Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Attributes of Allah's Actions

These attributes are not necessary, but possible for Allah. They depend on His might and will. So, these attributes are called al-Jaizi (possible or optional attributes) or al-Fili (attributes of actions).

1. Creation (at-Tahlik)
Allah creates everything that exists.
She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is! (3:47, Yusufali's translation)

Ashariyya theologians put the attribute of creation into this group. Maturidiyya theologians distinguish between at-Takwin (creation) which they put into as-Subuti (necessary or mandatory attributes) and at-Tahlik (creation) which they put into al-Jaizi (possible or optional attributes). I am not quite sure what is the difference between them.

2. Leading to the way of truth (al-Hidaya) and leading to the way of deception (ad-Dalala)
Allah leads some people to the way of truth and some people to the way of deception, depending on His will.
Is he, then, to whom the evil of his conduct is made alluring, so that he looks upon it as good, (equal to one who is rightly guided)? For Allah leaves to stray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So let not thy soul go out in (vainly) sighing after them: for Allah knows well all that they do! (35:8)

According to Sunni theologians, this means that after somebody makes a choice to take the way of truth, Allah created this way to him because only Allah can create anything. Likewise, after somebody decides to take the way of deception, Allah creates this way to him. Also, in Sunni theology, there is a principle that Allah's "negative" attributes or actions (such as punishment) are always mentioned together with His "positive" attributes or actions (such as reward).

3. Sending Prophets and Books
Allah sent Prophets and Books (Holy Scriptures) to people in order to show people the right way.
We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures. (21:107)

4. Resurrection (al-Ba's) and gathering (al-Hashr)
Allah will resurrect all the people at the Day of Judgment and then will gather them in the same place for judgment.
Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up. (23:16)

The trumpet shall be sounded, when behold! from the sepulchres (men) will rush forth to their Lord! (36:51)

5. Showing mercy (at-Tan'im) and sending tortures and sufferings (at-Ta'zim)
Allah gives mercy and good to those whom He wants and sends tortures and sufferings to those whom He wants.
(Both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah, and his beloved." Say: "Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men,- of the men he hath created: He forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and He punisheth whom He pleaseth: and to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and unto Him is the final goal (of all)" (5:18)

This means that Allah will forgive some people at the judgment and leave them unpunished for their sins, and He will punish some people for their sins. However, He will not forgive unbelief and polytheism. Also, He forgives people when they confess their sins. These attribute refer to those people who did not confess their sins.

This point may look as injustice for Christians. However, it actually indicates Allah's will and mercy that He will not punish some people who deserve punishment. The Bible says that people who are saved, are saved by God's grace and mercy.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God —
9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:5-9)

Some people will not be saved. So, points 2 and 5 here have some similarity with the principle in Christianity that some people are saved by God's grace and mercy and some are not saved.

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