About the Meaning
Allah calls Himself Al-Khaaliq or
al-Khallaaq (intensifaction)— The Creator, or the Maker—
eleven times in the Quran and the verb (khalaqa) appears many more
times. He invents whatever the eyes can see, perfecting them by His bounties
and goodness, bringing them into existence according to His will, desire and
wisdom. He is The Creator, Who creates everything from nothing and
creates all things with the knowledge of what will happen to them!
Al-Khaaliq is
derived from khalq, creating or kha-la-qa, which means to create, to build, to
make existent from nothing. To create also means to make a substance or an
element existent, and after making it exist, to change it to some other being.
Khalq refers to creating and giving measurement. Allah Al-Khaliq created the material and time present in the universe, gave matter its properties and set in motion its laws. He has total control over everything, manages all its affairs but is independent of all that He created. Allah alone, is the Creator and all the rest is “creation!” Human beings manipulate or reassemble— they don’t create.
An Example: The Chair
For example take the newest fashion model chair. It’s made of wood, some metal bits and fabric. The fabric, cotton, comes from plants, the metal from rocks and the wood from trees; all that people did is reassemble. Human beings manipulate that which already exists— we cannot and will never create anything!
The Product of Allah
Allah ‘azza wajal mentions in the Quran that He is ‘ahsaanul khaaliqeen’, the best of Creators. This is meant metaphorically— there are no other creators.
When we look at tawheed— our belief in the Oneness of Allah— we see two aspects: the unity of Allah and the unity of the creation. They are not mixed in any way. The creation is the product of Allah.
A Mind-blowing Argument
Most ayaat of the Quran are a reminder for those who believe in God, reminding them of Allah as Creator and how to praise Him and be thankful to Him. There are a few ayaat in which Allah presents the truth to atheists in an extremely powerful way. We should know these verses. They show us that belief in a Creator is logical.
You can find them in Surah At-Tur, ayah
35 and 36:
Or were they created
by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the
heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain. [Quran,
52:35-36]
The argument starts with Allah ‘azza wajal giving the atheists a first option. If they don’t believe in a creator then were they created from nothing? Nothing cannot produce something. So that’s the first option cancelled. Then Allah gives them a second option: Then, did you create yourself? If you didn’t exist then you can’t do creating. Then Allah continues, did you create the heavens and the earth? Even if they claim ‘we created ourselves’ then did they create the vast heavens and earth? Indeed they are uncertain! Somebody had to create you. Then Allah leaves it there, with these 2 options, now you think yourself! That is the logic of belief in God.
How Can You Live by
This Name?
1.
Strengthen your relationship with al-Khaaliq. If
there is anything you desire, ask Him who creates everything. If you desire
children ask only and only from Al-Khaaliq. There is no magic, evil eye, body
chemistry, or any force on earth that can prevent what Allah Al-Khaaliq has
destined to come into existence. Firawn tried his best to prevent Musa (alaihis
salam) from coming into being and growing up to destroy his kingdom, but when
Allah Al-Khaaliq decides to create something, none can thwart Him.
2. Don’t fear created
things! When you take the fear of created
things out of your heart, they will stop to have any influence over you. If you
strengthen your relationship with Al-Khaaliq, He will suffice for your needs.
Our problem is that we often try to please people, while angering Allah! For
example when someone wants you to join in their conversation of backbiting
and to be ‘cool’ you do so, while you know this angers Allah.
3. Don’t call people
“creator.”
In
other languages, e.g., create in English, is also used in the senses of
forming, producing, or making. However, referring to “creating”, we must not
use it for people in the sense of making something existent from nothing.
4. Look at nature.
The sky, so beautiful and glorious, Allah al-Khaaliq said, then turn thy gaze again towards it. Don’t be content with just one look, look more times and see: Are thereanyflaws?
Pay Attention: A New Habit:
5. Make this dua when you look in the mirror!
According to a narration by `Ali ibn Abu Talib radiyallaahu ‘anhu, the Messenger of Allah salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam used to say the following whenever he looked in the mirror: Praise is due to Allah! Lord, just as You have made my form good, I implore You to make my manners, too, good.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Khaaliq, lead us to
unshakable belief in you as our Creator and never ascribe partners to
you, guide us to please You, awaken us to reflect on the
creation and make us of those who are good in form and good in manners,
ameen!
