ISLAMIC BELIEFS English Translation of Shaykhut Tafseer Allama Muhammad Idris Saheb Kandhlavi (Rahmatullahi Alayh)'s AQAA'IDUL ISLAM Translated and Prepared by Madrassa In'aamiyyah Camperdown, South Africa FORWARD: All praise in reality is only for Allaah. We laud Him and beseech His aid and beg forgiveness from only Him and believe in Him and rely solely on Him. We seek salvation in Him from the evils of our inner selves and the vices of our actions. There is none to misguide one whom Allaah intends to guide and there is none to guide whom Allaah intends to mislead. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship only Allaah, the One who has no partner. I also testify that Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallahu Alahyi Wassalam) is the faithful servant and the Last Rasul of Allaah. May Allaah Ta'ala's mercy be on him, his family and his Sahabaah (Radia Allahu Anhum Ajmaeen) and may He bless them and raise their status. In this age of trials and tribulations, every so often, one hears and reads about a new unheard of fabricated belief floating around or denial of a standard belief of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. Furthermore, due to our world becoming a global village because of the latest advanced communications system at large, there erroneous and fallacious beliefs circulate viciously and rapidly. We have translated, "Aqaaidul Islaam", of Hadhrat Moulana Idris Khandhelvi (A.R), who was a senior authority in Darul Uloom Deoband for many years. He wrote extensively on most aspects of Islaam. Later he migrated to Lahore. Thus in this book, the original (Beliefs) of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat have been listed and explained. It is essential for every Muslim to have valid, reliable and authentic beliefs in conformity to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. We have commenced verbal commentary of this book. We earnestly request readers to make duaa that Allaah Ta'ala accepts us for his Deen. A. H. Elias (Mufti) 1421/ 2001 AQAA'ID RELATING TO THE BEING AND QUALITIES OF ALLAH TA'ALA Allaah Ta`ala, with His ever-existent Being and Qualities is existent by Himself. Besides Him every other thing came into existence by His doing. By His creation every other thing came into being from non-existence into existence. The reason for calling Allaah Ta'ala, 'Khuda' is because He is there by Himself ('Khud Ba Khud'- Urdu). His Being is Himself. Besides His Being and Qualities, every other thing in the universe is newly created, from non-existence into existence. 1. It is for this reason that no thing in the universe remains in one state. It is clear from the fact that these things are targets for changes and alterations and things are on course in disintegrating, disappearing and appearing, this proves that this universe is not existent by itself. In fact its existence and bringing into creation is the work of another Being. Hence, that Great Being, Who is responsible for bringing everything into existence, and Who is the Owner thereof, is the One we call Allaah, Khuda and Owner of the universe. The original and real Owner is He Alone, in Whose Majestic control is the existence of the entire universe. Understand well that He is the real Owner, the Owner of creation. That one who is not the owner of creation cannot be the real owner. 2. Also, whatever one's sight falls upon from the things in this universe, it has the effects of dependancy, insignificance, lowness and helplessness. This will affirm that nothing in this universe is existent by itself. If anything was existent by itself then it would be 'Khuda', and it would not be dependant upon anything. 3. Allama Ahmed Bin Miskoyah mentions in his Kitaab, "Alfawzul Asghar": If you look at anything from the sky down to the earth, you will not find nothing that is free from movement (i.e. it is stagnant). There are six types of movements; movement of existence (movement within itself), a troubled movement, a movement of growth, a destructive movement, a changing movement and a movement of place. These things can also be seen by the eye, that all movements are not the same. From this we gather that the movement of anything is not by virtue of itself or choice, in fact it is administered thereupon, by something that is separate from its being. Hence the real Administrator, by whose actions all these movements occur, is 'Khuda' (Allaah Ta'ala), who through the means of this 'puppet show' displays and exhibits His Absolute Power and Control. A REFUTATION TO THE DENIERS OF ALLAH TA'ALA (ATHEISTS) It is a well known historical fact that since the beginning of creation until present times, almost every person accepted the existence of a Creator. (Almost) Every religion, creed and community are unanimous on this fact that there exists a Creator. And that He had created this universe by His Choice and Will. The group that believes in matter (that everything came into existence by itself), who are also known as atheists, refute and reject the existence