Does God know everything?
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Peace everyone,
Yamibato here (not my real name)A few days ago I made a post about (Why isn't God responsible?)
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9607220.0Hello, and Peace everyone,
I've been asked the following question lately, and came to do my own little research on the subject, which I will later on (hopefully) post, to get your feedback, but first, I would like to ask the same question that I was asked
"Does God know everything ? if Yes,
then does the knowledge include what we will choose in life ?
if Yes, then why did he create people whom he knew for sure that would pick the wrong way?True he had given us freedom of choice, but if you are trying to equalize the chances of me and Hitler to choose the same right choice, I would severely disagree, God could do better right ? why didn't he ? he could have made Hitler my brother so that we would both be getting the same Islamic education and live less hazardly.
Specifically the Question is, why did create those, who he knew would definitely go to hell?
If he could see that some people would choose the wrong way, the why can't he be indirectly responsible for the people's actions ? he knew they would choose something wrong, yet he still created them, why ?I hope it is clear,
I'll wait for answers,
Peace,
Yami.I've asked this question and I'm still asking many others now a days, the answers I got were all non convincing.
So I made a research of my own, and I've found out a surprising thing, so I told my close friends about this, some had a good response, some not, and I figured "I should also share it with the people as well" so that I would see their response as well.
The following paragraphs to come, might be a bit shock for some of you,
read it with an open mind, and no matter what your opinion is, please write it down as a comment.
And I apologize before hand for my non professional writing of articles, I wish I could do betterSo, Does God know everything ?
Specifically, does he know what we will choose ?
The final answer which I came to conclude is about the whole subject is"No, he doesn't know everything, and specifically, he doesn't know what we will choose, what he knows is (Possible choices) that we could do, but now what we actually choose, that is why we're being tested, otherwise he wouldn't test someone when already knows the answer, that would be unnecessary."
What is my evidence for the above conclusion?
First, I need to point out the source of the false conclusion which says "God knows everything".
So where did it come from ?Most probably from a misunderstanding of the Arabic word Ghayb (ب, which is translated as "The Unseen"
They say "God has the knowledge of the Unseen, so He sees what we will do before we even do them."From what I came to conclude, the best translation of the word Ghayb is (The Unknown), rather than the (Unseen)
So the translation for
" "
Would be
"Knower of the (Unknown) and the (Known)"
Which is a replacement of
"Knower of the (Unseen) and the (seen)"
(Find references using a search engine)Since Qur'an is a revelation to mankind, so the (Unknown/Known) is for humans, i.e What humans don't know, and what we know, is all known by Allah (God), otherwise it will be pretty meaningless for anyone to say (I know what the UNKNOWN, and the KNOWN)
because if you know the unknown, then why it is called UNKNOWN anymore ? you know everything and everything should be KNOWN to you.. So the correct understanding to me would be (God knows what HUMANS don't know, and what humans already know) (" " Because for Allah everything is already known.So (Ghyab) is most probably referring to the Natural Sciences Medicine, Astronomy, Geology, Biology, Molecular microbiology, Bacteriology, Virology, Physics...etc" , Whatever knowledge we have, God already knows it, whatever knowledge we don't know yet, God knows them too.
Now since (Ghayb) is preferred to be translated as (Unknown) and not (Unseen) anymore,
So God it might be the right time to ask"Does God know what we will choose or not ?"
Since there is no mention of "Seeing future actions" after replaced (Unseen) by (Unknown)The surprising answer is (No, he doesn't know what we will choose, if there is a chance that he knows about the future, it SHOULD be in the form of PREDICTIONS and POSSIBLE CHOICES, and not what we ACTUALLY choose)
Verses
" "
"We did not make the focal point that you came on except so that we know who follows the messenger from those who will turn on their heels."" "
"Then We roused them to know which of the two groups would be best at calculating the duration of their stay."
1812" "
"He did not have any authority over them except that We might know who acknowledged the Hereafter from those who are doubtful about it. Your Lord is Keeper over all things."" "
"If you are wounded, then know that the other group is also wounded. Such are the days, We alternate them between the people, so that God will know those who acknowledge, and so He may make witnesses from among you; and God does not like the wicked."
