In Islam, God has knowledge of all things in existence and shares what He will with the creatures in His Creation. It's believed that He teaches and opens the mind of those He has created, and gives them the information He deems appropriate for their growth and development.
"Al-Alim" comes from the root word "Alama" which means "to mark, distinguish… by means of which one knows a thing…the world.” (Omar pg 383-4)
Other derivatives of "Alama" are "Ilm" which means, “science; knowledge; learning; information” and "Alam," which means “learned; knowing; wise.” (Omar pg 384)
Thus, in Islam, God can be defined as that which is not a part of creation, but has intimate knowledge of everything. For Muslims, He is not simply the god of the Meccan people or a moon god. He is the fountain from which all knowledge springs.
Al Alim in Islam
Muslims believe that as Al-Alim, God is the knower of all and knowledge is a constant and permanent attribute of His Being. God does not sleep, forget, nor loose site of people or things in His creation. He is constantly vigilant, according to the Quran, which says, "With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge …”
According to Islam, God does not awaken with the rumbling of some mountain or with the rising of the moon, or sun. His is a constant presence as He has knowledge of all things and shares the gift of knowledge with whomever He wills.
Ilm in Islam
In Islam ,God gives Ilm, or knowledge, so that those who study the Alamin (the world) will recognize His handiwork.
It is interesting to note that God in Islam is not simply telling humanity to worship blindly. He gives humanity instructions in the Quran to seek and discover the truth so they may have certitude.
As the Quran states, “It is He who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand."
The scientist and the seeker have answered this call from the beginning. As the early Muslim scientist studied and discovered new things about the Alamin (world), so too are modern scientists, advancing the world through their recent discoveries.
Alam in Islam
As such, Alam in Islam does not refer only to those who have knowledge of religious and spiritual matters. It also refers to the modern scientist who has studied the intricacies of the Atom and returns more knowledgeable and puzzled at what she finds therein; for there remain depths of discovery in God’s creation to be made.
As the Quran states, “He…created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out.”
At the atomic level, scientists have learned that reality appears to be composed mostly of the empty space between the parts of the atom, and energy. This energy, according to some scientist appears less like material and more like stuff that is controlled by thought.
Studies continue to be conducted in this area by the physicist whose findings are coming curiously close to what prophets, mystics and saints have been saying all along; that it is the mind of God ("super conscious," if you will) that has created, and continues to interact intimately, with the world.
The Quran says, “It was We [God] who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.”
In Islam, God entices the Muslim to use intellect, and reasoning, to discover the world around him or her. Muslims believe that such a journey is the voyage towards discovery of the Majesty of God.
Sources:
Abdullah Yusef Ali, The Holy Quran; With Arabic Text.
Abdul Mannan Omar, Dictionary of The Holy Quran.
Khalil Green - Khalil Green has obtained a Bachelors Degree with Departmental Honors in Religious Studies from Washburn University in Topeka Ks. His ...
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