of a Creator. They claim that there is no reality and truth in the existence of Allaah. They claim that the existence of a Creator is restricted to the minds of man, who had made this up. They claim that man has unnecessarily transferred the control of their actions, speech and conditions, in fact the creation of the entire universe to a supposed Being (Nauthoobillah!). They say that it is unnecessary for man to believe in a Great Being. They say that man has resorted to believing in a Super Being due to his fear of the natural occurrences in the universe. They say that there is no necessity to believe in a Creator, simply because of the changes and occurrences that take place in the universe. They say that matter is also existent from time immemorial, and so is its movement and changes. By saying matter they refer to the smallest particles known to man which are called microbes and atoms, etc. They claim that regular changes occur in these micro-particles and over time they give rise to things which make up this universe. Recent (scientific) research has shown that both the celestial and earthly things that exist in the universe, are essentially constructed from two constituents; matter and its movements. Both these were always existent and they are inextricable. One cannot exist without the other, just like a result is effected by the cause without its choice or intention, so too did this entire universe come into existence. The sky, earth, stars, trees, planets, vegetation, etc., etc. all came into being owing to matter and its movements. For this reason they claim that they do not have to believe in a Creator, nor do have a need for one. They thereby free themselves from (what they believe to be) the clutches and restrictions of adhering to any religion. They do not believe in a Creator and they firmly accept that matter and its resultant effects are the cause of the existence of this universe. This, then is the claim of the atheists which you have just read, which besides their imagination and estimation amounts to nothing else. It is a completely haughty and arrogant claim, which comprises of absolutely no solid proof. We, the worshippers of a Creator, say to the atheists that their reasoning for the existence of this universe is nothing else besides an empty claim and fancy imagination. They do not have a shred of evidence for their claim, and we have not found any success in understanding the crux of the matter ( by their explanations) as to how this universe came into existence. We would like td know this, that whatever exists in this universe, all the wonderful and strange occurrences that take place with all their secrets and mysteries, which even the experts of science and research cannot fathom - who brought all this and how did all this come into existence? Give us the exact cause for all these effects to take place. One group says this that the perfect administration and regulation of this universe, speaks for itself, by testifying that our Creator and 'Supervisor' is an extremely Knowledgeable, Wise, Powerful and Mighty Being. The atheists claim that this universe is the result of matter and its coincidental and accidental movements. They also acknowledge that matter is deaf, dumb, blind and without any sensory perception. It (matter) cannot speak, hear, see or think. No action of it is done by its own intention or design. It has no knowledge of planning or designing. Matter is also not bound to any fixed system or strategy. And yet this entire universe with all its beauty and perfect system came into existence by itself?!? The atheists have taken the deaf, dumb and blind matter as their creator of this universe. They grovel at the feet of an insensitive thing and worship it although they do not call it their god. The worshippers of A Creator say that to accept matter and its coincidental and accidental movements as the result of the existence of this universe is as follows: THE EXAMPLE OF A BEAUTIFULLY PENNED BOOK For example if a person looks at a book which is beautifully penned, i.e. the calligraphy and contents of this book is extremely beautiful and eloquent, and this person says that all this is not the work of an experienced and expert author and calligrapher, but rather it is the result of ink and its coincidental and accidental movements. THE EXAMPLE OF A ROYAL PALACE If a person looks at a beautiful palace, which has numerous spacious and impressive rooms, the carpets and light fittings are extremely beautiful, the springs and fountains that grace the gardens are equally as beautiful, and this person says that all this is not the work of an expert engineer and builders, but rather it is the result of the coincidental and accidental mixing of sand and water. This mixture of sand and water gave rise to this beautiful structure, its beautiful interior and lovely garden, all of which came there by themselves. Which person who has any intelligence would accept such drivel? Anyone who talks in this fashion would surely be classified insane. THE