By Sheikh Salman Al-Oadah
Allah Almighty says:
The name al-Khāliq (the Creator) appears in the Qur’ān eleven times. For instance:
Allah Almighty says:
Allah Almighty says:
Allah originates the form of each created thing according to His wisdom, knowledge, and mercy. He gives each thing the form it has without need of a pre-existing model.
Allah says:
Creation is the most evident proof of Allah’s greatness and divinity. That He confers life, motion and awareness to inert matter is a sign of His lordship and power. These are among the miracles that no one can deny without exhibiting the crassest obstinacy.
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It is inconceivable that any Muslim would attack a church. It is even more unimaginable that they would do so while there were people in that church, and even more horrific that this would take place during mass, and on Christmas Day, no less.
What happened in Nigeria has nothing whatsoever to do with Islam – not “radical” Islam, not “extremist” Islam, nor any other kind of Islam. There is no interpretation of Islamic teachings, no matter how “radical,” “twisted” or “extreme,” which could possibly justify these horrendous attacks. They are alien to the very essence of Islam that upholds the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of their places of worship.
We condemn these bombings in Nigeria because they are evil, because they are wrong. Our religion teaches us so. We as Muslims cannot stand by and see our religion flagrantly violated and misrepresented by people committing the worst and most atrocious crimes in its name.
Muslims around the world must stand united in our condemnation of what took place and be perfectly clear and frank in what we say. There should be no room left in anyone’s mind for doubt. It must be known that Islam is the religion of truth, of justice, of tolerance, and of the loftiest and most noble values.
Two years ago, in an article entitled “Standing United against Terrorism & al-Qaeda,” we said that it is not enough that we as Muslims simply speak up and condemn terrorist acts:
It is worth repeating here, as we have done in many places on this website, that it is a principle of Islam that civilians – and by civilians we mean all non-combatants – are never ever to be targeted, even in times of war, even on the battlefield when Muslims are being attacked by a belligerent and aggressive enemy.
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Rightly Guided Caliphs who came after him stressed the need to protect the weak and the noncombatants and were very considerate of them.
Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه said:
He also said: “Tell him not kill children or laborers.”
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would say the following words to his troops before sending them into battle:
We wish to extend our condolences to the families, loved ones, and friends of those who died in the recent attacks in Nigeria, and to all the people of Nigeria of all faiths and persuasions who have been touched by sorrow
Allah Almighty says:
Allah is the Creator. He is al-Khāliq, al-Khallāq, and He is Ahsan al-Khāliqīn – “the best of Creators.”هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُHe is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[Sūrah al-Hashr 59:24]
The name al-Khāliq (the Creator) appears in the Qur’ān eleven times. For instance:
The more emphatic term al-Khallāq appears twice in the Qur’an:اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌAllah is the Creator of all things.
[Sūrah al-Zumar 39:62]
And:وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَSurely your Lord is the Creator of All Things, the All-Knowing.
[Sūrah al-Hijr 15:87]
The Qur’ān also refers to Allah as “the best of creators.” This is seen in two places. The first is:أَوَلَيْسَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُم بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ الْخَلَّاقُ الْعَلِيمُIs not He Who created the heavens and the Earth able to create the like of them? Yea! and He is the Creator of All Things, the All-Knowing.
[Sūrah YāSīn 36:81]
The second place is where Elias exclaims to his people:ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَThen We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators.
[Sūrah al-Mu’minūn 23:14]
Everything in the universe is Allah’s creation, and it attests by its very existence to its Creator, its Lord and Sustainer. Everything we see around us is proof of Allah’s existence.أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ الْخَالِقِينَاللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَWhat! Do you call upon Ba’al and forsake the best of the creators – Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers?
[Sūrah al-Sāffāt 37:125-126]
Allah Almighty says:
This, in turn, attests to the fact that Allah alone deserves our worship. Allah says:إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِالَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِBehold! In the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the alternation of night and day are indeed Signs for people of understanding – those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the Earth, saying: “Our Lord! You have not created this in vain! Glory be to You. Save us then from the chastisement of the fire.”[Sūrah Āl Imrān 3:190-191]
Allah also says:هَٰذَا خَلْقُ اللَّهِ فَأَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقَ الَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ بَلِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍThis is the Creation of Allah. Now show me that which those (you worship) beside Him have created. Nay, but the wrong-doers are in manifest error!
[Sūrah Luqmān 31:11]
Two Related Names: al-Bāri’ & al-Musawwirقُلْ أَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقُوا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ أَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْكٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ ائْتُونِي بِكِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ هَٰذَا أَوْ أَثَارَةٍ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَSay (O Muhammad): “Have you considered what you call upon besides Allah? Show me what they have created of the Earth, or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a book before this or traces of knowledge, if you are truthful.”
[Sūrah al-Ahqāf 46:4]
Allah Almighty says:
Al-Khāliq (the Creator), al-Bāri` (the Maker), al-Musawwir (the Fashioner) are three of Allah’s name that are mentioned together in this verse. When these three names are mentioned together, each of them conveys a specific meaning. Here, the attribute of creation refers specifically to Allah’s determination of what He creates, so it comes first. The name al-Bārī’ (the maker) refers to the creative act of bringing about what Allah wills to create. Finally the name al-Musawwir (the Fashioner) refers to giving each created thing its particular form. So Allah decrees what He creates, brings it into existence, and specifies its particular, unique form.هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُHe is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[Sūrah al-Hashr 59:24]
Allah originates the form of each created thing according to His wisdom, knowledge, and mercy. He gives each thing the form it has without need of a pre-existing model.
