Allah is a lamp, omnipresent, invisible, shapeless, in front of praying Muslims, eclipses are Allah's signs, Gabriel has form, transforms into human limbs, spirit.
The very first part of this prolix essay started with the premise that Islamic Allah was truly anthropomorphic or human-like. We noted many scriptural references to prove without much confusion that it was so. Muhammad was quite desperate to provide the illiterate and un–informed Bedouins with a vivid and living version of Allah, his final chosen God. But he felt troubled when the knowledgeable and erudite pagans, the Jews and the Christians challenged him to prove that His Allah was a living, human–like entity. This was because the pagans, as well as the Jews and the Christians did indeed believe that their Allah was unseen, non–physical, omnipresent and could not be perceived by ordinary human senses.
Muhammad was desperate for help, and his Allah was never far off to send down His succor. This time around, Allah declared that He could not be seen, He is like a light, shapeless and is present everywhere. Allah even confirmed that since He is light, He had also sent Muhammad as a light. Ditto for the Qur’an. This amorphous nature of Allah, as described by Muhammad, had great similarities with the version of Allah the pagans and other religious followers in Arabia. It was a win–win situation—this duplicity role, played by Muhammad, and fully sanctioned by Allah. Allah taught Muhammad how to play smart—the double–game, so to speak: when necessary Allah became anthropomorphic, and when situation changed, Allah immediately became amorphous. This was a marvelous, clever and cunning strategy adopted by Allah to find His way to be accepted by people at large—whether pagan, Jewish or Christian, or that was what Allah thought. Remember, in another part of this essay we read Allah is a swift, cunning and efficient plotter.
In this part of the essay we shall read many such schemes of deft strategic plans by Allah to play smart with His own creation.
Let us now review few of the smart moves Allah made to make Him acceptable to all.
Allah is light, similar to a lamp
The Qur’an, in a few early Meccan verses, describe Allah as a lamp, a shining light everywhere—like a brilliant star in the sky. When Muhammad claimed that his audience with Allah riding a Buraq during his travel to the Heavens, people were suspicious and asked him to describe Allah. Unable to do so, he insisted Allah was a light and that Allah had indeed spoken with him behind a veil.
Please consult the following verses in the Qur’an to understand how Allah compares Himself with, sometimes quite contradictorily, and sometimes with ambiguity as:
Allah has sent a light manifest (The Qur’an and Muhammad)...4:174
To say the least, most intelligent people will understand that the above verse simply means Allah, Muhammad and the Qur’an are guides for the believers. It is quite simple to understand that the allusion of light here is just a parable. It means guidance, and that is it.
But is this really true? Could it be that physically Allah truly is light, just like a huge flood-light, a mammoth lamp, similar to the sun? Let us read the following verse,
Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; the light is like a brilliant star similar to a lamp lit from olive oil; Allah's light is like a lamp enclosed in glass and put in a niche; Allah guides to His light whom He wills …24:35
Sourcing impeccable fount of Islam, the great Tafsir writer ibn Kathir clearly writes that Allah is indeed light, much like the light we see from the sun and other powerful light-emitting devices. He even says that the Light of the Throne comes from the Light of His Face. He writes (please note that I have omitted the Arabic text):
Ibn Jurayj said: "Mujahid and Ibn `Abbas said concerning the Ayah:
(Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.) He is controlling their affairs and their stars and sun and moon.'' As-Suddi said concerning the Ayah:
(Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.) by His Light the heavens and earth are illuminated. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "When the Messenger of Allah got up to pray at night, he would say:
(O Allah, to You be praise, You are the Sustainer of heaven and earth and whoever is in them. To You be praise, You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them. ) It was narrated that Ibn Mas`ud said, "There is no night or day with your Lord; the Light of the Throne comes from the Light of His Face.''
