The Third Rule: “The created things are tangible signs indicating some of Allah’s Attributes.”

Most of the verses that call for looking and pondering are related to this rule. Allah (SWT) says: “look then at the effects of Allah’s Mercy: how He revives the earth after its death. Verily the Same will give life to the dead; for He is able to do all things.” (XXX: 50)

Generally speaking, any manufactured thing must reflect what indicates some of the characteristics of its maker. “The relationship between the thing manufactured and its manufacturer is very close. The thing manufactured is, then, a tangible token exposing some of the attributes of its manufacturer. If we take the electric lamp as an example, we notice that the one that has made the lamp has glass and has the ability to shape the glass into a regular cylinder, and he must have metal (the aluminum at the ends of the lamp). He is able to make the aluminum into a cover. We notice the exact fitting of the glass cylinder into the metal cover, which indicates that the manufacturer is wise and accurate. The lamp lights when the electric current passes between its two poles. Does this not tell you that its manufacturer knows this characteristic?

Then, we can certify that the manufacturer of this lamp is characterized by the following:

      (1)     He is able to make the glass into a cylinder.

    (2)     He is accurate (for he fitted the opening of the metal cover on the opening of the glass cylinder).

    (3)     He has knowledge of electricity and its property when it travels through the lamp.

Thus, the lamp reflects some of the attributes of its manufacturer. Similarly, if you think over the car, the plane, the computer, etc you will notice certain characteristics basically indicating the relationship between the manufactured and the manufacturer. Thus we can know some of the attributes of our Lord (SWT) through looking at their visible effects exposed in the created things before our sight.”[1]  So, through looking into this relationship between the Creator and the things created we can get acquainted with some of Allah’s Attributes that are related to action, such as Power, Wisdom, Knowledge, Cognizance, Provision, Mercy, etc. Allah (SWT) says: “O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who has created you and those before you, so that you may ward off (evil).  Who has made the earth your couch, and the heaven your canopy; and sent down rain from the sky; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance. Then set not up rivals unto Allah when you know (the truth).” (II: 21-22)

Allah (SWT) also says: “Lo! Nothing in the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah. It is He Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (III: 5-6)

Allah (SWT) also says:  “All praises and thanks be to Allah, Who (Alone) created the heavens and the earth, and originated darkness and light, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal to their Lord. It is He Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a stated term (for you to die). And there is with Him another determined term (for you to be resurrected), yet you doubt (in Resurrection).  And He is Allah (to be worshipped Alone) in the heavens and on the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn (good or bad).” (VI; 1-3)

Allah (SWT) also says: “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” (IV: 1)

Allah (SWT) also says: “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it; Who has ordained laws and granted guidance; and Who brings out the pasturage, and then makes it dark stubble.” (LXXVIII: 1-5) This is along with a large number of other verses that call for pondering on what Allah has created to know His Wisdom, Knowledge, Provision, Protection, etc., whereupon His Oneness (SWT) is well established in the souls.

The evidence of impossibility:

Allah (SWT) says: “No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him! All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!” (XXIII: 91-92) In this verse Allah (SWT) presents all probabilities before one’s mind to look into, ponder on and decide.