Dr. Waffie Mohammed
The first Trinidad national to have earned a doctorate in the study of Islam, Dr. Waffie graduated from the University of Karachi with a PhD in Islamic Studies, obtained in parallel with Al-Kamil certification from the Aleemiya Institute established by Dr. Fazlu R. Ansari.
On his return to Trinidad, Dr. Waffie contributed to the development of the Muslim communities located throughout the country and the region, while at the same time serving the wider national communities. This led to his appointment to the Senate in 1981, and his later appointment as Director of the Muslim World League regional office for the Caribbean and Latin America, a position in which he contributed to global Muslim development, until his retirement in 2003.
Dr. Waffie is currently serving as the Principal and Director at the Markaz al Ihsaan Institute of Islamic Theology. He also serves as a spiritual leader of the local chapters of the Qadri and Nakshbandi Orders within Islamic Spirituality Circles.
The author of numerous books, articles and publications dedicated to Islam and contemporary social issues, Dr. Waffie also has a growing number of pioneering works in contemporary Islamic studies. Dr. Waffie blogs often at http://drwaffie.blogspot.com
ALLAH IS THE GREATEST
- By Dr. Waffie Mohammed
- Published 07/26/2010
We know, as creatures, we have limitations. We cannot engage in many activities at one at the same time. Allah has Divine Attributes. We know them as the Asma ul Husna – the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah . One example of His Greatness is that He functions through all these Divine Attributes at one at the same time. For example His Justice is tempered with His Mercy at time same, and to all creatures, not only human beings. He says in Surah An'am;
‘and He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. there is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a clear Record’ (6:59)
This ayat just draws reference to one of Allah’s Divine Attribute; Al Alim – The All Knowing. And His Essence is manifested through all His Divine Attributes at one at the same time.
The other point that exemplifies Allah’s Greatness is that He responds to all His creatures also at one at the same time. For example He sustains some of His creatures and provides protection for others at the very same time. All creatures depend on Him and this is a connotation of As-Samad. Even those misguided creatures who claim to be a god, they too are dependent on Allah . Allah is in no need of sustenance. He is Al-Malik – The Absolute Possessor.
So when we say the simple expression Allahu Akbar we are incorporating everything about the Divine Character of our Lord. We cannot fathom how truly Great Allah is. He says in Surah Luqman;
‘and if all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing): for Allah is Exalted in power, full of wisdom’ (31:27)
By saying this simple expression of Allahu Akbar we immediately recognised that we have limitations and Allah is limitless; we occupy a tiny space and time and Allah is confined to nothing. Even His throne is difficult for us to conceptualize;
‘His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth,’ (2:255)
He cannot be compared and if you have your faith and trust in Him, He will take care of you and will never let you down. Yes, we will experience hardships but if you look back at life you’ll see that you experienced many trials before and you came out of them.
Our Lord is truly Great, so much so, that it is impossible for us to fully comprehend His Greatness. Realise this and worship and serve Him as He ought to.
