Knowing the Lord, the Most High

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This message was translated by AI. The original post can be found here: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5.

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Knowing the Lord, the Most High
By: Dr. Mohammed Akram Nadwi
Oxford

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Introduction
They said: “Introduce us to our Lord in a way that brings Him closer to our understanding, without exaggerating or falling short.”
I replied: “What a noble request you have made! Your question fills my heart with joy and excitement.”
They asked: “Why do you appear so elated with this question?”
I said: “Would a person not feel happy if they were asked to speak about their parents or their most beloved ones?”
Indeed, speaking about our Lord, the Most High, is sweeter and more delightful than speaking about parents or relatives. It is a topic I find my heart and tongue eager to discuss, and my mind and pen race toward it.

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Understanding Allah
They said: “You are the first to welcome our question with such enthusiasm, while others found it difficult.”
I replied: “Where is the difficulty in this?”
They said: “We are troubled by questions that have left us confused and perplexed. We do not know if His attributes are identical to His essence or different from it. Is His speech created or uncreated? If uncreated, is it the internal speech? What is the difference between internal speech and external speech? Are words like ‘hand,’ ‘eye,’ ‘rising,’ and ‘descending’ to be understood literally or metaphorically? Do we create our actions by choice, or are we compelled to perform them?”

I said: “How ignorant you are of your Lord! How far you have strayed from the straight path!” It is fitting for you to remain within the boundaries of what Allah has revealed, and it is your right to remain lost, wandering in confusion.

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Seeking Clarity
They said: “Do not be harsh with us, and be gentle and compassionate.”
I asked: “Has the Qur’an addressed these issues? Did the Prophets or the messengers, peace be upon them, concern themselves with these questions? Did the Companions or the early generations of Muslims give attention to them?”
They replied: “No.”
I said: “Are they not the most knowledgeable people about Allah and the most fearful of Him?”
They said: “Yes.”
I said: “Know then that these questions are of no benefit, and their end result will be your destruction and the destruction of those before and after you. Why are you so obsessed with them, persistently pursuing them?”

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The Quest for Understanding
They said: “Because investigating them brings us closer to knowing our Lord.”
I replied: “How do you expect to arrive at the truth using words invented by people and terms devised by others? You have been deceived by embellished phrases and fabricated expressions, imagining them to be truths. Let me ask you, what is the simplest knowledge closest to your understanding?”
They said: “Our knowledge of human beings.”
I asked: “Have you arrived at the true nature of humans?”
They said: “Yes, humans are rational animals.”
I asked: “Have you understood the true nature of life and speech?”
They said: “No.”
I replied: “Then how can you claim to have grasped the reality of humans when you do not even understand the essence of life and speech?” Apply this to all your knowledge and sciences; they are not truths.

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What are the Truths?
They asked: “Then what are the truths?”
I said: “Truths are external realities, and words are merely indicators and symbols pointing to them. For example, the word ‘apple’ is not the reality of an apple; it only refers to it. Even knowing what the word refers to does not mean you know its true essence. If you have never tasted an apple, this word will never truly acquaint you with what an apple is. Reaching the truths depends on factors beyond words and expressions, and how little we truly comprehend or uncover.”

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How to Access the Truths
They asked: “How can we access these truths?”
I replied: “Only the Creator knows the full reality of things. Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Aware? Yet, He has enabled us to experience a portion of those truths that we need and are dependent upon. No matter how small something may be, its true nature is greater than all human knowledge combined. Even a tiny creature, or a small ant, or a finger from a hand has left all the world’s scientists baffled, unable to fully grasp its reality.”

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Reflecting on Creation
I said: “If this is the state of your knowledge regarding the smallest things you observe and examine in creation, then how about the Lord of all worlds? You cannot perceive Him with your sight, and your minds and thoughts cannot reach Him. Your imaginations and secrets cannot encompass Him. The words in your created languages are merely indications pointing towards Him and His attributes. So, remain within your limits and know your boundaries. How disgraceful it is for a human to go beyond their reason and exceed their limits.”

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Knowing Allah through Reflection
They asked: “Then how can we know our Lord, the Most High?”
I replied: “You know Him because He has made Himself known to you. You are naturally inclined to know Him, just as you are naturally inclined to know your mothers, to feel joy and sorrow, happiness and pain, hunger and thirst, and your desire for food and drink. This innate knowledge is the minimum understanding that all people should nurture and increase.”

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Increasing Knowledge of Allah
They asked: “How can we increase in knowledge of Him?”
I replied: “Intellectual discussions and theological debates will not benefit you. Allah has made knowledge accessible through certain means and paths. Whoever follows them will attain knowledge, and whoever turns away from them will go astray and be misguided. The means to knowing your Lord are four things.”

They asked: “What are they?”
I said:

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1. Reflecting on His Creation:
By observing the wonders of His creation and the marvels of His craftsmanship, your knowledge of His power, wisdom, and mercy will increase. Contemplate deeply on yourselves and on all of creation. You will find clear evidence pointing to a Creator that you cannot see. These signs bear witness that He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

2. Pondering over His Words:
Read the Qur’an from beginning to end, with reflection and understanding. Return to it constantly without being negligent. Anything that remains hidden from you will soon be unveiled. Commit to it, seeking its outward and inward meanings, and do not seek alternatives.

3. Worshipping Him:
Worship in all its forms, especially prayer and other types of remembrance, are among the greatest ways to strengthen one’s connection with the Lord and draw closer to Him. Allah says: “Prostrate and draw near” and “Remember Me, and I will remember you, and be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.”

4. Supplicating to Him:
When you call upon Him, you will witness amazing responses that increase your reliance on Him and your certainty. You will feel His closeness and affection, for He hears and responds to every supplication. He protects you from every hardship and saves you from every evil.

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Final Words
I said: “Praise your Lord and glorify Him morning and evening, standing, sitting, and lying on your sides.”
They said: “Can you tell us some of the praises of our Lord so we can praise Him with them?”
I said: “Recite them in the Book of Allah and the supplications of the Prophets and Messengers, especially those of our beloved leader, the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.”
They said: “You are our teacher. Can you select some of them for us?”
I replied: “I will do so. Look forward to the next article, and pray for my success.”