Why the True Creator Must Be Absolutely One
The previous chapter demonstrated that the universe cannot be governed by several competing gods without descending into contradiction and disorder. Yet classical Muslim scholars went even further, presenting a profound argument that reaches the very essence of what it means to be God.
The question is no longer simply, “Could there be many gods?”
Rather, it becomes:
Could more than one being ever possess absolute perfection?
To answer this, we must first understand an important principle recognized throughout Islamic theology.
A being deserving worship must be completely perfect.
He cannot possess weakness.
He cannot depend upon anything.
He cannot require assistance.
He cannot gain knowledge after previously being ignorant.
He cannot become stronger after previously being weak.
Nor can He be composed of parts that together form His existence.
Otherwise, He would be dependent upon something beyond Himself.
Perfection Cannot Depend Upon Parts
Imagine an object assembled from many separate components.
Each component contributes something essential to the whole.
If one part were removed, the object would become incomplete.
Its existence would therefore depend upon the continued presence and arrangement of its parts.
Everything in the created universe functions this way.
Buildings require bricks.
Books require pages.
The human body depends upon organs.
Machines depend upon countless individual components working together in remarkable harmony.
Because they are composed, they are also dependent.
Their existence is not intrinsic.
Something must bring their parts together, maintain them, and prevent them from falling apart.
This is one of the defining characteristics of creation.
Reflection
Everything around us is made up of parts.
Every created thing depends upon countless other things.
Yet the One who created everything cannot Himself belong to the category of created beings.
Otherwise, He too would require someone to assemble, sustain, or perfect Him.
Multiplicity Necessarily Introduces Limitation
Suppose two beings both claimed absolute divinity.
How would one truly differ from the other?
For them to be genuinely distinct, each would possess characteristics the other does not.
One would be identified by qualities, limits, or distinctions separating him from the other.
Without distinction, they would not be two.
They would simply be one.
But distinction itself introduces limitation.
Each would be defined by what he is—and equally by what he is not.
In other words, each would possess boundaries.
Anything possessing boundaries cannot be absolutely unlimited.
Anything limited cannot possess infinite perfection.
And anything lacking absolute perfection cannot be the true Creator deserving worship.
For this reason, many classical Muslim scholars explained that multiplicity necessarily implies limitation, while true divinity requires complete and unrestricted perfection.
This insight beautifully reinforces the Qur’anic proclamation that Allah is uniquely One, without equal, partner, rival, or peer.
Allah Is Completely Independent
One of the most magnificent Names of Allah is As-Samad, often translated as “The Eternal Refuge” or “The Self-Sufficient Master upon whom all creation depends.”
Its meaning is profound.
Everything depends upon Allah.
Allah depends upon nothing.
Every heartbeat occurs only because He allows it.
Every star remains suspended by His command.
Every atom exists only because He continuously sustains it.
Should His sustaining power cease for even an instant, the entire universe would vanish.
Qur’an — Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:2)
“Allah, the Eternal Refuge.”
Sahih International Translation
https://quran.com/112?translations=20
This single description completely overturns every conception of a needy deity.
The Creator does not become tired.
He does not require food, sleep, rest, companionship, offspring, or assistance.
These are characteristics of created beings—not of the Lord of all worlds.
The Majesty of Allah’s Power
Human beings often imagine power by comparing it to worldly rulers.
Kings rely upon armies.
Governments rely upon institutions.
The wealthy rely upon possessions.
Scientists rely upon instruments.
Every created authority depends upon countless external factors.
Allah is unlike all of them.
His power is not acquired.
His knowledge is not learned.
His authority is not granted.
His kingdom cannot diminish.
His wisdom never fails.
His mercy never becomes exhausted.
His dominion extends over everything seen and unseen.
Qur’an — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)
“Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.”
Sahih International Translation
https://quran.com/2/255?translations=20
The famous Verse of the Throne continues by describing Allah’s limitless authority, knowledge, and sovereignty over the heavens and the earth.
It reminds us that the Creator’s perfection is unlike anything within creation.
Every comparison ultimately fails because there is simply nothing comparable to Him.
A Universal Message Shared by Every Prophet
When we study the lives of the prophets, a remarkable pattern emerges.
Although they lived across different centuries, spoke different languages, and addressed different nations, they all proclaimed the same essential truth:
Worship the Creator alone.
Do not associate partners with Him.
Do not direct acts of worship toward idols, saints, angels, celestial bodies, or human beings.
The call was always one of pure devotion to the One who created everything.
This continuity is one of the strongest historical indicators that the message originated from the same Divine source.
Islam therefore does not present itself as a new religion.
Rather, it calls humanity back to the original faith preached by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
“The more deeply we understand the perfection of the Creator, the more impossible it becomes to attribute to Him partners, equals, limitations, or needs.”
The next chapter, by Allah’s will, grace and mercy, addresses one of the most widespread misconceptions about Islam: the claim that Muslims worship Prophet Muhammad ﷺ or the Black Stone. We will examine what Islam actually teaches, supported by the Qur’an, authentic Sunnah, and the practices of the Prophet’s Companions.
