In Islamic belief, Allah is uncreated and has always existed. This concept is fundamental in understanding the nature of Allah as described in the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islam teaches that Allah is eternal, without beginning or end, and that He is the source of all creation. He is not bound by time, space, or any limitations.
Key Points on Allah’s Eternal Existence
Allah is Self-Sufficient - Al-Samad:
The Qur’an describes Allah as “Al-Samad,” which means “the Eternal Refuge” or “the Self-Sufficient” (Qur’an, 112:2). This term indicates that Allah is independent and does not depend on anything or anyone, whereas everything else in existence depends on Him.
Allah is Beyond Time and Creation:
Time, space, and all forms of existence were created by Allah. As such, Allah exists beyond these constructs. He is not subject to the limitations or needs that apply to created beings. This is supported by the verse “There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing” (Qur’an, 42:11).
Allah’s Attribute of Eternity:
Allah’s attribute of Al-Awwal (The First) and Al-Akhir (The Last) signifies that He was there before anything existed and will remain after everything ceases. This means that He is eternal, without a beginning or an end, and is unlike His creation.
No Origin or Cause:
Allah’s existence is a fundamental belief in Islam that does not require a cause or origin. The Qur’an stresses the incomparability of Allah, indicating that human logic and understanding of cause-and-effect do not apply to Him. This is conveyed in Surah Ikhlas: “He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent” (Qur’an, 112:3-4)
Allah is Beyond Human Understanding:
Allah’s essence and existence are beyond the full grasp of human understanding. Muslims believe that humans can comprehend Allah’s attributes, as revealed, but not His essence. This reflects the Islamic principle that Allah is utterly unique and beyond anything we can imagine.
Philosophy of Allah’s Uncreated Nature
In Islam, the question of “who created Allah” is considered a misunderstanding because Allah, by definition, is the uncaused cause. All creation has a beginning, but Allah does not. Islamic theology posits that Allah is necessary for the existence of everything else but is not subject to creation Himself.
Summary
In Islam, Allah is viewed as uncreated, eternal, and self-sufficient. He is the ultimate origin and foundation of all that exists, without requiring any origin Himself. This belief is foundational and highlights the uniqueness and incomparability of Allah in Islamic theology.