EXAMPLE OF A WATCH If one looks at a watch and one observes all the intricate parts thereof, and when one takes note of the accurateness which its movements take place and how it functions so meticulously, then one naturally comes to the conclusion that this is the result and the work of an expert watch- maker. If someone claims that a blind, deaf and dumb person, who has no knowledge or understanding of watch-making, is the one who constructed this watch, then any intelligent human will never accept this statement. Alternatively, if one claims that a watch is not the work of an expert watch-maker, but that it is the result of the coincidental and accidental movements of matter which gave rise to this form of a watch, and then after further movements of this matter, all the intricacies of the watch was formed, and then all these parts got together by themselves and started functioning, and it gives accurate time. Any listener to this type of drivel will have no other alternative but to burst out laughing. Which intelligent person can accept that this entire universe with all its intricacies and wonders is the result of the blind and accidental movements of matter? Our question to you is the following: 'According to you, all this variety and objects (in the universe), are all new, because they were all nonexistent previously and then they came into existence later (as science has proven). This then is the reality of a new thing. So if the reason for the existence of this new variety is the ever -existent matter, and its constant and continuous movements, then it follows that all this variety and objects also have to be ever -existent, because since the reason is ever-existent, then the result should also be ever-existent. Yes, if you say that all this variety and objects came about by the choice and intention of matter, then we can say that the resultant effect by the choice of an ever-existent thing is something that is newly created and was never present. However, even you concede that matter does not have any life or senses. So how can all this (universe and its constituents) be newly created? In short, no rational and intelligent mind can accept that a lifeless thing such as matter which has no senses, is responsible for the creation of this entire universe and all its wonders, and that this system will continue for always. THE EXAMPLE OF PLACE When one looks at a space, then without any deep contemplation, one will come to this conclusion that there MUST be a Creator for all this. Will one not come to this definite conclusion that the Creator of this space whose floor is the earth and ceiling the sky, is a Most Powerful, Knowledgeable, All-Knowing and Wise Being? The question now remains that who is this Creator and where is He? It will be very foolish and asinine to aver that one cannot believe merely because one cannot see. Seeing is not a condition for believing. Everyone accepts the existence of the mind and soul, but to date no one has ever seen the mind or soul with their naked eye. Not seeing something does not negate its existence. The mind issues a decree behind its veil, and people bow down to this order with heads lowered. Nobody ever says that since we have not seen the mind we cannot accept any of its orders. Scientists must tell us if they ever witnessed matter and its movements, (which according to them is the reason for this entire creation). They have never done so nor will they ever do so. They claim that since they cannot see a thing they will not believe therein. Where then is this principle of theirs, whereby they deny the existence of Allaah Ta'ala. It is due to these type of principles that they deny the existence of the Aakhiraat (Hereafter), and they have no proof for this denial. Those people who are besotted with the acceptance of (only) the visible and perceptible, and are not acquainted with insight and contemplation, believe that nothing can be created without other things. Just like how one human being cannot be born except through another human being or one animal through the medium of another. In the same way they feel that this universe came into existence because of the interaction of matter and not that it was created from total non- existence. This contention is completely incorrect. These people have based their reasoning and rationale of Allaah Ta'ala on that of human beings, in that just as a carpenter or a potter is dependant upon wood and clay respectively, in order to make furniture or pottery, so too, Nauthubillaah, is Allaah Ta 'ala dependant upon matter for the bringing into existence of this universe. These people also accept that the non-static and constantly changing things of this universe, like figures, lines, embellishments, designs and decorations are not the product of any (solid) thing (matter), in fact, they are things which have come into existence from a state of nonexistence. So if these things have come into existence without the interference of man and they are created without the medium of matter, then why