[MADRASA] Why God created man?, Philosphical Questions, Dimensions, Life after Death

Madina Archives


Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

[MADRASA] Why God created man?, Philosphical Questions, Dimensions, Life after Death
AbuKhaled
07/09/01 at 03:27:00
[quote] ORIGINAL QUESTION: If it was for the purpose of man to worship God, then *why*
does God need man to worship Him? Surely he's of no need from anyone or
anything.

If on the other hand, it was for man to gain God's blessing and
subsequently Heaven, why did God even bother creating a form of life(Human) in
a remote corner of the Universe?
Why put man through such a test in the first place. He didn't have to
create us. If God is above everything, then he doesn't need to create a
form of life which has to endure pain or goodness. Doesn't make sense.
[/quote]



Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem.

There are questions and there are Quest-ions. That is, questions which are a quest in and of themselves.

May Allah ta'ala protect us from waswasa [whisperings] which could emplace shakk [doubt] in the qalb [heart].

Imam ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (ra) in his book, "Isti'dadi Yawm al-Mu'adh" [Preparation for the Day of Return,] mentions in "The Chapter of Fours" (AK: my words:- ) that it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to Abu Dharr (ra) "Repair your ship, for the sea is deep." (NB: This hadith may be da'eef (wallahu a'lam- I am not saying categorically that it is- but because it is referring to fadha'il amal [virtuous actions] the Ulema have traditonally accepted them for this purpose, wallahu a'lam.)

I too have pondered your- and similar- philosophical questions on occasion. And indeed the time passes by in the pontification of such matters in the absence of an answer from those best placed to know. Strive to be one of them, and the rest shall fall into place, wallahu a'lam. Until one is, one will forever be plagued by that which is a means to occupy the time with other than what one's time merits.

Right now I lack the time to provide a detailed exposition- bi'ithnillah- so I will leave you with the reason for why I quoted the above, and insha'Allah you will swallow the wisdom in those words related by the esteemed Imam (ra). I'm not saying there is not an answer, or that there is, for I think that your question raises an issue more important than the question itself. Nor am I castigating you for asking a question which many ask. What I am saying though, is that there are issues in which we cannot proceed unless and until we have an answer, and there are issues which distract us from proceeding even though not knowing the answer to them is not a plausible reason for turning away from Allah (swt). Yet in the kibr [arrogance] of "Yeah but I wanna know!!", we often mistakenly make it so.

Life is short, though we are often veiled to the reality of that by our distance from the imminence of death. Except when death visits us momentarily by touching someone close.

The one who knows what is worthwhile knowing, remembers death often, as the Prophetic hadith enjoins upon us. In that remembrance one realises how little the much that we think we do truly is.

Life contains much by way of distraction, frivolity and wordliness, and all but the intimate of Allah (swt) are able to replace what is beneficial with what is to be left here after we have long departed. Such questions included.

Allah (swt) has a Divine Plan for this Ummah, and for every Muslim within it, and every 'abd' [slave] outside of it. Our journey is to ensure that we acquire this Qadr [pre-decree] in the way which ensures our safe passage from this world to the next.

Many questions come to mind, and the answers are not always forthcoming. For the salik [traveller], he needs to make his load light, so he is unencumbered on his travels towards His Lord (awj). And how many are the questions which when asked become a cause for not turning towards Him (awj), yet all the while, He (swt) is the Only One (swt) who is able to bring sakina [tranquility] to the qulub [hearts].

If the question becomes so burdensome that it displaces the preparation for the akhira, then know that the plan of Shaytaan is coming together.

The truth exists before it's proof, despite it, and in spite of it. Knowing the answer does not change the Reality of this life, and our role within it. Neither does not knowing it. So one can wonder, and wonder, and wander in his/her wondering. But all of that will not change two things: Death and accountability.

Whether you reach satiation on such a question or not, either way you will still attain paradise *only* through the Rahma [Mercy] of the One (awj) about Whom you wonder.

