City by the sea, Sūrat l-Aʿrāf 162-164

BEN ABRAHAMSON

Q. Salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, Rabbi. In Sura al-Aʿraf it mentions a “city by the sea” which caught fish on the Sabbath. Is this mentioned in the Torah?

A. Wa aleikum salaam wa rahmatullah. The ayat that speak about this event are Sūrat l-Aʿrāf 162-164

7:162 But changed, those who wronged among them, word other than that which was said to them. So We sent upon them torment from the sky because they were doing wrong.

7:163 And ask them about the town which was situated by the sea, when they transgressed in the matter of Sabbath, when came to them their fish on the day of their Sabbath visibly and on the day they had not Sabbath they did not come to them. Thus We test them because they were defiantly disobeying.

7:164 And when said a community among them, "Why do you preach a people, whom Allah is going to destroy them or punish them with a punishment severe?" They said, "To be absolved before your Lord and that they may become righteous."

This seems a very clear parallel to Nechemiah 13:16-18. In that chapter Nehemiah rebukes some of the Children of Israel for intermarrying pagan wives without conversion. Their children could not speak Hebrew and they mixed the truth with falsehood. They changed the Law of Torah and permitted the buying and selling of fish on the Sabbath.

16 And the Tyrians [who] sojourned there were bringing fish and all [types of] merchandise and selling on the Sabbath to the people of Judea and in Jerusalem.

17 And I quarreled with the dignitaries of Judea, and I said to them, "What is this bad thing that you are doing-profaning the Sabbath day?

18 Did not your ancestors do this, and our God brought upon us all this calamity, and upon this city, and you are increasing the wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath?"

Ibn Kathir brings that “The village mentioned here is Aylah, on the shore of the Qulzum (Red) Sea.” It is interesting that during the period of the Qur’an the name for Jerusalem was “Alyah”. This would imply that the “city by the sea” was Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is located 50km from the Mediterranean Sea, this is only a 10 hour journey by foot. It is conceivable that from the viewpoint of Makka, this was “by the sea.” Indeed there are reports from travelers during Middle Ages describing Jerusalem as if it were located on the sea.

In both accounts, the word “city” qirya/ir is used.

Ibn Kathir explains about the fish. “They began using deceitful means to avoid honoring the Sabbath by placing nets, ropes and artificial pools of water for the purpose of fishing before the Sabbath. When the fish came in abundance on Saturday as usual, they were caught in the ropes and nets for the rest of Saturday. During the night, the Jews collected the fish after the Sabbath ended.”

The Arabic is “idh tatihim ḥitanuhum yawma sabtihim shurraʿan” (when came to them their fish on the day of their Sabbath visibly). It does not explicitly say who caught the fish. Ibn Kathir understood that they were caught passively in nets. The verse in Nehemiah says the Tyrians sold the fish on the Sabbath, the wicked Jews permitting to themselves the buying of fish on the Sabbath. The word shurraʿan (visibly) is related to “he has ordained”, “an ordained way”, “a law” implying that wicked citizens of the city had changed the law and believed they were doing nothing wrong.

If correct, this account would draw a parallel between what Nehemiah (pbuh) did and what the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was dealing with. In each case, dealing with wicked people who had mixed truth with falsehood.

In the Torah account the wicked were intermarried with pagan Moabites and Ashdodites without conversion. They were lead by Eliashiv the High Priest, who was the son-in- law of Sanballat. Sanballat was the Persian appointed governor of the coast from Tyre to Egypt, and commander of the Jewish garrisons in on the southern border of Egypt. The term “Tyrians” may be a reference to his people. Sanballat is associated with a heretical form of Judaism that gave birth to the Samaritans and Sadducees. Al Jahiz and Ibn Hazm say that the Jews of the Qur’an were Sadducees.

This might also give further insight into the words “but changed, those who wronged among them, word other than that which was said to them.” Here the Prophet (pbuh) was not just talking about the leaders of Medina changing one Torah Law from prohibited to permitted, but the establishment of an entire religious sect based on Torah teachings that were distorted by mixing with pagan elements. In the end, the Prophet (pbuh), like Nehemiah (pbuh), was required to separate the faithful from those who mixed truth with falsehood.

The Myth of Anti-Semitism, and Promoting Hatred of Christians in the Quran

  BY EJAZ NAQVI, MD

There is a prevalent myth among Non-Muslims that the Qur’an promotes hatred of the Jews and Christians, as well as being anti-Semitic. To be frank, this myth is equally prevalent among the Muslims. Both groups are flat out wrong, as I will explain here.

