If Allah has all the power and can do anything can he create something (e.g. a rock) that he himself can't lift?
If the answer was no, it doesn't mean that he is not able to do something which contradicts the view of Islam that Allah can do anything?
This is a popular question put forth by Atheists who want to challenge believers. But before trying to answer the question, we should first examine its logical validity. Because only logically valid questions are qualified for answering.
Now by the very concept, we know that Allah is the greatest, the most powerful, the all-dominant existence; in a way that nothing can exist independent of Him or out of His reign, let alone being weightier than Him or in anyway exceeding Him. So the question is just logically absurd to begin with, because there's nothing weightier than (or in any respect exceeding) Allah that can be imagined, and thus a logically absurd concept can never be subject to the power of Allah because it just cannot exist. So if a thing is impossible to exist due to a logical necessity it is completely out of question of Allah's power or capability. In short, logically we just cannot even begin to answer such a question.
PS: Noteworthy, I think, the question stems from a failure in understanding the difference between logic as a normative science of knowledge and philosophy as a science of existence. Logic is to tell us how existence should be examined as it is, by setting rules for preventing false statements about the reality. So when something is logically impossible that means it essentially cannot exist in the world as it is. But it doesn't necessarily indicate an incapability on the part of the subject under philosophical examination.
A man asked this question from Imam Ali a.s. and he answered:
قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَکَ وَ تَعَالَی لَا یُنْسَبُ إِلَی الْعَجْزِ وَ الَّذِی سَأَلْتَنِی لَا یَکُونُ (توحید صدوق باب 9 حدیث 9)
Indeed God almighty is not attributed to disability but what you asked cannot be. (Does not have the possibility of existence)
Reference of hadith: The hadith book: Tawhid Sadouq, part 9, hadith no. 9
Another similar hadith from Imam Sadiq a.s. says God can created everything, but what you asked is not a thing.
Reference:
Yes this is not out of His ability. He can create an unliftable rock, but it will only be unliftable to the creation, not the Creator God; He can still lift that unliftable rock though, because nothing can limit His ability.
This may seem like like a paradox, which according to a dictionary definition means "a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true."
Some particles can be in two places at once, for example a photon. This seems impossible but is the case in quantum mechanics!
Likewise, God lifting an unliftable rock comes across as a paradox to us, a contradictory statement, but just like with the photon, they are well founded.
God is not restricted by our limited understanding of logic or contradictions.
The question is irrelevant as Allah (subhana Wa Ta'ala) is not attributed with lifting, this is an attribute of the creation not the Creator (subhana wa Ta'ala). And Allah (subhana wa Ta'ala) is not similar to the Creation ("Nothing is similar to him" - Surah Shura, Ayah 11).
Logically limbs indicate there is mass and mass means there is a limit and limits are attributes of imperfection and Allah (subhana wa Ta'ala) is attributed with Perfection, superiority and uniqueness.
This question which you're asking, has been used a number times by atheist not only against Muslims but theists in general, and sometimes you might even find a Christian using this question to backup his point that Allah has a son. But really it is nothing but a trick question, whether you say yes or no it only supports the asker. It also proves lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of who Allah is, and that He is the most majestic and powerful. So my advice is: don't get your head too wrapped around it, and don't put too much effort in answering it, as whatever you say is most likely not in your favor.
As for there is a contradiction in saying no, that would only exist because of lack of clarity or misunderstanding of "Allah can do anything" in Islam. Allah is all powerful and is able to do what He wishes, and anything He creates is nothing but a sign of His power, but what Allah does or creates is based on His majesty, so to be more accurate Allah does what He wishes and is able to create something by just saying Be, and whatever He does is befitting His majesty. I pray my answer is clear, and I ask forgiveness of any mistake.
Islam's concept of omnipotence is not "infinite power". Look at the 99 Names of Allah for what Islam and the Quran claim that Allah is able to do. These claims are very specific, and the "omnipotence paradox" which can be used for some religions don't apply here.
I'll need someone who's a native Arabic speaker to back me on this, but if you look at translations, they don't claim Allah to be 'infinitely powerful'. For example, الرحمن is translated to "Most Merciful", "The Merciful", or "Exceedingly Merciful" but not "Infinitely Merciful".