So what is pressing and what can wait?

What needs to be done by the one who realises what he should be doing in the short time s/he has?

Now *that,* is a question. And one worthy of an answer.

Abu Khaled


Re: Why God created man?
Learner
11/07/00 at 16:46:46
slm

Subhanallah that was an awesome reply given by Abu Khaled from the top of his head!!!

Jazakallah khair

wassalaam
Re: Why God created man?
Saleema
11/07/00 at 21:38:14
Assalamoalykum,

Yeah, he's smart isn't he?
:)

Wassalam
Jazakallahukhairun
AbuKhaled
11/08/00 at 13:22:09
My beloved Brother Learner & Sister Saleema,

Wa-alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Wa ya kum. As undeserving as I am of your kind words, jazakallahukhairun to you both for them nonetheless. They warmed me.

We must all always remember that any tawfeeq [success] we are privelege to, is only by the permission of Allah (swt) always, and not through anything we could arrogantly attribute to ourselves. For whatever we are, if it be good, is only down to His (awj) Benevolence towards His (awj) 'abd [slave].

May He (awj) always keep you both in the best of company, amidst the Salihin [righteous/upright], facilitate a path for you in your search for true knowledge, protect you from the waswasa of Shaytaan, never allow the kuffar to shake you in your iman, and ground you with the adab and humility which needs to accompany what He (swt) bequeaths to you by His (awj) tremendous bounties and generosity upon you throughout your lives.

I learn from you both whenever you post, so am in your debt for aiding my Deen, bi'ithnillah ta'ala.

All praise is due to Allah (awj), the Rabb al-'Alameen [Lord of All the Worlds]. May He (awj) send peace, salutations and blessings upon our beloved Nabi (saw), his (saw) family (raa), and Companions (raa), always.

Ma'assalam,

Abu Khaled

Re: Why God created man?
Harisa
11/09/00 at 00:56:27
THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION LIES IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION.....SINCE WE HUMANS LIVE IN THE 3RD DIMENSION WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING IT........
Re: Why God created man?
Saleema
11/09/00 at 08:28:14

THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION LIES IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION.....SINCE WE HUMANS LIVE IN THE 3RD DIMENSION WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING IT........

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww................  I didn't know that Harisa was that smart..........   :)
j/k

wassalam
Re: Why God created man?
se7en
11/09/00 at 14:49:34
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllahi wa barakatuh,

Speaking of dimensions... Br. Mokhtar was speaking at a session for non-Muslims called "Is there life after death", and he mentioned the concept of hyperspace.  Something that people of science believe is that there are universes that escape the grasp of the 4-dimensional laws of the world we live in, called hyperspace.  A world beyond the grasp of the creatures in this one, a world of higher dimensions.  Meaning, the concept of a universe or universes that are beyond our understanding does exist, even in science, so it is not improbable for the non-Muslim to understand the concept of akhira, the hereafter, this place whose laws are beyond our understanding.  There isn't even a way of describing it because any description would be in relation to this world that we know.  Like Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said, the only similarity between the fruits of this world and the fruits of Jannah is the name.  

And then he gave an example of like, flat people, living in this 2-dimensional world that has no concept of height.  Now if something that has more dimensions than 2 comes into that world, what would some flat person think?  They'd probably bug out, think they'd need to go to the flat insane asylum or something.  It's because that occurence, that object that came into that world is beyond the comprehension of the mere 2 dimensional creatures.  Something similar to the angels and the jinn that exist with us, but in these dimensions beyond our grasp.  

It was such an interesting session, I really liked it, and learned so much in that hour, alhamdulillah.  Never even thought of things from that perspective.  

Alhamdulillah, he's an awesome teacher.  Try to get up here for the seminar, you'll learn a lot.

:)

wasalaam.





Re: Why God created man?
Arsalan
11/09/00 at 14:51:03
Cool!


Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author.
The rest © Jannah.Org