They often quote the following verse.

O You who have believed! Do not take the Jews and Christians as your friends (Auliya). They are friends of one another. … The Qur’an 5:51

The word translated as ‘friends’ is Auliya. Many Quranic translators have indeed used ‘friends’ for it, which actually does NOT mean friends. I have many friends but they are not my Auliya. The word for ‘friend’ in Arabic is variably used as rafeek, sadeek or khaleel. Additionally, other places where Auliya has been used in the Qur’an is for God or Prophet Muhammad in terms of being protector, guardian, and protecting friend, and used in religious and/or political terms. Nowhere else has Auliaya been translated as friends except in this verse.

Moreover, the verse, quite specifically, asks Muslims not to take Al-Yahood (Jews) and Al-Nasaraa (Christians) as allies. “Al” in Arabic refers to something or someone specific. In other words, the passage is about specific group of Jews and Christians., and not about all Jews and all Christians of all times. That is a big generalization, and a mis representation of the teachings of the Qur’an.

Similarly, the same ‘Al’ is also used when referring to Arabs. If we were to assume that Al- in 5:51 refers to all Jews and all Christians, we have to then assume the following verse condemns all Arabs-which is of course not the case.

Arabs-some are good, some bad

The Arabs of the desert are the worst in unbelief and hypocrisy, and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah has sent down to His Messenger: But Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise. 9:97

But some of the desert Arabs believe in God and the Last Day, and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to God and obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Surely it shall be means of nearness for them. Soon will God admit them to His Mercy: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 9:99

Not all of them were alike:

The Qur’an actually praises Jews and Christians in several places.

O’ children of Israel! Remember My favors which I bestowed upon You; that I exalted you above all other nations.2:47 and 2:122

And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in God, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to God: They will not sell the Signs of God for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and God is swift in account. 3:199

Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (for the right): They rehearse [recite] the Signs [revelations] of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good. And whatever good they do, they shall not be denied it, and God knows those who guard (against evil). (As for) those who disbelieve, surely neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them in the least against God; and these are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall abide. 3:113–116

Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless you remain firm in demanding, because, they say, ‘there is no call on us (to keep faith) with these Gentiles’, and they tell a lie against God, and (well) they know it. Yea, whoever fulfills his promise and guards (against evil)—then surely God loves those who guard (against evil). (As for) those who take a small price for the covenant of God and their own oaths—surely they shall have no portion in the hereafter, and God will not speak to them, nor will He look upon them on the day of resurrection nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful chastisement. 3:75–77

Breaking bread together and marrying people of the book is allowed

Not only does the Quran NOT prohibit friendship with Jews and Christians, it actually allows marrying them! Moreover, ‘the food of the People of the Book is also made lawful’ refers to social gatherings and breaking bread together.

Today all good clean things have been made lawful for you; and the food of the People of the Book is also made lawful for you and your food is made lawful for them. Likewise, marriage with chaste free believing women and also chaste women among the People who were given the Book before you is made lawful for you, provided that you give them their dowries and desire chastity, neither committing fornication nor taking them as mistresses. 5:5

And the Qur’an commands Muslims to dialogue with Jews and Christians in the best manners.

Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner—except for those wicked amongst them, and say: “We acknowledge what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you; Our God and your God is the same. To Him we peacefully surrender.”29:46

Muslims don’t have monopoly on paradise

Contrary to popular belief, Muslims do not have a monopoly on the hereafter and salvation. In fact, Jews and Christians, much like any other faith, are promised paradise should they believe in One God and act righteously, much like the commands for Muslims. Verses 2:62 and 5:69 are strikingly similar.

Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. The Qur’an 2:62

Praise for the Christians and followers of Jesus

Then We sent Our messengers in their footsteps and followed them with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. We placed in the hearts of those who followed him kindness and mercy.The Qur’an 57:27

“[Mention] when Allah said, ‘O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ’” The Qur’an 3:55

Torah and Gospels are also super critical

Muslims and Non Muslims have pointed out to numerous passages that are super-critical of the Jews, and to lesser extent, the Christians.

I don’t disagree with that assertion.

