them together, and clothe them with flesh.” (II: 259)

The Axial skeletal system, which consists of 80 bones and comprises skull, hyoid, vertebral column, sternum and ribs.

The Appendicular skeletal system which consists of 126 bones and comprises upper limbs, lower limbs, and the ligaments that join these bones with the axial skeletal system.

All these bones are not mutually replaceable, for each bone has its own function, which cannot be carried out by any other bone. No bone can be replaced by any other bone, because each has its peculiar shape, size and structure which agree with its function. The bone in the skull is so created as to protect the brain and cannot be replaced by the pelvic bone. The vertebral column has been designed to protect the spinal cord and to move the trunk in specific angles. The femur, which is a whole piece that cannot bend cannot replace it.

We notice that the skull has the strongest bones in order to protect the brain, which is a jelly-like body that cannot stand shock or pressure, which could harm it and damage some of its centers, or paralyze one of the organs of the body. He Who has created the bones and put them together knows very well each bone, its position, its function, its size and its suitable shape and the suitable material of its structure. He is Most Wise, for He has placed everything in its appropriate position and made it in exact proportion to other tissues and organs.

We notice that the angle of the upper part of the femur in any human being is 125 degrees. If this increased or decreased by one degree, it would cause lameness. Glorified be He Who has chosen and assigned the correct angle for normal walking. It is His Will that determines everything.

We also notice that the Exalted Creator has made the skull to preserve other parts of the body besides the brain. He has preserved the ear from harmful sharp objects by making the ear canal crooked so that the bones of the skull would resist such objects. This is a Sign indicating that the Creator knows well the weak parts of the body and thus He has preserved them with the strong skeletal system. Glorified be He, the Protector, the Knower, the Merciful. (Figure 27)

Since the skull is at the upper part of the body, Allah (SWT) has made it such that it is light enough, in spite of its strength, rigidity and toughness. He has provided it with numerous cavities and a suitable osseous tissue that realizes both strength and lightness.

Since the brain is the commanding center of all the organs of the body and it has to communicate with those organs, Allah (SWT) has created suitable foramens at the base of the skull to allow the nerves and blood vessels to pass through them; the largest of these foramens being the one through which the spinal cord passes from the skull down the vertebral column.

There are remarkable Signs in the structure of the skull of the infant. It consists of 22 bones that have local movement, and later become motionless. The joints are very clear in the infant’s skull and the bones of the skull do not join together till two months after birth. There are also soft spots called the anterior and posterior fontanels. The posterior fontanel hardens between the 6^th month and 9^th month after birth, and the anterior fontanel hardens between the 18^th month and 24^th month after birth. All these facts and others had not been discovered before the modern advances in medicine.

The size of the infant’s skull is bigger than the mother’s pelvic outlet through which the baby comes out at birth. Out of Allah’s Mercy, the newborn infant’s skull is soft and flexible and its bones have not yet joined, so that the size and shape of the head are adaptable to facilitate the emergence of the infant. In addition, some of the joints of the mother’s pelvis move backwards by means of a special enzyme that is secreted then. Thus the process of giving birth takes place easily and safely; otherwise no child would have ever been born. So, ponder on the Graces of the Most Wise, All-Knowing, Who says: “Then He makes his path smooth for him.” (LXXX: 20). But for this Divine Mercy and perfect unprecedented precision, no woman would have ever given birth to a child but by a surgical operation.

Allah (SWT) preserves the spinal cord, the nervous bundle that passes from the commanding brain that controls the movements of the body to all the parts of the body, with a column consisting of vertebrae separated by a soft cartilaginous layer that enables man to move and bend without damaging the spinal cord or cutting any nerve. So, notice the great wisdom in creating a column of bones that can bend, and meanwhile can preserve inside it the nerves that control all the movements of the body.

Allah (SWT) has made these vertebrae of various sizes to cope with the loads of the body that they carry. The higher the position of a vertebra, the smaller the load it carries; therefore, its size is smaller. The size of the vertebra gets bigger and it gets stronger and harder as we go down the vertebral column, till we come to the bones of the sacrum which form one joined unit that is attached to the pelvis, the wide base of bone that carries all that is above it. Then come the small bones of the coccyx that are joined together and help the body balance on sitting. Allah (SWT) has provided these vertebrae with openings through which the nerves pass out to reach the muscles in all parts of the body. Any pressure on these nerves would cause pain such as that felt by people suffering from a slipped disc or sciatica. Glorified be Allah, Who knows the needs of every muscle including the nerves.

On looking at a cross section of these bones, we notice that they have various types of cell to enable them to carry out their functions efficiently. The cells of the vertebrae at the end of the column are closely accumulated as if forming cast cement bases, while the vertebrae above them are lighter. In the skull the spaces among the cells are larger, because they do not carry any load, yet the skull is hard to resist bumps. Vertebrae are designed to carry loads, but they are brittle and cannot bear bumps, and on being hit they may fracture.

The difference in the microscopic structure of these bones is purposeful, so that every bone can carry out its own assigned function and movement. Allah (SWT) provided you with all that which is required for your movements while you were still a fetus. He created every bone, placed it in its proper location, and joined it to the adjacent bone, to carry out a specific function. A number of functions cooperate to carry out a greater function. A number of bones carry out the function of the hand so that it may move and work; another group of bones performs the function of the head in watching and observing things; another group has the function of walking and moving from one place to another; that is the function of the feet and legs. Other groups of bones preserve the eye, the brain and the heart and lungs.

All this proves that He Who creates the bones and puts them together already knows the function of each bone and the structure that suits that function and the role that bone plays. All this happens while we are still fetuses in our mothers’ wombs.

Since the chest holds the heart and the lungs which are very important principal organs without which life cannot exist, Allah (SWT) has preserved them in a cage of bones covered with strong muscles, and has made it flexible and expansive to allow air to come in and go out easily. So, ponder on the Signs of Your Lord, Who preserves every organ in the right appropriate way. (Figure 28)

In respect of structure they are classified into: (1) Fibrous joints, (2) Cartilaginous joints and (3) Synovial joints.

Were the skeletal system one continuous piece with no joints, man could never make a single movement and he would not be fit to live on the earth. But Allah (SWT) has created man of numerous individual bones and put between each pair of bones a joint to serve as an axle for that movement. He has made every joint with a particular structure that suits the structures of the bones attached to it, their function, the strength of the movement done by them and the direction of that movement. He has also lined the joints with smooth cartilage and provided them with sticky Synovial fluid to facilitate the movement and reduce the friction and attrition of the bones. The absence of this ease of movement is noticed in those suffering from arthritis. (Figure 29)

In spite of the precise perfect process of creating the bones and joints, they cannot move unless we have muscles that have the power to move each bone in the right direction to carry out a certain function like flexing, extending, abducting, adducting, rotating, etc. The muscles suitable for extending cannot be used for rotating or abducting. The flexors of the hand cannot be used to do the work of the flexors of the foot. The rotors of the head are not fit for rotating the whole trunk. Thus Allah (SWT) has created every muscle to be placed in the right location and of the right size to achieve the right function. Note the harmony between the position of each muscle, its structure and its size, on the one hand, and its function, on the other hand. All that is also in harmony with the relevant bones and joints. (Figure 30)   , (Figure 31) &   (Figure 32)

All these facts reveal some of the Attributes of Allah (SWT). He is the Most Wise Who makes the structure correspond with the function; the All-Knowing Who knows what bones, joints and muscles are apt to each movement; the Full-Willed who has decided and limited the movements required for man, and has determined the bones, joints, muscles and nerves that are suitable for them; the Guide Who directs every tissue and organ to do its duty perfectly: the muscles to clothe the bones appropriately; the tendons to tie the muscles and fix them on the bones, etc., so that we have, as a result, a coherent well-built, symmetrical body that does not disintegrate on moving. Glorified be Allah, the Wise, the Protector.