If we are not still not convinced that Allah is really light, let us read the following verse:
On the resurrection day, the believers will have a light in front of them and on to their right sides; they will receive good news from Allah...57:12
This verse tells us that not only Allah is light but He will also provide on the resurrection day light to the Muslims. This will be much like torch lights for every Muslim—one in front and one on his right side. To elaborate on this further, ibn Kathir writes that the believers who spend in charity will come on the Day of Resurrection with their light preceding them in the area of the Gathering, according to the level of their good deeds. Some of them will have a light as large as a mountain, some as a date tree, some as big as a man in the standing position. The least among them has a light as big as his index finger, it is lit at times and extinguished at other times (ibn Kathir, Tafsir Qur’an, sura 57).
Here is another verse from the Qur’an which tells us without doubt that Allah truly is a light-much like a radio-active material such as Radium, Phosphorous, Uranium, Plutonium…and son on
The unbelievers might try to extinguish the light of Allah, but Allah will engulf the world with His light…61:8
That Allah has great effulgence is further confirmed from the following ahadith.
In a hadith in Sahih Muslim Muhammad confirms that he could not see Allah because He was light (Sahih Muslim, 1.0341).
Book 001, Number 0341:
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr: I asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him): Did you see thy Lord? He said: He is a Light; how could I see Him?
Muhammad saw the light of Allah…(Sahih Muslim, 1.0342)
Book 001, Number 0342:
Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: I said to Abu Dharr: Had I seen the Messenger of Allah, I would have asked him. He (Abu Dharr) said: What is that thing that you wanted to inquire of him? He said: I wanted to ask him whether he had seen his Lord. Abu Dharr said: I, in fact, inquired of him, and he replied: I saw Light.
Could it be that Allah wears radio-active dress? The following hadith tells us that this might indeed be true. This hadith also provides the clue as to why Allah is a light. When we read it carefully we note that Allah is actually fire—an intense fire and because of His veil we see only the light of this blazing fire.
Allah’s veil is His light…(Sahih Muslim, 1. 0343)
Book 001, Number 0343:
Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was standing amongst us and he told us five things. He said: Verily the Exalted and Mighty God does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds in the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day. and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is the light. In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (instead of the word" light" ) it is fire. If he withdraws it (the veil), the splendour of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches. (The texts in bold italics are mine).
Any scientists who reads the above passage will surely surmise that Allah is actually energy-possibly heat and light energy combined together.
Allah is everywhere
This is a magnificent game Allah plays with His diligent followers. We noted in part–3 of this series that Allah steadfastly claimed that His permanent abode is above the seventh Heaven. His temporary residence is in Kaba, especially during the season of pilgrimage (Hajj). But clever Allah knew quite well that the Muslims might ask Muhammad embarrassing questions. So Allah declared that He is everywhere: top, bottom, left, right, in front, inside the earth, under the ocean, in heavens, in Hell, in Paradise— in all places. This was indeed a very deft answer, for it silenced everyone who could hurt Muhammad with discomforting questions.
Let us read the following Qur’anic verses to determine the depth of cleverness of Allah, the smart game Allah plays with His slaves.
The east and the west belongs to Allah, wherever you turn your face you will see the face of Allah...2:115
YUSUFALI: To Allah belong (sic) the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing [002.115]
Allah is everywhere; no need to turn your face east or west for Allah...2:177
YUSUFALI: It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. [002.177]
Allah is everywhere...4:126
YUSUFALI: But to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth: And He it is that Encompasseth all things. [004.126]
YUSUFALI: But to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth: And He it is that Encompasseth all things. [004.126]
The law of physics says that it is impossible for an entity to be at any two places at any instant. But Allah does not obey the laws of science. He simply overrides the eternal law of impossibility of being present at any two locations at the same time. If we were to believe that Allah is the law-giver, then this disposition of Allah clearly violates His own laws.
Allah is not visible, if you want to see Allah you will not succeed, you will be a sinner
Despite such deftness of Allah, the pagan Meccans did not leave Muhammad in peace. They persistently asked him about his Allah and His whereabouts. Their diatribes against Muhammad’s Allah went unabated. For a while, Muhammad remained aloof, reticent and taciturn. Greatly perturbed, Allah quickly commanded Muhammad to issue warning that whoever dared to ask such insolent questions about the residence, occupation and countenance of Allah is doomed. Such persons were condemned to the eternal fire of Hell and Allah vouched that He will never meet them.