is it that they cannot accept that the Beauty and Being of Allaah Ta 'ala is Ever-Existent and will always be in Existence? We now understand that this concept that anything that is existent must be created from something else that is also existent is Baatil (rejected). It is for this reason that to create and bring into existence is the Special Quality of Allaah Ta'ala. To create a thing would mean to bring it into existence from non-existence. This entire universe was first non-existent and then with the Word from Allaah Ta'ala, "Kun" (Be), it came into existence. This is the Power of Allaah Ta'ala that He brings into existence without any means. ANECDOTE #1 Once a group of atheists came to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullahi alaih) with the intention of killing him. Imaam Saheb asked them what they would say about a person who claims that he sees a ship laden with goods sailing on the sea, and it takes the goods from one end to another. This ship navigates the waves perfectly and there is no sailor (captain) to steer the ship. The goods get loaded on and off the ship by itself. They replied that this is such a nonsensical contention that no sane human would accept it. Imaam Saheb told them : "Pity upon your intelligence. If a ship cannot sail and operate without a sailor, how can this entire universe operate without an operator?" Upon hearing this all of them were embarrassed and they repented and accepted Islaam at Imaam Saheb's hands. ANECDOTE #2 Someone once asked Hadhrat Imaam Maalik (rahmatullahi alaih) for the proof of a Creator. He replied by indicating towards the face and said that the face of man is small, and yet it consists of eyes, nose, ears, tongue, cheeks, lips, etc., etc. Notwithstanding this, no two persons faces are the same. The voices, mannerisms, habits, etc. of each person is unique. In short, the fact that every person's features and profiles are not alike, nor are }heir voices, tones, habits and characters alike, proves that all this is definitely the work of a Supreme Creator, Who has blessed each person with his/her own uniqueness, which differs from others. This can never be the work of insensitive matter or molecules. ANECDOTE #3 An atheist asked Imaam Shaafi (rahmatullahi alaih) for the proof of a Creator. He said that one must look at the leaves of a mulberry tree. The taste, colour, and smell of all of them are alike, but when a silk-worm eats therefrom, then silk is produced and when a bee eats therefrom, then honey is made and when a sheep eats therefrom, then it ejects it as droppings and if a deer eats therefrom, then it produces musk. All this different things are made from one and the same source. It is obvious that all these different products are the result of an AllKnowing, Most Powerful Creator. These are certainly not the result of 'natural' occurrences. If it were, then the result would have all been the same. AQEEDAH #2 Allaah Ta'ala is one. None is His partner or equal, because a partnership is a deficiency and Allaah Ta 'ala is free from all faults. Also, a partnership is desirable when one is incapable or not self-sufficient, and this is a fault. This would be the antithesis of Divine Existence. And since, HE is independent and capable, then the need for a partner would be superfluous and in vain, and whatever is in vain and wasteful is NOT Allaah Ta 'ala. Hence, in order to establish and accept a partnership, one has to accept that one of the partners (on his own) is insufficient and incapable. This is the negation of Divinity. In short, we understand that (in this case) by trying to prove a partnership, the opposite is being achieved. Hence, we accept that for Allaah Ta'ala to have a partnership is impossible. Now, when we have established that Allaah Ta' ala has no partner, then it follows that He has no son, daughter, parents or any other being similar to HIM either. For example, if we accept that Zaid is the son of his father, then although father and son may not look alike, nevertheless, we will still say that Zaid has a connection with the human species. So, if it is said that Allaah Ta' ala has a son, then one has to accept that this son is also divine and has a connection with a Divine Being. Then this son would also be a Allaah like our Allaah (Nauthubillah!). It is for this reason that Allaah Ta 'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed: "Pure and free is HE (Allaah), from that He has a son." AQEEDAH #3 Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala is Ever-existent and Eternal, i.e. neither does He have any beginning nor end. He is purely eternal. "He is The First and the Last", Besides Him there is NO other thing which can be established to be ever-existent and eternal. Imaam Ghazali (rahmatullahi alaih) has denounced the claim of those people who aver that matter, features, intelligence and the sky are everexistent. The fact of the matter is this that besides Allaah Ta'ala, nothing else is eternal, because nothing in the universe (besides Allaah Ta'ala) is