Allah is not infinitely powerful. For example, Moses has requested to see Allah, and this was just not possible despite it being Allah's wish.
And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You." [ Allah ] said, "You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me." But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, "Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers." (Al-'Ar'af 7:143)
Throughout the Quran, Allah also uses the words "We", possibly giving credit to the angels as well. I brought up the previously mentioned verse because it's a rare case where Allah addresses himself as "I".
So, I'd say "we don't know". There has not been any verses in which Allah has attempted to do so and succeeded or failed, so the answer is inconclusive.
Lifting involves applying force greater than gravity to an item in the opposite direction of gravity.
To be able to lift something, you need to overcome gravity.
The lifting action doesn't apply to Allah (c.c) in it's literal sense, because Allah (c.c) doesn't need to overcome gravity, because, Allah decides how physics works. The notion of existence of a rock, which Allah (c.c) can't lift, requires physics, outside of Allah's (c.c) control. This idea doesn't apply to God. Therefore, the question is contradictory in itself.
This question is similar to the question "Can God create triangle with 4 sides?" which cannot be meaningfully answered, because the question involves contradiction in itself.
If Allah has created a rock that He can't lift.
If such a rock exists, then by definition, the universe is a place where that rock cannot be lifted.
If the rock can be lifted, then by definition, the universe is a place where the rock can be lifted.
You can't have one universe with two differing definitions, again, by definition.
(Oh, certainly, especially Everett's interpretation of quantum physics does allow multiple universes, but that's a step I don't want to take here!)
This definition was first answered, I think, by Isaac Asimov, explaining the "unstoppable force meets immovable object" problem to his girlfriend. That's where I recall it from.
This is a trick question that tries to prove a point that God is really not that powerful and that there are certain things that he can't really do. It really is a pun question to trick your mind, probably for fun or joke or may be some seriousness :)
Let me ask you this: Can you build such a tall budding that even you can't climb? Obviously if you build such a tall budding, you must have already climbed it.
Similarly if God created such a big rock, he has already lifted it and placed it on Earth. So the question is really redundant. It is asking God if he really can do something that he has already done?
This question was asked with a rock on Earth. One can image, the Earth itself is kind of a rock too and it obeys what God says. So of course, God can create a rock that only he can lift!
Here's an important distinction: Allah can possibly do Anything; he cannot simultaneously do everything. For example, he cannot both go on existing forever and cease existing forever. However, he is omnipotent, so he must have the ability to cease existing forever. Similarly, he cannot simultaneously vaporize your computer and not vaporize it. Likewise, he cannot be simultaneously omnipotent and not omnipotent; however by virtue of his omnipotence he can become non-omnipotent. So yes, he can create a rock he cannot lift; however, by doing so he would become non-omnipotent - but only in so far as he is unable to lift the rock he created. (Of course, he could obliterate the rock and go back to being perfectly omnipotent at anytime - unless he chose to make that impossible for himself as well.)
It's like asking a question:
The Question is Logically incorrect and put forth because we don't often understand who GOD is basically?
So ABOUT GOD, IT IS THE SAME-
He is known through his properties, reason, logic.
Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,
Allah , the SAMAD.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
As we see that everyone in this world is born same which means The GOD is one not more than that.
So everything from A-Z is dependent on something.
BUT ALLAH IS SAMAD, WHO IS INDEPENDENT. HE CREATED THESE THINGS WITH SUCH A PERFECTION AND INTELLIGENCE THAT IS JUST AWESOME AND THANKS TO INTELLECT HE HAD GIVEN US TO THINK. HE DOES NOT GET HUNGRY, HE DOES NOT NEEDS AIR, HE DOES NOT SLEEP AS WE THINK OF HUMANS.
When we try to bound him with our perception which we think then the problem arises, because he is not what you imagine.
Humans needs to eat, sleep, reproduce and do everything but he does not need all these things.
