Allaah

Ameer al-Mo’meneen stated in a testament to his son, Imaam Hosayn, (or Mohammad Ibn Hanafeyyah according to other narrations):

((Know this my son! Had your Lord another partner, the Prophets would have come to you and brought you forth proof of Its existence so that you could witness for yourself, but as Allaah has Himself acclaimed, He has no partner.)).

God

A man once asked Imaam Ja’far al-Saadiq:

((Why is it not possible for the Creator of the universe to be more than one? The Imaam replied: The fact that you claim God is two can be that they both have always been in existence and are powerful; or that they are both incapable; or that one is more powerful than the other. If both have the power, why does one not compete with the other so that He can be the only God? If one is powerful and the other is not, it is obvious that God is one and that is the Powerful One. As we witness the perfect organisation of the universe, the circulation of earth, the passing of day and night with the rising and setting of the sun and the moon, we have an absolute reason that its regulator is One.)).

With his delicate reasoning, Imaam Redhaa convinced a person, who believed in dualism, of the existence of the one God. The Imaam replied:

((To say that God is two is itself proof that He is One because until you have proof of the first, you cannot pursue the second. In the first, we both believe, in the second we disagree.)).

God

In our answer to them we say that God is unique and is not more than One, otherwise contention and conflict would arise between them, with one God’s wishes being different to the other, the universe would be in disarray thus disrupting its current order, an order so perfect and splendid that only gives proof of His Oneness.

The universal system is organised in such a continual manner that everything within it is dependent upon another – had there been no water plantation would not exist, without plants no animal could live and if plants and animals were non existent mankind could not dwell. Without the Sun no being could survive, without Air the existence of any creature would be impossible (be it man, animal or plantation), to such an extent that scientists state that the being of Mankind is totally dependent upon the delicate feathers of birds without which they would be unable to fly, thus allowing reptiles and insects to destroy plantation and crops, effecting dairies and consumables, hence Mankind could not survive... This skilful monotony is the work of no other but the One God.

Had another existed, it had to make evident its power, and since this is unknown to us, the universe therefore holds no second God. The holy Qor’aan says:

((Never did Allaah take to himself a son, and never was there with him any (other) god-in that case would each god have certainly taken away what he created, and some of them would certainly have overpowered others; glory be to Allaah above what they describe!)).

((If there had been in them any gods except Allaah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allaah, the lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to him).)).

((Say: praise be to Allaah and peace on his servants whom he has chosen: is Allaah better, or what they associate (with him)?

Nay, he who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the sky; then we cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allaah? Nay! They are people who deviate.

Or, who made the earth a resting place, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains, and placed between the two seas barrier. Is there a god with Allaah? Nay! Most of them do not know!

Or, who answers the distressed one when he calls up on him and removes the evil, and he will make you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allaah? Little is it that you mind! Or, who guides you in utter darkness of the land and the sea, and who sends the winds as good news before his mercy. Is there a god with Allaah? Exalted by Allaah above what they associate (with him).

Or, who originates the creation, then reproduces it, and who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth. Is there a god with Allaah? Say: bring your proof if you are truthful.)).

HE IS ONE

Does this massive universe hold one God, two, or more?

Some believe in two, others in three and there are those who believe that the universe has many Gods. The answer is very simple; and of course every Monotheist will say that God is One. Before we set out our reasons for the Oneness of God, let us first consider the claims of those who believe that there is more than one God.

The dualists claim that the Gods comprise Light and Darkness. We say that Darkness and Light are created, they cannot therefore be Gods, thus their claim is unacceptable.

The Christians claim that God is The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. We say that Christ was a human being – humans themselves are created and cannot be Gods. The Holy Spirit, if it is meant as an Angel, cannot claim to be a God – what difference is there between this Angel and the others, and what is the justification for this particular Angel to have the title of God?!

The Idolaters take their idols as God and others worship animals – we ask if it is possible for a lifeless object with no capabilities of motion, or an animal that possesses no intellect which is even less inferior than a human, to be worthy of worship?

These frivolous beliefs, as far as intellectuals are concerned, are mythological and based on nothing but superstition. They hold no value for debate or discussion, and the Holy Qor’aan has briefly presented these opinions, showing what they include of superstitions and absurdities. Saying:

((Surely Allaah does not forgive that anything should be associated with him, and he forgives what is besides this to whom he pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allaah, he indeed strays off into a remote error.)).

((Say: O people! If you are in doubt as to my religion, then (know that) I do not serve those whom you serve besides Allaah, but I do serve Allaah, who will cause you to die, and I am commanded that I should be of the believers.)).

((And Allaah has said: take not two gods, he is only one god; so of me alone should you be afraid.)).

