Assalamu alaikum, Sister Julie,
Thank you again sharing your personal journey to the Truth with me.
I will straight jump into the subject. I am excited to comment on the points you have raised in this email.
"GOD MUST BE Absolute. WHY MUST GOD BE Absolute?"
As far as our conclusion is concerned, God must be Absolute. We do not know what Absolute really is because we cannot comprehend it. That does not mean, we cannot comprehend Absolute, therefore, we do not know God.
Yes, again, it is our conclusion that the Creator of this world MUST be Absolute. That is what we can know. We do not and cannot know the Essence of God. That is the way we know God. If i say, i know the essence of God, that means i still did not know what God, the Creator is. The more we are aware that the Essence of God cannot be known, the better conception we are having about God, therefore, better believing in God. That means God must be, for us, Absolute.
"...i dont know why i can't confirm this,"
Because you may be deciding about God Himself that as if saying, "O God, you MUST be Absolute. You cannot change yourself, i decided about You that You MUST be Absolute."
You are not imposing your idea on God, you are talking about your own conclusion that God must be absolute, that is why i cannot imagine Him. I cannot think of Him in terms of anything in this universe. I think, "Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad" (and there is nothing that could be compared with Him) (112: 4) means this.
"i want REAL faith, GENUINE, TRUE BELIEF! i need to FINISH the process and figure out HOW through reasoning with the proper methodology TO CONFIRM that there is only ONE God TO MYSELF."
That is every body's expectation. To be sure of one's belief is possible, but we need to be aware of what we are talking about. We are talking about belief. That means, we are NOT talking about a mathematical equation.
In mathematics, simply, we take the two sides of the equation as can be equally validated. What i mean by this is, for example, 2+2= 4.
Here we can count 2 and another 2 and put them together and we can count 4 as well. In logical conclusion the matter is not the same. For example, let's look at a machine. Seeing that ever part of the machine is integrated into the whole mechanism of the machine that human mind cannot stop asking WHO (referring to a conscious being) put these parts in such a wise way by aiming at the system of this machine will function for whatever the purpose of the machine is. Think about this machine as one is continuously being renewed! Then the logic concludes that the maker of this machine must be someone who has conscious, purpose, knowledge, power etc. etc. All the qualities of the machine witness that the maker must have such and such qualities.
CAN WE OBSERVE THE MAKER OF THE MACHINE AS WE OBSERVED THE MACHINE ITSELF? NO! THAT IS OUR LOGICAL CONCLUSION BY USING OUR HUMAN QUALITIES. WE SAY THE MAKER MUST HAVE SUCH AND SUCH QUALITIES, AND THEREFORE, MUST BE A CONSCIOUS, .... BEING, ETC.
That is what we are trying to make clear when we say, "Do not confuse the spheres!" "Do not confuse the logical conclusions with mathematical equations. Do not try to observe the mind, the artistry quality, intention, aesthetics, knowledge and even the body of the maker of the machine as we observed the qualities of the machine itself. The conclusion is this: The maker must have these qualities. We do not have to experience these qualities on the maker of the machine as we did on the machine. The qualities of the machine are the WITNESSES OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE QUALITIES OF THE MAKER. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE, TO BE SURE OF, TO CONFIRM.
The conclusions of the logical activities are NOT necessarily to be observed and counted or witnessed as it is the case in mathematical equations. We can regard the number 2 and the number 4 as equally to be evaluated; we can count them, for instance, put 2 marbles here and another 2 marbles there and put them together and count the 4 marbles again to confirm that the adding activity is correct. The activity will be the same: Counting them as we did before the adding activity. We can count them at the same level of existence.
How about the logical conclusions? When we see a fruit on a tree, human logic asks, "How did the fruit on the branch of the tree come into existence? Can it be the product of the particles of the tree or other seemingly contributing elements in the existence of the fruit? We are seeing the fruit, the tree, the DNA structure of the cells of the tree, the water, soil, air molecules, light photons or their component parts, whatever else... Then, human logic says, these component parts of the tree or the fruit cannot be taken as responsible for the existence of the fruit, because they do not have the quality to determine the future in which the fruit will exist. They do not possess any quality to give life, shape, taste, beauty...i.e. all the wise, meaningful, purposeful qualities of the fruit to the fruit. At least, they have no quality to determine the future because every moment is a brand new creation, and none of the existing things in the world can know the future, CAN GUARANTEE the future. They cannot be the reason for the existence of any thing which exists after their existence. That is the argument we have been emphasizing on.
