Page 191 - Matter: The Other Name for Illusion

the comments we have seen above.
As we have stressed from the very beginning, the truth is that matter is
created by God and we cannot experience direct contact with its original.

:

n
h
I
f
"
t

c
e
i
t
o
a
n
i

d
e
g
n
i
l
e
a
w
w
i

e

r

a
v
e
e
y
r
O Objection: "If we are dealing with an illusion of everything, how

o

f

,
h
w
o
h
t
i
g
n
i
l
l
u
b
s
j
n
o
f
o
e

s

e
a
bu
r
d
?
i
o

t
G
t
t
p
x
e
i
a
l
n
w

a
e
c can we explain some of the attributes of God?" "
f
o

h
t

s

n
o
e
m
e
p
:

l
y
R Reply: Some believers think that when we accept the true nature of
matter, a curtain is brought down on many of the names of God, and that if
matter is simply an illusion, the manifestation of some of those names cannot
be explained. This is again an error that stems from shallow thinking and
failure to understand the nature of the subject.
First of all, no force or idea can draw a curtain over any of the names of
God. No scientific truth can prevent the manifestation of any of these names. It
is God Who creates these truths in the first place. God is not bound by the
things and laws He creates. For this reason, no power or knowledge in the
world can do away with any of these manifestations. Even thinking such a
thing would be failing to appreciate the infinite might of God.
Furthermore, the fact that we are dealing with a copy of matter that forms
in our minds is an important proof that, contrary to what these people may
think, the manifestation of the names of God takes place at all times and in all
places. That is because, just like a film, this image which forms on the
perceptual level cannot come about of itself, and there must be something that
displays it, and that means a Creator, Almighty God, Who brings it into being.
The fact that the image is permanent and unbroken is clear evidence that
our Creator God continues His act of creation at all times. In fact, one verse
says that the earth and the sky (in other words, the universe) are not fixed and
unvarying, that they only exist by virtue of God's creation, and that they will
cease to exist when that creation ceases:
God keeps a firm hold on the heavens and earth, preventing them from
vanishing away. And if they vanished no one could then keep hold of
them. Certainly He is Most Forbearing, Ever-Forgiving. (Surah Fatir: 41)
In the Koran, sura 27, verse 64, God reveals that He "originates creation
and then regenerates it". In another verse, He draws attention to the fact
that people are at every moment being created:
Replies To Objections Regarding The Reality Of Matter 189