Let us read these two verses from the Qur’an to gauge Allah’s unbridled anger for those who dare to know His real address.
Asking to see Allah and angels are two great sins; those who commit such sins will never meet Allah…25:21
YUSUFALI: Such as fear not the meeting with Us (for Judgment) say: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or (why) do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they have an arrogant conceit of themselves, and mighty is the insolence of their impiety! [025.021]
There will be no joy when the unbelievers see the angels…25:22
YUSUFALI: The Day they see the angels,- no joy will there be to the sinners that Day: The (angels) will say: "There is a barrier forbidden (to you) altogether!" [025.022]
Muhammad claimed that Allah has created everything on heavens and earths (believe me, according to the Qur’an, there are seven earths—six of them are underground and the topmost is the one reserved for us). Everything on them (that is in heaven and earths) attest to the creation of Allah. Muhammad also claimed that all natural objects, including mountains, oceans, trees, plants, camels, ships, insects, angels…and so on sing the glory of Allah. Strangely though, Allah has only selected the Muslims to be His witnesses. This means Allah only trusts Muslims when it comes to verify Allah’s properties, such as: His look, activities, address, temperament, habits and His likes and dislikes. Allah has authorized only Muslims to certify all the attributes of His. In essence Allah is saying that when you meet a Muslim you indirectly meet Allah.
Let us read the following hadith.
Muslims are the witnesses on earth of Allah…(ibn Majah, 2.1491)
Volume 2, Number 1491:
Anas b. Malik (Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said, “A bier passed by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was praised well whereupon he said, “(Paradise) is guaranteed (for him).” Then another bier passed by him and he was spoken in bad terms. Upon this, he said, “(The Hell Fire) has become compulsory (for him). He was asked, “Allah’s Messenger, you said for this (man) it ensured for him and for this (man), it has become compulsory.” He said (Sic) It is the evidence of people.” And, the believers are the witnesses of Allah on earth.”
Allah is right in front of you, when you pray
Since Allah could be anywhere at any time, even at multiple places, it is certainly possible for Him to witness prayers offered by each and every Muslim on earth. In fact, Allah claims that He watches a Muslim whenever he prays.
Here are a few ahadith to demonstrate Allah’s hide–and–seek game with His slaves.
When you pray, Allah is in front of you, so do not spit in front of Him… (Sahih Bukhari, 1.12.720)
Volume 1, Book 12, Number 720: Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet saw expectoration in the direction of the Qibla of the mosque while he was leading the prayer, and scratched it off. After finishing the prayer, he said, "Whenever any of you is in prayer he should know that Allah is in front of him. So none should spit in front of him in the prayer."
While praying, you cannot spit in front of you because Allah is right in front of you…(Sahih Muslim, 4.1116)
Abdullah b. Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw spittle on the wall towards Qibla, and scratched it away and then turning to the people said: When any one of you prays, he must not spit in front of him, for Allah is in front of him when he is engaged in prayer.
When in prayer you are in intimate conversation with Allah, so do not spit in front of you or at your right but spit at your left side and under your foot…(Sahih Muslim, 4.1123)
Anas b. Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When any one of you is engaged in prayer, he is holding intimate conversation with his Lord, so none of you must spit in front of him, or towards his right side, but towards his left side under his foot.
Sunaan ibn Majah contains another, almost similar hadith.
When you pray, Allah is right in front of you; so do not spit in front…(Sunaan Ibn Majah 1.763)
Sunaan Ibn Majah, Vol.I, Hadith Number 763
‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said, “Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw some expectorated matter on (the wall of the qibla of the mosque, while he was saying prayer leading the people. So, he rubbed it off (and thereafter he said as he concluded the prayer:(Sic) Verily when anyone of you is in the state of prayer, Allah is in front of his face. Thus, none of you should ever spit out sputum in front of his face during prayer.