We observe the fruit and logically conclude that the Creator of the fruit MUST HAVE SUCH AND SUCH QUALITIES, AND THEREFORE, HE MUST BE ETERNAL, for example, after observing that the existence of the fruit is being renewed continuously, and in harmony with not only the other fruit of the same kind, but with all the fruits, with all the living beings who benefit from it, in fact, with all the creation in space and time. Our logic says, if we do not attribute the existence of this fruit to something which is not ABSOLUTE, then, it is not possible for us to CONFIRM that this SOURCE can be responsible for the existence of the fruit.
Is it clear now that we are not going to expect to observe our logical conclusion that the Creator must be Absolute as we observed the tree?
This point is extremely important for us; we have to always bear in mind.
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We are talking about our conclusion at the end of our observation of the this universe, under the guidance of the qualities of the things. We need to be honest to ourselves not to contradict our human qualities; reasoning, senses, emotions, i.e. humanity. The qualities of the things tell me that they cannot come into existence out of chaos, coincidence or by themselves (people call it nature). And also the same qualities of the things demonstrate in front of our minds that in order for the things to exist they need an Absolute, infinite Source. That means, the whole universe itself cannot give existence neither to itself nor to even an atom. An atom is so perfect that its existence cannot be accidental. Whoever has been giving existence to this atom continuously MUST of necessity be Absolute, and not of the same nature of this universe. He must be the Giver of existence to this universe and whatever in it. We see the compatibility here between the conclusion of our experience in this world by using our intellect and the statements we hear from the Qur'an:
"2:164 (Asad) Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless, and causing all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason."
6:74 (Asad) AND, LO, [thus] spoke Abraham unto his father Azar: "Takest thou idols for gods? Verily, I see that thou and thy people have obviously gone astray!"
6:75 (Asad) And thus We gave Abraham [his first] insight into [God's] mighty dominion over the heavens and the earth - and [this] to the end that he might become one of those who are inwardly sure.
6:76 (Asad) Then, when the night overshadowed him with its darkness, he beheld a star;., [and] he exclaimed, "This is my Sustainer!" -but when it went down, he said, "I LOVE NOT the things that go down.
[This is my comment: Attention: Abraham does not say "I do not want" or "I do not believe". He says "I do not love", speaks with his all human qualities.]
6:77 (Asad) Then, when he beheld the moon rising, he said, "This is my Sustainer!"-but when it went down, he said, "Indeed, if my Sustainer guide me not. I will most certainly become one of the people who go astray!"
6:78 (Asad) Then, when he beheld the sun rising, he said, "This is my Sustainer! This one is the greatest [of all]!" - but when it [too] went down, he exclaimed: "O my people! Behold, far be it from me to ascribe divinity, as you do, to aught beside God!
6:79 (Asad) Behold, unto Him who brought into being the heavens and the earth have I turned my face, having turned away from all that is false; and I am not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him."
# 50:6 (Asad) Do they not look at the sky above them - how We have built it and made it beautiful and free of all faults?
# 50:7 (Asad) And the earth - We have spread it wide, and set upon it mountains firm, and caused it to bring forth plants of all beauteous kinds, -
# 50:8 (Asad) thus offering an insight and a reminder unto every human being who willingly turns unto God.
# 50:9 (Asad) And We send down from the skies water rich in blessings, and cause thereby gardens to grow, and fields of grain,
# 50:10 (Asad) and tall palm-trees with their thickly-clustered dates,
# 50:11 (Asad) as sustenance apportioned to men; and by [all] this We bring dead land to life: [and] even so will be [man’s] coming-forth from death.
# 88:17 (Asad) DO, THEN, they [who deny resurrection] never gaze at the clouds pregnant with water, [and observe] how they are created?
# 88:18 (Asad) And at the sky, how it is raised aloft?
# 88:19 (Asad) And at the mountains, how firmly they are reared?
# 88:20 (Asad) And at the earth, how it is spread out?
# 80:24 (Asad) Let man, then, consider [the sources of] his food:
# 80:25 (Asad) [how it is] that We pour down water, pouring it down abundantly;
# 80:26 (Asad) and then We cleave the earth [with new growth], cleaving it asunder,
# 80:27 (Asad) and thereupon We cause grain to grow out of it,
# 80:28 (Asad) and vines and edible plants,
# 80:29 (Asad) and olive trees and date-palms,
# 80:30 (Asad) and gardens dense with foliage,
# 80:31 (Asad) and fruits and herbage,
# 80:32 (Asad) for you and for your animals to enjoy.
# My comment: [Purposefulness is stressed here]
#
22:18 (Asad) ART THOU NOT aware that before God prostrate themselves all [things and beings] that are in the heavens and all that are on earth the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the beasts? And many human beings [submit to God consciously], whereas many [others, having defied Him,] will inevitably have to suffer [in the life to come]; and he whom God shall scorn [on Resurrection Day] will have none who could bestow honour on him: for, verily, God does what He wills.