3140" "
" "
"What you suffered on the day the two armies met was by God's leave, and to let those who acknowledge know"
"To let those who are hypocrites know, that they were told"...
(THESE TWO VERSES WERE MISTRANSLATED, because it is wirrten (walya'lama almu'minEEna) (almu'mEEn - The believers- here is called ( ه, this means that they are the "Subject", and not the "Doer", the "Doer" here is Allah, other wise it would have been written "Almu'minOOn", which in that case, the doer will be "The Believers"" ""
"O you who acknowledge, God will test you with some of the game for hunting, coming within reach of your hands and your spears, so that God will know who reveres Him when unseen. Whoever transgresses after this, then he will have a painful retribution."
594" "
"While We had tested those before them, so that God would know those who are truthful and so that He would know the liars.""" "
"We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the book and the balance, that the people may uphold justice. We sent down the iron, wherein there is great strength, and many benefits for the people. So that God would distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers on acknowledgement. God is Powerful, Noble"
5725
(The same word is used in the verse above (lya'lama = so that HE KNOWS)" "
" "
" "
"The knower of the unseen (OR UNKNOWN), He does not reveal His knowledge to anyone."
"Except to whom He has accepted as a messenger; then he leads way in its present and future as a secret observer."
"So that He knows that they have delivered the messages of their Lord, and He encompasses all that is with them, and He has counted everything in numbers.*"" "
"Then We made you successors on earth after them to see how you would perform."
1014
(This is the only verse I could find, where it says (So that WE WILL SEE how you perfrom)All these verses, according to my understanding, should be the proof that "God tests people so that he knows what they will choose"
and if God knows anything about the future, then it is the form of "POSSIBILITIES" and "PREDICITIONS"
Because God is not (time,space)-bound...Probably that is why the person in Chapter 18, with Moses, killed the child,
Because there was no any "GOOD POSSIBILITIES" left for this child to be good,
That is why God took him away, so that he won't effect his parents.I would like to hear your opinion about this,
And again I apologize for my non-academic, non-professional writing,
I wish someone else could re-write the verses and the article it self in neater way.Peace,
Yamibato. -
Peace Yamibato,
This has been discussed multiple times before on this forum. The word "ya3lam" in those verses has been mistranslated to "know" instead of the other possible meaning "distinguish", which even you gave as the correct translation in 5725.
From Project Root List, according to Lane's Lexicon
= Ayn-Lam-Miim = to mark/sign/distinguish, creations/beings, world, science/learning/knowledge/information, aware/know. By means of which one knows a thing, hence it signifies world or creation, because by it the Creator is known. alim (pl. ulama) - one who is learned/wise or knows.
http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
The distinguishing is for our benefit so that WE know
3140 If you are wounded, then know that the other group is also wounded. And such are the days, We alternate them between the people, so that God will distinguish those who believe, and so He may make witnesses from among you; and God does not like the wicked.
3142 Or did you think that you would enter Paradise without God distinguishing those who would strive amongst you and distinguishing those who are patient?
Otherwise you are creating a contradiction with God knowing ALL THINGS
680 And his people debated with him. He said "Do you debate with me regarding God, when He has guided me? I do not fear that which you have set up except if my Lord wills; my Lord encompasses all things in knowledge; will you not remember?"
789 "We will then be inventing lies about God if we return to your creed after God has saved us from it; and we will not return to it except if God our Lord wills, our Lord encompasses everything with knowledge, in God we put our trust. Our Lord, make an opening between us and between our people with the truth, you are the best of openers."
2098 Surely your god is God; for which there is no god except He. His knowledge encompasses all things.
You can use the search function for past discussions on this issue in the forum, for example
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9942.msg45137#msg45137
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=8696.msg28522#msg28522May the infinite Creator guide us to the truth.
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Salaam,
I would argue that (alem) does not mean know but its meaning is understanding/comprehension as in the ability to be able to process. Probably one can say it has to do with wittiness. Possibly the word marks learning capability as well.
