He is with you wherever you are:

I had a conversation once with my personal driver in Nigeria who was a religious catholic. He said that even though he believes that Jesus is the son of God, he refuges only from God never from Jesus. He told me about an incident that had happened to him in the past. One day he was weeping and praying to God: Oh God! I never ask but you and never pray to anyone except you! You know that I’m willing to marry and marriage is a huge responsibility. My future wife will be pregnant one day and will need me to drive her to the hospital to give birth to my child. I will need a car then, so God please give me a car of my own. He said he was desperate and cried abundantly. Then he said that a few weeks later, a wealthy man in his neighborhood to whom he used to do some paid errands told him that he had bought a small car to his wife as a present but she refused it because it was small. So, the rich man wanted to give my driver that car, because he was furious with his wife.

My driver said: You would never imagine how happy I was, but my happiness with the fact that God had responded to my prayers was more than my happiness with the car.

As for me, I remembered the verse: HE is with you wherever you are[1] and I said to myself how great you are Allah! If this is your action with whom claims a son to you, then how would your action be with whom says: HE begets not, nor was HE begotten. And there is none like unto HIM.  And I was very happy indeed.

They remained happy over the worldly knowledge:

I recall the boredom I used to feel while traveling with my husband and his efforts in helping me accommodate to living in these different countries. I remember that he one day invited an Armenian friend of his and his wife for dinner in a beautiful restaurant. He hoped I would get to know his wife and maybe that would decrease my home sickness.

The modesty and angelic features of the wife attracted my attention so much. I felt innocence and faith glowing out of her.

I was very pleased to know her especially after she told me that she is a Spanish teacher and wants to learn Arabic. We agreed that I will daily teach her Arabic for an hour and she will speak Spanish with me for an hour as well in return, because I didn’t want to forget that language.

We used to meet in a small restaurant in the compound we both lived in. Everything was going on smoothly till one day she surprised me by asking about the meaning of the term “ Alhamdu Allah” that Muslims say . I answered: Muslims thank their Creator for the good and bad. They know that whatever good happens to them is from The Lord of the Worlds, and whatever bad is from themselves meaning that they need to repent and ask for forgiveness.

So – much to my surprise – she said: God does not exist. You are fooling yourselves. Life will perish and we will all be nothing.

I was shocked, not because this was my first time to encounter an atheist. In fact, I have had many debates with atheists, but it was because I never expected such modesty and innocence to behold such a black heart that doesn’t know Allah.

She added: I have postgraduate studies in physics and my father is a physician. He has always warned me of such nonsense. I can almost hear his voice telling: Take care because they will try to fool you!

I told her: Then to whom do you turn to, when even your father can’t help you?

She said: I don’t need anyone. I depend on myself and I don’t need any claimed God to help me.

So, I told her:  I’m astonished by your thoughts. How could your way of thinking be true? Let’s say you are sick with influenza; you might not be able to even reach a glass of water! What did physics tell you?!

Physics told you that there are sound waves that you must believe in even if you can’t see them. It told you that there are ultra violet waves that again you must believe in even if you can’t see them.

It told you that light is out of time and that the connected particles when separated over great distances, continue to interact instantaneously. Physics convinced you that there are other worlds and you believed all this even without seeing it.

Science told you to believe in things that do not exist like the mirage. You believed in all this and then at the time of death neither physics nor chemistry will help you because they promised you nothingness.

You accept to believe that light is out of time, yet you refuse to believe that the Creator doesn’t abide to the laws of time or space. HE is before everything and after everything, and none of HIS creations can encompass HIS knowledge.

You believe that that the connected particles when separated over great distances, continue to interact instantaneously, yet you refuse the idea that The Creator is continuously with His creations with HIS knowledge, that God can be omnipresent; present with everyone simultaneously.

You believe you have sense without seeing it, but won’t believe in God unless you see HIM.

You refuse to believe in Paradise and Hell yet believe in multiple universes you have never seen.

Then I continued: There are believers whom also have postgraduate studies in physics and chemistry, yet believe that a Great Creator has created these universal laws. Science that your father believes in has discovered laws that have been created by Allah. Science hasn’t created these laws. Actually, scientists won’t find anything to study without these laws that have been created by Allah, on the other hand, believers will benefit from their faith in life and the hereafter. Inform your father with what I have told in your next visit to him and ask him: Who believes in nonsense now?!