Humans till now only knows about Matter and Energy and he can perceive only these two things through his senses not any other things. And both Matter and Energy is bound in Time and Space. BUT ALLAH DOES NOT HAVE ANY BOUNDATION, HE IS NOT BOUND IN SPACE AND TIME.
That's why the scriptures always point towards his powers and attributes.
And the New Testament says: 'Say their is no GOD but ONE'.
These were the difference of languages not Religions, people made them different. When GOD IS ONE HOW COULD RELIGION BE TWO.
Well before I answer your question you have to know the definition Of the Creator. and the best definition is mentioned in the Qur'an:
Verse 112:1-4 :
- Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,
- Allah , the Eternal Refuge.
- He neither begets nor is born,
- Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
The point is Allah can't be compared to anything in His Creation. If you are asking if Allah can made a rock that He can't lift then you have broken the definition of Allah, which means your question is illogical and wrong.
The first thing to consider about this question is:
How do you define lifting a rock?
In a world where relativity rules I could just stand on my arms and pretend lifting the earth, which is true, from a physical point of view. Now if by lifting you mean producing enough kinetic energy to increase or decrease the speed of such a rock (or deviate the earth from its orbit for example) then it makes more sense.
Let's suppose God wanted to create something really big. He was so busy doing it that he didn't consider his own rule that says he can do everything (including lifting everything). So know God is facing a giant rock he can't move anymore, but he wants to get rid of it. So what to do?
Well now God can do everything except moving that rock away. Easy. God decides to change the physical rules of the universe (he still can do that) to make such a giant rock similar to a small rock under the current physical laws. Then just move it. So no matter what he does, he will be able overcome it.
You can consider this from a mathematical point of view. The thing that we call infinity. It's such a nice philosophical term. In an infinite group (let’s say real numbers), no matter how big you are, there is still an infinity of numbers bigger than you. So if we suppose God is BIG or has a BIG power (not infinite yet), and he create a rock impossible to move with his current power (so bigger than God), then God has the ability to make himself slightly bigger than this rock (the rock doesn't have this ability, it’s a statistical product from God). God now is bigger than the rock and can construct another rock bigger and bigger. Every time, he makes himself bigger than the last rock he builds. Doing this in an infinite loop logically leads us to God being infinite. This is based on the Mathematical induction method to demonstrate some theories.
That's how I consider this problem. It might not be directly related to Islam but I think it is worth sharing.
I hope some of you share my point of view
You proceed from a corrupt standpoint, since you consider that God can have the characteristics of weakness, and this is wrong because God said about himself in the Quran:
He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Fashioner. To Him belong the excellent Attributes. Gives glory to Him whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. AYAH al-Hashr 59:24:
as you see, God cannot be described as weak while you want him to be weak and this is impossible, because God will never be weak, and the question now is: "can you imagine something which is not weak and that God can not do?" The answer is no.
so, Can Allah create a rock that He can't lift? no, because you ask God to be weak. Being weak does not mean strength, but weakness, and God have only the "excellent Attributes".
Leave alone a rock Allah has the power to make even small feather heavy so heavy that nothing in the entire universe can move it, but Allah will always be able to pick it up as he has the power to do anything. According to the Holy Qur'an surah 36 Yasiin everything is easy for Allah just saying "kun fayakun" it will occur in line with Allah's wish including a heavy rock.
Allah has the power to do things beyond your imagination.
I had heard this question from my RE teacher at school but this questions is there only to confuse you as it is contradictory and therefore not valid.
You have to remember that Allah does not resemble his creation and is never subject to the Laws of the Creation because He is both the Creator and the Law Giver.
Yes.
Because Allah can do what he wants. So if Allah decides this rock cannot be lifted by Allah, so it is.
Note that there is nothing stopping him from deciding later than he, in fact, can lift the rock. Why? Because Allah can do what he wants. So it's like Allah playing mind-games with himself.
This is a game of logic where a player can alter the rules. There is no contradiction in the question, at least none that I can see.
Now let’s assume he can't change the rock's properties once created (which in turn re-iterates the question, but let's pretend). Can Allah move an "immovable object", without giving himself the power to do so? The answer is yes again.
To move something is to alter its distance from something else, i.e. a point of reference. For Allah to move the rock, he must move everything else. The rock's true point of reference is the same, the Universe's point of reference is not.
