Can Allah create a rock that He can't lift?
The question of whether Allah can create a rock that He cannot lift is often posed as a paradox regarding divine omnipotence. However, Islamic theology emphasizes that Allah's power is not bound by contradictions or logical impossibilities.
In the Qur'an, Allah's ability to create is affirmed multiple times. For example, it states: Hast thou not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring (in) some new creation
14:19. This verse highlights that Allah has the power to create and also to remove creation, underscoring His supreme authority over all things.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir elaborates on this by explaining that Allah's creation of the heavens and the earth is a testament to His immense power. If He can create such vast and complex entities, then certainly He can perform any act within the realm of possibility. The idea of creating a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it is inherently contradictory because it implies a limitation on Allah's omnipotence, which is not consistent with Islamic belief.
Thus, the essence of the question illustrates a misunderstanding of divine power rather than a genuine inquiry into the nature of Allah's abilities. Allah's capabilities are beyond human comprehension, and He is not constrained by logical paradoxes. Instead, He is described as having full control and authority over all of creation, as seen in verses such as: Have they not seen that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead? Aye, He verily is Able to do all things
46:33. This reinforces the belief that Allah's omnipotence is absolute and free from contradictions.
Sources
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14:19 · Ibrahim
14:19 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍۢ جَدِيدٍۢ
Hast thou not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He will, He can remove you and bring (in) some new creation;
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46:33 · Al-Ahqaf
46:33 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحْۦِىَ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ
Have they not seen that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead? Aye, He verily is Able to do all things.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 14:19
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 14:19
Allah Almighty informs us here of His absolute power to resurrect bodies on the Day of Judgment by referencing His creation of the heavens and the earth, which is a far greater act than the creation of human beings. He reminds us that the One who originated the vast heavens with their great height and vastness, fixed and moving stars, and all the wondrous signs within them, as well as this earth with its mountains, plains, deserts, seas, trees, plants, and all the diversity of animals, their various kinds, benefits, shapes, and colors—surely He is capable of bringing the dead back to life. This is supported by the verse: "Have they not seen that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and did not tire in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes, indeed He is over all things competent" (Al-Ahqaf 46:33). Furthermore, Allah says: "Has man not considered that We created him from a drop of fluid, yet behold, he becomes a fierce disputant? He sets forth parables to Us, and forgets his own creation. He says, 'Who will give life to bones when they have decayed into dust?' Say, 'He who created them the first time will bring them back to life. He has knowledge of every creation.' It is He who made for you fire from the green tree, so you kindle from it. Is not He who created the heavens and the earth able to create the likes of them? Yes, indeed, He is the Creator, the Knowing. His command, when He intends a thing, is only to say to it, 'Be,' and it is. Glory be to Him in whose hand is dominion over all things, and to Him you will be returned" (Ya-Sin 36:77-83). This demonstrates the ease and inevitability of resurrection according to Allah's will. Regarding the statement, "If He wills, He can eliminate you and bring a new creation; and that is not difficult for Allah," Ibn Kathir explains that this indicates Allah’s perfect ease and might in eradicating the current human race and replacing them with an entirely new creation, without any resemblance to them. This is not hindered by any difficulty or impossibility for Him. Several verses affirm this: "O mankind, you are the needy, while Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy. If He wills, He can do away with you and bring forth a new creation. And that is not difficult for Allah" (Fatir 35:15-17); "And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people, then they will not be like you" (Muhammad 47:38); "O you who have believed, whoever among you turns back from his religion - Allah will bring forth a people He loves and who love Him" (Al-Ma'idah 5:54); and "If He wills, He will remove you, O people, and bring others and Allah is over that competent" (An-Nisa 4:133). Thus, this ayah affirms Allah's unrestricted power not only to resurrect the dead but also to completely replace the present creation with a new one if He wills, emphasizing His omnipotence and sovereignty over all existence.
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