(Controversial letter meaning "Gain To Thereof". It would indicate that someone who had may have something they previously did not.
The word (ketaab) means knowledge which has erroneously become synonymous with book. Its root (kutub) means "to make knowledgeable". But it means to give something substantial to someone as in knowledge. means to have comprehension. Possibly a translation can utilize English "know" for instances of but then it must be known that it has to do with comprehension as if you speak of knowledge you look for .
However if someone has it can be inferred that this person has knowledge even if it does not directly refer to it, because he or she has understanding.
Salaam
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Salam dear friends,
Thank you for your replies.@Man of Faith,
Your comment could be another possible understanding, but I'm not that much convinced with it.The word "ya3lam" in those verses has been mistranslated to "know" instead of the other possible meaning "distinguish"
If there is one reason that I disagree with you, it would be due to Qur'an's usage of the word "Yameez - " as "Distinguish".
Otherwise translating "Alama" as "Distinguish" will indeed effect my conclusion."837 "
"837 This is so that God will distinguish the bad from the good, and so that the bad will be gathered together into one heap; then He will cast it all into hell. These are the losers.""3179 "
"3179 God was not to leave those who acknowledge as they were without distinguishing the rotten from the good. God was not to let you know the future, but God chooses from His messengers whom He wishes; so acknowledge God and His messengers. If you acknowledge and be aware, then you will have a great reward."Peace and respect for all. peace
Yami. -
Peace Yamibato,
@Truthseeker11
If there is one reason that I disagree with you, it would be due to Qur'an's usage of the word "Yameez - " as "Distinguish".
Otherwise translating "Alama" as "Distinguish" will indeed effect my conclusion."837 "
"837 This is so that God will distinguish the bad from the good, and so that the bad will be gathered together into one heap; then He will cast it all into hell. These are the losers.""3179 "
"3179 God was not to leave those who acknowledge as they were without distinguishing the rotten from the good. God was not to let you know the future, but God chooses from His messengers whom He wishes; so acknowledge God and His messengers. If you acknowledge and be aware, then you will have a great reward."Completely wrong logic. Two different words in al-quran can refer to the same concept. For example "siraat" and "sabeel". Both mean way/path.
May the infinite Creator guide us to the truth.
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Salaam Yamibato,
I will continue research. Eventually perhaps you may find it sensible.
Salaam
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Peace Yamibato,
Completely wrong logic. Two different words in al-quran can refer to the same concept. For example "siraat" and "sabeel". Both mean way/path.
.Salam Truthseeker,
The above statement is Completly Wrong. and one of the major wrong approach to study the Arabic tongue in the Quraan .
Some tips in the subject .
There is no sequence / Taraduf in The arabic tongue hence In The Quraan .
"AL-ssirat " is the main wide long road , like the highway
"AL-ssabyil " is any secondary small roads who leads to the highway .
In the Quraan "AL- ssiraat " with "AL " mean the knwon true one , never been mentioned as plural but always singular form 01-06 as there is only one true "AL- ssiraat "But "AL-ssabyil " in the other hand was mentioned with plural form 29-69 as there are many . Some leads to the main road "AL- ssiraat " others does not .
To mention that one thing can have multiple attribute Sifaat/ every attribute is described by a new word "kalem" which we call name or names , these attributes could describe wither some of the action of that thing or if he got changes in his essence / reality due to some other circumstances .
To mention also that one action can be described with two different verbs / wording or more depending from which angle or part or essence the action is been described / seen , and that is due to the speakers attentions to what he want the audience to understand from that
See for reference 2-60 and 7-160 the two verses talk about one same action of Moses hit the stone but whats happened after was described with two different verbs in 2-60 and 7-160 , these does not mean that the verb in 2-60 is synonym or a sequence to the verb in 7-160 , but it's about what I mentioned earlier .
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Peace Alkitab,
Both mean the same concept of path/way.
Highway = way/path
Small road = way/pathSo I am guessing that in your wonderland sabeel Allah is a secondary small road.
No more comments from me to you in this matter.
May the infinite Creator guide us to the truth.