She responded: This isn’t nonsense. Science says that we came here as a result of some irrational, blind, and random events. According to science, this universe is moving towards destruction and will suffer from “Thermal Death”. Human life will be destroyed before thermal death. The sun will finally purify earth and death and nothingness will come.

I told her: Then, according to your theory, if this life is a ship that will inevitably drown with its passengers, what is the point of having means of comfort on this ship?

Where is the way?

I continued my conversation with this Armenian lady saying: You claim that everything doesn’t have a substantial meaning, which means we are free to find a meaning for ourselves in order to acquire a satisfactory life. Denying the objective of our existence is actually a way of fooling ourselves because it’s as if we are saying: Let’s pretend that we have an objective in this life. We would become like children who play games pretending to be doctors, nurses or parents. We will not achieve true happiness unless we realize the objective of our existence in this life.

She replied: I’m happy just the way I am.

I told her: What’s the definition of true purposeful happiness? Imagine you found yourself on a train without your will, but in the first-class section with the most luxurious means of comfort. Would you be satisfied in this trip if you had no answers to questions like: How did I come aboard on this train? What is the purpose of the trip? Where am I going? If these questions remained unanswered, how could you be truly happy? Even if you enjoyed the means of comfort available, you still won’t achieve true, meaningful happiness. Would the appetizing meal be enough to make you forget about these questions?

This kind of happiness will be fake, temporary and will be achieved only by deliberately ignoring these questions. This is like the fake pleasure of consuming alcohol which leads to destruction.

It was only then that I surprisingly found a change in the tone of her voice. She said: Very well! Whether Allah truly exists or not, it makes no difference because I’m a good wife, I treat everyone with respect, and I hurt no one. So why would HE punish me?!

At this point I remembered the verse:

And they attribute to Allah that which they dislike [i.e., daughters], and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best [from Him]. Assuredly, they will have the Fire, and they will be [therein] neglected. [2]

And:

And I do not believe that the Hour of Resurrection will ever come. Anyhow if ever I am returned to my Lord, I will get even a grander place than this.[3]

So, I told her: What’s the point of your relationship with everything around you when you have no relationship with the Creator from the first place?! Would you accept your relationship with your father whom you consider your role model to be the worst relationship in your life?! Would your father accept that and reward you for it?!

Is it not the heaven with horoscopes and the earth with broad passes evidence of the Omniscient the ِAll- Aware?!

The Islamic scholar Ibn Taymia says: How could we ask for evidence of whom is the evidence of everything? He frequently used to use this saying: If daylight needed evidence, then nothing will be valid in the minds!

The Qur’an lists evidences on the existence of Allah (the Creator).

Evidence of creation:

The creation of the universe from nothing is evidence on the existence of the Creator.

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. [4]

Evidence of obligation:

If we say that everything has a source, and this source itself has a source and if we keep up this pattern; each source causatively coming from a previous source, then the pattern will carry on perpetually. Therefore, logically this pattern must come to an end or rather to a beginning. It must reach a source that has no source.  That’s what we call the’ Primary Source.’ The primary source must have existed before the beginning of time, because if it came into existence after the beginning of time, then that source itself must have had a beginning, there must be something that preceded its existence. The primary source must have preceded time and space. Without the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, there would be no night or day; there would be no hours, days or months. Therefore, time and space must have come into existence simultaneously, and that is what science has proven

An atheist asked me one day a question. He asked: If Allah is the Creator, then who created Allah?

I replied: I’ll ask you a simple question. If you answer it you will find the answer to your question.

He said: Fine.

I said: What is the smell of the color red?

He answered: There is no answer to this question because the color red isn’t classified as one of the things that could be smelled.

So, I said: Thank you. So yes, everything has a reason for its existence, but the Creator does not have that reason simply because the Creator is not classified from one of the things that could be created. God is before everything else.

The manufacturing company of a television set or refrigerator puts rules and instructions for using these devices in a manual explaining how to use these devices. The user must follow these instructions in order to successfully use these devices. On the other hand, the company is not subjected to these instructions.

Allah who has created Causality Law, but we cannot consider HIM subjected to this law HE has created. HE created time yet HE isn’t subjected to it. HE does not undergo the stages of time that we do. HE does not get tired. HE does not need to set Himself in a material form or to come down on earth. That is why we could never see Him in this life. We are trapped in time and space. For example, a person who is sitting in a room cannot see beyond that room unless he/she leaves it.