free from any fault or flaw. Matter is completely deaf, dumb and blind. The soul (of man), besides its name, nothing else is known about it (to man). Knowledge and perception of the soul is unattainable (by man), hence a thing which is unattainable and of which one has no knowledge, cannot be eternal or ever- existent. If the soul was ever-existent, by itself, then calamities, difficulties, pain, sorrows and grief would most certainly never have affected it. Even a dim-witted person would understand that how can pain and difficulties ever affect a thing which is everexistent, since all these things are new and were created later. Everything in the universe was created by Allaah Rabbul Izzat. AQEEDAH #4 Life, knowledge, power, intention, hearing, seeing, speaking and creation, are all the perfect and complete Attributes and Qualities of Allaah Ta 'ala. That is, HE is Alive, Intelligent, has full Power and full choice. Whatever He does, is by His choice. He is All Knowing and Most Knowledgeable. There is no atom or speck in this universe that is outside His knowledge, control or hidden from Him. He listens to every thing's voice and call, whether it is in the heavens or the earth. He even hears the sound of the movements of the smallest ant that moves beneath the seven earths. He hears the sound of the entire universe at one and the same time. The sound of one thing does not overcome or interrupt the sound of another, in HIS hearing. He sees everything in the universe at one and the same time. No screen or darkness can ever separate HIS sight from it. He can speak and is not dumb. He is THE Creator, i.e. He has the ability and quality to create and bring things into existence. Whoever HE wishes He gives life and whoever He wishes He gives death. To bestow honour or to disgrace is totally in HIS Control. All these complete and perfect Qualities belong to Allaah Ta'ala ALONE, and it is for this reason that all the strange and wonderful things in this universe bear testimony to HIM. It is clear that all the creation is not the work and craftsmanship of a some dead, ignorant and incapable thing, rather it is all the work of A Being that is Alive, Knowledgeable, Powerful and Most Wise. These qualities (life, knowledge, power, intention, hearing, seeing, speech, creation) are also present in the creation. According to all intellectuals these qualities (in man) are perfect. So, if these qualities were not perfect in the Creator, then how could it ever be in the creation? Allaah Ta 'ala has placed a sign of these perfect qualities in man so that when he reflects upon himself then he will recognise his Creator. He will realise that these perfect qualities that are found within himself are merely a reflection of the perfection of Allaah Ta' ala. In actual fact, the qualities that are found in man are not even comparable to those found in Allaah Ta'ala. The similarity is confined to the words. NOTE: One should know that there are two types of qualities: The first type is intrinsic (Zaatia) and the second the practical form (Fe'lia). The intrinsic qualities (Sifaat-e-Zaatia) are those that cannot exist together with their opposites in one being, for example, knowledge and power. Allaah Ta'ala has theses to qualities in Him, and He does not have their opposite qualities, which are ignorance and weakness. That is, Nauthubillah, we will never say that Allaah Ta 'ala is dead, ignorant, weak, helpless, deaf, blind and dumb, because death, ignorance, etc. are all faults and shortcomings, of which the Being of Allaah Ta'ala is free and pure. The practical form of qualities are those qualities, which do exist in a being with their opposites, and they are in relation to others (i.e. their connection is with other things besides the Being in which they exist). For example, to give life and death, to bestow honour and disgrace, to grant sustenance and not'to, etc. Such qualities are called Sifaat-e-Fe'lia. Where a Being can be described as having both the opposites at the same time, then this Sifaat- e-Fe'lia is included in the Sifat-e-Takweeni (quality of creation). It is as though the quality of creation is the summary of all this (Sifaat-e-Fe'lia), and they are its exegesis. If Allaah Ta 'ala did not have this quality of creation, then this entire universe and all its beauties, intricacies and wonders would not have come into existence. Allaah Ta'ala says: "Indeed HIS order (is such that) when HE intends a thing, He (merely) says 'Be' and it is. Allaah Ta 'ala is not in need of any raw materials and products. Takween means to create merely by the use of the word "Be". AQEEDAH # 5 Allaah Ta 'ala is knowledgeable in every group and individual. There is not a single particle that exists in the skies or the earths that is beyond His Knowledge. It follows that since Allaah Ta 'ala has created everything, He must necessarily be aware of it all. It is not possible that the creator of a thing is unaware of its existence. "Do they know who has created? It is the Most Subtle and All-Knowing" Some