2006, IV - The Muslim Sunrise

The Promised MessiahThe Soul is the Creation of GodThe Holy Quran has setforth many conclusivereasons in support of theverity that souls are thecreation of God. We setout briefly a few of them by way ofillustration.First, it is obvious that all souls areat all times subordinate to and subjectto the command of God Almighty, andthere is no other cause for suchsubordination except that they are thecreation of God.Second, it is also obvious that allsouls are limited in their capacities andpowers, as is proved by the diversity ofthe spiritual conditions and capacitiesof sections of mankind. This limitationmust be imposed by a Limitor, whichproves that souls are created.Third, it needs no argument toestablish that all souls are, for thepurpose of their perfection and survival,dependent upon and in need of a Beingwho should be Perfect, All-Powerful,All-Knowing and an absoluteBenefactor. This proves that they arecreated.Fourth, a moment’s reflection wouldshow that our souls comprise briefly allthe wisdom and the creative skill that aredemonstrated in the heavenly and theearthly bodies, that is why the universeon account of its diverse elements isknown as the macrocosm and man iscalled a microcosm. Thus when theuniverse, on account of its wonderfulqualities, is accounted the work of a WiseCreator, how would that not be thecreation of God which on account of itspersonal wonders is a reflection of thewhole universe and comprises withinitself the wonderful qualities of all theunits of the universe and illustrates theconsummate wisdom of God Almighty?That which is a manifestation of all thewonders of Divine attributes cannot beoutside God’s creation. Indeed it bearsthe seal of creation more than anythingelse and is a greater proof of the existenceof the Creator. This is not only atheoretical proof of the soul beingMirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908)created but is a bright verity. Moreover, other things haveno consciousness of their being created but souls are bytheir very nature conscious of having been created. Eventhe soul of a savage cannot reconcile itself to being selfexistent.This is indicated by the verse which says thatGod enquired from the souls: Am I not your Lord? thatis to say, your Creator, and they responded: Indeed, yes(7: I73). This dialogue indicates the natural relationshipbetween the Creator and His creation, the proof of whichis inherent in the nature of souls.Fifth, as a child partakes somewhat of the featuresand character of his parents, in the same way souls,which have proceeded from the hand of God Almighty,partake somewhat of the character and qualities of theirCreator. Though in cases in which the darkness andheedlessness of being created prevails over some soulsthe Divine colour appears somewhat faded, yet itcannot be denied that every soul possesses that colourto some degree. In some cases that colour appearsunattractive on account of misuse, but that is not thefault of the colour, it is the fault of the use to which itis put. None of man’s faculties or powers is evil. It ismisuse that makes them appear evil. Every facultyemployed on its proper occasion is wholly good andbeneficent, and in truth all the faculties that arebestowed on man are a reflection of Divine powers.As a son exhibits some features of his father, in thesame way our souls reflect the features and qualitiesof Divinity which are easilyrecognized by those who possesscomprehension. As a son has naturallove for his father we, who are fromGod, have natural love for Him. Ifour souls had not a naturalrelationship with God those whoseek Him would have had no meansof reaching Him (Surma ChashmArya (Qadian, 1886); Nowpublished in Ruhani Khazain,Volume 2 (London, 1984), pp. 119-121).The Holy Quran states that Godenquired from souls: Am I not yourCreator? and they responded:Indeed, yes (7: 173). This means thatsouls naturally affirm the existenceof a Creator, though some peoplefalling in the darkness ofheedlessness and being influencedby wrong teachings become atheistsor Aryas and deny their Creatorcontrary to their nature. It is obviousthat everyone loves his parents, somuch so that some children sufferdeath in consequence of the deathof their mother. Then if souls are notGod’s creation who has investedthem with natural love for God, howis it that when a person achieves fullconsciousness his heart is drawn toGod and his bosom is flooded withthe love of God? There must besome relationship between God andsouls which makes them fall madlyin love with God. They become sodevoted to God that they are readyto sacrifice everything for His sake.It is truly a wonderful relationshipwhich is far above one’s relationshipwith father and mother. If souls areself-existent, as is alleged by theAryas, then how has this relationshipbeen established and who hasinvested souls with the faculty oflove for and devotion to God? Thisis worthy of reflection and is the keyto true comprehension (ChashmaMaarifat, pp. 158—159).6 MuslimSunrise