So, he asked me: Why can’t HE come down to earth in any form?

I said: I’ll give you an example just to make the idea understandable, otherwise to HIM belongs the highest attribute. When you use an electronic device, you control it from outside yet you do not enter it by any means. He laughed and said that’s correct.

Evidence of perfection and order:

This means that the astonishingly accurate construction of this universe and its laws are evidence on the existence of God the Creator.

[And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So, return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks? [5]

Indeed, all things We created with predestination. [6]

Evidence of care:

This universe has been very precisely created in order to suit human life, and this is a result of the most beautiful and merciful godly attributes.

It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain from the sky and produced thereby some fruits as provision for you and subjected for you, the ships to sail through the sea by His command and subjected for you the rivers. [7]

Evidence of harness:

This is related to the godly attributes of Majesty and Ability.

And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat , And for you in them is [the enjoyment of] beauty when you bring them in [for the evening] and when you send them out [to pasture] , And they carry your loads to a land you could not have reached except with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful, and [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know. [8]

Evidence of customization:

This means that all what we see in this universe could have been in many forms, but Allah Almighty chose the best.

And have you seen the water that you drink? , Is it you who brought it down from  the clouds, or is it We who bring it down? , If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful? [9]

Have you not considered your Lord – how He extends the shadow, and if He willed, He could have made it stationary? Then We made the sun for it an indication. [10]

Where have we come from?

The Qur’an mentions several prospects of how the universe might have been created.

Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain, or have they the depositories [containing the provision] of your Lord? Or are they the controllers [of them]? [11]

Or were they created by nothing:

This contradicts many of the laws of nature we observe around us. As a simple example: To say that the pyramids of Egypt have been created by nothing abolishes this prospect.

Or were they the creators [of themselves]?

Was the universe able to create itself? The term “creation” indicates something that didn’t exist then came into existence. Subjectivism Creation is totally logically impossible because this means that something existed and didn’t exist at the same time. And this is impossible! To say that the human being created himself means that he existed before he was created!

Many people when asked: Who created you, would reply by saying: My parents are the reason for my existence in this life. It’s obvious from this reply that it’s just an attempt to find a way out of this dilemma. People by nature do not want to think deeply into matters or strive hard. They know that their parents will die, then generations will come after them and give the same reply while they know that they had no role in the creation of their children. So, the actual question is: Who brought the human kind into existence?

An atheist replied to this issue once that subjectivism creation could be found in single-celled organisms, which is also known in biology as asexual reproduction. As usual my reply to such ideas is: We must first assume that the first cell already existed, and if we assumed this then this is not subjectivism creation, it is a way of reproduction. And the product will be the offspring of one living organism and it will inherit the genetic material of that parent alone.

Or did they create the heavens and the earth?

There has never been a being that claimed to have created the heavens and earth except the owner of the creation and matters alone. It is only HIM whom has revealed this truth when HE sent HIS messengers to humanity. The truth is that it is HIM who is the Creator, Innovator, and Owner of the heavens and earth and what is in between with no partner or son.

Say, [O Muhammad], “Invoke those you claim [as deities] besides Allah.” They do not possess an atom’s weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth, and they do not have therein any partnership [with Him], nor is there for Him from among them any assistant.[12]

We could give an example: If there was a bag found with no owner, then only one person would come and claim to be the owner of the bag and give evidence by stating its contents. So according to human civil laws, this person alone is the owner of the bag until someone else comes to claim it .

The existence of a creator:

All this leads us to an inevitable conclusion, that there is a creator without denial. The strange thing is that the human being always tries to assume possibilities other than this one. It is as if this possibility is unbelievably imaginary or unverifiable. If we stand a sincere pause that is fair and with scientific insight, we will reach the fact that we can never fully comprehend the Creator. For it is He whom has created the whole universe, so definitely He is beyond human perception. As a result, it’s logical to assume that it is not easy to be certain about the existence of this metaphysical invisible power. This power must reveal itself in a way it sees comprehensive to human cognition. The human being must reach the conviction that this metaphysical power is an existing reality and that this last possibility is the only explanation left to the existence of this universe.

So, flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.[13]

If we are looking for eternal bliss and happiness we must believe and submit to the existence of this God, the Creator and Innovator.

