September 2013: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 3

CAUSE AND EFFECT

There are many who have a delusion that even if there were a real Creator, the universe continues to function in accordance with set and unalterable laws and that the Creator is not essentially in attendance or even necessary. They believe that God has done the groundwork of a preset and irreversible structure of nature and everything happens mechanically, liberated from God’s continuous command, and overseeing is not necessary; that we do mold our own destinies.  This is the theory of cause and effect—God is the cause and what we have around us is natural effect.

The Quran obviously will challenge this as God is involved all the time.

[6:59] With Him are the keys to all secrets; none knows them except He. He knows everything on land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge. Nor is there a grain in the depths of the soil. Nor is there anything wet or dry, that is not recorded in a profound record.

[55:29] Imploring Him is everyone in the heavens and the earth. Every day He is in full control.

We understand that there is no power independent of God.
It is not possible for us to comprehend the capability of God and His all-inclusive Dominance. God notifies us of His incomparability in:

[2:255] GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great.

 

The Arabic work “kursi” used in this verse is not necessarily a chair or even a throne. It’s an Almighty Guardianship which administrates and maintains the universe.

There are many unique events which are contrary to the belief that nature will work only according to expected laws. Fire will certainly burn us and we would drown underwater unless adequate precautions were taken.

[33:62] This is GOD's eternal system, and you will find that GOD's system is unchangeable.

But God Himself can send miracles or modify the natural laws. For example, Abraham was thrown in the fire by his father unprotected but he came out safe and sound.

Profound Miracle
[21:68-69] They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if this is what you decide to do.” We said, “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.”

Correspondingly, the giant waves of the sea did not drown Moses and the Children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt. Instead, the waves cleared a safe and dry path for them through the water.

[2:50] Recall that we parted the sea for you; we saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your eyes.

Thus God can instruct natural elements like fire and water to cease to perform in their customary order. God wanted to save Abraham from a painful death and Moses, Aaron and the Children of Israel from annihilation. He brought about a brief pause in a law of nature. God made Solomon able to communicate with the ants and the birds, which is in opposition to our perceived “natural” laws. But God can do whatever He desires.

During the time of Prophet Muhammad, God was the One who made the believers triumph in the many battles fought.

God Controls Everything and Plans for the Believers
[8:42-44] Recall that you were on this side of the valley, while they were on the other side.

Then their caravan had to move to lower ground. Had you planned it this way, you could not have done it. But GOD was to carry out a predetermined matter, whereby those destined to be annihilated were annihilated for an obvious reason, and those destined to be saved were saved for an obvious reason. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient. GOD made them appear in your dream (O Muhammad) fewer in number. Had He made them appear more numerous, you would have failed, and you would have disputed among yourselves. But GOD saved the situation. He is Knower of the innermost thoughts. And when the time came and you faced them, He made them appear fewer in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes as well. For GOD willed to carry out a certain plan. All decisions are made by GOD.

[8:17] It was not you who killed them; GOD is the One who killed them. It was not you who threw when you threw; GOD is the One who threw. But He thus gives the believers a chance to earn a lot of credit. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

The Quran proves very clearly the Might and Ability of an ever-watching and all-knowing God. All miracles come only from God and even the most diehard unbeliever who studies (with an unprejudiced mind) the greatest miracle of number 19 would realize that God is not a one-off Creator but the Initiator and the Designer of all that exists in the universes.

[59:22] He is the One GOD; there is no other god besides Him. Knower of all secrets and declarations. He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[59:23] He is the One GOD; there is no other god besides Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.
[59:24] He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.

Alim