Re:

Submitted by salman (United States), Jan 10, 2007 at 17:25

>> Salman, probably I did not word it very well. I was talking about a hypothetical computer. That a computer which can look into the future is an impossibility is known (a quantum computer just might do it, but that is a different story). Now can you imagine Allah being able to create a computer that can see the future. I am sure you can otherwise Allah's claim to be all-powerful would not stand up.

So now you have this God-made computer.what happens to free-will. Now you have this computer sitting by the side of god and everytime he creates a soul it tells Him exactly what it is going to do. Let us say Allah creates Hitler's soul and the computer tells him the havoc he going to cause. Does Allah release his soul into the world. Would that not make Allah also evil for releasing such a soul into the world? He should straight away have flung him into Hell. Since Allah can also see the future he really does not need that computer.

That is what I am trying to get at Salman. If you have this all-knowing all-powerful god then he cannot be the merciful beneficent being he claims to be because he would also be the source of all evil. And while on the subject of evil what would you say if I told you that Allah himself let Satan loose on the world and gave him permission to spread evil. Can't believe it. Alright here is some ayas from the Koran:

007.014

Here is Allah giving repite to Satan to do evil. You might argue that no permission was given to spread evil. But god knowing the future and Satan threatening to do it argues for nothing elese.

113:001-002: Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn. From the mischief of created things. (How can one save oneself from the mischief God has himself created).

You say: "Even though your fate may be written, it's not because a decision was pre-decided for you, it is because God does know what was, what is, and what will be and, does accurately know, what having to 'predict', what a person will do when faced with a choice."

Your fate is written yet it was not pre-decided. Pure Islamic logic like pure self-defence claimed for all the gazwas indulged in by the Muslims. Mr. Salman if your fate is already written down why are you being made to go through with your life on this planet. Can Allah really be serious or is he just having some fun with you.

You also say: "...God does know what was, what is, and what will be and, does accurately know, what having to 'predict', what a person will do when faced with a choice." That is so comforting. God already knows your life situations and knows what you will do in each case. Same question as before: What are you doing here on this planet Mr. Salman? You are just a wind up toy going to your pre-determined, place in heaven, I hope, or hell, I hope not.

-16 YUSUFALI: He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up." (Allah) said: "Be thou among those who have respite." He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way: (This is the devil threatening Allah with what he will do to humans and all that God does is expel him to do his dirty work. Please read the next two ayas) <<

Why would God need a computer? I'm not really sure what you're getting at. Could God make such a device.. I'm sure that he could. But, again, to what end? God already knows what the computer would try to determine through calculations and guesses.

Like I stated in my previous reply, God won't make you do one thing or another -- He would rather let you sin on your own or do good deeds.

You're using circular logic to try and make a point which is more or less invalid. My 'fate' may be written (see my previous reply), but it is not pre-determined. Through free-will, and praying for mercy/forgiveness/blessing (dua), you can change your 'fate' (http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/power.html).

Same goes for your comment about Hitler and Satan -- though Satan has no recourse -- Hitler had his free-will and could have not committed the acts which he did.

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