unfortunate and stupid people (philosophers, etc.) are such that they do not accept that Allaah Ta' ala is aware of everything and yet they understand their own stupidity to be perfect thinking. The quality of Knowledge: This is an eternal and all-encompassing quality of Allaah Azza Wa ) all. He is fully aware of the various conditions and opposing factors of everything in the universe at one and the same time. His knowledge encompasses every aspect of the universe. At any given moment He knows whether Zaid is alive or nonexistent, sick or healthy, honourable or disgraced, etc., etc. Since time immemorial until eternity, His Knowledge is so all-encompassing that there never is, was or will be even the slightest change or adulteration. When a person can identify at one and the same time the different types and conditions of a word, that is at any given time one can identify whether a word is a noun or verb or conjunction, whether it is a three-letter word or a four letter word, whether it is a declinable or non-declinable word, etc., etc. When a person can identify in detail the condition and type of one word at the same time, then can it ever be possible that the Most Knowledgeable, All-Knowing, All- Encompassing not know about the various different conditions and specifications of the entire universe at one and the same time? Nothing of the future and past, and every other aspect of time and place, is out of the quality of Allaah Ta' ala. His quality of Knowledge in unlimited. Everything in the Knowledge of Allaah Ta'ala is encompassed all the time. AQEEDAH # 6 Allaah Ta'ala is Omnipotent. He is free from being forced or coerced (into doing any act). Imaam Rabbaani (rahmatullahi alaih) has mentioned that the philosophers, due to their stupidity and ignorance, have understood the need for consent and to be forced as a sign of perfection and have negated the intervention of Allaah Ta'ala (in the creation of things). These idiots have taken the Ever-Existent to be useless and ineffectual. They have attributed the creation of things to something other than Allaah Ta'ala, which is merely a figment of their imagination. They have no relation to the Being of Allaah-Ta' aia. Hence at the time of difficulty and adversities, these ignoramuses should seek refuge in their imaginary creator, and not turn to Allaah Ta 'ala. They have not linked and related the first creation of the universe to Allaah Ta 'ala. According to them, Allaah Ta'ala does not have a choice in actions, in fact they believe Him to be subservient to asking for consent and force. They believe that HE does not have the ability to ward off calamities, hence their asking Him for help would be futile and of no benefit. This deviant group (philosophers) belie, deny, mock and scoff at the Divine revelations. When the message of the Nabuwwat of Hadhrat Isaa (alaihi salaam) reached Plato, who was the leader of the philosophers, he commented: "We are a nation that is guided, we have no need for a guide (or teacher)." This idiot should have gone and met Hadhrat Isaa (alaihi salaam) and witnessed first-hand how he (with the Order of Allaah Ta'ala) used to make the dead alive, cure the born blind and lepers. Plato made this statement without any investigations into the personality of Hadhrat Isaa (alaihi salaam). This proves his pride and arrogance. AOEEDAH # 7 Just as all the elements, like jewels, organs, bodies, brains, skies, earths, stars, planets, etc. were created by The MostPowerful, and all of them were brought from non-existence into existence, so too, was their effects, specialities and qualities, brought from non- existence into existence. If anything is wide, then it is owing to His creation. If some thing is made up of different constituents, then also it is owing to His creation. If any element is hot, then it is so owing to His command and if any element is cold then it is so owing to His creation. Just like how fire and water are bestowed by Him, the heat in fire and the coolness in water are all owing to His creation. Nothing can be hot or cold merely on its own doing. In short, the being and qualities and their specialities of everything is only possible through Allaah Ta 'ala. Just as Allaah Ta'ala is the Master of the creation of the elements, i.e., that when He desires He brings it onto existence, so too, is He the Master of the specialities and qualities of these elements. When He desires then He may remove the quality of an element. For example, If He wishes to remove the quality of heat from fire for any special and chosen servant of His, then He has the ability to do it. He has full control of creating the ability of heat in fire or to remove that same quality. The quality, ability and speciality of everything is created by only Him. It is not that Allaah Ta'ala created the fire and the quality of heat came on its own in fire. In fact, He is responsible for creating this quality in the fire. It is not that Allaah Ta'ala created man and the qualities of discernment and senses came about in man on their