Does the universe exist within Allah?

Question

As-Salaam-Alaikum, I was listening to Dr. Israr Ahmed's lecture in whic he says that the universe and all creation exists within Allah (SWT). He reasons that since Allah (SWT) is 'La Mehdood', it necessities that all existence is within him. For if universe existed outside or separate from Allah (SWT), this would mean that He (SWT) is limited. Your clarification in the light of Islamic aqidah would be greatly appreciated? Jazak Allah.

Bilal Yusuf Pandor · Accepted Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

At the outset we wish to state that one must be extremely cautious when deriving Ilm from an individual. This caution is further amplified when one is attempting to learn Aqeedah.

We could not locate the lecture in reference.

Nevertheless, we will address your query. Such a claim stems from the incorrect premise that Almighty Allah also exists within the constructs of time and space.

It must be understood that ‘La Mahdood’ refers to Almighty Allah being free from the constructs of time and space. Often, it is translated as ‘inifinite’ but this translation does not do justice to the term.

Almighty Allah’s existence is beyond the constructs of time and space[1] and as such, the existence of the universe, which is bound by the constructs of time and space, is of no consequence.

It is incorrect to place the universe within the being of Almighty Allah simply because the universe in current scientific understanding is assumed to be infinite. An infinite universe is still bound by constructs of time and space whereas the existence of Almighty Allah is beyond such constructs.

Accordingly, the universe existing outside Almighty Allah does not necessitate Almighty Allah being Mahdood.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Bilal Yusuf Pandor

Student Darul Iftaa

Lusaka, Zambia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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