Have you asked yourself: where did God live? In Islam, God (Allah) is believed to be transcendent and omnipresent. Allah’s presence is not confined to a particular place or time, as He Almighty is not bound by place or time. He is beyond human comprehension, as “There is nothing like Him”. Thus, in Islamic theology, It is not appropriate to use the verb “live” in its traditional sense, as He Almighty exists beyond the limitations of space and time.
“There is nothing like Him, for He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
(42:11)
In this article, we will know more about the matter from a sound Islamic perspective by answering certain questions: Is God everywhere? Is God in the sky? What is Al-’Arsh?, and Is God close to You?
Is God Everywhere?
Allah is not everywhere. Those who believe in this follow the concept of pantheism. What Muslims believe about Allah is clear and simple. Allah is not everywhere; as Allah is above the heavens.
However, Allah Almighty created everything. Thus, it is not appropriate to say that Allah is in a certain place, as Allah is Al-Muheet (All-Encompassing, The All-Pervading) and Al-‘Ali (The Most High, The Sublime, The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures).
In this regard, Imam at-Tahawi stated:
“He is exalted above any limits, ends, supports, limbs, or tools. He is not contained by six directions like the rest of created things.”
Is God in the Sky?
Naturally, when supplicating we tend to look up to the sky. This deep belief that God is in the sky is followed by many human beings regardless of their different cultures. Every Muslim should truly believe that Allah Almighty is above the heavens in the sense of superiority and dominance.
How Quran addresses the issue of where did god live?
The last divine Book revealed by Almighty God addressed the issue of God’s presence in many ways:
1. Quran Proves Almighty God’s superiority and dominance:
Allah Almighty says:
“Do you feel secure that the One Who is in heavenwill not cause the earth to swallow you up as it quakes violently?”
(67: 16)
2. Quran Proves That Almighty God is above the Heavens:
Allah Almighty:
“They have not shown Allah His proper reverence—when on the Day of Judgment the ˹whole˺ earth will be in His Grip, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified and Exalted is He above what they associate ˹with Him˺!”
(39: 67).
Is it logical to be in the sky and roll up them in His Right Hand? This means that He Almighty is above them as mentioned in the following Hadith.
Evidence from the Sunnah on where God live
God’s presence is mentioned in different Prophetic traditions. For example, A man brought the Prophet (ﷺ) a black slave girl. He said:
‘Messenger of Allah, emancipation of believing slave is due to me.’ He asked her: ‘Where is Allah ?’ She pointed to the heaven with her finger. He then asked her: ‘Who am I?’ She pointed to the Prophet (ﷺ) and to the heaven, that is to say: ‘You are the Messenger of Allah.’ He then said: ‘Set her free, she is a believer.’
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was known to point towards the sky when referring to Allah. When making supplication to God he raised his hands towards the heavens.
What is Al-’Arsh?
In Islamic theology, Al-’Arsh (The Throne) is a significant concept referring to the supreme and exalted throne of Allah. It is considered one of the most important creations of Allah and symbolizes His sovereignty, authority, and majesty. Al-’Arsh is mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah referring to Allah’s dominance over the universe.
Allah Almighty says:
“The Most Merciful rose above the Throne”
(20:5).
How then does Allah exist if not in time or space?
In this regard, Muslim scholars follow the principle of ‘unknown modality’ (bi-la kayf); which means not to ask ‘how’ realities of the Unseen truly are.
For instance, When describing Allah as ‘rising above the Throne,’ Muslim scholars believe in this reality wihout asking about the modality. The modality is unknown and cannot ever be known because the human mind is limited.
God is CLOSE to You!
Proving the superiority of Allah without confining His existence to a certain place is logical. This is because He is the All-Hearing and All-Seeing Who can hear and see all events. Allah Almighty sees and hears the footsteps of the black ant on the solid black rock in the darkness of the night.
Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ created humankind and ˹fully˺ know what their souls whisper to them, and We are closer to them than ˹their˺ jugular vein.”
(50:16)
Allah Almighty heard a lady complaining to the Prophet Muhammad about her husband (see: The Noble Quran- 58:1).
Conclusion
Regarding theology, Muslims should follow the sound understanding deduced from the Quran and Sunnah. Theology in Islam controls the ideas and guides every Muslim to reach a correct understanding of his belief without following his whim or deviated interpretations. We believe that Allah is transcendent and omnipresent. There is nothing like Him. We believe in Him depending on the Quran and Sunnah without addition or omission. “O Allah, you are the First, there is nothing before you. You are the Last, there is nothing after you. You are the Manifest, there is nothing above you. You are the Hidden, there is nothing beyond you.” We ask Allah Almighty to show us the best way to know Him and be closer to Him. Ameen.
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