The invisible Allah watches His slaves
Allah might be amorphous but He never fails to watch Islamic prayers. He is a meticulous observer. Previously, we noted how Allah stands right in front of a Muslim when he offers his prayer. But there is more to Allah’s constant watching. He is like the Big Brothercharacter depicted by George Orwell in his famous satire, Nineteen Eighty‑Four.’ Just like this ‘big brother’ who is rarely seen in public but is always present almost everywhere, Allah also watches every Muslim wherever he goes, even though Allah Himself had admitted that he is shapeless, so cannot be seen by human eyes. On one occasion Muhammad even claimed that he had an appointment with Allah, so he was late for a Morning Prayer congregation.
Let us read a few ahadith on Allah’s ubiquitous nature.
Almighty Allah really loves those Muslims who remain awake to offer the late night prayer. Here is a hadith which tells us about Allah’s bias for the night‑watcher, insomniacs.
Allah is nearest to the person who prays during the later part of night…(Tirmidhi, 364, 366)
Sunaan Tirmidhi, Number 364: Narrated Amr ibn Abasah
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Allah is nearest to His servant in midst of the later part of the night and if you are able to be amongst those who remember Allah at that hour, do so.
Transmitted by Tirmidhi and he said: This is a hasan sahih gharib hadith.
Sunaan Tirmidhi, Number 366
Narrated AbuUmamah
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked: Which supplication is listened to (most readily) by Allah? He replied (one which is made in the) later part of the night, and at the end of the obligatory prayers.
Transmitted by Tirmidhi. (Tirmidhi hadith 364, 366 quoted from ALIM CD ROM)
Those who perform hajj and umra are people who have come to visit Allah…(Tirmidhi, 800)
Sunaan Tirmidhi, Number 800
Narrated AbuHurayrah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Those who perform the hajj and those who perform the umrah are people who have come to visit Allah. If they supplicate Him He will respond to them, and if they ask Him for forgiveness He will forgive
them."
Ibn Majah transmitted it. (Tirmidhi hadith 800 quoted from ALIM CD ROM)
We now know for certain that the major objective of Hajj is to see (feel) Allah when He takes His temporary residence at Kaba.
Muhammad had an appointment with Allah, during a conclave; Allah touched Muhammad’s chest…(Tirmidhi, 245)
Sunaan Tirmidhi, Number 245
Narrated Mu'adh ibn Jabal
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was detained one morning from observing the dawn prayer (in congregation) along with us till the sun had almost appeared on the horizon. He then came out hurriedly and Iqamah for prayer was observed and he conducted it (prayer) in brief form. When he had concluded the prayer by saying As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah, he called out to us saying: Remain in your places as you were. Then turning to us he said: I am going to tell you what detained me from you (on account of which I could not join you in the prayer) in the morning. I got up in the night and performed ablution and observed the prayer as had been ordained for me. I dozed in my prayer till I was overcome by (sleep) and lo, I found myself in the presence of my Lord, the Blessed and the Glorious, in the best form. He said: Muhammad! I said: At Thy service, my Lord. He said: What these highest angels contend about? I said: I do not know. He repeated it thrice. He said: Then I saw Him put His Palms between my shoulder blades till I felt the coldness of His fingers between the two sides of my chest. Then everything was illuminated for me and I could recognize everything. He said: Muhammad! I said: At Thy service, my Lord. He said: What do these high angels contend about? I said: In regard to expiations. He said: What are these? I said: Going on foot to join congregational prayers, sitting in the mosques after the prayers, performing ablution well despite difficulties. He again said: Then what do they contend? I said: In regard to the ranks. He said: What are these? I said: Providing of food, speaking gently, observing the prayer when the people are asleep. He again said to me: Beg (Your Lord) and say: O Allah, I beg of Thee (power) to do good deeds, and abandon abominable deeds, to love the poor, that Thou forgive me and show mercy to me and when Thou intendst (Sic) to put people to trial Thou causes me to die unblemished and I beg of Thee Thy love and the love of one who loves Thee and the love for the deed which brings me near to Thy love. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: It is a truth, so learn it and teach it.