Why Are We Here?

I recall meeting an English lady in Nigeria. She asked me: Why did God create us?

I replied: Imagine yourself a very rich and generous person, what would you have done?

She said: I would have invited my friends to food and drink.

So, I told her: Such human attributes are just a tiny part of the attributes of God. God has the most Majestic and Beautiful attributes. HE is the most Merciful and Compassionate. HE is the Provider and the Generous. HE has created us to have mercy on us and to give us happiness. All human attributes are derived from HIS attributes.

HE created us and gave us the ability to choose. So, either we choose the path of submission and obedience or we choose the path of rebellious disobedience.

She asked: Why didn’t HE force us to worship HIM?

I answered: HE could have forced us to worship and obey HIM, but compulsion will not achieve the objective of creating the human being. Divine wisdom is that Adam peace be upon him was created and distinguished with knowledge.

And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He asked the angels:

“Tell me the names of these if ye are right. [14]

And gave Adam the ability to choose.

We said: “O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression. [15]

And opened the door of repentance for him because the ability to choose must lead to slipping into mistakes and error.

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. [16]

All of this is to make him ready to be an inheritor of the earth (ruling on earth).

Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? – whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?” He said: “I know what ye know not.[17]  

Having a will and ability to choose is a blessing if it was used correctly. Yet it will be a curse if it was falsely manipulated and directed towards corrupt goals.

The ability to choose is certainly surrounded with dangers, sedition, and self-struggle. And this without doubt is much more honorable and magnifying to man than despicable submission that leads to fake happiness.

Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward. [18]

Otherwise, what is the benefit of having reward and punishment if there was no free choice that deserves judgement?

But with all this, the actual space of choice given to man in this life is limited. God will judge us only on the matters that HE gave us the freedom of choice in. We have no choice in the community we have been brought up in, nor in our parents, look and color.

The honour of worship rather than the humility of sin:

Worshipping Allah isn’t limited only to praying and fasting to HIM. Worshipping also includes loving, obeying, and knowing HIM. Worshipping Allah must be our ultimate objective. It frees us from being enslaved to the society.

Full submission to Allah alone maintains the person’s dignity and keeps him/her from humiliations to others. Whoever desires glory will find it in approaching The Lord of the worlds by good words and doing good deeds.

Whoever desires honor [through power] – then to Allah belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those – it will perish. [19]

The more a person approaches his Lord with humility the more highness he will achieve.

I recall now words that frequently say “Oh my Lord! How glorious it is for me to be your slave! And how proud I am that YOU are my Lord!”

The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said: “And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.”

It is untrue what some think that the believer is enchained with the acts of worship. A person’s heart needs to be attached to an objective he/she is seeking.

Certainly, if we don’t worship Allah, we will end up worshipping something else. The human heart will either be attached to an earthly materialistic matter which he/she are striving to reach or will be attached to the Creator. Hence, our desires might enslave us without realizing it. On the other hand, being attached to Allah Almighty and the hereafter frees us from being enslaved to others. The Lord of the worlds is our Creator and whom has the right to be resorted and refuge to.

Many people get attracted to fame and fashion. Also, social media attracts people in an excessive and exaggerated way. It has a major role in broadcasting concepts that call for focusing on inferior matters and distracting people away from priorities. All this leads to a troubled, unhappy life filled with suffering.

Also, there are some social standards and family pressures that force us to considerate inherited traditions which drive us away from our role in this life and our duty towards religion.

A mother, for example, will feed her children in all cases whether she is a believer or a non-believer. But only the believer renews her intentions and gives away the good deeds she is doing to Allah. She awaits the reward only from HIM. In this way, she will never get disappointed if she didn’t find gratitude from her children. She awaits her reward from her Creator. As a result, we find a woman who will never be disappointed from being let down and will never fear her boss or fear from being bullied. This is because she said with a loud voice: My whole life is for Allah!

So, we do not have an option in this life other than to accept the call of Allah with faith and submission. In this way we win the best of this life and the hereafter. Or we could be satisfied just by this life and then it will destroy us and we will be doomed to hell.

I remember when I said these words to the Portuguese atheist with the PHD in philosophy, she said: You are lucky with this faith and way of thinking. I have not found this beauty in the books of philosophy, but I have found it with you Muslims.

by faten sabri