# 3:189 (Asad) AND UNTO GOD belongs the dominion over the heavens and the earth: and God has the power to will anything.
# 3:190 (Asad) Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight,
# 3:191 (Asad) [and] who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and [thus] reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "O our Sustainer! Thou hast not created [aught of] this without meaning and purpose. Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire!
38:27 (Asad) AND [thus it is:] We have not created heaven and earth and all that is between them without meaning and purpose, as is the surmise of those who are bent on denying the truth: but then, woe from the fire [of hell] unto all who are bent on denying the truth!
21:16 (Asad) AND [know that] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play:
# 44:38 (Asad) For [thus it is:] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play:
#
# 44:39 (Asad) none of this have We created without truth: but most of them understand it not.
# 31:10 (Asad) He [it is who] has created the skies without any supports that you could see, and has placed firm mountains upon the earth, lest it sway with you, and has caused all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon. And We send down water from the skies, and thus We cause every noble kind [of life] to grow on earth.
#
# 31:11 (Asad) [All] this is God’s creation: show Me, then, what others than He may have created! Nay, but the evildoers are obviously lost in error!
35:40 (Asad) Say: “Have you ever [really] considered those beings and forces to whom you ascribe a share in God’s divinity, [and] whom you invoke beside God? Show me what it is that they have created on earth - or do [you claim that] they have a share in [governing] the heavens?” Have We ever vouchsafed them a divine writ on which they could rely as evidence [in support of their views]? Nay, [the hope which] the evildoers hold out to one another [is] nothing but a delusion.
# 27:60 (Asad) Nay - who is it that has created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you [life-giving] water from the skies? For it is by this means that We cause gardens of shining beauty to grow - [whereas] it is not in your power to cause [even one single of] its trees to grow! Could there be any divine power besides God? Nay, they [who think so] are people who swerve [from the path of reason]
# 27:61 (Asad) Nay - who is it that has made the earth a fitting abode [for living things], and has caused running waters [to flow] in its midst, and has set upon it mountains firm, and has placed a barrier between the two great bodies of water? Could there be any divine power besides God? Nay, most of those [who think so] do not know [what they are saying]!
# 27:62 (Asad) Nay - who is it that responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and who removes the ill [that caused the distress], and has made you inherit the earth? Could there be any divine power besides God? How seldom do you keep this in mind!
# 27:63 (Asad) Nay - who is it that guides you in the midst of the deep darkness of land and sea, and sends forth the winds as a glad tiding of His coming grace? Could there be any divine power besides God? Sublimely exalted is God above anything to which men may ascribe a share in His divinity!
# 27:64 (Asad) Nay - who is it that creates [all life] in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew? And who is it that provides you with sustenance out of heaven and earth? Could there be any divine power besides God? Say: “[If you think so,] produce your evidence - if you truly believe in your claim!”
# 12:105 (Asad) But [then] -how many a sign is there in the heavens and on earth which they pass by [unthinkingly], and on which they turn their backs! -
# 12:106 (Asad) And most of them do not even believe in God without [also] ascribing divine powers to other beings beside Him.
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We need to be sure what we are saying by this statement: "TO CONFIRM that there is only ONE God TO MYSELF
By this word "ONE" we should mean ABSOLUTE, not the number, one. two... Absoluteness is meant here, not the number. That is so important because it helps us not to think of God as being one not two, but the Creator must be absolute so there is nothing else has the quality of giving existence to anything. That is called TAWHID, oneness of deity, which is the backbone of the teaching of the Qur'an. Not only because the Qur'an said so, but our minds, too, say so. That is why we confirm the message of the Qur'an. It is compatible with what my human qualities say.
