The question “Where did God come from?” is often posed to cast doubt on the existence of God. Atheists use it as a challenge, assuming that if everything has a beginning, then God must have one too.
However, this question can also be turned around to demonstrate the existence of God, revealing a deeper understanding of divine nature. Rather than being a problem for believers, the question exposes flaws in atheistic logic while affirming core Islamic beliefs.
In this article, we’ll provide a clear answer to this seemingly problematic question and explore how it becomes a compelling proof of God’s existence. Through rational principles like the impossibility of infinite regression, we’ll see how Islam provides comprehensive answers, while atheism struggles with the most fundamental questions about creation and existence.
Where did God come from?
Atheists often pose the question, “If God created everything, who created God?” This question aims to challenge the concept of God’s existence, but it’s fundamentally flawed. Here’s why:
1. God Is Not Created:
The simplest answer is that God is not a created being. God, by definition, is eternal and has always existed, without origin or creation.
2. Loaded Question:
This question falls into the category of a “loaded question,” which assumes false premises. Atheists attempt to dismiss the valid question about the universe’s creation by posing an invalid question about God’s origin. The universe shows clear evidence of being created, while God, being eternal, does not require an origin.
3. Infinite Regression Fallacy:
The idea of an endless chain of causes is logically impossible. If everything required a cause, and causes regressed infinitely, nothing would ever exist. For example, if a mother waited infinitely for permission to bake a cake, the cake would never be baked. The universe’s existence implies a beginning, and that beginning is God.
4. The Irony:
By asking this question, atheists inadvertently argue for a “created” God, which contradicts their stance of denying God’s existence. This exposes the irrationality of the argument itself.
In conclusion, God is eternal, and the question of His origin is logically flawed.
How can you Believe in God when you can’t see, hear, touch, smell, taste, or even imagine what He is?
Belief in God comes through rationality and reasoning, not solely by sensory perception. People believe in many things they cannot directly experience through the five senses, based on evidence and logic.
- Rational Examples: When you see footprints in the sand, you know someone was there, even if you didn’t see them. Similarly, seeing smoke is enough to know there is a fire. These are signs, just like the signs of God in the universe.
- Necessity of first cause: The impossibility of infinite regression shows that there must be a first cause—the origin of everything. This “First” is a name of God (Allah), who is the ultimate cause without a beginning. He exists independently and is free of need, while everything else depends on Him.
Thus, this logical reasoning leads to the conclusion that God exists, even though He is beyond sensory perception. Also, infinite regression impossibility proves the existence of The First Ultimate Supreme One being above all, who is free of need and none is like Him. This is (Allah): The God.
What is the origin of God in Islam?
God in Islam is eternal without an origin. He has no Beginning nor End, but rather He is “The First” and “The Last”.
Without knowing the essence of God in Islam, asking questions about him would just be counterproductive.
Read more on: Who is Allah?
How do Muslims understand God?
Muslims understand God (Allah) based on His descriptions in the Quran. One of the clearest explanations comes from Surah Al-Ikhlas:
“Say He is Allah: The One, Allah: The Supreme Master (sustainer of All things), He Neither begotten anyone, nor was He born, And no one is His Equal”
Here, the Quranic chapter beautifully summarizes Allah’s essence and attributes:
1. Allah is One
Muslims believe in the absolute oneness of Allah. He is unique in every aspect: one in His being, attributes, actions, and deserving of worship. He has no equal, no partner, and no rival.
2. Allah is the Supreme Master (As-Samad)
Allah is the sustainer of all things, self-sufficient and independent. Everything in existence depends on Him, while He depends on nothing. All prayers and needs should be directed toward Him.
3. Allah is Not Born, Nor Does He Beget
Muslims reject the idea that Allah was born or has children. Unlike created beings, Allah has no beginning or end, and attributing such human qualities to God is considered a contradiction and a misconception.
4. No One is Equal to Allah
Allah is incomparable and beyond human comprehension. No one can be compared to Him, and He is free from limitations or deficiencies. He is completely distinct from His creation.
This understanding highlights Allah’s uniqueness, eternal nature, and complete authority over everything.
Who created Allah according to the Quran?
In the Quran, Allah is not created; He is the Creator of everything. The verse in Surah Al-Zumar clearly states:
“Allah is the Creator of everything, and He is the Maintainer of everything.”
While it’s natural to ask questions like:
- Who created the world?
- Who created you and me?
- Who created everything around us?
These are reasonable because everything in our experience has a beginning, limitations, and dependencies. However, applying this question to Allah is illogical. Allah is the Supreme Being, the One upon whom everything depends, yet He Himself is independent and without equal. He is the Creator, not created.
Thus, according to the Quran, no one created Allah.
