Why do Muslims worship God alone without any children or partners?
The primary reason why Muslims worship God Alone is because God Himself has informed us through the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) numerous times in the Quran, and also through the previous prophets and the original previous books; that he is One, Unique, Alone and without any partners or children.
However, God has also explained why nobody deserves to be worshipped except Him alone. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated in a hadith (statement) that:
“Allah (God) says: The descendants of Adam tell lies against Me even though they have no right to do so; and they abuse Me, though they have no right to do so. As for telling a lie against Me, it is their claim that I cannot re-create them as I created them before. And as for abusing Me, it is their claim that I have a son. No, Glorified be Me! I am far beyond taking a wife or a son.” (Bukhari)
God is far beyond having a partner or a child, and giving Him one is a derogation of His Magnificence and Status as the Creator of all things.
Moreover, God, through the Quran, appeals to human logic in explaining why He cannot have any partners or children. God states in the Quran:
“Allah (God) did not give birth to a son nor is there any God besides Him. (If there were), each god would have become an independent ruler over its creation and some would have tried to rule over others! May God be exalted above all that they attribute to Him.” (Quran 23:91)
If there were to be a partner or a child with Him, then the power would be shared between them and neither would have complete authority. This is not fitting for the Majesty of the Creator of all things:
“It is not fitting that Allah (God) give birth to a son. May he be exalted above all they associate with Him.” (Quran 19:35)
What is the sin and consequence of worshipping God with a child or partner?
Such is the gravity of this sin that God describes it in response to the heavens, the earth and the mountains:
“And they say: ‘The Most Merciful (God) has taken (for Himself) a son.’ Assuredly you utter a hideous thing, whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall in ruins; That they ascribe unto the Most Merciful a son, when it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.” (Quran 19:88-93)
Furthermore, such is the consequence of this sin, that it is the only sin God will never forgive if a person dies in that state whilst believing that God has a partner or child:
“Indeed, Allah (God) does not forgive the worshipping of other besides Him, but He forgives sins less than that for whomsoever He wishes. And whoever worships others besides Allah (God) has certainly invented a tremendous sin.” (Quran 4:48)
By informing humankind about the gravest sin and the reason for its gravity, they are given a chance to rid themselves of this sin by turning to Him and worshipping Him alone.
Are there verses in the Bible which show that we should be worship God alone?
Despite the many changes within the Bible, one can still find references which highlight the worshipping of God alone.
Please note that all quotes have been taken from the King James’ Bible version:
- In the first of the Ten Commandments God clearly states: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:2 and Deuteronomy 5:6)
- Whilst tempted by the devil, Jesus is quoted in the Gospel as reaffirming pure monotheism to him; “…it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke, 4:8)
- In the Book of John, Jesus states: “… my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28). Note that some Christians may argue that Jesus refers to God as ‘my Father’, and hence this makes him God’s son. However, this argument is irrelevant because in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus recites; “Our Father, thou art in heaven…”
- In another verse, a man approached Jesus to learn from him, went on his knees and said: “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:17-18)
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If God exists, then why has He made me and everything around me?