Allah – The Lawgiver

 

When early humans migrated from Africa and settled across different parts of the world, the idea of a mighty superhuman power that created rivers, mountains, the sun, the moon, and the universe existed in their minds. Living together also required them to establish rules and appoint someone to enforce them. As a result, a person with a superior position and control over wealth and military power became a highly powerful figure known as a king.

        When people saw that king had all the powers in a kingdom, and he could use them the way he wished without being accountable to anyone, and his demand was that everyone must obey without questioning the rational of his order; people relinquished their rights in his favor because they had no other option. Moreover, he could bestow many favors and wealth on those who made him happy; and destroy those who refused to obey his orders. All those who were desirous of fame, wealth, and Honor went to kings and sought their approval. 

        The image of Allah was created after the king of earth. According to their belief, Allah is an absolute dictator with infinite powers; He can make or break anyone, it is an insult to question His authority or put some limits on it.  What kind of ultimate authority He is if He does not act as He wishes? His every order is law and He can destroy or reward anyone when He likes. The relation of Allah and men is based on fear is the logical result of upper mentioned proposition. People came to believe that they could please Allah by singing His praises or by seeking help through those they considered close to Him, hoping to have their needs fulfilled through such intermediaries.

This was the common image of Allah prevalent at time; however, the Quran presents a different understanding. It explains that Allah creates in three spheres. In the first sphere, events appear to follow a chain of cause and effect, yet there comes a point where something comes into existence without any prior cause. How this happens is beyond human knowledge.

       The Quran therefore describes Allah as the originator of the universe: “Originator of the heavens and the earth” (2:117). In this realm, things come into existence for the first time and do not follow any law, including the law of cause and effect.

Alam-al-Amr

        The Quran refers to this realm as Alam al-Amr, where the will and decree of Allah operate. About this process, the Quran says: “When He determines the coming into being of a thing, He says concerning it: “Be! And it is” (2-117). In this sphere the Mashiyat and Willl of Allah bring into existence non-existent things. How this process occurs is beyond human understanding. Human intellect cannot understand it, the Quran only says that He is, “Originator of the heavens and the earth, (2-1170). The second stage in a created thing is to determine its attributes, different stages of progress, and the goal. Allah’s Will and Mashiyat completely control it. Why is the sky blue? Why does water always flow downward? Why does water form only by the combination of oxygen and hydrogen?  In this sphere of events the question of why does not arise.  This is how the things work as ordained by Allah in this universe.

       In this sphere He is not bound by any rules, “Allah does that which He wills” (22-14). “Allah decreed what He wills” (5-1). He has the right to place the things according to His program, and no one can question Him. “He cannot be questioned concerning what He does, but everyone else will be questioned, (21-23). In Alam-e-Amr Allah infinite knowledge and wisdom combined with fathomless powers works independently as final authority.  Allah is omnipotent and omnicompetent in this sphere known as Qadir-e-Mutlaq.