Transmitted by Ahmad, Tirmidhi who said: This is a hasan sahih hadith and I asked Muhammad ibn Isma'il about this hadith and he said: It is a sahih hadith. (Tirmidhi hadith 245 quoted from ALIM CD ROM)
Eclipses are signs of Allah
Allah’s fascination with the moon knows no bound. In part–3 we discovered the compelling reason why Allah is so much obsessed with the moon. It was because long before Muhammad was born, Allah actually, was the moon god of the pagans. There are irrefutable epigraphic evidences to support this fact. However, Muhammad wanted to change the history of the pagans of Mecca. He wanted his version of Allah. His Allah became not a moon god but the only God who must be obeyed by all. Even with such a pine for monotheism, Muhammad could not shake off his pagan origin. When an eclipse engulfed the sun, the pagans were afraid and enquired Muhammad about Allah and His power. Muhammad quietly answered that the eclipse was really the sign of Allah—confirming that the pagans were correct all along.
Let us read this hadith from Sahih Bukhari
The eclipses are the signs of Allah...(Sahih Bukhari, 2. 18. 152)
Volume 2, Book 18, Number 152: Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah. When you see them offer the prayer."
There are a number of ahadith in Sahih Bukhari on this event. Please read other ahadith here (Sahih Bukhari, 2.18.151, 153, 154, 157)
Allah is shapeless, Gabriel is not
Muhammad was smart and skilfully nifty to play the duality concept of Allah—the two exactly opposite natures of Allah: His anthropomorphic personality and His amorphous disposition. However, much smarter was Muhammad’s great oratory to convince the rabble that Allah’s Archangel Gabriel was indeed anthropomorphic, though, with the capability to metamorphose at will into a physical form—into any form he desired. At one time Allah sent Gabriel with six hundred wings; at other times Gabriel came to meet Muhammad in his real form. In many ahadith we read that Gabriel, taking the form of human beings, especially in the form of Dhiya al–Kalbi, a handsome young man of Mecca had consulted Muhammad.
Let us read the following ahadith.
Muhammad saw Gabriel having six hundred wings…(Sahih Bukhari, 4.54.455)
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 455: Narrated Abu Ishaq-Ash-Shaibani:
I asked Zir bin Hubaish regarding the Statement of Allah: "And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; So did (Allah) convey The Inspiration to His slave (Gabriel) and then he (Gabriel) Conveyed (that to Muhammad). (53.9-10) On that, Zir said, "Ibn Mas'ud informed us that the Prophet had seen Gabriel having 600 wings."
Muhammad did not see his Lord (Allah), he only saw Gabriel in his genuine shape covering the whole horizon…(Sahih Bukhari, 4.54.457)
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 457: Narrated Aisha:
Whoever claimed that (the Prophet) Muhammad saw his Lord, is committing a great fault, for he only saw Gabriel in his genuine shape in which he was created covering the whole horizon.
Muhammad told Umm Salama that Gabriel met him in the form of Dhiya...4.56.827
Volume 4, Book 56, Number 827: Narrated Abu Uthman:
I got the news that Gabriel came to the Prophet while Um Salama was present. Gabriel started talking (to the Prophet and then left. The Prophet said to Um Salama, "(Do you know) who it was?" (or a similar question). She said, "It was Dihya (a handsome person amongst the companions of the Prophet)." Later on Um Salama said, "By Allah! I thought he was none but Dihya, till I heard the Prophet talking about Gabriel in his sermon." (The Sub-narrator asked Abu 'Uthman, "From where have you heard this narration?" He replied, "From Usama bin Zaid.")
Only Muhammad could see Allah’s angel Gabriel; none else could
The pagan Arabs believed in the angels of Allah. Their concept of angels of Allah was that they were apparitions, part human–shaped. When Muhammad made the preposterous claim that he had seen Gabriel, the archangel of Allah, the pagans insisted on verifying Gabriel. Nevertheless, Muhammad was adamant that Allah allowed only him to see Gabriel in its various forms.
