Is it correct to describe Allah as "existent" (Mawjūd), even though everything existent must have a creator (Mūjid)?
Those who speak about matters of Islamic law must base their words on sound knowledge. Scholars have stated that the attribute of "Existence" is firmly established for Allah the Almighty. Allah is Eternal and Necessarily Existent; He alone is the Creator, and everything else besides Him is created.
Existence is of two types: 1. Self-existent (وجود ذاتي): This is exclusive to Allah the Almighty alone, for He exists without anyone having brought Him into existence. 2. Contingent existence (وجود بغيره): This is specific to created beings; they exist because Allah brought them into existence.
Therefore, the statement "every existing thing must have someone who brought it into existence" is incorrect, because Allah is self-existent. Affirming the attribute of existence for Allah the Almighty is a matter agreed upon among Muslims, and only those who deny all attributes would deny it. Denying the attribute of existence for Allah leads to denying His very existence, which is an intellectual and cognitive error, and occurs due to a mistaken assumption that every existent thing needs a creator, a failure to refer back to people of knowledge, and self-admiration of one's own opinion.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy