God is Omnipotent and Omniscient

Those who take law into their own hands, it seems, love to enjoy a free leash to rule the roost. They lynch or shoot their victims to death, hang them from trees, commit heinous crimes against women, minorities, Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalised sections of society. They commit these crimes without any fear of the…

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Sikandar Azam

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Those who take law into their own hands, it seems, love to enjoy a free leash to rule the roost. They lynch or shoot their victims to death, hang them from trees, commit heinous crimes against women, minorities, Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalised sections of society. They commit these crimes without any fear of the rule of law and with a strong sense of impunity. In their attempt to keep their crimes hidden from the eyes of others, they may escape the earthly watchers, the police and the entire machinery of rule of law. But they forget thatthey cannot escape the sight of God, Who is ruling over the universe, Who is Omnipotent and Omniscient.

God is Omniscient i.e. All-Knowing. His laws are different from man-made laws. Man-made laws can never be perfect. They more often than not are amended; some new sections are added and some old ones are deleted. This process goes on. But the laws of God are perfect in structure and always beneficial for human beings. They cannot fail. There area of operation runs from this world to the world to come, wherein no man-made laws will exist and only divine laws will be operative. These laws of God have been operative since the very first moment of the creation of the universe. This is the uniqueness, sublimity and loftiness of these laws.

The Qur’ān has emphasised the omniscience of God repeatedly. In Surah Al-A’raf, the Qur’ān says: “Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge.” (7:187) In Surah Taha, the Qur’ān avers that God knows even what is hidden and secret: “And if you speak aloud – then indeed, He knows the secret and what is (even) more hidden.” (20:98) The same Surah says God encompasses all things in knowledge, for He is the Only Deity: “Your god is only Allah, except for whom there is no deity. He has encompassed all things in knowledge.” (20:110) Surah Al-Isra asserts that God is “most knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth.” (17:84)

People often take pride in their wealth, their social status and even in their piety. But in Surah Yunus, the Qur’ān says: “Say, ‘ Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way’.” (10-20)

If people reflect on the Omnipotence and Omniscience of God, they will realise His Power and will be guided to do good deeds and keep from committing crimes against the weaker sections of society. In this case, they will be able to contribute to the establishment of peace and harmony in society.