The Qur’an does indeed criticize Jews and Christians. But it does not criticize all Jews and all Christians. And certainly not all Jews and all Christians of all times- as a group. It is also of note that much of the criticism of Jews in the Qur’an is addressed to the Israelites who accompanied Moses out of Egypt, and their frequent grumblings and their transgression. Additionally, it is critical of the ones at the time of Prophet Muhammad who were hypocritical and/or plotting against the young budding Muslim community in Medina, who were put at risk of being extinct before flourishing as an Umma.

One can easily argue that the Torah has used more harsh words than the Qur’an. Here is a small sample.

The Lord told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.” Exodus 32:7

Then the Lord said, ‘I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them.’ Exodus 32:9–10

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness!…Numbers 14:26-29

Jesus’ criticism of temple leadership, and calling them ‘snakes and sons of vipers’.

The criticism of the Jews is not limited to the Qur’an and the Torah. The Gospels talk about the transgression of the Israelites in much the same way, reminding them of their transgressions, including killing of their prophets. Chapter 23 of Matthews is about Jesus’ severe criticism of the temple leaders at the time.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed. Then you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.” But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead and finish what your ancestor started. Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? Matthew 23:29–33

Final Thoughts

To be clear, the Qur’an indeed is often very critical of Jews and Christians. But so are Torah and the Gospels. I have not quoted the critical verses from the Qur’an here since most people are familiar with them and these are frequently quoted by many to show that the Qur’an ‘promotes hatred towards Jews and Christians’.  But if we study the whole Qur’an, we will find that, while it does not sugar coat the bad deeds of anyone, including Muslims, (God Almighty does not need to be politically correct) it often praises Jews and Christians- anyone who meets the criteria of good deeds as set forth by the Almighty.

As Muslims, we cannot generalize, and put all Jews and Christians in the same box ‘because the Qur’an is critical of them’. In fact we should be the last to generalize and stereotype a whole religion and group of people, much the same way we don’t want to be stereotyped. (Remember the golden rule?)

We don’t like it when the passages from the Qur’an are taken out of context. But we should not be doing the same to twist the meaning of the Qur’anic passages to fit into our pre-existing views and biases. We cannot look at a few passages to draw conclusions, and instead need to take a deeper look at the entire corpus before making any conclusions to have a more balanced, more accurate view on a topic.

Iron

Gracious, the Most Merciful

An analysis of Iron as mentioned in the Quran

The debate between religion and science, is one that has been addressed by philosophers, theologians, and scientist since classical antiquity. The two have been the sternest enemies for millennia, where science reject the beliefs of religion, while scientific notions are constantly refuted by religion.  The Muslim community has for a long time, taken pride in their Quran for its scientific implications and mathematical codes. They believe it is that these verse of the Quran, which predate many of the scientific discoveries being made, help to consolidate the notion that the book is divine revelation.

The topic being discussed in this article is Iron. Everybody is familiar with this term, as it is widely used in the manufacturing processes. What many people may not be aware of, is the fact that the Quran actually has a whole chapter entitled ‘Iron’ or Surah ‘Al-Hadid’ in Arabic.  We will start off by analysing one of the verses where iron is mentioned directedly, in Surah ‘Al-Hadid’, verse 25.

وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

“And We sent down iron, wherein is mighty power and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might’’ (Translation from Sahih International & Pickthall)

Science has known for a while, that Iron is found in the core of the planet, and we must drill mines in order to obtain the metal which is so commonly found in our households. However here, Allah (ﷻ) is saying that Iron was sent down. This is interesting, as a recent article in ScienceDaily by the University in Oslo suggests that Iron actually came from Iron-Nickel Meteorites that were formed by the nuclear reaction which occurs at the end point of a large star.  The reason we find iron in the ground is through processes that occurred millions of years ago, causing the iron to melt and seep through the ground.

The next part of the verse mentions that iron has ‘’mighty power and benefits of the people’’. Today we know that iron is an essential mineral present in our blood haemoglobin. Lack of iron causes a person to become sick, and many people must take iron supplements to help boost their immune system. The benefits of iron are not limited to health. As previously mentioned, it is widely used in the manufacturing industry such as in construction, in machinery, equipment, transport vehicles and other appliances. These all benefit human beings in some specific way. Until today, iron is still used for military purposes, due to its properties of strength. However, many would argue that iron on its own is not always the best option and alloys involving iron are more commonly used today.

In Surah Kahf, verse 96 of the Quran, Allah (ﷻ) makes mention of this idea.

