Can the Word “Creation” Be Used for Other Than Allah?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Do we have the right to use the terms create, creations, and all the words which resemble it for other than Allah? For example, say, “I created an account,” “I created a website,” or “I created a table”?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
The term “khalq” in Arabic, which signifies creation, encompasses various connotations such as producing, determining, etc. According to the Quranic verse, “(…) So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” [Quran, 23:14], it is acceptable to attribute the term “khalq” to entities other than Allah in these contexts. Some
Some scholars believe the verse should be interpreted as “Blessed is Allah, the best of makers.” This perspective is supported by the narration of Mujahid’s commentary on the verse, which suggests that while both humans and Allah are capable of creating, Allah is the best creator. The evidence provided to support this view is that in Arabic poetry, the term “Khaliq” (creator/maker) was commonly used to refer to anyone who made something. Based on this, those who adopt this scholarly position consider Mujahid’s view the most accurate. [Tabari, Jami‘ al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil al-Quran]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
