The Attribute of Existence
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The third question of Fatwa No. ( 6245 ):
Q3: I did not find the name (Al-Mawjud) [The Existent] among the names of Allah and His attributes, but I found the name (Al-Wajid) [The Finder]. I know in the language that Al-Mawjud is on the pattern of maf'ul [passive participle], and it is necessary that every existent has an exister, just as every passive participle has an active agent, and it is impossible for Allah to have an exister. I saw that Al-Wajid resembles the name Al-Khaliq [The Creator] and Al-Mawjud resembles the name Al-Makhlوق [The Created], and just as every existent has an exister, every created thing has a creator. So, may I after that describe Allah as Existent?
A3: The existence of Allah is known from the religion by necessity, and it is an attribute of Allah by the consensus of the Muslims, indeed it is an attribute of Allah according to all people of intellect, even the polytheists; no one disputes this except an atheist materialist. It does not follow from affirming existence as an attribute of Allah that He has an exister; because existence is of two types: The first: Intrinsic existence, which is that whose existence is established for it in itself, not acquired from another. This is the existence of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and His attributes, for His existence was not preceded by non-existence and is not followed by non-existence:[Al-Hadid 57:3]
The second: Occurrent existence, which is that which occurred after non-existence. This is what must have an exister who brings it into existence and a creator who creates it, and that is Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). He said, the Exalted:[Az-Zumar 39:62-63] , and He said, the Exalted: [At-Tur 52:35-36] , and on this basis Allah the Exalted is described as Existent and it is reported about Him in speech, saying: Allah is Existent. And existence is not a name, but an attribute. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q3: I did not find the name (Al-Mawjud) [The Existent] among the names of Allah and His attributes, but I found the name (Al-Wajid) [The Finder]. I know in the language that Al-Mawjud is on the pattern of maf'ul [passive participle], and it is necessary that every existent has an exister, just as every passive participle has an active agent, and it is impossible for Allah to have an exister. I saw that Al-Wajid resembles the name Al-Khaliq [The Creator] and Al-Mawjud resembles the name Al-Makhlوق [The Created], and just as every existent has an exister, every created thing has a creator. So, may I after that describe Allah as Existent?
A3: The existence of Allah is known from the religion by necessity, and it is an attribute of Allah by the consensus of the Muslims, indeed it is an attribute of Allah according to all people of intellect, even the polytheists; no one disputes this except an atheist materialist. It does not follow from affirming existence as an attribute of Allah that He has an exister; because existence is of two types: The first: Intrinsic existence, which is that whose existence is established for it in itself, not acquired from another. This is the existence of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and His attributes, for His existence was not preceded by non-existence and is not followed by non-existence:
He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing.
هُوَ الأَوَّلُ وَالآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌThe second: Occurrent existence, which is that which occurred after non-existence. This is what must have an exister who brings it into existence and a creator who creates it, and that is Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). He said, the Exalted:
(62) Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs. (63) To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.
اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ (62) لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ(35) Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? (36) Or did they create the heavens and the earth
أَمْ خُلِقُوا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُونَ (35) أَمْ خَلَقُوا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.