Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 22

(Ayah 22) {لَوْ كَانَ فِيْهِمَاۤ اٰلِهَةٌ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ … :} That is, these people have made many deities from the earth, whereas in both the earth and the heavens, there is no deity except Allah alone. He said: «{ وَ هُوَ الَّذِيْ فِي السَّمَآءِ اِلٰهٌ وَّ فِي الْاَرْضِ اِلٰهٌ وَ هُوَ الْحَكِيْمُ الْعَلِيْمُ }» [ الزخرف : ۸۴ ] "And He is the One Who is worshipped in the heavens and worshipped in the earth, and He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing." Because the true deity is the one who possesses complete power and full authority and is not helpless in any matter. Now, if there were other powerful and authoritative beings in the heavens and the earth besides Allah, then the system of the universe would have been disrupted long ago. Because there would always be conflict among them, and nothing could be formed or function in its organized form, as He said: «{ مَا اتَّخَذَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ وَّلَدٍ وَّ مَا كَانَ مَعَهٗ مِنْ اِلٰهٍ اِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ اِلٰهٍۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَ لَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلٰى بَعْضٍ سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُوْنَ }» [ المؤمنون : ۹۱ ] "Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been any deity with Him. (If there had been), then each deity would have taken away what he created, and surely some of them would have overpowered others. Glorified is Allah above what they describe." Similarly, each of them would try to gain control over the entire universe to establish his own power and authority and would strive to seize the Throne, resulting in the destruction of the whole universe. He said: «{ قُلْ لَّوْ كَانَ مَعَهٗۤ اٰلِهَةٌ كَمَا يَقُوْلُوْنَ اِذًا لَّابْتَغَوْا اِلٰى ذِي الْعَرْشِ سَبِيْلًا }» [ بني إسرائیل : ۴۲ ] "Say, if there had been other deities with Him, as they say, then they would have sought a way to the Owner of the Throne."

In summary, the absence of any corruption in the heavens and the earth and the tremendous order and harmony in the entire universe is evidence that its Owner and the One Who runs it is only One. This argument is very powerful, extremely simple, and easily understandable. Even the system of a small house cannot run properly if it does not have a single person in charge, nor can two rulers exist in one kingdom, so how can the system of such a vast universe run with two rulers? The scholars of Islam have explained this argument in several ways; I will mention only two of those explanations. One is that if we suppose two deities, and if they disagree about moving or keeping something still, it is impossible for both their wills to be fulfilled, and it is also impossible that neither of their wills is fulfilled (because then what kind of powerful and authoritative beings would they be?). If only one’s will is fulfilled, then the other is rendered helpless, who in no way can be the true deity, and the possibility of their disagreement is tantamount to its occurrence. The second explanation is that every part that comes into existence from non-existence is impossible to be created by the power of two beings. When it came into existence by the power of only one, then the other is redundant and useless, having no part in that thing. In the same way, if you reflect on every part and every particle of the universe, the result will be only one powerful and authoritative being. [ ابن عطیہ فی المحرّر الوجیز ]

22. 1. That is, if in reality there were two deities in the heavens and the earth, then there would be two entities controlling the universe, two wills, consciousnesses, and intentions at work. And when the will and decision of two entities would operate in the universe, then this order of the universe could not have remained established in the way it has been, from the beginning of creation, without the slightest interruption. Because the will of both would clash with each other. The intentions of both would collide, and their powers would be used in opposing directions. The result would manifest as chaos and corruption, and since this has not happened until now, it clearly means that there is only one entity in the universe whose will and intention prevails; whatever happens, happens solely by His command. No one can withhold what He gives, and no one can give to whom He withholds His mercy.

If there were other gods besides Allah in the heavens and the earth, both would have been ruined [18]. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

[18]
If There Were Other Gods Besides Allah, the System of the Universe Would Be Disrupted:

It is a very simple matter that two swords cannot fit in one sheath. There cannot be two rulers of one kingdom. In fact, no institution can function until its authority rests with only one person. Even the management of a household cannot run unless there is a single head. And if there is a power struggle between husband and wife, even that system will be ruined and destroyed. Then how is it possible for this great factory of the universe to have more than one head? Since this is such a common example that everyone encounters, every person can reflect on its various aspects themselves; there is no need to go into details here. However, it is necessary to remove one doubt. Ignorant people think that just as a king has countless nobles and ministers under him who assist him in the administration of the kingdom and are merely his subordinates—not his equals—so is the case with our deities. They believe Allah has delegated some powers to certain chosen personalities, who are still His subordinates and servants, but Allah has granted them some authority. The greatest weakness in this argument is that these people have not understood the true knowledge of Allah. A king is a helpless creature; he cannot hear everyone's plea himself nor can he manage the affairs of safety on his own. He is in need of helpers; without them, his work cannot proceed. Whereas Allah Almighty is free from all such weaknesses. He does not need any kind of helpers. He Himself hears and accepts everyone's plea and runs the entire system of the universe by Himself, and for these tasks, He is not in need of anyone. And as for the angels who are the managers of affairs, they too have not been delegated any authority; rather, they are bound by Allah's command and are helpless and powerless before His order.