Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)

22. “If there were, in the heavens and the earth, (other) gods besides Allah, they would both certainly go to ruin. So glorified is Allah, the Lord of the ‘Arsh, from what they attribute (unto Him).”

This verse is one of the clear reasons of the negation of any god as well as polytheists’ gods. It says:

“If there were, in the heavens and the earth, (other) gods besides Allah, they would both certainly go to ruin.…”

In that case, the regulation of the world would disturb.

The verse continues saying:

“…So glorified is Allah, the Lord of the ‘Arsh, from what they attribute (unto Him).”

These undue attributes unto Him, these false idols and imaginary gods are naught but some illusions, and the Essence of Allah, the Pure, therefore may not be polluted by these undue attributes.

The proof which has been mentioned in the verse under discussion upon Unity and negation of any god, besides being simple and clear, is one of the exact philosophical proofs in this field. The Islamic scholars call it ‘a mutual hindering proof’.

This reasoning, briefly speaking, says that no doubt there is a single regularity dominated over this world. This harmony existed in the laws and order of the creation denotes that they have originated from a single source, because if the sources were different and the wills were various, this harmony and agreement would never exist; since each of them might have a separate requirement and would nullify the effect of the other, and, consequently, the world might finally go to destruction.

Husham-ibn-Hakam once asked Imam Sadiq (as) what the reason of Unity of Allah was. Imam (as) said:

“The continuation of devices (of the world) and the completion of creation, is the reason of His Unity…”1

This verse is an answer to those who used to believe in a separate god for every thing and every affair.

That is why the Qur’an says:

“The Lord of the ‘Arsh”

which means Allah is the Lord of the whole world of existence.