The human body has 700 muscles, some of which are controlled by the person himself; he flexes or extends them at his will whenever he wishes (voluntary movements). Other muscles move involuntarily to keep the organs of the body working continuously, in sleep and wakefulness, when one is idle or working. A human being is not responsible for the work of these muscles, or operating them non-stop. All this is out of the Mercy of Allah (SWT) Who guards His servants day and night and cares for them continuously; otherwise, we would have a lot of problems and difficulties in our life. Take the example of a person who is being operated on and can no longer breathe and his heart no longer pulsates; how many complicated devices are needed to restore the throbs of his heart and the breathing of his lungs for that short period of his being in the surgical room or emergency room?

Allah (SWT) created the muscles with the ability to contract and extend, but the bones do not have this ability. If a muscle contracts, the distance between its ends shortens and that results in the movement of the bones attached to those ends. If the muscle extends, it relaxes and it becomes possible to return the bone to its original position from which it has moved through the contraction of another muscle in the apposite direction. Thus each movement is controlled by two or more muscles: one contracts to move the bones in a certain direction while the other extends to allow such contraction. If a person wants to return the bones to their positions, the opposite takes place: the extended muscle will contract and the contracted will extend. If all muscles should contract the body would not move.

Besides, Allah has created a nervous system that provides the fibers of the muscles. The orders are issued from a center in the brain to organize these movements and coordinate them according to a precise flawless program that prevents clashes between them. An example is what we notice in the eye movement. If one eye turns to one side, the muscles of the other eye will inevitably move to direct the second eye towards the same direction. If the two eyes should move in two different directions, there will form two images that distort each other.

Now, who has taught the center that is imbedded in the middle of the brain all the correct orders it must give to every muscle to move the body organs the correct balanced movement? Who creates the bones, clothes them with flesh, provides them with nerves and connects them to the motion center in the brain, while the human being is still a fetus in his mother’s womb and does not know anything about the movements that he will need in the future on the surface of the earth?

It is Allah, the All-Wise, the Merciful, the Knowledgeable, the Guide, the Kower of the finest mysteries (SWT).

Muscles, with Allah’s permission, move the human body and preserve its postures of standing, sitting down, sitting up, jumping in the air and diving in water. Moreover, muscles are stores for energy that is released from them when needed by the body. They produce 85% of the heat of the body with a precise balance that keeps the body temperature constant at 37C, in spite of the fluctuations in the weather temperature outside.

Who, then, stores this heat to meet the needs of the body? Who releases it in specific amounts that correspond to the fluctuations of the various weather temperatures through the four seasons so that the body temperature is fixed at the correct degree that is necessary for the biochemical reactions? Who arranges all that? Who knows that the bodies need this precise adaptation of their heat and so prepares what is required by this process of adaptation even before man is born?

All these are Signs that indicate Allah’s Knowledge of the future of the fetuses and His Ability to prepare what is necessary in advance.

Another Sign is that of the flexible muscular coat with which Allah (AWT) protects the solid bones that form the human skeleton, so that they do not break on bumping into other bodies, for the muscular covering absorbs and abates the effect of bumps. Glorified be the Protector Who creates the body in the best form and protects it so well.

The body may be exposed to a sudden danger that may destroy it or disqualify it; therefore, Allah (SWT) made the muscles and their nerves able to respond quickly to get rid of such potential dangers. Such responses, for example, take place when any organ of the body comes in contact with fire, or when a sharp object enters the eye, whereupon the eyelids contract to close, or when the eye is exposed to brilliant light whereupon the pupil is narrowed, or when the body is exposed to a sharp cutting tool or a piercing pointed body, whereupon the muscles contract in a fast reflex to prevent the penetration of that body or the cutting of that tool.

Glorified be the Wise Creator Who has created the creation precisely and wonderfully and has shown us His Signs in the Universe and in our own selves.

Ibn Al-Qayyim (May Allah bestow His Mercy on him) said: “Then is opened to him (i.e. the faithful slave) the gate of perceiving the scene of Allah’s Self-Subsistence and support of everything. He then sees that all universal fluctuations and the disposal of all affairs in the Universe are in His Hands only. He will be aware of the Owner of harm and benefit, creation and subsistence, the power to give life and cause death, and will take Him alone as a Guardian and accept Him as a Lord, Disposer and Protector. Then when his eyes fall on any of His creatures, it will point out to its Creator and Founder and to His Attributes of Perfection and Greatness. Things created by Allah will not veil Him from him but every one of them will address him as if verbally: Listen to my witness to Him Who has created everything perfectly! I am the work of Allah Who has created everything precisely.”

We have learned through observing Allah’s Signs manifested to us in our surroundings and in ourselves that the Universe is full of proofs that acquaint us with the Attributes that exclusively belong to Allah, the Glorified, the tokens of which we notice in everything around us, tokens that tell us that He is all-Knowing, all-Wise, Kind, Cognizant, Protector, Guide, all-Powerful, Strong, Sustainer, Originator, (of everything) Responsive to appeals and Doer of whatever He desires.

Such Attributes cannot be ascribed to any but Allah, the Glorified, the Almighty. A Muslim, as does the whole Universe, bears witness that Allah has the great Attributes of Lordship, which entails testifying that He has the authentic Divine Attributes and the Attributes of real Oneness. A Muslim cannot be satisfied, like philosophers, with testifying the Attributes of Lordship only, but he completes that by observing the Creator’s Right upon his bondsmen to worship him exclusively and sincerely, and testifying His Uniqueness in His Lordship, Divinity, Names and Attributes. Therefore, he finds in the Signs filling the Universe around him evidence verifying the testimony (shahadah) of the truth which a Muslim utters and which implies the right of his Lord upon him. He utters the testimony (shahadah) of the truth: (I certify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) realizing that Allah the Almighty has not left him unguided but has sent him Messengers, the last of whom has been Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

A reasonable person would accept his Lord’s Message, which has been sealed, completed and perfected with the Prophecy of the Last Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him). He would observe the proofs of his truthfulness, learn the religion from him, and testify his Message. Thus is completed the testimony (shahadah) of the truth which Allah regards as the entrance to Islam, a means to safeguard the life and property of the one who says it in this life and a guarantee against abiding perpetually in Hell in the Hereafter. This complete testimony (shahadah) is: (I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.)

The testimony (shahadah) that there is no god but Allah means testifying that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.

What is then the significance or meaning of this testimony (shahadah), its virtues, its requirements and its annulments?

“La ilaha illa Allah” is the utterance expressing the Oneness of Allah. It consists of two parts, one negating and the other confirming: when you say: (La ilaha) you really deny that any other than Allah can be taken as god. When you say: (illa Allah) you confirm that Allah alone is the True Glorified Exalted God Who has no partners.

Linguistically “ilah” means anything that is taken as an object of worship. ‘Allah’ is a proper noun referring to the Glorified Exalted Lord Who deserves to be exclusively worshipped. It is also said that the name ‘Allah’ is derived from ‘ilah’.

The word ‘ilah’ is used in two senses in Qur’an:

From what has been said above we understand that Allah, the Glorified, is the True God, the Lord and Creator of everything. He has all the Attributes of Perfection. He has the right to be exclusively worshipped. That is the meaning of La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah), the truth of the religion of Islam and the basis of the task of all the Prophets. Allah has created the creatures only to sincerely and exclusively worship Him. Allah (SWT) says: “I have only created jinn and men so that they may worship Me (alone).” (LI: 56) Allah (SWT) also says: “Not a Messenger did We send before you but we revealed to him that there is no god but I: therefore worship and serve Me.” (XXI: 25) Allah (SWT) also says: “For we assuredly sent among every people a Messenger (with the command) ‘Worship Allah and keep away from all false deities.’ Then of them were some whom Allah guided and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).” (XVI: 36)

Allah (SWT) commanded His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saying: “Say: I am commanded to worship Allah, and not to join partners with Him. To Him (Alone) I call and to Him is my return.” (XIII: 36)

Ibn Jarir, quoting Ibn ‘Abbas, says: “Allah is He Whom everything adores and every creature worships.” Al-Dahhak, quoting Ibn ‘Abbas, says: “Allah is He Who has the right upon all His creatures to worship him as the True Only God.”