It's the same as drawing a dot on a piece of paper on your desk, and wanting to move the dot further from your lamp. You can't move the dot, so you move the paper.
You might say that's not a good answer because the rock is still in the same place relative to its true point of reference, no matter what happens to the universe around it. And suddenly we aren't dealing with the omnipotence paradox, but with this question:
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
Which is a different paradox altogether, and is nicely explained in this video by MinutePhysics.
Evpok suggests that answers should come from an Islam-theistic point of view. This is very difficult as yours is a logical question requiring a logical answer in a theistic setting. The two don't really play well together.
Simple answer. Don't imagine Allah like a human or any other creature like animals/plants or any other physical thing. We have never seen Him, he exists from infinity and will exist forever. We can't even imagine what 'forever' is. If your thoughts or vision makes you compare any physical property with Allah then it is Satan. Just keep in mind His existence is beyond our imagination.
These silly riddles most often arise from imposing unnecessary and contradictory assumptions (mostly because of the Christian background or having no training in Meta-Physics & how logic actually works) on certain attributes of God or by assigning unwarranted additional attributes to him. The answer is very simple:
such a rock doesn't exist, because if it exists then God stops being God, because God by definition, is all-powerful.
The one who is asking "Can God create a rock so heavy that he can't lift" must answer the question "Does your parents know that you are an idiot" and "Is infinity an even number or odd"?
Some question don't have a "Yes/No" answer & if you'll keep discussing silly scenarios like these, you will end up in an infinite recursion with no base condition! Not because the question is "unanswerable" but because it is illogical!
The rationalism of frogs living under the well is to deny the existence of mountains! For frogs, it is pure logic but it has got nothing to do with reality.
Let me ask another question.
Can God jsdfouigar?
Do you expect an answer to that question? The question above is meaningless. The word "jsdfouigar" simply doesn't have a meaning so the entire question is meaningless.
That's the exact same problem with "can Allah create a rock he can't lift" except that it deceives the listener into thinking the sentence isn't meaningless under the implicit assumption "because two words have meaning, their combination would also have meaning." A similar example is asking "can Allah create a consummated virgin." The fact that "consummated" and "virgin" are both words that have meaning doesn't mean that their combination, "consummated virgin," has a meaning. Combining meaningful words becomes meaningless when the words contradict each other. A contradiction is meaningless. A contradiction isn't something merely unrealistic like a rectangular planet; rather, it doesn't have any meaning, so phrasing it doesn't make it any more meaningful than "jsdfouigar." Now Allah is the one who can do anything. So to phrase the question in a way that makes the meaninglessness stand out more: "can the one who can do anything do something he can't do." The illogicality comes from the question, not the premises(which are the attributes of Allah). Similar examples are "can the immovable move?" or "can the unstoppable stop."
Therefore, the question itself is a flawed, meaningless question that makes as much sense as "can God created a consummated virgin" or "can God jsdfouigar."
Assalamualaikum, for the real answer, who ALLAH is, read this Sura, Surat Al-'Ikhlāş (The Sincerity):
![Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6RQ6W.png)
Meaning:
(1) Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,
(2) Allah , the Eternal Refuge.
(3) He neither begets nor is born,
(4) Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
-translation: Sahih International
And of course ALLAH can create anything with any power. But as ALLAH is its Creator, ALLAH can destroy it too. If you want more precision, here is the ayat of (Sura Ya-seen, 36: verse: 82):
Meaning: His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
So, ALLAH can do anything by just HIS exalted wish.
Just picture yourself as being powerful, rich and able to do anything that s possible. Would you make yourself less powerful or create something that will endanger your life? I hope you won't! If you do then you are being a fool! In other words Allah is not a fool, only humans are!
Thinking linguistics and probabilities we can count this Question logically.
We may cannot find the solution for this Question in classic probabilities sure we can find solution for this in Quantum Probabilities :)
Read about Schrodinger Cat you can see with human being little knowledge that we have the answer will be yes! He can do the both at the same time. Like a quantum bit that can have superposition of states at the same time.
