By Cyril Anderson

 Some Christians, particularly of the Evangelical variety, have taken to making criticisms about the Islamic understanding of God,  (“Allah” in Arabic) claiming that Muslims supposedly view God as distant and impersonal.  They then proceed to contrast this with their own, ostensibly superior “personal relationship with God.”  However,  a cursory examination of Islamic scriptures and texts shows that their perceptions of Muslim belief are based on only the most superficial of studies of Islamic teachings.

 On the contrary, Islam teaches clearly the closeness of God to His creations.  Go is not viewed by Muslims as distant from us, but is rather understood to be all around us.  His mercy and blessings envelop us, and offer a “face” through which he meets us.  As the Qu’ran says:

“Everywhere you look, there is the face of Allah” and says, further,

“He is nearer to you than your jugular vein”

 Christians also pride themselves on the other side of their relationship wit God, that is, their feeling that God is there to listen to them and their problems, and that He is always there as a loving friend they can confide in to share their problems and worries.  Many Christians will say that this is a large and central aspect of their relationship wit God.  What some Christians seem to have difficulty recognizing, however, is that Muslims also feel such a relationship to the Creator that both Muslims and Christians share.

 Muslims regularly speak to God, whether in the formal, ritual prayers, or informally in dua’as, which are personal prayers or requests in addition to formal prayers.

 Muslims feel the presence of God in their lives, guiding them and directing them, having concern for them and providing help to them when needed  As the Qu’ran teaches:

“Allah does not place a burden on anyone greater than what he can bear.”

God is not seen as aloof in the religion, but is understood to be deeply concerned with the creation.  He is “Ar Rah’manir rah’eem,” the beneficient, the compassionate.  He is “al-Kareem,” the generous.  He is “Al-Ghafoor,” the forgiving. “Al Sameeu’l a’leem,” the hearing, the knowing, “al-bas’eer” the seeing, “al-lat’eef,” the gentle.

“Call on me,” He says, “and I will answer you.”

 Of course God is different from his creation in his transcendence and infinitude; but the Islamic sources also show that He is imminent as well, close to His creation and intimately concerned with it.

 Numerous dua’as from important Islamic figures such as Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), Muhammad’s (saws) cousin and son-in-law, and from Ali ibn Hussein, known as Zain ul a’bedeen (as), Ali’s grandson demonstrate the close relationship between a believer and God.  See, e.g. “Dua’a kumayl,” “dua’a as- subah’” and “dua’a at-tawbah.”

 Another evidence of God’s concern for humanity is the sending of appointed  prophets and imams to guide us, the numerous blessings and signs He gives us to benefit us and guide us toward the right path, the gift of free will He has given us, and the Reason He has given us and the innate instinct toward correct morality.  It is also stated that humans were made to be maintainers and overseers for the earth. 

 In numerous places in Qu’ran God mentions love he has for the believers and his willingness to overlook mistakes of those who are humble and repentant after mistakes and evils done.

 A hadith from the Prophet Muammad (saws) states, “when my servants walk one step toward me, I advance ten steps toward them, and if they walk to me, I will run to meet them.”

 The Qu’ran often has Allah (swt) stating that he desires for us to be happy and free from unnecessary trouble and burden in our lives, and that He desires for humans to attain success in this life and in the life to come.

 The myth of a distant, impersonal God mostly comes likely from superficial analysis of Islamic texts by Orientalists and distortions, whether intentional or not, in interpretations by Christian missionaries trying to downplay Islam and make Christianity look good

 The fact of the matter remains however that anyone who puts forward the clumsy and frankly laughable claim that “the God of the Qu’ran” is distant and impersonal exposes himself as almost completely illiterate regarding the main texts of Islam and as such, unqualified to discuss them.