Abu Al-‘Abbas ibn Taymiyah said: “The ilah (god) is the one that is worshipped and obeyed. “Al-Maluh” is that who deserves to be worshipped because of the attributes that entail that he be dearly and utterly submitted to, for the ilah is the worshipped beloved whom people’s hearts adore, submit to, are humble before, fear and have hope in, return to in cases of distress and appeal to to facilitate their tasks, depend on in their interests, and seek refuge in, and in whose remembrance they feel tranquil and secure, and in whose love they enjoy calmness and satisfaction. Such attributes cannot belong to any other than Allah; therefore, the testimony (shahadah) “La ilaha illa Allah” is the truest speech and those who believe in it are Allah’s people and Allah’s party, and those who deny it incur Allah’s wrath and vengeance. Thus, if a person comprehends it and acts according to its requirements, everything will be alright; otherwise, his whole life, whether involving his knowledge or his actions, would be inevitably spoiled.”

Qur’anic texts and the sayings of the Prophet have shown the virtue of this great testimony (shahadah) and its importance in this life and in the Hereafter.

It is sufficient that Allah (SWT), His Angels and those having knowledge bear witness to this testimony (shahadah). Allah (SWT) says: “Allah bears witness that there is no god but Allah and (so do) the angels and those having knowledge. (He always) maintains His creation in justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in power, the Wise.” (III: 18)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (I have been commanded to fight people till they say La ilaha illa Allah. He who says La ilaha illa Allah will be spared his life and property by me except legally and his reckoning will be for Allah (to do).)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: “I have been commanded to fight people till they bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, perform the assigned prayers, and pay the Zakat. If they do so, I grant them safety of themselves and their property unless they are (convicted of offences) according to Islamic law, and their reckoning is for Allah.)

Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them both) is reported to have said: “La ilaha illa Allah is the Good Word mentioned in the saying of Allah (SWT): “Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable – A good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches reach the sky? It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men in order that they may remember.” (LIV:24-25)

This word, if settled in the heart of its announcer, would make him fear Allah and ward off His punishment. This would urge him to do good and avoid unlawful forbidden acts. Therefore it is:

It is narrated that Ali ibn Abi Talha, quoting Ibn ‘Abbas, said: “La ilaha illa Allah is the word of Taqwa mentioned in the saying of Allah (SWT): “Allah then sent down His Tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and made them stick to the word of Taqwa (piety), and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah is the Knower of everything.” (XLVIII: 26)”

He said: “The word of Taqwa is the testimony (shahadah) La ilaha illa Allah, which is the essence of piety in general.”

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to his Companions (“Renew your Faith.” They said: “O Allah’s Messenger! How shall we renew our Faith?” He said: “Repeat saying La ilaha illa Allah.”)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (No bondman who says La ilaha illa Allah and then dies while so saying, but will enter Paradise…) The Prophet (Peace be upon him) also said: (He whose very last speech is La ilaha illa Allah will enter Paradise.)

Some of the Prophet’s Companions related that they were with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in Tabuk Ghazwa (expedition) when they suffered from famine, whereupon the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked for a leather mat which he then spread. Then he asked for the residues of their food. One man came with a handful of maize, another with a handful of dates, yet another with a piece (of bread), till a little amount of food was collected on that leather mat.

Abu Dhar related that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (No slave says ‘there is no god but Allah’ and then dies while still so testifying but will enter Paradise)

On dying, ‘Ubada ibn Al-Samit related that he heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) saying: (He who says: “I certify that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger and that ‘Isa (Jesus) is Allah’s salve and Messenger and His word He cast on Mary and a Spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true and that Hell in true, will be admitted into Paradise by Allah, regardless of what he has done.”

These hadiths imply that the announcer of the testimony (shahadah) will enter Paradise by its virtue, although he will first enter Hell due to his sins and disobedience. He will be brought out of Hell by its virtue, as the authentic hadith indicates: (Allah, Tabaraka wa Ta’ala (He be Blessed and Exalted) says: By My Power, Majesty, Pride and Greatness, I will certainly bring out of it (i.e. Hell) whoever said: There is no god but Allah.)

They are two types:

Those who say the testimony (shahadah) and behave accordingly. They will enter Paradise and escape Hell.

Allah (SWT) says: “Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and testing those who remained steadfast?” (III: 142) Allah (SWT) also says: “Verily those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and then stand straight and steadfast, the angels will descend (at the time of death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised?” (XLI: 30)

The Verses show that entering Paradise requires the saying and the perseverance in performing good deeds.

The Prophetic hadiths also stipulate for admission into Paradise good deeds besides the testimony (shahadah) (of monotheism), as is related in the two Sahihs . (A man said to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): “Tell me of a deed that would let me enter Paradise?” One (of those present) said: “what is the matter with him?” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “He is asking about something great! (You are) to worship Allah without ascribing partners to Him, Perform the (prescribed) prayers, give Zakat and have good relationship with kith and kin.”

In Al-Musnad, Bashir ibn Al-Khasasiyyah said: (I went to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to give my pledge. He stipulated that I pronounce the testimony (shahadah) that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, perform the prayers, give Zakat, perform the (prescribed) Hajj of Islam, fast during the month of Ramadan and fight in the Cause of Allah. I said: “O Allah’s Messenger! Two things, by Allah, I cannot bear: Jihad (striving or fighting in the Cause of Allah) and charity.” Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) pulled his hand and then extended it, saying: “Neither Jihad not charity! How will you enter Paradise, then?” I said: ‘I give my pledge!’ So I gave my pledge to do all the required deeds.”

Thus, in the hadith, both Jihad and charity (Zakat) are conditions for entering Paradise, besides testifying monotheism, performing the prayers, fasting, and performing Hajj.

Those who declare it (i.e. the testimony (shahadah) of( monotheism) but they commit sins: Allah may forgive any of them He wishes, as He says: “Verily, Allah will not forgive ascribing partners to Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases.” (IV: 48)

Those who have entered Hell will be brought out of it by Allah by virtue of that testimony (shahadah) and their belief in it, as is confirmed in the hadith: “By My Power, Majesty, pride and Greatness, I will certainly bring out of it (Hell) whoever said there is no god but Allah).

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to Mu’adh: (“No slave testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger sincerely but will be protected by Allah form the Fire.” Mu’adh said: “O Allah’s Messenger! Shall I inform people of that to have hope?” He said: “(No) lest they should rely (on it).) Mu’adh, however related this on his death for fear of committing a sin.

‘Itban ibn Malik Al-Ansarisaid: (The Prophet (Peace be upon him) visited us in the evening and said: “No slave will come on the Day of Judgment saying: ‘There is no god but Allah’ seeking therewith Allah’s Pleasure, but will be protected by Allah from the Fire.”

Suhayl ibn Al-Bayda said that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah, will be protected by Allah from the Fire and admitted into Paradise.”

