What Is the Ruling on the Belief That Allah Abandoned the Universe?

Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani

Question

What is the ruling on believing that Allah created the universe and then left it to manage itself? How do we refute this belief?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.

Refutation of the Abandonment Belief

It is impermissible to believe that Allah created the universe and then abandoned it to manage itself. Such a belief denies the divine wisdom attributed to Allah, which is a grave misconception. Allah is far exalted above such notions.

Denying Allah’s wisdom is intellectually inconceivable and contradicts the observed perfection in the universe, from the smallest atom to the largest creation, all of which demonstrate meticulous design and point to a wise, managing Creator.

Reason affirms the perfection and profound wisdom of Allah in this world, and it is impossible for Him to create the universe and leave it to function on its own. Allah’s complete wisdom necessitates that He does not create the world or His servants and then neglect them. His creation is inherently dependent on Him, needing His constant care and management.

Quranic Evidence of Allah’s Ongoing Management

Those who claim that Allah created the universe and then left it deny the wisdom of the Almighty Creator, attributing randomness and purposelessness to Him. This belief is refuted in the Qur’an, where Allah (Most High) says:

“Did you then think that We had created you without purpose, and that you would never be returned to Us? Exalted is Allah, the True King! There is no god (worthy of worship) except Him, the Lord of the Honourable Throne.” [Quran, 23:115-116]

The evidence of divine care invalidates this false belief. The visible perfection in creation reflects Allah’s profound knowledge and meticulous care. Allah (Most High) states:

“(That is) the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Surely He is All-Aware of what you do.” [Quran, 27:88]

Everything in the universe is impeccably crafted and sustained. [Habannaka, al-‘Aqida al-Islamiyya wa Ususuha]

Continuous Support and Perfection

The seamless care and precision in creation are inseparable from any creature. Every being requires continuous support because the universe is in a state of constant motion.

Without Allah’s ongoing provision, this perfection and care would cease, resulting in the universe’s nonexistence. The very existence of the world testifies to Allah’s ongoing power and management.

This irrefutable evidence dismantles the notion that Allah abandoned the universe to manage itself.

Accountability and Divine Justice

This belief—that Allah distanced Himself from the universe—also undermines the perfection of Allah’s divinity. Perfect divinity entails that Allah is to be obeyed, and an entity that is obeyed must issue commands and prohibitions.

Understanding these commands and prohibitions is only possible through the messengers, whom Allah sends with divine revelation. Thus, sending messengers is a direct act of Allah in the world, which contradicts the notion of Allah abandoning the universe.

Denying Allah’s engagement with the world would consequently mean denying the messengers as well. Allah (Most High) says:

“Indeed, We have sent revelation to you (O Prophet) as We sent revelation to Noah and the prophets after him. We also sent revelation to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants, (as well as) Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And to David We gave the Psalms. There are messengers whose stories We have told you already and others We have not. And to Moses Allah spoke directly. (All were) messengers delivering good news and warnings so humanity should have no excuse before Allah after (the coming of) the messengers. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” [Quran, 4:163-165]

This belief is further refuted by the concept of accountability on the Day of Judgment. Allah will judge His servants in the Hereafter: those who obeyed Him will enter Paradise, while those who denied Him will be cast into Hell. Allah (Most High) says:

“As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully. And as for those who are given their record (in their left hand) from behind their backs, they will cry for (instant) destruction, and will burn in the blazing Fire. For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return (to Allah). Yes (they would)! Surely their Lord has always been All-Seeing of them.” [Quran, 84:7-15]

This act of judgment by Allah negates the idea that He is distant from the universe. To believe otherwise attributes deficiency to Allah. The act of accountability in the Hereafter reflects Allah’s justice and wisdom. To neglect this would imply purposelessness, equating the wrongdoer with the peacemaker, the disbeliever with the believer, and the oppressor with the oppressed—an idea that no rational person can accept.

Conclusion

In today’s age, it is crucial to learn the Islamic creed and understand the necessary aspects of belief. The Islamic creed fortifies the believer’s faith, especially when faced with contemporary ideological challenges targeting our youth.

These challenges serve as destructive tools threatening our foundational beliefs.

Therefore, we must learn how to effectively refute such misconceptions to preserve and uphold our strong and resilient creed.

[Shaykh] Bassem Itani

Shaykh Dr. Bassem Hussayn Itani was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. He earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 2005. Among his mentors were Shaykh Muhammad Taha Sukkar, Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, Shaykh Mulla Abdul ‘Alim al-Zinki, Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi, Shaykh Dr. Mustafa Dib al-Bugha, Shaykh Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Dr. Muhammad al-Zuhayli, and others, may Allah have mercy on them all.

Shaykh Itani has a rich background in both academic and administrative fields. He has held significant positions in many governmental and non-governmental institutions in Lebanon and abroad. This includes his role as a member of the Academic Committee at SeekersGuidance and a senior teacher with the free online global seminary.

From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Dean of the College of Da‘wa – University for Islamic Studies (Lebanon) – Postgraduate Studies. He was the Director of Dar Iqra for Islamic Sciences from 1998 to 2018. Shaykh Itani is a well-versed teacher in several academic subjects, including Fiqh, Usul, Aqida, and Tafsir. He has supervised and examined numerous Master’s and Doctoral theses at various universities and colleges in Lebanon.

His contributions to Islamic sciences are also evident in his writings and research. His notable works include “The Relied-upon Statements of Imam Zufar in the Hanafi School,” “Collective Ijtihad: The Sublimity of Thought in the 21st Century,” and “Custom and its Impact in Islamic Jurisprudence.” Shaykh Itani has actively participated in numerous scientific conferences and seminars, both in Lebanon and internationally. He is linguistically adept, excelling in Arabic, proficient in French, and comfortably conversant in English.