Examples of Loaded Questions Fallacy
Loaded Questions are questions that are based on false assumptions. The assumptions are hidden in the form of a question to mask them. Masking assumptions in the form of questions makes the listener accept them without realizing it. Since questions make the listener think he has to answer and just by attempting to answer a loaded question, the assumption that it’s based on is acknowledged regardless of the answer.
How Did God Create Himself?
The question “How did God create Himself?” is a loaded question based on a false assumption. It assumes that God was created, which contradicts the fundamental belief that God is eternal and uncreated. In Islam, Allah is the Creator of all things and has always existed. This question is logically flawed and misleading.
How Did Allah Come Into Existence?
The question “How did Allah come into existence?” is also a loaded question that assumes Allah had a beginning. According to Islamic belief, Allah has always existed and was not brought into existence. He is eternal and uncreated, making the premise of this question incorrect.
How Was God Created?
The question “How was God created?” is based on a faulty assumption, as it implies that God is created. In Islam, Allah is not created; He is the Creator of everything and has no beginning or end. This type of question is misleading and based on a misunderstanding of God’s nature.
When Was God Created?
The question “When was God created?” assumes that God had a starting point, which contradicts Islamic teachings. Allah is eternal and has always existed, without a beginning or creation. Such questions are loaded with incorrect assumptions and should be recognized as fallacious.
In summary, God didn’t create himself, and isn’t created at all! Allah didn’t come into existence, He always existed. Now that you know the answer and know more about the logical fallacy you wouldn’t be confused by such questions.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said,
“The devil comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created so-and-so? ’till he says, ‘Who has created your Lord?’ So, when he whispers such a question, one should seek refuge with Allah and give up such thoughts.”
How did god become God?
The question “How did God become God?” is often posed by atheists, but it reflects a misunderstanding. The concept of God, especially in Islam, is not something invented or constructed by humans. Here’s how to understand it:
1. Simple vs. Constructed Concepts
For a better understanding of God’s existence-related question, you need to know that concepts of knowledge are divided into two types:
- Simple Concepts: These are basic building blocks like color, sound, or divinity, which are based on reality and cannot be fabricated.
- Constructed Concepts: Imaginary ideas like humanized gods or mythical creatures, which are combinations of simpler concepts.
As you can see, constructed concepts can be broken down into simpler ones. But these basic concepts themselves aren’t the product of construction. Simple concepts can only be comprehended by direct experience, thus it’s often evident that the concept has a form in reality.
So human perception works by simply acquiring simple principles from reality, and then augmenting them into constructed ones. Although constructed principles are products of imagination, thus it often don’t exist.
2. Existence of God is a Simple Concept
The concept of God in Islam is a simple, foundational principle. It is not a product of imagination or social manipulation like pagan myths. Belief in God has existed throughout human history and was never “created” by people.
3. Historical Belief in God
People have always believed in a higher power, using this simple concept as a base. Manipulators constructed false idols, but the core belief in God remained rooted in reality.
4. Atheist Challenge of denying God
Divinity and God in essence is a simple concept beyond imagination. That’s where the question of “how did god become a god?” is very problematic to atheists.
Atheists face the challenge of explaining how humans could invent the concept of God if such an idea had no basis in reality. This is as impossible as blind people inventing the concept of color.
5. Comprehension of the concept of God as Proof
The fact that people understand and discuss the concept of God is evidence that it’s real. Simple concepts cannot be imagined; they must exist in reality.
In conclusion, God did not “become” God. The very concept of God has always existed as a simple, undeniable reality.
Is the argument of God’s existence valid Islamically?
Yes, the argument for “how did God become God” is valid in Islamic thought and has been used by contemporary Muslim scholars like Firas Zahabi and Sheikh Metwalli Al-Sharawi.
- Linguistic Argument: Sheikh Al-Sharawi explains that the existence of the word “God” in language proves God’s existence, as language describes things that exist. However, this argument faces criticism, as imaginary concepts also have words.
- Argument from Simple Concepts: Firas Zahabi refutes atheistic claims by showing that God is a “simple concept” that cannot be constructed from imagination, making atheistic arguments invalid.
- Fitrah Argument: Rooted in Islamic literature, the Fitrah argument suggests that belief in God is part of human nature. This innate understanding of God’s existence proves His reality, as only God could embed such belief in human nature.
Thus, the argument for God’s existence, including the Fitrah and Simple Concepts arguments, is a valid and strong Islamic argument, reinforcing the belief in God’s reality.
Conclusion
To conclude, knowing Allah is the most important knowledge in life, far from the myths of pagan beliefs or atheistic denial of a supreme Creator.
The argument is rooted in the Islamic concept of Fitrah, which states that belief in God is innate in human nature, offering one of the strongest proofs of God’s existence.
Learn more about Allah (God) Almighty, and you will find answers and clarity in your life, free from the myths of pagan religions such as the Trinity or begotten man-gods, and away from the unnatural and irrational denial of the one ultimate supreme Creator.
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