Some people understand from the apparent wording of the previous texts about the virtue of La ilah illa Allah that it is enough to announce or utter it to enter Paradise and be protected form the Fire even without performing good deeds. This is a misunderstanding which our scholars (My Allah bestow His Mercy upon them) have elucidated. Following are some of what they have said:

The hadiths that state that whoever says La ilaha illa Allah will enter Paradise and be protected from the Fire, without qualifications, should be understood in the light of the hadiths that stipulate some qualifications, such as the saying of the Prophet (Peace be upon him): (whoever says La ilaha illa Allah sincerely and with all one’s own heart, or faithfully from (the bottom of) his heart, or seeking therewith Allah’s pleasure, as the knowledgeable scholars have decided. This means that who says: “La ilaha illa allah” sincerely from (the bottom) of his heart with no skepticism or suspicion, is supposed to perform such good deeds in conformity with it as would make his enjoy Paradise and escape Hell. But for that who says it insincerely and in bad faith, it will not produce its fruits of good sayings and deeds that would be the cause of his safety from the Fire.

The texts that state that whoever says: ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ will be protected from the Fire, should be interpreted as related to perpetuity, that is to say, he will not abide in it forever, or he will not be in the location of those who are destined to stay in the Fire perpetually. He may be in a higher position in the Fire, for it is stated in some authentic sound texts that some of the disobedient among the monotheists will enter the Fire because of certain sins and will then brought out of it, as is related in two Sahihs: Allah (SWT) says: “By My Power, Majesty, Pride and Greatness, I will certainly bring out of it (Hell) whoever said there is no god but Allah.”

This privilege will be the lot of those who have performed its requirements of good deeds as we have already mentioned. Only then this testimony (shahadah) of ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ will lead one who says it to Paradise. A man asked Sufyan ibn ‘Uyayna: “What about people who claim that Iman (Faith) is enough to be verbal without deeds?” Sufyan said: “That was true before the rules and limits of Iman were decided. Allah sent our Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to all humanity calling upon them to say ‘There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’. When they said it their lives and property were safeguarded except if they were charged with an offence, and their account was with Allah (SWT). When Allah (SWT) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts, He ordered him to order them to perform the prayer. He then ordered them and they did. By Allah, had they not done so, their first testimony (shahadah) would not have benefited them. Then when Allah (SWT) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts, He ordered him to tell them to emigrate to Medina. He did so and they eemigrated. By Allah, had they not done so, their first testimony (shahadah) and their prayers would not have benefited them. When Allah (Blessed and Exalted be He) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts, He ordered him to tell them to return to Mecca and fight their fathers and children till they say what they had said and perform the prayers as they did and emigrate to Medina as they had done. He ordered them and they did. By Allah, had they not done so, their first testimony (shahadah), their prayers and their eemigration would not have benefited them. When Allah (SWT) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts, He ordered him to order them to cicumbabulate the Ka’ba in worship, and have their heads shaved in humbleness. They did. By Allah, had they not done so, their first testimony (shahadah), their prayers, their eemigration and their killing their fathers would not have benefited them. When Allah (SWT) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts, He ordered him to levy from their property charity to purify them therewith. He ordered them and they did (give charity) in small and large amounts. By Allah, had they not done so, their first testimony (shahadah), their prayers, their eemigration, their killing their fathers and their cicumbabulation would not have benefited them. When Allah (SWT) learnt the sincerity thereof in their hearts by performing the successive rules and laws of Iman, He said to them: “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you and chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

This great testimony (shahadah) has its requirements, duties and obligations, the most important of which are:

as Ibrahim Al-Khalil (Peace be upon him) cleared himself of the false deities his people used to worship apart from Allah.

Allah (SWT) says: “Behold! Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and people, ‘I do indeed clear myself of what you worship, except Him Who created me and He will certainly guide me.’” (XLIII: 26-27)

Gross polytheism means associating with Allah (SWT) a partner by ascribing to him divine attributes. It is absolutely the greatest sin committed. Allah will never forgive a person coming to Him on the Day of Resurrection as a polytheist. Allah (SWT) says: “Allah does not forgive that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases. To set up partners with Allah is to invent a most tremendous sin.” (IV: 48)

Some of the forms of shirk (polytheism) are the following: Believing that Allah (SWT) has a partner in matters of creation, sustenance, giving life, causing death, bringing forth benefit or preventing evil, responding to appeals, or knowing the unseen. Other forms are represented by worshipping an idol or a statue, by prostrating oneself before it, looking high upon it, supplicating it, sacrificing to it, loving or fearing it, requesting it or doing similar things which should not be done as acts of worship except to Allah, the Glorified, the Exalted.

Allah (SWT) tells us of Luqman’s advice to his son: “Behold! Luqman said to his son admonishing him ‘O my son! Join not in worship (others) with Allah, for joining others in worship with Allah is indeed the highest wrong-doing.’” (XXXI: 13)

Once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was asked: (Which sin is the greatest?) He said: (To associate a partner with Him though He has created you…”

These kinds of shirk (polytheism) are reflected in such deeds as done by some ignorant people, e.g., visiting graves to ask the dead for help, request them for favors, supplicate them to relieve their distress and bring them benefits, and prevent harm to befall them, and other such things as are not convenient to request except of Allah (SWT). The deeds practiced at the shrines, such as sacrificing, vowing and similar polytheistic deeds accompanied by other bad deeds, have greatly distorted the image of Islam and hindered people from embracing it. Allah (SWT) says: “Verily those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayers, if you are (indeed) truthful!” (VII: 194) Allah (SWT) also says: “And those whom you invoke besides Him own not a straw. If you invoke them, they will not listen to your call, and if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer). On the Day of Resurrection they will reject your “partnership”. And none (O man) can inform you like Him Who is All-Aware.” (XXXV: 13-14) Allah (SWT) also says: “Say, ‘I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as Allah wills. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a Warner and a bringer of glad tidings unto those who have faith.’” (VII: 188) Allah (SWT) also said to His Messenger (Peace be upon him): “Say, ‘It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to right conduct.’” (LXXII: 21)

Imam Malik narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (O Allah! Don’t let my grave be taken as an idol to be worshipped.)

Umm Salama mentioned to Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) a church she had seen in Abyssinia called Maria. She described the images she had seen therein, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (Those were people who, when a righteous servant or a righteous man died, would build a mosque on his grave and portray those images in it. Such are the most evil creatures in the sight of Allah.)

‘Aisha and ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas said: “When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was on his death-bed, he said: (Allah’s curse be upon the Jews and Christians, for they took their Prophets’ graves as mosques), warning against what they had done.”

Of the modern forms of shirk (polytheism) is what is going on inside the parliaments, such as making decisions and enacting laws contrary to what Allah has revealed, through referring to and consulting secular laws or the representatives’ opinions that disagree with the Divine Laws.

Allah (SWT) says: “What! Have they partners (in godhead) who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah? Had it not been for the decree of Judgment, the matter would have been decided between them (at once). But verily the wrong-doers will have a painful torment.” (XLII: 21) Allah (SWT) says: “And those who fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are unbelievers.” (V: 44)

Similarly, of the deeds considered as polytheistic is the affiliation to parties that bear hostility towards Islam, or supporting their principles that contradict the religion, such as their claim that they have the right to permit what Allah has forbidden or forbid what Allah has permitted, and to enact laws for the Muslim Nation. It is also polytheistic to revere such intellectual theories as contradict Allah’s laws. So, the testimony (shahadah) that there is no god but Allah requires that you clear yourself of polytheism in all its forms whether old or modern.

Slavery entails the utmost submission and the deepest love.

Allah (SWT) says: “But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else).” (II: 165)

Ibn Al-Qayyim said about the love of Allah (SWT): “It is the true essence of the testimony (shahadah) (of monotheism), La ilaha illa Allah, because the ilah (god) is the One Whom people serve and worship out of love and humiliation.”

Those who have true Faith are defined as those who love Allah and are loved by Him, the Glorified, the Exalted.