((Say: O followers of the book! Be not unduly immoderate in your religion, and do not follow the low desires of people who went astray before and led many astray and went astray from the right path.)).

“Certainly they disbelieve who say: surely, Allaah – he is the messiah, son of Maryam.)).”

((The messiah, son of Maryam is but an apostle; apostles before him have indeed passed away; and his mother was a truthful woman; they both used to eat food...)).”

((...say: who then could control anything as against Allaah when he wished to destroy the messiah son of Maryam and his mother and all those on earth?)).

WE DO NOT KNOW...

what the origin of God is.

Have you ever wondered why we do not possess the knowledge of everything?

And do you realise that our ignorance is far greater than our knowledge?

Have you ever heard that science comprises of 130 branches? Physiology is one, as is Chemistry; Mathematics is another, and Medicine, etc.... and that you (mankind) know only a little of this science? How often do you read that with the vast expansion of scientific knowledge and all its inventions, the scientists surrender to the glory of the universe and confess that their inventions are nothing compared to all that lies undiscovered, and that the World is full of science and its hidden secrets?

Have you also read that the scientists, with all their inquisition and greed (for discovery), cannot explain the nature of Soul which inhabits our bodies? Have you heard that Mind in this respect is the same as Soul?

Putting aside Mind and Soul, do you know that nobody has as yet discovered what electricity is? It enlightens our homes and performs numerous functions. Although we know how it is produced, as the scientists state, its effects are visible but its source of origin remains unknown.

As we have not discovered the nature of our Mind and Soul, which accompany us throughout our life, or that of electricity of which we take full advantage, how is it therefore permissible to ask about the “nature of God?”

The nature of God is unknown to us! Man’s intellect is too inferior to apprehend the nature of God! We believe and confess to its existence because we see its signs and creations, in the same way that we are certain of electricity, but to understand the nature of God is impossible.

Do you realise that no matter how sharp our sight is, it cannot see microbes, it cannot see objects from too far a distance or, in fact, at too close a proximity, nor is it capable of seeing in the dark. Mind bears some similarity to sight, the difference being that sight detects, within its limits, palpable objects whereas Mind, within its limits, detects rationality. We cannot therefore deny the existence of an object just because it happens to be out of our sight, in the same way that it would be illogical to deny the existence of God just because our intellect cannot comprehend its nature.

Looking at a building we are certain that it has a builder, although we do not see him; when we see some footprints we know that someone has walked the same track although we never see him. Creation likewise, is proof of the existence of our Creator.

We cannot comprehend the nature of God, we cannot see Him, but through His creation we believe in Him – this is sufficient proof for us.

God

A man asked Imaam Ja’far al-Saadiq:

((What proof can you give me that a creator for this universe exists?” The Imaam replied: “The creation is itself proof that a creator exists – do you not glance at a building and are certain that it has a builder, even though you have never seen him, nor have you witnessed its construction?)).

Abu Abdullah Daysaani once asked Imaam Ja’far al-Saadiq:

((Show me my Maker! The Imaam pointed to an egg and replied: This egg has a hard shell, beneath which is a thin layer and beneath this layer is a substance of silver and of golden colour – from a similar egg emerges different kinds of peacocks, all with various magnificent colours – do you see a designer for this product?

Daysaani contemplated deeply and thus repented by replying: I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah. He is the One, without any partner, and I bear witness that Mohammed is His Servant and Messenger and that you have been summoned by Allaah to lead mankind towards righteousness – I shall emerge out of my ignorance.)).

Holy Qor’aan

The holy Qor’aan refers to the creation in these noble verses:

((Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men, and the water that Allaah sends down from the sky, then gives life with it to the earth after its death, and spreads in it all (kinds of) animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand.)).

((Allaah is he who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see, and he is firm in power and he made the sun and the moon subservient (to you); each one pursues its course to an appointed time; he regulates the affair, making clear the signs that you may be certain of meeting your lord.

And he it is who spread the earth and made in it firm mountains and rivers, and of all fruits he has made in it two kinds; he makes the night cover the day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

And in the earth there are tracts side by side and gardens of grapes and corn and palm trees having one root and (others) having distinct roots – they are watered with one water, and we make some of them excel others in fruit; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand.)).

((Allaah is he who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the sky, then brought forth with it fruits as a sustenance for you, and he has made the ships subservient to you, that they might run their course in the see by his command, and he has made the rivers subservient to you.

And he has made subservient to you the sun and the moon pursuing their courses, and he has made subservient to you the night and the day. And he gives you of all that you ask him; and if you count Allaah’s favours, you will not be able to number them; most surely man is very unjust, very ungrateful.)).