آتُونِي زُبَرَ الْحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ الصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ انْفُخُوا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَعَلَهُ نَارًا قَالَ آتُونِي أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا

“Bring me sheets of iron “- until, when he had levelled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said. “Blow [with bellows],” until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, “Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper.”” (Translation from Sahih International & Pickthall)

Here Allah (ﷻ) is describing how iron can be processed and even mentions the formation of Iron-Copper alloy. This verse is consistent with modern methods of iron processing, although they are much more modern and sophisticated today. The principle, behind the smelting process, combustion, pour in and casting of iron is similar to that described in the Quran.

The verse from Surah Kahf (chapter entitled “The Cave”) comes from the story of Dhul Qarnain and Yajooj & Majooj (Gog & Magog). Allah (ﷻ) is describing how Dhul Qarnain constructed a wall between a group of people and Yajooj & Majooj to prevent further corruption from taking place in that land. The wall built by Dhul Qarnain is one that must be strong enough to last throughout the times. We find that Allah (ﷻ) mentions that copper was added to iron to create this wall. Data from the European Copper Institute would prompt metallurgists today to say that one of the key properties of such an alloy, is the fact that it would be resistant to corrosion. If copper ferrite was formed due to the presence of iron oxide, the material would also be resistant to acid. The overlapping and diffusion of copper in iron & iron in copper, would allow for the formation of a material with increased strength and hardness. This shows that the Quran was aware of the qualities that could be obtained when forming an alloy of copper and iron as would be required to build a wall between Yajooj & Majooj and the people of that land.

We find that some Muslim scientists try to use mathematical methods to find more correlations between various Quran verses and scientific ideas. An example of this is finding that iron is mentioned in the 26thverse of Surah Al-Hadid, and the atomic number of iron is also 26. These are interesting concepts for people who are fascinated with mathematical manipulations, however they do not usually follow a scientific line of thought and therefore in this article, the analysis of the two Quranic verses mentioned above will suffice.

This article looked solely at two verses in the Quran which mentions Iron. Although this book was revealed 1400 years ago, the scientific principles behind the origin of Iron and the processing of the metal correspond the data obtained using modern technology. Iron was merely used as an example in this article. In reality, there are many scientific ideas which are mentioned in the Quran and a similar exercise can be performed to analyse each one. Some of the scientific ideas mentioned in the Quran are; concepts regarding human embryonic development (Quran 23: 12–14), the expanding universe (Quran 51:47), spider webs (Quran 29:41), and notions of seas and rivers (Quran, 25:53). These are very modern concepts which are still being investigated by science.

Science is therefore an integral part of the Islamic faith, the two go hand in hand. Muslims often regard science to be connected to their prime belief in the Oneness of God or ‘Tawhid’ in Arabic. Looking at history, one will find that from the onset, scholars of Islam pursued knowledge in all fields, including science, medicine, astronomy, exploration, philosophy, sociology and many other disciplines. Muslims believe, that nature has signs that guide them to their Creator. We find that before the Renaissance period, many Muslim scholars had excelled in various disciplines of knowledge are still acclaimed today for their contribution in their respective fields. People like al Khwarizmi, the famous mathematician, Thebit ibn Qurra, a renowned physician and astronomer, Geber ibn Haiyan recognised for his metallurgy works, Ibn Sina and Ibn Khaldun known for their influences in philosophy and history, are just a few names that one might come across when thinking of Muslim contribution to modern science and education. However, it is difficult to imagine this in today’s society. With the fall of the Islamic Civilisations at the end of the Medieval Ages of Europe, we find that Islamic traditions of sciences also took a fall. The people, and the scholars from the Islamic world, looked to Europe and now America for their scientific ideologies. The once grand institutions of knowledge throughout the Arabian Peninsula, Andalusia and Persia, have either disappeared or are not known to most.

We must therefore try to break this stigma that exists around religion and science. It has become a popular belief that someone is either religious or a scientist, with no harmony between the two. The Muslims must remember their past and go back the fundamentals. They must aim to be like their predecessors who not only strived for knowledge of their religion, but also excelled in diverse fields of knowledge.

Definition of Salafi by Shaykh Uthaymeen

by Sheikh Ibn Al-Utaymeen
Yarhamahu Allah (May Allah have mercy on him)

From his book, “Liqaa-al-Baab al-Maftooh”, Q # 1322

Muhammad Salih Ibn al-Uthaymeen said: “Salafiyyah is following the way of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and his Sahabah for they are our Salaf (predecessors) who preceded us, so following them is Salafiyyah. As for taking Salafiyyah as a special Manhaj such that everyone who differs with it is considered astray even if he was on the truth; then this is beyond doubt opposite to Salafiyyah.