Allah (SWT) says: “O you who believe! If any from among you turn back from his religion, Allah will bring a people whom He will love and who will love Him: lowly with the believers, mighty against the unbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never be afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is Allah’s Grace that He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah encompasses all and He knows all things.” (V: 54)

To be perfect, this love should involve loving whatever Allah loves and hating whatever He hates; therefore, if any person loves anything hated by Allah or hates anything loved by Him, his belief in monotheism and in the testimony (shahadah) of La ilaha illa Allah is imperfect.

Al-Hasan (Allah’s Mercy be upon him) said: “Let it be known that you do not love Allah unless you love to obey Him.”

Yahya ibn Ma’adh said: “He who claims to love Allah, yet does not abide by his laws and orders, is not truthful (in his claim).”

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘If you do love Allah, then follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (III: 31)

This is the greatest requirement and obligation of this testimony (shahadah).

Allah (SWT) says: “Not a Messenger did We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to him: There is no god but I, therefore worship and serve Me.” (XXI: 25) Allah (SWT) also says: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.” (XVII: 23)

Worship is a general term that covers whatever Allah likes and is pleased with, whether it be words, deeds, or convictions.

One’s love for Allah requires loving His Messenger (Peace be upon him), for he informs us of what Allah (SWT) likes or dislikes. Therefore, Allah (SWT) mentions the love for Him along with the love for His Messenger in His saying: “Say, ‘If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, or your kindred, the wealth you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight – are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision. And Allah guides not the rebellious.” (IX: 24)

Allah (SWT) also mentions obedience to Him with obedience to His Messenger in many positions in the Qur’an, such as His Saying: “Say, ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the unbelievers.” (III: 32); and His Saying: “And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful.” (XXIV: 52)

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: (A person will enjoy the sweetness of Faith if he is characterized by these three traits: that he loves Allah and His Messenger more than anything else, that he does not love any person except for the sake of Allah and that he abhors returning to disbelief as much as his being cast into the fire.)

Allah (SWT) says: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (IV: 65)

This submission rises from the Muslim’s belief in His Creator’s perfect awareness of him and his interests, the perfect Grace of Allah (SWT) upon him and His Mercy and Kindness to him. It also rises from the Muslim’s admission of his own weakness, for he is a human being who has limited knowledge and cannot realize all aims and outcomes. Allah (SWT) says: “Fighting is prescribed for you though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows and you know not.” (II: 216) Allah (SWT) also says: “It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any option about their decision. If one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, one is indeed on a clearly wrong path.” (XXXIII: 36) Allah (SWT) also says: “And your God is One God, so you must submit to him. And give the good news to those who humble themselves (before Allah).” (XXII: 34)

Al-Nawawi(May Allah’s Mercy be upon him) said: “It is necessary that along with belief in One God, performing prayers, and giving Zakat one should believe in all that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) has taught; according to the narration of Abu Hurayrah ascribed to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): (till they testify that there is no god but Allah and believe in me and whatever I have taught.)

Sixth: Bewaring minor shirk (polytheism) which is sham or false pretense (riya’):

It (riya’) is obvious manifest worship intended just to be observed by people and elicit their praise. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (I fear nothing regarding you more than the minor polytheism: riya’. On the Day of Resurrection; when people will be given their retribution, Allah will say (to some people), ‘Go to those whom you wanted to see your pretentious deeds, and admire you in the worldly life, and see if you can find your reward with them.)

Ibn Al-Qayyim (May Allah’s Mercy be upon him) said: “Minor polytheism is exemplified by some pretense, mannerism, swearing by other than Allah, a man’s saying to another, ‘As Allah wishes and as you wish’, or ‘This is from Allah and from you’, or ‘I appeal to Allah and to you’, or ‘I have no supporter but Allah and you’, or ‘I depend on Allah and on you’, or ‘But for Allah and you, such a thing would not have happened.’ This may amount to gross polytheism, depending on the situation of the speaker and his intent.”

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (I have been commanded to fight people till they bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, perform the (assigned) prayers, and pay Zakat. If they do so, I grant them safety of themselves and their property, unless (they are convicted of offences) according to the Islamic Law, and their reckoning is for Allah.)

Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Zakat is the monetary right.” The testimony (shahadah) of La ilaha illa Allah requires that one should perform the obligations imposed by the religion; therefore, the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) fought those who refused paying Zakat, in spite of their declaring that testimony (shahadah).

We have already mentioned that it is not sufficient to pronounce the two testimonies while failing to perform righteous acts. Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘Obey Allah and His Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievrs.” (III: 32) Allah (SWT) also says: “By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily man is in loss, except those who believe, and do righteous deeds and (join together) in the mutual teaching of the Truth, and of patience.” (CIII: 1-3) Allah (SWT) also says: “O you who believe! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord, and do good, so that you may prosper.” (XXII: 77)

The Qur’an is full of the description of the believers that they have belief and do righteous deeds.

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds, will have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Paradise.” (XVIII: 107)

Allegiance and help is the lot of those who declare this testimony (shahadah), and rejection is the lot of those who reject and disbelieve it, even if they were next of kin.

Allah (SWT) says: “Verily, your helpers and supporters are Allah, His Messenger and those who believe, perform the prayers and give Zakat and bow down humbly (in worship). And whosoever takes Allah, His Messenger and those who believe as helpers and supporters, then the party of Allah will be the victorious.” (V: 55-56) Allah (SWT) also says: “The believers, men and women, are helpers and supporters of one another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil. They perform regular prayers, give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them Allah will bestow his Mercy, for Allah in Exalted in power, All-Wise.” (IX: 71)

Al-Tabarani in his book ‘Al-Kabir’ narrates that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (The strongest links of faith are allegiance for the sake of Allah, hostility for the sake of Allah, love for the sake of Allah, and hatred for the sake of Allah.)

Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) and his faithful companions rejected their people when the latter worshipped deities other than Allah. Allah (SWT) says: “There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people ‘We are clear of you and of whatever you worship besides Allah: We have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever, unless you believe in Allah alone:--except the saying of Ibrahim to his father, ‘Verily, I will ask forgiveness for you, but I have no power to do anything on your behalf before Allah.’ O Lord! In you alone we trust, and to you (alone) we turn in repentance and to you (alone) is (our) final Return.’ (LX: 4)

Allah (SWT) shows that whoever takes the disbelievers as friends and protectors becomes one of them and is considered as such.

Allah (SWT) says: “O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And if any amongst you takes them as friends, then he is surely one of them. Verily, Allah does not guide unjust people.” (V: 51)

Allah (SWT) shows that he who takes them as friends and protectors, goes astray. He says: “O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies as friends, offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homeland), simply because you believe in Allah, your Lord! If you have come out to strive in My Cause and to seek My good pleasure (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love with them: for I know full well all that you conceal and all that you reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the straight path.” (LX: 1)

Allah (SWT) shows that a true believer should not take a disbeliever as a friend even though he is his relative.

Allah (SWT) says: “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such (people) He has written Faith in their hearts and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be successful.” (LVIII: 22) Allah (SWT) says: “Should they gain the upper hand over you, they would behave to you as enemies and stretch forth their hands and their tongues against you with evil and they desire that you should disbelieve. Neither your relatives, nor your children will benefit you on the Day of Resurrection. He will judge between you, and Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.” (LX: 1-3)

The meaning of being a servant to Allah, which is embodied in the testimony (shahadah) of La ilaha illa Allah, is the submission and complete obedience to the Exalted, Glorified Creator, without hesitation or resistance.

Allah (SWT) says: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (IV: 65)

It is Allah (SWT) that creates, governs and judges.

Allah (SWT) says: “Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds.” (VII: 54) Allah (SWT) says: “The commandment (or judgment) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (XII: 40)

Allah, the Glorified, is the True Owner of everything, and everything in the Universe is in His Dominion and under His Sovereignty.

