Where Was Allah before Creation?

Where Was Allah before Creation?

Before the Throne, before the vast heavens and earth, and before all directions, there existed only Allah, may He be Exalted. He is the timeless presence that precedes all, transcending everything that came before, after, or alongside Him. His existence is a profound reminder of the ultimate source of all things.

Hadith on Allah’s Existence before Creation

Al-Bukhari (7418) narrated that `Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when some people from Banu Tamim came to him and he said: “O Banu Tamim, accept the good news.” They said: You have given us the good news; now give us something. Then some people from Yemen came in and he said: “Accept the good news, O people of Yemen, for Banu Tamim did not accept it.” They said: We accept it, for we have come to you to learn about the religion and to ask you how the matter was from the very beginning. He said: “There was Allah and nothing existed before Him, and His Throne was on the water. Then He created the heavens and the earth , and He wrote all things in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfudh.”

Al-Hafith (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

This beautifully illustrates the profound truth that nothing exists besides Him—neither water, the Throne, nor any other creation, as these are all beyond Allah, may He be Exalted.

A remarkable supplication from the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) beautifully encapsulates this concept, as narrated in Muslim (2713): “O Allah, You are the First, with nothing preceding You; You are the Last, with nothing following You. You are Al-Dhahir, the Greatest and Highest, with nothing above You; and You are Al-Batin, aware of the subtlest secrets, with nothing closer than You.”

This beautiful prayer serves as a powerful reminder of the uniqueness and greatness of Allah, providing us with deep comfort and assurance in our faith. Let’s embrace this insight with enthusiasm and gratitude, reflecting on the constant presence and boundless power of the Divine in our lives.

As narrated by Abu Razin, when he asked the Messenger of Allah where our Lord was before creation, the response was profound: “Nothing existed but Him, with nothing beneath Him and nothing above Him. Then He created His Throne above the water.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad).

This Hadith has been recognized for its authenticity by various scholars, reinforcing its significance and inviting us to explore our faith with both curiosity and reverence. Let’s cherish these teachings and let them inspire us on our spiritual journeys!

The Uniqueness of Allah in Divinity

In conclusion, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, stands alone in His divine nature, existing uniquely without any creation alongside Him in eternity. He was Allah, with nothing preceding Him. Then, in His boundless wisdom, He brought creation into being and ascended above His Throne, as beautifully described in His Book. His sovereignty is unmatched, and He has no partner in His authority. This profound truth inspires awe and encourages us to embrace His greatness with joy and gratitude!

The Argument against Those Who Deny Allah’s Position

The question raised by some skeptics regarding whether Allah, may He be Exalted, is above His creation and elevated upon His Throne is an important one; however, it seems more fitting for them to reflect on their own position. If they imply that Allah, may He be Exalted, requires His Throne or the heavens or anything in His creation, we must clarify that Allah is exalted far beyond such notions.

Those who affirm the divine attributes share a fundamental belief: Allah, may He be Exalted, is entirely independent and has no dependencies on His creation. Nobody can challenge His sovereignty and authority. The Throne, the heavens, and all living beings exist and thrive solely by the support of Allah, their Creator, who designed them with purpose and sustains them with His grace.

It is essential to remember that the Throne relies on its Creator’s strength and power. As highlighted in the words of the Quran, “Verily! Allah grasps the heavens and the earth lest they move away from their places; and if they were to move away from their places, there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving” [Fatir 35:41]. This beautifully illustrates the profound truth that everything relies on Allah, while He is completely self-sufficient.

With this understanding, the question about Allah’s necessity for His creations becomes less relevant. Let’s wholeheartedly embrace this insight, appreciating the majesty of Allah and His creations while acknowledging our ongoing reliance on His infinite mercy and wisdom.

Additionally, this inquiry extends to those who deny it as well. They too must confront the irrefutable truths upheld by Islamic texts and reason: Allah transcends His creation.

As Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah bless him) beautifully articulated, “Allah existed alone before creation, and then He brought the universe into being.” This leads us to explore three possible scenarios regarding His relationship with creation. Let’s engage with these ideas with curiosity and respect!

Either He created it within Himself, then He separated from it. This is impossible; Allah is far above being in contact with filth and other things;

Or He created it outside Himself, then He entered it. This is also impossible; Allah is far above entering into His creation. There is no dispute among any of the Muslims that these two scenarios are impossible.

Or He created it outside of Himself, and did not enter into it. This is the truth; no other scenario is possible and nothing but this is befitting to Allah. (End quote from Majmu` Al-Fatawa, 5/152)

The Truth about Allah’s Position

As that is the case, it may be said: what is the reservation that may result from affirming what Allah affirmed about Himself, that He is above His creation and He rose over His Throne, which does not lead to any similar or worse reservation in the case of those who deny that?

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) also said:

It is known that there is nothing in the text that mentions the word direction or denies it, as it mentions and affirms His being high, rising above, being above, ascending to Him, and so on. So it may be said to the one who denies the idea of direction: Do you mean by direction something that exists and is created? For Allah is not encompassed by His creation. Or do you mean by direction what is beyond the universe? For undoubtedly Allah is above the universe and distinct from His creation. Similarly, it could be said to the one who says that Allah is in a particular direction: Do you mean thereby that Allah is above the universe? Or do you mean that Allah is encompassed by any of His creation? If you mean the former, that is true, but if you mean the latter, that is false.

Allah is, as the imams (leading scholars) of Ahl as-Sunnah said, above His heavens, over His Throne, distinct from His creation. (End quote from Majmu` Al-Fatawa, 3/41-42)

And Allah knows best.