What Can We Know About Allah?
The Qur'an Mixed Messages About the Nature of God
Muslims are told in no uncertain terms that they can turn to the Qur'an for accurate and consistent information. "If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction" (Qur'an 4:82). Presumably, this ‘no contradiction’ claim includes the most important questions possible for any believer, namely those that deal with the nature and character of the God they are called to worship. Unfortunately, for the Muslim faithful, no such clear picture emerges from the pages of the Qur'an. Here are some of the questions about the nature of Allah to which the Qur'an provides entirely inconsistent answers:
Where is Allah?
The Qur'an veers between making dogmatic statements about Allah being in a very specific physical location and claiming Him omnipresent. Qur'an 2:255 (famous as the so-called ‘Throne Verse’) states: "Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth... His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth..." (Qur'an 2:255). The Arabic word كرسي (Kursī) is most commonly translated as ‘chair’ or ‘seat’. So, this verse suggests a localized presence on a physical throne, which is how this verse has been interpreted by classical commentators on this text. The idea of Allah residing on a throne, at a specific location, is further reinforced by Qur'an 11:7. These verses are significantly at odds with others that emphasize Allah's transcendence and aphysicality:
"To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing." (Qur'an 2:115).
"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me..." (Qur'an 2:186),
"We verily created man and We know what his soul whispereth to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein" (Qur'an 50:16)
Can Allah have a Child?
Monotheism is, of course, one of the most important Islamic convictions. This includes the conviction that Allah could never have a child. Most clearly stated in Qur'an 6:100-101: "Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn, although He did create them, and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto Him. Glorified be He and High Exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him)." (Qur'an 6:100-101). This seems like an open-and-shut case, until we turn to Qur'an 39:3-4: "If Allah had willed to choose a son, He could have chosen what He would of that which He hath created. Be He Glorified! He is Allah, the One, the Absolute." (Qur'an 39:3-4). This verse still holds to the idea that Allah does not have a son but concedes the theoretical possibility of someone being a child of Allah.
Is Allah Kind and Merciful or Vengeful?
The idea that Allah is "Most Gracious, Most Merciful" (Qur'an 1:3) is constantly repeated throughout the Qur'an. It also forms a key part of the Muslim prayer ritual. However, three-quarters of the Qur'an’s chapters contain descriptions of judgment and the terrible fate awaiting those who do not acknowledge Allah as their God. Such people can expect only the most terrible vengeance: "Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire..." (Qur'an 4:56)
Can Allah Forgive Those Who Worship Other Gods?
Within Islam, the most serious sin is ‘shirk’, associating anything or anybody else with God. This sin is so serious that it cannot be forgiven: "Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth..." (Qur'an 4:48, 4:116). Verses like these make it clear that there is no redemption possible for idolaters. This stands in stark contrast with other statements where the possibility of forgiveness is clearly affirmed: "...the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good." (Qur'an 25:68-70).
Can the Word of Allah be Changed?
The Qur'an is absolutely clear that the word of Allah cannot be changed: “None can alter His words…” (Qur'an 6:115). Yet at the same time, it also includes several statements in which the Jews are accused of altering the sacred scriptures (Qur'an 2:59, 2:75, 2:79, 3:77-79, 3:187, 4:46, 5:13-15, 5:41). The implication of these verses is that changes to the word of Allah were not only possible but had, in fact, occurred. In fact, most modern Muslims would claim that the changes made to the pre-Islamic revelations were so substantial that the Torah, Psalms, and Injil (revelation from Allah, according to the Qur'an) are no longer available in their original forms!
These are just some of the profound contradictions to be found in the Qur'an. For a much more thoroughgoing assessment of the truth claims of Islam, please see my book ‘Questioning Islam - Tough Questions and Honest Answers About the Muslim Religion'.
Kind regards,
Peter
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