Allah (SWT) says: “And they say, ‘Allah has begotten a son.’ Glory be to Him – Nay, to Him belongs all that is the heavens and on the earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him.” (II: 116) Allah (SWT) also says: “There is none in the heavens and the earth but must come as a slave to the Most Gracious (Allah).” (XIX: 93)

So, your body, O man, and your soul, the bodies of all people and their souls and whatever they possess belong to Allah, the One, the Subduer, the Almighty.

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘O Allah! Possessor of the Kingdom, You give the Kingdom to whom You will, and You take the Kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honor whom You will and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is all good. Verily, You are able to do all things.’” (III: 26)

People themselves, their property and all that is subjected for their service are but a trust with them, which Allah (SWT) gets back from them on their death. Since Allah, the Glorified, is the Possessor, everything in this Universe should surrender to His command and His religion. You, being a Muslim, should subject to your Lord and Creator, all your life, including your personal, familial, financial, intellectual and practical affairs. You should do your best to make all your relations with those around you and all your treatment of what you posses subject to the orders of your Creator and God, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, so much so that no part of your actions or your life stays outside the realm of the Law of Allah, the Glorified, and His Rule.

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘Verily my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds. He has no partner. And this I am commanded and I am the first of the Muslims.” (VI: 162-163)

You have to call your society whether in your village, town, state, or even the whole world to realize the perfect service to Allah (SWT), and submission to Him in all their affairs, whether spiritual, social, economical, political, managerial, legal, military, intellectual, or educational, and all other aspects of life.

Moreover, you have to utilize the plants, animals and all sources of power that Allah has created, according to His Decrees and Orders. Your relations with people and all that Allah has created should be in accordance with and within the circle of worship to Allah, the Exalted, the Most High. Thereby you would achieve complete subjection and service to Allah (SWT), and that is the essence of La ilaha illa Allah.

There are beliefs, deeds and sayings that falsify one’s faith in this great testimony (shahadah) and annul one’s deeds, should one practice any of them. An example is apostasy.

Allah (SWT) says: “If any one rejects Faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” (V: 5)

The annulment of one’s deed means its sterility and the loss of its otherwise due reward.

Following are some factors that annul one’s faith:

Denying the existence of the Creator, the Glorified, the Most High.

Allah (SWT) says: “And they say, ‘There is nothing but our life in this world. We die and we live and nothing destroys us but Time.’ But they have no knowledge of that, they merely conjecture.” (XLV: 24)

Believing that Allah has a partner in His Lordship: such as believing that other than Allah has the power to create, sustain, give life, cause death, know the unseen, bring about good, prevent evil, satisfy needs, relieve stress, respond to appeals, and do similar such deeds as only Allah can do.

Allah (SWT) says: “Or do they assign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as he has created, so that the creation seemed to them similar? Say: ‘Allah is the Creator of all things; He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible.’” (XIII: 16) Allah (SWT) also says: “It is Allah Who has created you, and then provided sustenance for you, and then He will cause you to die, and then He will give you life. Is there any of your (false) partners who can do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that they associate (with him).” (XXX: 40) Allah (SWT) also says: “And indeed it has been revealed to you as it was to those before you: ‘If you join others in worship with Allah, then surely (all) your deeds will be fruitless, and you will certainly be among the losers.” (XXXIX: 65)

Believing that Allah (SWT) has a partner in His Divinity or Godhead; such as believing that other than Allah deserves to be worshipped or is entitled to some of the love associated with submission and humiliation to Allah.

Allah (SWT) says: “Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Him). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else). If only the unrighteous could see, when they see the torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment.” (II: 165)

Believing that Allah (SWT) has a partner in respect of His Names and Attributes, Allah (SWT) says: “And the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, but shun such men as use profanity in His Names: they will be requited for what they used to do.” (VII: 180)

Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “An act of profanity was that the blasphemous called on Al-Lat (an idol) as one of Allah’s Names.”

Ibn Jurayj quotes Mujahid as saying: “They derived the name ‘Al-Lat’ from ‘Allah’, Al-‘Uzza (another idol) from Al-‘Aziz (one of Allah’s Names).”

Qatada said: “‘Yulhidun’ (use profanity) means: assign His Names to others.”

Invoking or appealing to other than Allah to bring good or prevent evil.

Allah (SWT) says: “And who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are even unaware of their call (to them)?” (XLVI: 5) Allah (SWT) also says: “And when those who associated partners with Allah see their (false) partners, they will say: ‘Our Lord! These are our partners whom we used to invoke besides you.’ But they will throw back their word at them (and say), ‘Indeed you are liars.’” (XVI: 86) Allah (SWT) also says: “He calls besides Allah such (deities) as can neither harm nor profit him. That is grievous straying, indeed,” (XXII: 12) Allah (SWT) also says: “If you invoke them, they will not listen to your call, and if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer). And on the Day of Resurrection they will reject their partnership. And none can inform you like Him Who is acquainted with all things.” (XXXV: 14)

Abusing Allah (SWT) or mocking at Him or at One of His Attributes:

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘Was it at Allah, and His Signs and His Messenger, that you were mocking? Make no excuses: You rejected Faith after you had accepted it. If we pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were sinful.” (IX: 65-66)

Declaring disbelief in Allah’s Godhead, and Lordship and denying His Names and Attributes.

Propagating whatever contradicts La ilaha illa Allah, such as atheism, polytheism and other blasphemous doctrines.

Third: deeds that nullify Faith, such as allotting some rituals of worship to other than Allah (SWT) like prostrating oneself to the sun and the moon, or abusing the speech of Allah (SWT), the Holy Qur’an.

Allah (SWT) says: “Prostrate yourselves not to the sun or the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allah Who created them, if you (rally) worship Him.” (XLI:37)

Allah (SWT) has created man and has created for him the necessary instruments with which he acquires knowledge and guidance from his Lord. He has also established the indisputable proofs that fill both heaven and earth and are manifest in his own creation and formation. He has, in addition, sent to him His Messengers whom He has supported with clear miracles that have proved their truthfulness. He has also provided him with the intelligence that helps him know his Lord and be sure of His Messengers’ truthfulness. Not only that, but He has made the belief in Him something innate. But the arrogant and pompous refuse following the course Allah has established for the belief in him and His Messengers. They, instead, make bad suggestions and put forward ridiculous stipulations that divert people from the belief in Allah and His Messenger, and take them away from the true path that Allah (SWT) has established to lead to belief in Him and His Messenger.

Do you make yourselves equal to Allah, the Glorified, by suggesting the way you want to know your Creator and God? Who are you to suggest the way to know Him? This is just arrogance, pomposity and impoliteness. Allah (SWT) says: “Those who dispute about the Signs of Allah without any authority bestowed on them--, there is nothing in their hearts but (the quest of) greatness, which they shall never attain to. Seek refuge, then, in Allah. It is He Who hears and sees (all things).” (XL:56)

If the Creator, Who provides you with the means of acquiring knowledge, should deprive you of them, how would you acquire knowledge? What would you, then, be proud of? Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘What if Allah took away your hearing and your sight and sealed up your minds, who--a god, other than Allah could restore these to your? See how we explain the Signs, yet they turn aside.” (VI: 46)

A wise person is he who uses the means of acquiring knowledge to acquire faith from its correct sources stipulating nothing on His Creator.

If Allah were to accept the unbelievers’ suggestions and stipulations, they would get more arrogant, obstinate, unyielding and disbelieving, and thus everything in this Universe would be disturbed.

Allah (SWT) says: “If the Truth conformed to their desires, truly the heavens and the earth and all beings therein would be in confusion and corruption. Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.” (XXIII:71)

Allah (SWT) has given people enough Signs and proofs to help them Know Him and to assure the truthfulness of His Messenger. Intelligent people have made use of that and believed in their Lord and His Messengers. What, then, justifies the unbelievers’ unreasonable attitude?