I think the challenge is driving from our conceptualization of the word, or the number ONE. It is nothing to do with the number ONE. ONENESS MEANS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE IN THIS WORD THAT HAS THIS QUALITY. This means, "La ilahe" i.e. no way to SHIRK, there is no deity in this world but the Creator of the universe MUST HAVE the quality of deity alone. It is He Who can be the Source of the existence of this world. Nothing in this world can create itself, since they themselves are in need of being created.
"Will they, then, ascribe divinity unto beings that cannot create anything, since they themselves are being created." 7: 191 (See also, 16: 20 and 25: 3).
Do you notice you are skipping the first step; "La ilahe". Without establishing "La ilahe" in our understanding, no way to be sure of "Illallah".
If we jump into "Illallah", then, it will be inevitable for us to ask , "How God must be One?" What does "God IS Absolute" mean? All these questions arise from thinking from "the sphere of God". Going out of this universe, which is impossible any way, but imagining that as if we have gone out of the universe, and then start thinking how God (in Himself) can be ...?
There can be no answer to this question as long as we were created beings, which is our reality. This kind of questions, then, become circular. How did we get into the non-created sphere that we are now questioning about its ESSENCE? We cannot get into that sphere.
Simply, what we can do only is this: By experiencing our created world we can conclude that our existence needs an Absolute Creator in order, for us, to explain this existence.
The qualities of any created being demonstrate that they cannot come into existence without a Source which has Absolute attributes because these qualities exist within the context of the whole universe. They all make at the end, a perfect harmony with each other. Each universe we have experienced is coming into existence continuously with again a perfect harmony, order, meaning etc. with the previous universes. Logically we can conclude that nothing in this world can be responsible for the existence of anything. This conclusion is to say "La ilahe". Since things exist and there is nothing with any kind of quality of being the Source of this existence, then, we conclude, "Illa Allah". This God MUST be Absolute as far as our human conclusion is concerned. We cannot attribute this world to anything but to an Absolute One.
"well, how can i believe it if i can't confirm it?"
No, no one can believe in God if they do not confirm it. In fact, those people who say that they believe in God, confirm something. But there are endless degrees of confirmation, that is why BELIEF HAS ENDLESS DEGREES. The more evidences we have to confirm, the higher, the stronger the belief is. A person (imaginary, no one knows who has what degree of belief) who has the simplest belief must have a simplest evidence. That is why the Qur'an and the human nature urge us to THINK ABOUT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN THEM. They are not created for nothing, or, as play things.
And come to a conclusion, THERE MUST BE A CREATOR WHO MUST BE ABSOLUTE IN HIS QUALITIES, ATTRIBUTES, NAMES whatever the word we use, does not matter. MUST BE IS IMPORTANT.
There are endless degrees in this MUST BE. We need to carry on paying attention to the Speech of God in both senses: ACTION ALONGSIDE WITH WORD (REVELATION).
"in order to confirm ONE God...."
The answer to this question is: In order to confirm that God, the Creator, MUST BE ONE. We need to change our expectations by changing our vocabulary first so that we will make the objectives clear.
The above quoted verses may be helpful to show us how to confirm God and His attributes. There are many more of them, but i just selected a few to draw our attention to how the Qur'an is teaching us to establish our belief in "Ghayb", the sphere which is beyond our human perception, and, at the same time, feel confident about our belief in "Ghayb", with a satisfaction of our heart.
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As you may experience that belief is different from feeling satisfied in our heart. That is another process.
In a nutshell: Belief is a logical, rational conclusion, which is absolutely necessary to start with. But it must develop with the satisfaction of heart. We experience this all the time. Life is not established on logical conclusions. Our decisions come usually from our emotions. I feel no one ever explain their love to their children or to an animal logically. We act on emotions, and emotions are beyond reasoning; more than reasoning. Attention: Not without reasoning, but more than that, beyond that!
This is a matter explained in this verse and also in a manner we experience in our daily life:
2:260 And, lo, Abraham said: "O my Sustainer! Show me how Thou givest life unto the dead!" Said He: "Do you not, then, believe?" (Abraham) answered: "Yea, but, to satisfy my own heart." Said He: "Take, then, four birds and teach them to obey thee; then place them separately on every hill [around thee]; then summon them: they will come flying to thee. And know that God is almighty, wise."
[My commentery: a physical experience is suggested here.]
God willing, this discussions will be helpful for all of us in our journey to attain to satisfaction of heart in our belief in God.
I would like to thank you again for your contribution to my understanding of my "belief" and realize where i am missing.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
May God help us to take the Straight Path to be in His presence while we are in this world.
Your brother in the journey of belief in God, ali
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