The Qur’an holds that Gabriel used to visit Muhammad every night during the month of Ramadan. Accepting that Muhammad’s Prophetic life was twenty–three years, and assuming that each month of Ramadan consisted of thirty days, we can easily calculate how many times Gabriel had visited Muhammad during his life time. This will be 690 times, at least. Now let us add the additional occasions when Gabriel had to consult Muhammad for Allah’s needs, I mean emergency situations,—we can safely use a round figure of 700 occasions when Gabriel had accosted Muhammad, either for a short appointment or for a prolong period. It is simply implausible that none (sans Muhammad) could, at least for once, see Gabriel, who, according to Allah, does possess a physical shape. Muhammad’s such effrontery claim that only he had the ability to see a physical Gabriel did not go unchallenged. Many Arabs did put Muhammad in an extremely difficult position by asking him pertinent questions. Those discomforting questions had gravely embarrassed Muhammad. None the less, those questions were genuine and Muhammad had to come up with credible answers. Undaunted, he naturally turned to his fast friend, Allah.
Let us read these ahadith from Sahih Bukhari to learn how Muhammad answered such questions. Note that the first hadith also tells us how Allah used to communicate with Muhammad.
During Ramadan, Gabriel used to meet Muhammad every night to teach him the Qur’an…(Sahih Bukhari, 1.1.5)
Volume 1, Book 1, Number 4: Narrated Said bin Jubair:
Ibn 'Abbas in the explanation of the Statement of Allah. 'Move not your tongue concerning (the Quran) to make haste therewith." (75.16) Said "Allah's Apostle used to bear the revelation with great trouble and used to move his lips (quickly) with the Inspiration." Ibn 'Abbas moved his lips saying, "I am moving my lips in front of you as Allah's Apostle used to move his." Said moved his lips saying: "I am moving my lips, as I saw Ibn 'Abbas moving his." Ibn 'Abbas added, "So Allah revealed 'Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur'an) to make haste therewith. It is for us to collect it and to give you (O Muhammad) the ability to recite it (the Qur'an) (75.16-17) which means that Allah will make him (the Prophet) remember the portion of the Qur'an which was revealed at that time by heart and recite it. The Statement of Allah: And 'When we have recited it to you (O Muhammad through Gabriel) then you follow its (Qur'an) recital' (75.18) means 'listen to it and be silent.' Then it is for Us (Allah) to make It clear to you' (75.19) means 'Then it is (for Allah) to make you recite it (and its meaning will be clear by itself through your tongue). Afterwards, Allah's Apostle used to listen to Gabriel whenever he came and after his departure he used to recite it as Gabriel had recited it."
Even Aisha, Muhammad’s dearest wife and the only person on whose bed Muhammad used to converse with Allah via Gabriel could not see Gabriel.
Gabriel led prayer five times and he prayed with Muhammad…(Sahih Bukhari, 4.54.444)
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 444: Narrated Ibn Shihab:
Once Umar bin Abdul Aziz delayed the 'Asr prayer a little. 'Urwa said to him, "Gabriel descended and led the prayer in front of the Prophet." On that 'Umar said, "O Urwa! Be sure of what you say." "Urwa, (sic) "I heard Bashir bin Abi Masud narrating from Ibn Masud who heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'Gabriel descended and led me in prayer; and then prayed with him again, and then prayed with him again, and then prayed with him again, and then prayed with him again, counting with his fingers five prayers."
Muhammad saw Gabriel in a cloud (lengthy hadith)…(see Sahih Bukhari, 4.54.454)
Muhammad introduced Gabriel to Aisha but she could not see Gabriel…(Sahih Bukhari, 5.57.112)
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 112: Narrated Abu Salama:
'Aisha said, "Once Allah's Apostle said (to me), 'O Aish ('Aisha)! This is Gabriel greeting you.' I said, 'Peace and Allah's Mercy and Blessings be on him, you see what I don't see' " She was addressing Allah 's Apostle.