Allah (SWT) says: “But those who argue about Allah, after He has been accepted, their argument is futile in the Sight of their Lord; on them is wrath and for them will be a severe penalty.” (XLII: 16)

The Holy Qur’an mentions some of the Jews’ suggestions, which indicate their disbelief and obstinacy. The people of Moses (Peace be upon him) demanded that they see Allah (SWT) manifestly in order to believe in the Message he had brought to them. Allah (SWT) says: “And recall that you said, ‘O Moses! We shall never believe in you unless we see Allah manifestly,’ but the lightning struck you while you were looking.” (II: 55)

To refute this misgiving which stipulates seeing Allah (SWT) as a condition for belief, we say:

The human eye is the instrument of seeing; it is of limited ability of seeing within a limited rage of light wavelengths. (Figure 33) Nobody can see with bare eyes very small things like viruses, germs and microbes; yet, we know that they exist, either through looking at them magnified, or through authentic reliable sources. We believe in the existence of gravity and air, although we see only their effects, such as the attraction of things by the earth and their fall on to the ground, and the movement of the leaves of a tree by air. Since the human eye cannot look at the eye of the sun directly, how can it look at the Light of Allah (SWT)?

Therefore, when Moses (Peace be upon him) wanted to look at his Lord (SWT), he could not bear the effect of His Appearance to the mountain and fell unconscious. Allah (SWT) says: “When Moses came at our appointed time and his Lord addressed him, he said: ‘O my Lord! Show (Yourself) to me, that I may look at You.’ He said, ‘You cannot see Me, but look at the mountain! If it stays in its place, then you can see Me.’ When his Lord manifested Himself to the Mountain, He made it crumble, and Moses fell unconscious. When he recovered his senses, he said: ‘Glory be to You! To You I turn in repentance and I am the first to believe!’” (VII: 143)

Abu Musa, in a Prophetic hadith said: “Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him), addressing us, taught us five statements; He said, ‘Allah (SWT) never sleeps, and it is not consonant with this Majesty that He sleeps, but He lowers the Balance and raises It; the actions done (by people) at night are reported to Him before those done by day and those done by day before those done at night. His Veil is Light; if He should remove it, the Light of His Face would burn the furthest of His creation that He would see.”

This is in respect of the disability of the human eye to bear the brilliance of light that it can see. As for distance, man cannot see far-off things, or see them much smaller than they really are. You see an airplane disappearing in the sky with all its passengers, and you see the heavenly bodies as tiny specks in the sky while some of them are millions of times larger than the earth, and a large number of them cannot be seen by the bare eye.

The distance between us and the sun is about 93 million miles, and the light crosses it in about eight and a third minutes. The light of the nearest galaxy to us reaches us only after travelling for one million years. The farthest light detected by man reached us after travelling about 12 billion years. Light travels about 300.000 km per second. What, then, is the distance crossed by light in 12 billion years?

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur’an that He has made the stars and all planets an adornment for the lowest heaven. He says: “And We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and we have made them missiles to drive away the devils.” (LXVII: 5) Allah (SWT) also says: “We have adorned the lowest heaven with adorning planets.” (XXXVII: 6)

All these heavenly bodies are still within the realm of the adornment of the lowest heaven. Where are, then, the lowest heaven, the second heaven and the rest of the seven heavens? Yet all these seven heavens are just like a ring thrown in a desert in comparison to the Chair, and still the Chair compared to Allah’s Throne is like a ring to a large desert, as mentioned in a Prophetic hadith. Allah, Most Gracious, is firmly established on the Throne. How can the human sight that is subjected to limitations of distance see the Lord of the Throne or know anything about His Reality?

He who refuses to believe in Allah unless he sees Him is like a fool in a bedroom, covering his head with a blanket with a small hole through which he is looking to see outside the room the continent of America, and saying: “People say there is a continent called America, but I do not see it; therefore, I do not believe that it exists!”

Those who want to see the Creator (Glorified be He) with this small instrument, are more stupid than that fool. Allah (SWT) says: “No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp in over all vision. He is above all comprehension, yet He is acquainted with all things.” (VI: 103)

If we should accept the rule of the Children of Israel that we believe only in what we see, we should have to abolish schools, broadcasting stations, newspapers and magazines, and wage a war against the specialists who want us to believe what we have not seen personally. If we accepted this rule and regarded anyone who believes in something he has not seen wrong, we would not believe any piece of news. What would students, then, do with their teachers who teach them? What would the audience do with the mass media that address them? We have then to refuse any information that does not conform to what our senses perceive directly. Man’s knowledge would be just like that of an animal.

Is it wise, then, to be as stubborn as the Jews who were unaware of the limitations of the human sight, and did not know how great Allah is, and therefore, they wanted to see Allah, the Great Creator, with their powerless weak small eyes, and stipulated that they should see the Magnificent Creator to believe in Him?

The human scientific means are limited. We, for instance, cannot see many things, either because they are too small, like atoms, or too transparent, like air, or too distant, like far-off galaxies. Empirical scientists know this fact which confirms the disability of human sight to see everything. Therefore, they supplement the limited sight, when it fails to see the facts visually, by looking into their observed or perceived effectc that point out to those facts which the sight cannot perceive, such as the broadcasting waves which cannot be seen but we can be aware of through the radio-set or through the information given by such experts and specialists as know what the questioner cannot perceive with the eye. People would accept that knowledge from them with confidence and trust, for they are knowledgeable and specialized.

Through the two above-mentioned means (observing the effects that indicate the source, or receiving information from an authentic truthful source) a believer can arrive at enough proofs to support his belief in Allah, Glory be to Him.

The phenomena and creatures filling the earth and the heaven that indicate some of Allah’s Attributes, as well as the response of Allah to the invocations of the believers and those in distress.

The information conveyed by the Messengers (Peace be upon them), who are the most trustful human beings and who know Allah (SWT) best.

Allah (SWT) says: “Then He (Istawa) rose over the throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). The Most Gracious (Allah): Then ask about Him One Who is acquainted (with such things).” (XXV: 59)

The disbelevers of Quraysh put forth their stipulations before Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him): “And they say, ‘We shall not believe in you until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us; or (until) you have a garden of date-palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; or you cause the sky to fall upon us in pieces, as you have claimed; or you bring Allah and the angels before (us) face to face; or you have a house adorned with gold, or you ascend into the sky, and even then we will not believe your ascension till you bring down to us a book that we would read.’ Say, ‘Glorified be my Lord! Am I aught but a man sent as (Allah’s) Messenger? ” (XVII: 90-93)

These disbelievers, like all notorious leading criminals everywhere and at all times, invent misgivings to beguile people while they really beguile themselves, divert people from their Lord’s Guidance and put forth conditions revealing their arrogance against the Truth.

Allah (SWT) says: “Thus we have set up in every town great ones of its wicked people to plot therein, but they only plot against their own selves, and they perceive it not. When there comes to them a Sign (from Allah), they say, ‘We shall not believe until we receive the like of that which Allah’s Messenger have received. Allah knows best with whom to place His Message. Humiliation and disgrace from Allah and a severe punishment will overtake the wicked for all their plots.” (VI: 123-124)

Allah (SWT) wisely disregarded these stubborn demands and tyrannical conditions; otherwise, both the heavens and the earth would have been spoiled.

If the sovereignty of a king of a certain country or a president of a certain state is denied by a person or a group of persons and he were asked to prove that he is really the sovereign, by saying to him: “If you are the real sovereign of this country, then transfer this stone in your state from this position to another.” He would do so, saying: “behold! I have transferred the stone!”

Another person might say: “I would not believe that you rule this country unless you moved this pencil from its position.” The King or president would move the pencil, saying: “Behold! I have done that!”