own. These qualities in man are also the creation of Allaah Ta'ala. All these qualities are completely subservient to the Will and Command of Allaah Ta'ala. It projects neither too much nor too little, but rather in exactly the required amount desired by Allaah Ta'ala. If Allaah Ta'ala wills, fire will burn, otherwise not. Just as the creation of the qualities of everything is dependant upon the Will and creation of Allaah Ta'ala, so too is their existence and continuity. As long as Allaah Ta'ala desires the quality of thing lasts, it will do so. When He decides it to be removed, it will be removed. Just as an intelligent person sees the reaction of any mineral, and he intelligently concludes that the resultant effect of this mineral was not due to its own doing but rather it was due to its reaction with another, similarly, any intelligent and wise person, when he sees all the occurrences and movements of the universe will naturally conclude that all this is not occurring on its own, but rather it is done through the intervention and creation of some Doer. All these occurrences are in actual fact a concealment of the actual Creator. AOEEDAH # 8 Allaah Ta'ala is the creator of good and evil, as well. Whilst He has created both, He prefers the good over the evil. Darkness and light, cleanliness and filth, angels and devils, pious and impious, all are His creations. He prefers the pious (good) over the impious (bad). There is a very fine line of difference between (having a) choice and (Divine) pleasure, to which He has guided the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. All the other sects have not recognised this difference and they have been led into deviation. AQEEDAH # 9 Just as Allaah Ta'ala is the creator of human beings, so too is He is the Creator of their characters, habits, qualities and actions. These actions, be they good or bad, are all in the Taqdeer, control and knowledge of Allaah Ta'ala. Nevertheless, He is pleased with good and displeased with evil. One must remember this and remember well, that to attribute only evil to Allaah Ta 'ala is contrary to respect and etiquette. It is inappropriate to (only) say that Allaah Ta 'ala is the Creator of evil, it will be more befitting to say that He is the Creator of good and evil. One should say that Allaah Ta'ala is the Creator of everything. One should never (only) say that Allaah Ta 'ala is the Creator of filth and pigs, etc. It is wholly disrespectful and sacrilegious to attribute such things (alone) to Allaah Ta'ala, Who is a Pure Being. In short, just as the servants are the creation of Allaah Ta 'ala, so too are their actions the creation of Allaah Ta 'ala. However, some actions of man are voluntary, which come into being with the order of Allaah Ta 'ala, and others are involuntary, which occur without man's intention or will, and without his intervention, like the hand of a person who shakes from shaking palsy. In this shaking there is no intention, nor desire of the person for it, hence this is known as an involuntary action. When the doer desires for an action and he initiates it, then it is known as a. voluntary action, for example, when one stretches the hand to make musafaha (handshake), or one lifts his hand to strike someone out of anger. These are voluntary actions. Just like how a person sees with the eyes given to him by Allaah Ta'ala, and he hears with the ears given to him by Allaah Ta'ala, so too does he carry out actions by the power and ability given to him by Allaah Ta'ala. All these actions of man, although they are created by Allaah ta'ala, and they come into existence by His Will and Decree, however, since they are voluntary by man, and through these actions he carries out good actions, therefore he is compensated for it. If he does any evil action, then he will be punished for it. The Mu'tazilas and Qadarias (deviant sects), hold this belief, that man has the full control of his actions and man is the creator of the same. The Jabaria (another deviant sect) hold this belief, that man has absolutely no control of his actions, whatever man does is not out of his own choice, just like how the movements of a tree or stone occur, so too do the actions of man. Hence, their belief is that man will not be taken to task or punished for any evil actions, but he will be compensated for good actions. According to them the sinners and the Kuffaar are all excusable and they will not be questioned. The Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaat say that both these beliefs are wrong and incorrect. The belief of the Qadarias and Mu'tazilas is incorrect because man does not have the ability to create his own actions. It is impossible for man to, bring a non-existent thing into existence. Also, the Pure Being of Allaah Ta 'ala, Who has no partner is also free from this that there can be partners to His exclusive Quality of creating. He Alone has the quality of creation. As Allaah ta'ala says: "Do they ascribe partners to Allaah, that they (can) create like how He creates. They