All the Salaf called to Islam and to unite upon the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and they did not declare astray anyone who differs with them (in a certain issue) because of (a different) interpretation (Taweel), except in matters of Aqeedah because they considered him, who differed in Aqeedah as astray.

But, in our time, some who took the path of Salafiyyah consider astray everyone who differs from them even if the truth were to be on his side. And they took a Hizbi (partisan) Manhaj, just like the other Hizbs (parties), who divide the religion. This (their way) must be rejected and not be approved of.

It is said, ‘Look at the way of the Salaf as-Salih and what did they do in regards to differences and wideness of their hearts with regards to Ikhtilaaf (differences) in matters in which Ijtihad was feasible. (They differed with each other) to the degree that they differed in big issues, in (minor) issues of Aqeedah and (minor) issues of knowledge – for example, some of them denied that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saw His Lord and some of them confirmed of it. Some of them said, ‘the deeds would be weighted on the Day of Judgment’, whilst others held that “the books which record the deeds will be weighed.” They also differ in matters of Fiqh, Marriage, obligations, buying and selling, etc. Despite this, they did not declare each other astray.

Thus, Salafiyyah that is taken to mean a special party (Hizb) with specific rules whose members consider anyone who differs with them as astray then they have nothing to do with Salafiyyah.

But the Salafiyyah that is to follow the Salaf in beliefs, sayings, actions, their way of differing and unity, their way of being merciful and compassion to one another as the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, “You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.”Then this is the true Salafiyyah.”

Miracle indeed wouldn't you say kodede lol

A jew can marry a 3 year old girl (Talmud Sanhedrin 55b)

________________

Jesus was 12 when he was left alone by his parents at the temple

Age  12/ 1+2 = 3 cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

Jesus was 30 when he stared his ministry
Age 30/ 3+0 = 3 cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

Jesus was 33 years old when he was crucified
Age 33/ 3-3 = 3 cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

Jesus had 12 disciples

Disciples 12/ 1+2 = 3  cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

Jesus spoke about 3 days and 3 nights?

Time lengh 3 days 3 nights/ 3 -3 = 3 cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

Christians claim God is triune, (trinity) 3 persons in 1
Triune 3 persons in 1 / 3-1 = 3 cross refrence Jew  can marry a 3 year old

___________

Woooow miracle Christians man god fits age  pefectly fits with the Talmudic age for a girls marriage ( 3 years old)

Note the age for marriage is nowhere to be found in the entire bible, yet the age of jesus and Talmud fit perfectly like a glove lol

The Best of Creators

Yes, indeed, there are few verses in the Quran which address this issue. For example, we read in the Quran:

{Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!} (Al-Mu’minun 23:14)

In this verse, Allah (God) the Almighty was explaining the process of the creation of the embryo in the womb of the mother. The last segment mentions, “so blessed is Allah the best of creators.”

Also, another verse of the Quran tells us the following:

{Will you call upon Baal (a false god) and forsake the Best of Creators.} (As-Saffat37:125)

In the above verse, Allah is criticizing the disbelief of those who worship idols, and one of the idols during the revelation of the Quran was known as “Baal”.

Also, the phrase, “the Most Merciful of the merciful ones”, was mentioned in the Quran approximately four times. Then, in another couple of times, there is, “the Best of all merciful”, which basically provides the same meaning.

So, it is true that it is mentioned in the Quran in a couple of verses that Allah is “the Best of all creators” and in several verses that Allah is “the Most Merciful of all merciful”.

To answer your question—Does this mean that there are many creators and that Allah is the Most Merciful of them, and there are many merciful gods and Allah is Most Merciful of them?— No. Allah is the only Creator and God. And the owner of Mercy.

First of all, the word “khaliq” (creator) in Arabic also means “sani” (manufacturer). So, every person who does anything, makes up anything, or manufactures anything is also called “khaliq“.

If we translate the word “khaliq” into English, then the only translation will be “creator”.

There is no competition whatsoever between the creation and Creator. The creation may manufacture things. We, as a part of the creation; create cars, homes, and so on. And this action and these things can also be called creation.

Yet, there is no comparison between what we created and what Allah the Almighty creates.

Moreover, Allah the Almighty says:

{Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian and Disposer of all affairs.} (Az-Zumar 39:62)

He created us, enabled us, allowed us, and taught us how to make, manufacture, or construct things. Basically, He is the true and ultimate Creator.