Another person might say: “I would like you to clean this cup!”

Yet another might say: “As for me. I stipulate for believing that you are the sovereign of this state that you kill so-and-so!”

We would assert firmly that if this ruler were to respond to these suggestions, he would prove foolish.

ConVersely, a self-respecting ruler would say: “If you want to know that I am the ruler of this country, you should ask relevant questions to find out that I organize governments, order the ministers to resign, conclude treaties, dispose of budgets, wage wars and build up armies. As for transferring a stone or a pencil or cleaning a cup, anyone in my country could do it. If any person wanted to know my identity, he would know that through asking about such deeds as can be done only by a king or a president.”

Similarly, if Allah (SWT) were to make the route to faith His responding to the disbelievers’ suggestions and stipulations, every disbeliever would put forth suggestions and conditions that would spoil the system of the Universe, if they were to be accepted by Allah. One person would stipulate for his faith that Allah turn night into day, and day into night. Another would stipulate that Allah change the earth into a heaven and the heaven into an earth; a third would stipulate that Allah change men into women and women into men. Yet another would stipulate for his faith that so-and-so be killed or a certain nation be destroyed, thus spoiling the system of the Universe.

Allah (SWT) says: “If the Truth conformed to their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein would be in confusion and corruption. Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.” (XXIII: 71)

While not responding to the disbeliever’s close-mindedness and the foolishness of the ignorant, Allah (SWT) has established the proofs that necessitate the belief in Him through such deeds as cannot be done except by Him alone, such as creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, alternating night and day, creating death and life, managing the affairs of all creatures, and similar miraculous deeds that can be exclusively done by Allah, Glory be to Him.

Allah (SWT) says: “Or, is not He (better than your gods) Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends down rain from the sky? With it We cause to grow well-planted gardens full of beauty and delight; it is not in Your power to cause the growth of their trees. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who ascribe equals to Him.” (XXVII: 60)

These fools did not revere Allah as did the believers who would appeal to Him to satisfy their needs, believing in Him and asking Him for help. He would then respond to them and satisfy their needs. Allah’s response to the invocations of the believers and those who are in distress is a fact known to all believers. An example of that is what the Muslim nations know about Allah’s response to the invocation of those praying for rain at time of drought and at the location where the rain prayer is performed.

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) has told us about a misgiving that has spread in our time and is propagated by the atheists. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: (A time will come when people, wondering, would say, ‘This is Allah, the Creator of everything. But who has created Allah?)

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) also said: (Satan would come upon any of you and say, ‘Who has created this? Who has created that?’ till he says, ‘Who has created your Lord?’ If he happens to reach that (point), he should seek refuge with Allah and quit.)

This misgiving emanates essentially from the false premise that the Creator and His creatures are equal and alike in attributes and characteristics. Satan starts his argument from this basis of equality to ask: “This is Allah’s Creation; then who has created Allah?”

The question means: If we find that these creatures are in need of a creator and that they cannot have existed without Him, then the Creator Who has the same characteristics as those of His creatures is also in need of a creator.

To refute this Satanic misgiving we say:

Who has decided that the Creator should be characterized by the attributes of the creatures? (I ask Allah’s forgiveness!) Who has decided that the Creator is in need of whatever His creatures lack, so that the Creator and His creatures become equal in their attributes and their needs?

The Creator is other than His creatures that he has created and conducted. His Attributes must, then, differ from those of His creatures, in the same way as man differs from the objects he has manufactured or invented. A carpenter who has made a door, for example, has characteristics that are different from those of the door itself. The door requires polish, nails and a key. It is ridiculous to say that a carpenter also requires nails, a key and polish. On the other hand, a carpenter has to eat, drink, sleep and marry; but we cannot ask: when does the door eat, drink, sleep, or marry? A sane person would not ask such a question. If the characteristics of the door and the carpenter become identical, the door would be carpenter and vise versa, and they would be both one and the same.

The Great Attributes characterizing the Creator should differ from those characterizing His creatures; otherwise they would be a creator and the Creator a creature, and this is impossible.

If the creatures are poor before their Lord and in need of their Creator in their existence, as it is obviously true, Allah, Glory be to Him, is the Rich, the Self-Sufficient Who is in need of nobody and Whom every creature is in need of. Such are the Attributes of Our Lord; they differ from the attributes of His creatures.

Allah (SWT) says: “There is nothing like Him; and He is the One that hears and sees (all things).” (XLII: 11)

The Universe is teeming with countless creatures that bear witness that the Lord of this Universe is Rich and Self-Sufficient, not in need of others.

But if somebody should stubbornly insist that the Creator has the characteristics of the created, he then should deny his own existence and the existence of every thing in this vast observed Universe. This is just a falsity, for then nothing would remain but nothingness.

If the Creator required a creator in His turn, it would be nothingness, and nothingness does not create anything. Thus the Creator would be non-existent. The creatures, in their turn, need nothingness to create them, and since nothingness does nothing, then neither the creatures nor the one who puts forth the question or misgiving would be existent!

But the existence of these creatures bears witness that Allah is their Creator; they have not created themselves, nor has nothingness created them. The existence of these creatures also bears witness that Allah, Glory be to Him, is Self-Sufficient and Rich, Who all creatures are in need of and is in need of none. This Attribute of His is different from the attributes of His creatures, for the Creator should have such attributes as differ from those characteristics of His creatures.

If we propose the sequence:

Nothing remains apart from the creatures and the sequence but Nothingness

Thus, finally we will have the same previous result; that is either all the items of the sequence are poor and in heed of a creator, in which case there remains nothing except nothingness outside this sequence that includes both the creatures and the series of creators, and nothingness does not create anything. Consequently there would be none to create these creatures including ourselves, and accordingly everything would be non-existent, and the whole Universe and we ourselves would be non-existent either. But nullifying our existence is impossible and false. What results from impossibility and falsity is impossible and false. Or the sequence is ascribed to the powerful, Rich, Self-Sufficient Creator, Whom all creatures are in need of and Who is not in need of others, and Who has the loftiest Attributes which His creatures cannot possess.

Allah (SWT) says: “To Him return all affairs (for decision).” (XI: 123)

Thus nothing remains but the Rich, Self-Sufficient Creator and His creatures that are in need of Him.

Allah (SWT) says: “Say, ‘He is Allah, the One, Allah, the Self-Sufficient (Whom all creatures need), He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable to Him.” (CXII: 1-4)

If any person disbelieved in this, he would have to deny his own existence and the existence of all the creatures in this charming Universe. And should you, being a Muslim, encounter anybody who is afflicted with such a misgiving, teach him to say: “I believe in Allah,” and tell him to seek refuge with Allah, and quit thinking of this Satanic misgiving, as Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) has taught us.

Let us ponder on the testimony of the Western Scholar, Marret Stanley Codgin, the member of the American Natural Society and specialist in Nature and Psychology, who said: “Doubtlessly, in our attempt to describe the Creator and know His Attributes, we need such terms and meanings as are obviously different from those we use when describing the world of matter, particularly after we have discovered that the Universe we live in cannot be merely pure matter but it is a combination of matter, spirit and fire, or it is both material and non-material, and we cannot describe non-material things with characteristics of material things only.”

The Attributes of Allah, the Most High, and His Sacred Perfection represent a fixed Truth verified by everything in this Universe and expressed by the human innate nature, for every human being feels that he has some defects that make him short of perfection. He feels, when observing anything, that there is what is closer to perfection than he. This feeling which we have, that there is imperfection in everything we observe, emanates from the innate awareness that there is One Who is characterized by the High Attributes and the Most Beautiful Names, Thus a human being sees everything imperfect as a result of perceiving the existence of the Great and Perfect Creator, Glory be to Him.
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