are equating the creation to Him, Say! Allaah is the Creator of everything. He is One, Most Powerful." The helplessness of man is such that he cannot even utter the letter `meem' from the throat or the letter 'ain' from the lips. With such a profound debility, how can the quality of creation be attributed to man? The belief of the Jabaria is incorrect because it is contrary to common sense and logic. Therefore, all intellectuals are unanimous on this point that actions are of two categories; voluntary and involuntary. They also agree on this point that whoever carries out a voluntary good action, he will receive a reward, and whoever carries out a voluntary evil action, should be punished. The Jabaria sect oppose this differentiation and categorisation of actions. According to them all actions are involuntary and no action is voluntary. The trustworthy, protectors and protagonists of any land are rewarded and the rebels are imprisoned and punished. The thieves and evil people are imprisoned for a while and have to undergo a trail of suffering. If there was no system of reward or punishment in this world for good and evil actions then this world would have been absolutely destroyed and devastated long ago. When this system of rewarding the good and punishing the evil is acceptable and commended as being justice by the temporary governments of this world, then how come there is a doubt and objection to this system with regard to Allaah Ta'ala, Who is the Best Judge amongst judges. If a thief is caught stealing and he offers. he following excuse that he was forced to commit the crime and it was an involuntary actions on his part, then he will be told that he is lying and if he was forced, then how come he left his home? Can we say that it is an involuntary action to come out at night and break someone's lock or break down his door? If man can be subservient to the temporary justice of man, how can he not be subservient to the eternal and perfect Justice of Allaah Ta'ala? The Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat say that these two views, that man is completely in control and that he is completely helpless, are unacceptable and incorrect, and they are contrary to common sense and logic. He Straight Path is the one that goes between the excesses. That is that man is neither completely in control (of his actions) nor is he completely helpless, in fact we are in between being forced and having full choice. Logically as well, this is the Truth, because the view of the Jabaria that man is completely helpless and incapable of intention and choice, is contrary to common sense and real life. who does not know that man has the quality of choice and intention? Every person knows that his/her actions are not like that of a stone. The movements of a stone are done without its choice and intervention, whereas man has a choice and intention in his/ her actions. Now that it is established that man has choice and intention, then there are now two possibilities. Either this choice is fixed and unshakeable or it is fixed to only this level that Allaah Ta'ala's Will has no play in a person's kufr and Imaan. This is the Mazhab of the Qadarias. The second possibility is this that man has choice and intention. But this intention and choice is not fixed and firm, rather it is subservient to the Desire and Will of Allaah Ta 'ala. This is the Mazhab of the Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat. Logically and rationally, this is the truth. Because for a person to have such full and fixed control over his choice, that is not subservient to Allaah Ta 'ala, is impossible. When the mere existence, qualities and character of man is not fixed but completely subservient to the Will and Desire of Allaah Ta 'ala, then how can the quality of power and choice be fixed in man? Allaah Ta'ala says: "And you do not desire, except that which Allaah Ta 'ala, Rabbul Aalameen, Desires." From this we deduce that man has desire and choice, but this is limited to and under the control of Allaah Ta 'ala. Therefore, the Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat say that man is in between being totally in control or under control. In a way, he has a choice, therefore he is able to carry out actions by choice and intention. He is not totally helpless, but he also has no choice in this choice. Just like a how a person has the choice to see and listen, however, he has no choice in the ability of hearing and seeing. In the same way, man has choice in his actions, but he has no choice in this choice, in fact he is helpless in his having a choice. When a person carries out an action through this Allaah given choice, then in the Shariah we say it is 'Kasab' (earned). Allaah Ta'ala is the Creator of actions and He brings it into existence. Man is the earner, actor and doer of the actions. This earning and acting is sufficient to warrant reward or punishment. For the weak, a weak choice is appropriate, and a full and complete choice is appropriate for The Creator and not the created.