The Mystery of Non-Existence and Divine Knowledge
The concept of non-existence (absence) is a philosophical term that expresses a state of non-being or complete emptiness, where nothing exists or is tangible. This term is used in many philosophical, religious, and scientific discussions to describe a condition or situation in which there is no material or immaterial thing.
In philosophy, the concept of non-existence is often discussed in the context of existentialism, where the meaning of existence and non-being are explored. For example, the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard used the concept of non-existence to describe the feeling of despair that a person can experience when contemplating existential emptiness or the inability to find a true meaning in life.
On the other hand, in science, especially physics, non-existence can refer to the cosmic vacuum, where there is no matter or energy.
The concept of non-existence prompts us to think about the fundamental questions of being, and it presents intellectual challenges regarding how we understand the world and our existence. It stimulates discussions about what is and what is not, and it helps explore deeper questions about the meaning of life and human existence.
A question that humans have asked since the beginning of their existence is:
What was before the creation of God?
We specify "existence" here, not "the universe," because the universe might be preceded by other universes, but "existence" refers to everything except God. So, what was before existence, and how? Or is it logical to ask this question? And what exactly should we be asking about?
If we inquire about God, then we cannot ask "how," "what," or "where" because these are questions about limitations, and God is beyond limitations.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked: “Where was our Lord before He created the heavens and the earth? “He replied: He was in the "Amā’" (space above the creation) Nothing above Him but air (or "hawa’") And nothing below Him but air Then He created the throne (Al-‘Arsh) on water.
The term "Amā’" has two interpretations:
It is said to be cloud or clouds, meaning there was no creation or creations at that time.
It is interpreted as "the abyss" or "the infinite," which is the more likely meaning, indicating it is beyond human comprehension—our minds and hearts become immersed in confusion when trying to understand this because it is beyond our grasp, and this is by wisdom.
Before everything, we must ask: Was the existence in the knowledge of Allah from eternity or did He only know it after creating it?
If we say that Allah did not know the cosmic existence before it was created, then we attribute a limited attribute to Allah, which contradicts His oneness and His attribute as the Knower of the unseen and seen.
Therefore, the definitive answer is that Allah (Glory be to Him) knows the unseen and the seen because He encompasses time. He is in His knowledge everything that exists before, during, and after creation—past, present, and future—all are one in His knowledge.
This leads us to conclude that non-existence (absence) is not an actual ontological reality. Existence is in the knowledge of Allah before it comes into being. Allah said: "With Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them but He." (Surah Al-An’am: 59)
The term "keys" (not "keys" in plural, but "the keys") is more eloquent, as keys are tools to open doors, but here, they refer to the divine knowledge that only Allah knows fully. The unseen encompasses everything about the future and what is hidden of the past and present.
Allah says: "The Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He is the Wise, the All-Knowing." (Surah Al-An’am: 73). "He knows the unseen, and no one can disclose His knowledge of the unseen." (Surah Al-Jinn: 26) "Indeed, Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth; and He is the Knowing of what is in the hearts." (Surah Fatir: 38 )
Regarding humans, they are recent creatures in this existence. The age of the known universe is approximately 26.7 billion years according to recent calculations, while current humans have existed for about half a million or at most one million years—only about 0.04% of the universe’s age. Before that, the universe has existed for billions of years, about 99.96% of its age, and humans did not exist during that time. However, in Allah’s knowledge, we existed and what will happen after us and beyond are known.
Allah says: “Has there ever come upon man a time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned?" (Surah Al-Insan): This indicates that humans did not exist as part of creation after a certain point. Also, what comes after humans is not non-existence, because they exist in Allah’s knowledge.