Muhammad used to see things (Gabriel) that Aisha could not…(Sahih Bukhari, 8.73.220)
Volume 8, Book 73, Number 220: Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife the Prophet) Allah's Apostle said, "O Aisha! This is Gabriel sending his greetings to you." I said, "Peace, and Allah's Mercy be on him." 'Aisha added: The Prophet used to see things which we used not to see.
Muhammad told Aisha that Gabriel greeted her but she did not see Gabriel…(Sahih Bukhari, 8.74.270)
Volume 8, Book 74, Number 270:
Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet said to her, "Gabriel sends Salam (greetings) to you." She replied, "Wa 'alaihi-s-Salam Wa Rahmatu-l-lah." (Peace and Allah's Mercy be on him).
When Muhammad met Gabriel in a bush Gabriel told Muhammad that whoever worships Allah, even if he is a thief or a sex offender will go to Paradise (lengthy hadith) (see Sahih Bukhari, 8.76.450, 451)
Allah could transform Himself into human limbs
Allah’s cleverness knows no bound. When Muhammad was continuously bombarded with thorny questions about his Allah, Allah, as usual, came to his rescue. He told Muhammad that He could easily transform Himself into human ears, hands, feet, and grips. Obviously those privileges were restricted only for the diehard believers (i.e., true Muslims, like the jihadists). We should have no problem in guessing the reason/s for such a clever move to placate the implacable foes of Muhammad.
Allah becomes the ears, eyes, hands, feet and grips of a pious believer; Allah declares war against those who are hostile to a pious believer…(Sahih Bukhari, 8.76.509)
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 509: Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."
Muhammad never saw Allah, he only saw Allah in his heart
Here is what Muhammad resorted to advance his theology. He back flipped completely from his stand of an anthropomorphic Allah, to a confused, amorphous, to a total denial that he had ever seen Allah in any form. Confronted with barrage of unanswerable questions and feeling extremely exasperated, he admitted that he only saw Allah in his heart—twice, to be precise. He also claimed that he only saw once Gabriel in his genuine shape.
We need to read diligently the following ahadith to gauge the smartness of Allah and Muhammad.
Muhammad did not see his Lord (Allah), Muhammad only saw Gabriel in his genuine shape covering the whole horizon…(Sahih Bukhari, 4.54.457)
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 457: Narrated Aisha:
Whoever claimed that (the Prophet) Muhammad saw his Lord, is committing a great fault, for he only saw Gabriel in his genuine shape in which he was created covering the whole horizon.
Muhammad really saw the signs of Allah in a green screen covering the horizon...(Sahih Bukhari, 6.60.381)
Volume 6, Book 60, Number 381: Narrated Abdullah:
(regarding the revelation) Truly he (Muhammad) did see of the signs of his Lord; the Greatest!' (53.18) The Prophet saw a green screen covering the horizon.
If anyone says that Muhammad saw Allah then he is a liar...(Sahih Bukhari, 9.93.477)
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 477: Narrated Masruq:
'Aisha said, "If anyone tells you that Muhammad has seen his Lord, he is a liar, for Allah says: 'No vision can grasp Him.' (6.103) And if anyone tells you that Muhammad has seen the Unseen, he is a liar, for Allah says: "None has the knowledge of the Unseen but Allah."
Muhammad saw Allah twice with his heart…(Sahih Muslim, 1.0334, 0335)
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he (the Holy Prophet) saw (Allah) with, his heart.
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the words:" The heart belied not what he saw" (al-Qur'an, Iiii. 11) and" Certainly he saw Him in another descent" (al-Qur'an, Iiii. 13) imply that he saw him twice with his heart.
Allah wears a veil, only the Muslims will see Allah
We read previously that Muhammad claimed everyone will see Allah the way we see a moon. But when Muhammad started out to reserve the exclusivity of the Muslims, Allah changed His mind. He told Muhammad that the only people worthy of ‘seeing’ Him were the Muslims.
Here is a verse from the Qur’an in which we note how Allah plays a double‑game—in one hand He declares that He cannot be seen, in any form. On the other hand, to please the Muslims, He asserts that only the Muslims will see His real face.