Allah says:
Allah also says:لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍIndeed, We have created the human being upon the best of forms.
[Sūrah al-Tīn: 95:4]
And:هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُHe it is who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise.
[Sūrah Āl `Imrān 3:6]
These three actions – creation, making, and fashioning – manifest themselves in created things sequentially, the last of which is the fashioning of the form, which gradually comes to completion. We can see this in the growth of a plant from a seed and in the growth of an animal from an embryo.وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْWe created you then fashioned you.
[Sūrah al-A’rāf 7:11]
Creation is the most evident proof of Allah’s greatness and divinity. That He confers life, motion and awareness to inert matter is a sign of His lordship and power. These are among the miracles that no one can deny without exhibiting the crassest obstinacy.
Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:34 PM PST
Allah Almighty says:
Our Lord makes it clear in the Qur’an that these places “where Allah is much mentioned” – churches, synagogues, and mosques – are places we as Muslims are supposed to not only respect, but protect and defend.وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌAnd were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
[Surah al-Hajj 22:40]
It is inconceivable that any Muslim would attack a church. It is even more unimaginable that they would do so while there were people in that church, and even more horrific that this would take place during mass, and on Christmas Day, no less.
What happened in Nigeria has nothing whatsoever to do with Islam – not “radical” Islam, not “extremist” Islam, nor any other kind of Islam. There is no interpretation of Islamic teachings, no matter how “radical,” “twisted” or “extreme,” which could possibly justify these horrendous attacks. They are alien to the very essence of Islam that upholds the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of their places of worship.
We condemn these bombings in Nigeria because they are evil, because they are wrong. Our religion teaches us so. We as Muslims cannot stand by and see our religion flagrantly violated and misrepresented by people committing the worst and most atrocious crimes in its name.
Muslims around the world must stand united in our condemnation of what took place and be perfectly clear and frank in what we say. There should be no room left in anyone’s mind for doubt. It must be known that Islam is the religion of truth, of justice, of tolerance, and of the loftiest and most noble values.
Two years ago, in an article entitled “Standing United against Terrorism & al-Qaeda,” we said that it is not enough that we as Muslims simply speak up and condemn terrorist acts:
Things have gone farther than that. A crisis has rent the intellectual and cultural fabric of our society. Therefore, I appeal to myself and to my fellow preachers to condemn this great evil in the clearest and most unambiguous terms, an evil which is causing bloodshed, destroying society, and blackening Islam’s good name. It is also hampering our development, bringing ruin to our countries, inciting transgression against human life, while violating both the tenets of Islam and the dictates of basic human values.We also made it clear that we need to stop bringing up Muslim grievances when discussing these atrocities against humanity:
We must take care not to confuse our message by discussing other wrongdoings at the same time we discuss this matter, tying them in with each other. Some ignorant people might claim that we are justifying those atrocities or seeking an excuse for them.We repeat these warnings here, since we need to heed them now more than ever. We must not rest until terrorist acts stop being perpetrated in the name of Islam. They are alien to Islamic teachings, and we as Muslim are responsible to do whatever we can to make sure they never happen again.
It is worth repeating here, as we have done in many places on this website, that it is a principle of Islam that civilians – and by civilians we mean all non-combatants – are never ever to be targeted, even in times of war, even on the battlefield when Muslims are being attacked by a belligerent and aggressive enemy.
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Rightly Guided Caliphs who came after him stressed the need to protect the weak and the noncombatants and were very considerate of them.
Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه said:
When Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم heard that a woman from the enemy side had been killed on the battlefield, he became angry and said: “She should not have been attacked!” Khālid b. al-Walīd was leading the forces, so he dispatched a man to him saying: “Tell Khālid not to kill women or laborers.”وُجِدَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مَقْتُولَةً فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَنَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ قَتْلِ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِI saw the body of a slain woman during one of the battles of the Prophet, so he forbade the killing of women and children.
[Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 257]
He also said: “Tell him not kill children or laborers.”
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would say the following words to his troops before sending them into battle:
These were our Prophet’s teachings when the Muslims were vulnerable, under attack and defending themselves against an enemy army that wanted to wipe them out. Therefore, there is never any excuse to attack innocent people. There is never any justification.انْطَلِقُوا بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ وَبِاللَّهِ وَعَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ تَقْتُلُوا شَيْخًا فَانِيًا وَلاَ طِفْلاً وَلاَ صَغِيرًا وَلاَ امْرَأَةً وَلاَ تَغُلُّوا وَضُمُّوا غَنَائِمَكُمْ وَأَصْلِحُوا وَأَحْسِنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ Go forward in the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah. Do not kill an elderly person, nor a small child, nor a woman, and do not exceed bounds or steal. And reconcile and do good, for indeed, Allah loves those who do good.
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Book 14, Number 2608]
We wish to extend our condolences to the families, loved ones, and friends of those who died in the recent attacks in Nigeria, and to all the people of Nigeria of all faiths and persuasions who have been touched by sorrow