Allah says: “Thus said your Lord: 'It is easy for Me, and I have created you before, while you were nothing.'" (Surah Maryam: 9) "Does man not remember that We created him before, when he was nothing?" (Surah Maryam: 67)
The word "non-existence" (al-‘adam) is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran. Instead, the Quran describes how the heavens and the earth were created, such as: "Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself above the Throne..." (Surah Yunus: 3) "Then He directed Himself to the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth, 'Come willingly or unwillingly.' They said, 'We come willingly.'" (Surah Fussilat: 11)
Allah is the Originator (Al-Badi’), the creator in the beginning, as in: “Just as We began the first creation, We will repeat it, a promise binding upon Us; indeed, We are to do it." (Surah Al-Anbiya: 104)
This phrase "He begins the creation and will repeat it" is repeated seven times in the Quran, emphasizing Allah’s power of creation and resurrection: "He begins the creation, then He repeats it." (Surah Yunus: 4) "Say, 'Are (some) of your partners able to initiate the creation and then repeat it?' Say, 'It is Allah who begins the creation and repeats it. So how are you deluded?'" (Surah Yunus: 34) "Is there any deity with Allah who begins the creation and then repeats it? Say, 'Bring your proof, if you should be truthful.'" (Surah An-Naml: 64) "It is Allah who begins the creation and then repeats it. Then to Him you will be returned." (Surah Ar-Rum: 11) "It is He who begins the creation, then repeats it, and it is easier for Him." (Surah Al-Rum: 27)
Allah starts creation "between the two letters of the command 'Be' (Kun), and it is" (Surah Al-Baqarah: 117). The phrase "Be, and it is" (Kun Fayakoon) occurs eight times in the Quran.
The Badi’ (Originator) is the one who innovates or invents without precedent—He creates without imitation, material, time, or place. Only Allah can do that. It is His act of creating from nothing—not because non-existence is something or a material, but because He began creation from nothing that was previously there.
The name "Al-Badi’" is also associated with the creation of the heavens and the earth, as in: “Exalted is He who created all the pairs — from what the earth grows, and from themselves, and from that which they do not know." (Surah Yasin: 36)
We do not know what Allah created except for a small part, and Allah said: “And you have not been given of knowledge except a little." (Surah Al-Isra: 85)
All the principles of creation are based on the same fundamental laws that Allah has taught us, and these principles are rooted in Tawhid (Oneness of God). As Islam is the religion of the universe, it aligns with the order of creation, as we have shown before.
What are the implications of non-existence? The non-existence (al-‘adam) points to Allah because He is the One who initiated creation from nothing, and the universe was in His knowledge before it came into being. The universe, with its existence, is a sign and evidence of Allah’s Bounty and Bihad (i.e., His attributes of creation)
We, as humans, were not existent before non-existence; thus, our questions and testimonies about it hold no meaning because our existence came after it. For something to be meaningful as an indicator, it must be present and perceptible. Non-existence is not perceptible to us, and for Allah, words are the reality of things—their very essence—existing and known in His knowledge before they are created.
For Allah, His words are the universe itself; the sun, moon, stars, and skies are His words and signs—expressed through His speech. The visible universe is the signifier (dāl), and the object signified (madlūl) is the word of Allah, which is the essence and reality of everything.
The existence is the words (kalimat) of Allah, and the Quran is the speech of Allah—the unchangeable Word of Allah.
Allah says: "Say, 'If the sea were ink for the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord are exhausted.'" (Surah Al-Kahf: 109) "And the words of your Lord have been fulfilled in truth and justice; none can change His words." (Surah Al-An’am: 115)• "There is no changing the words of Allah." (Surah Yunus: 64)
Allah is the Creator, the Designer, and the Fashioner (Fattār), the Originator who brings things into existence anew, with no precedent. He is One in His essence and Unique in His attributes, with none like Him, possessing the Most Beautiful Names.
In conclusion, non-existence (al-‘adam) has no real existence because the universe was in Allah’s knowledge before it was created. He created it and brought it into being from the void, with words and knowledge that encompass everything. The words of Allah are the universe and its signs, while our perception of existence is just the manifestation of His words. Non-existence, if it can be called that, is a sign and indicator of Allah’s attribute of Al-Badi’.
Reflecting on what preceded the universe or existence is a contemplation of divine mystery beyond human comprehension, and in such reflection, our hearts acknowledge the Lordship and Oneness of Allah.
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