Allah will veil Himself (i.e., He will not show His face) from the unbelievers on the resurrection day); only the believers will see the face of Allah…83:15
YUSUFALI: Verily, from (the Light of) their Lord, that Day, will they be veiled. [083.015]
To confuse further, Sahih Muslim tells us that Allah’s veil is His light. Let us read this hadith.
Allah’s veil is His light…(Sahih Muslim, 1. 0344)
Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was standing amongst us and he told us five things. He said: Verily the Exalted and Mighty God does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds in the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is the light. In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (instead of the word" light") it is fire. If he withdraws it (the veil), the splendour of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches.
Allah will lift His veil to the inhabitants of Paradise…(Sahih Muslim, 1.0347)
Suhaib reported the Apostle (may peace be upon him) saying: When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Hast Thou not brightened our faces? Hast Thou not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (God) would lift the veil, and of things given to them nothing would he dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious.
Allah is a Spirit (Holy Ghost)
That’s right. We might be surprised to learn that the Qur’an and hadith confirm one of the foundations of Christianity—that God (or Allah) is the Holy Ghost.
Here is what Sahih Bukhari writes about the Holy Ghost.
When some Jews asked Muhammad about spirit, he replied that the knowledge of spirit is with Allah (17:85)…(Sahih Bukhari, 1.3.127)
Volume 1, Book 3, Number 127: Narrated 'Abdullah:
While I was going with the Prophet through the ruins of Medina and he was reclining on a date-palm leaf stalk, some Jews passed by. Some of them said to the others: Ask him (the Prophet) about the spirit. Some of them said that they should not ask him that question as he might give a reply which would displease them. But some of them insisted on asking, and so one of them stood up and asked, "O Abu-l-Qasim ! What is the spirit?" The Prophet remained quiet. I thought he was being inspired Divinely. So I stayed till that state of the Prophet (while being inspired) was over. The Prophet then said, "And they ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the spirit --Say: The spirit -- its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge you (mankind) have been given only a little)." (17.85)
In case we are confused and misunderstood what Allah meant, here is what the Islamic scholars, Drs Hilali and Muhsin Khan write on 4:171 where Allah’s spirit is mentioned.
First, let us read verse 4:171
YUSUFALI: O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. [004.171]
The commentary by these two scholars of Islam is quite lengthy. I shall quote only the relevant part:
(V.4.171) Ruh–ullah: According to the early religious scholars from among the Companions of the Prophet and their students and the Mujtahidin, there is a rule to distinguish between the two nouns in the genitive construction.
a) When one of the two nouns is Allah, and the other is a person or a thing, e.g., Allah’s House (Bait–ullah); Allah’s Messenger (Rasul–ullah);and Allah’s slave (‘Abdullah); Allah’s spirit (Ruh–ullah), the rule for the above words is that the second noun, e.g., house. Messenger, slave or spirit is created by Allah and is honorable in His Sight, and similarly, Allah’s spirit may be as the spirit of Allah, in fact it is a soul created by Allah, i.e., ‘Isa (Jesus). And it was His Word: “Be!” and he was [i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus) was created like Adam]…(Hilali and Khan, 1996, p. 47, foot note 1)
[Author's note of caution: The contents of this book might offend some readers.]
Chapter 3: Allah’s Likes and Dislikes
Chapter 4: Allah’s Executive Office
Chapter 5: Allah’s Temperament
Chapter 6: Allah is Amorphous
Chapter 7: Allah’s Countenance
Chapter 9: Activities of Allah
Chapter 10: Muhammad is Allah
Chapter 11: The Capricious Mind of Allah
Abul Kasem is an Bengali ex-Muslim and academic. He has contributed in Leaving Islam - Apostates Speak Out andBeyond Jihad - Critical Voices from Inside. He has also written extensively on Islam in various websites and is the author of five e-Books: A Complete Guide to Allah, Root of Terrorism ala Islamic Style, Sex and Sexuality in Islam,Who Authored the Quran? and Women in Islam. Mr. Kasem leaves in Sydney, Australia. He can be contacted at abul88@hotmail.com.
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