So, when Allah the Almighty describes how He created the human being, He has proven to us how He created us because we had no idea whatsoever at the time these verses were revealed, over 1,400 years ago.

Then, He raises the question: is there anyone who is better in creation than Allah the Almighty? He is indeed the best of all creators.

Another interesting point is that Allah the Almighty says in the Quran that He named some of his creatures and gave them this power of creation, but only by His leave:

{Then will Allah say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favor to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit, so that you did speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! You make out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and you breathe into it and it becomes a bird by My leave, and you heal those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! you bring forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) you when you did show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.'”} (Al-Ma’idah5:110)

In this verse, Allah the Almighty reminds Prophet Jesus(peace be upon him) of His favors upon him. So, every miracle that he was able to do, and when he was able to make the figure of a bird and breathe life into it, all of that was by the leave of Allah

When Allah the Almighty says, “Blessed be Allah the Best of all creators,” it does not mean to compare between the Creator and the creation.

Rather, Allah is showing His ability and His infinite power in creation, and asking a rhetorical question, if there is anyone who can create like Him? The answer is obviously, “No”. Accordingly, He is the only one worthy of worship.

Another verse of the Quran reads:

{Yet have they taken, besides him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor can they control death nor life nor resurrection.} (Al-Furqan 25:3)

Allah says that those who have been worshiped or taken as false deities besides Him, or instead of Him, are powerless, as they cannot create.

Here, we are talking about the actual creation, which is explained at the end of this verse as giving life, giving death, and bringing up the dead after their death.

No one can do that except for the One who is the true and the ultimate Creator, God Almighty. He stated that after He explained in the previous verse some of His traits:

{He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion: it is He who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.} (Al-Furqan 25:2)

So, that is the actual meaning of the creation once it is ascribed to God: giving life, giving death, bringing up the dead. And that is why humans as creatures may be given the description or the term “khaliq” (creator) because they can make up things, also by the leave of Allah.

No one would be given this beautiful name of God but Him. This name in Arabic called “Al-Bari“. “Al-Bari” is the one Who creates things that did not even exist before.

In this regard, God challenged those who worship other than Him, or believe in other than Him. In addition, He challenged those who have been taken as deities besides him:

{O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!} (Al-Hajj 22:73)

So, in this verse Allah says that no one has the power of creation by the meaning of bringing up from nothing, from non-existence, but Him. When He even allows us to make up things, to construct things, this happens only by His permission.

He is the best of all creators; and that does not at all mean to compare the creation of God and the creation of the creatures when they make up things or manufacture things.

It is worth of mentioning here that in the second chapter of the Quran, there was very important beautiful debate between Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and a tyrant king who claimed lordship.

In that story, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) said:

My Lord is the One Who gives life and death, the One Who creates, the One Who cause to die.

The tyrant king who claimed the lordship said:

Me too, I give life and death.

He tried to prove that by killing somebody who was innocent. Then he said:

Look, I am able to kill.

As he was a king, he ordered somebody who was sentenced to be executed, to be freed. Then he said:

Look, I give life as well.

So, in this case, Prophet Abraham challenged the tyrant king by saying:

Indeed, my Lord is the one who brings up the sun every day from the east. Can you bring it once from the west?

And the Quran concluded the story by saying:

So the disbeliever was utterly defeated.

The Most Merciful of the Merciful

As far as the second phrase: “Allah is the most merciful of the Merciful” or “the best of all merciful”, it was mentioned twice in the Quran as “the best of all merciful,” and another four times as “Allah is the Most Merciful of the merciful”.

It is very easy to understand once you understand that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah has divided mercy into 100 portions; and He sent one portion out of 100 down to earth.

Out of this one portion we have mercy for each other.

Why do animals have mercy for their children and look after them, although they are wild animals? Because of this one part of the mercy, which Allah gave to us on Earth, we love each other.

We have sympathy and mercy on each other out of this one part. And He preserved for Himself 99 parts of mercy, so that He will distribute among those who are eligible for it on the Day of Judgment in order to receive salvation to enter Heaven.

That indicates all mercy belongs to Allah alone. So mercy too, is created by God, and He is the Most Merciful of all, and there is no comparison whatsoever between the mercy that we have for each other, and the mercy the Allah the Almighty has for all of us.

Also Surah 96 Allah Swt taught men "He who taught by the pen"

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Rabbi Akkiva says they are better creators than god? Such blasphemy.