(Explanation of the evidence for the oneness of Allah in this universe and the meaning of "the Ancient" according to the philosophers and in the language) And the evidences of events are apparent in this created world
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The Shaykh : The author (may Allah have mercy on him) explained in this excerpt the evidence for the oneness of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that He is prior to every existing thing. He said:
"And the evidences of events are apparent in this created world by proof" meaning: apparent by decisive evidence that this world is created.
"And the evidences of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) all testify to the createdness of every" thing, i.e., all existing things, "other than the Most Merciful"
It is permissible to interpret "the createdness of everything other than the Most Merciful" as a compound phrase. How is that? He explained by saying: "If there had been anyone other than Allah, Glorious is His Majesty, who was Ancient with Him, he would have been a second Lord"
Yes, if there had been anyone Ancient with Allah, he would have been a second Lord, because two Ancients would coexist with us: the Lord and this second Ancient Lord. The "Ancient" according to the philosophers and in the terminology of the theologians is that which has no beginning. It is not the "Ancient" in the Arabic language. The "Ancient" in the Arabic language is that which precedes others, even if it was preceded itself. The "Ancient" according to the philosophers and theologians is that which has no beginning. For example, an old thing is called "Ancient" in the language, as Allah the Exalted said:[Ya-Sin 36:39]. According to the philosophers, no, because it is created. So the "Ancient" for them is the Eternal, which has no beginning. Ibn al-Qayyim says:
"If there had been anyone other than Allah, Glorious is His Majesty, who was Ancient with Him, he would have been a second Lord"
Meaning there would be two Lords, if each of them were Ancient.
"And the evidences of events are apparent in this created world by proof" meaning: apparent by decisive evidence that this world is created.
"And the evidences of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) all testify to the createdness of every" thing, i.e., all existing things, "other than the Most Merciful"
It is permissible to interpret "the createdness of everything other than the Most Merciful" as a compound phrase. How is that? He explained by saying: "If there had been anyone other than Allah, Glorious is His Majesty, who was Ancient with Him, he would have been a second Lord"
Yes, if there had been anyone Ancient with Allah, he would have been a second Lord, because two Ancients would coexist with us: the Lord and this second Ancient Lord. The "Ancient" according to the philosophers and in the terminology of the theologians is that which has no beginning. It is not the "Ancient" in the Arabic language. The "Ancient" in the Arabic language is that which precedes others, even if it was preceded itself. The "Ancient" according to the philosophers and theologians is that which has no beginning. For example, an old thing is called "Ancient" in the language, as Allah the Exalted said:
until it returns [appearing] like the old date stalk.
حتى عاد كالعرجون القديم"If there had been anyone other than Allah, Glorious is His Majesty, who was Ancient with Him, he would have been a second Lord"
Meaning there would be two Lords, if each of them were Ancient.