Page 200 - Matter: The Other Name for Illusion

take pleasure in this faithful image that God has created. For that reason, when
we love someone, we are really loving God, and our love and affection for that
image are really love and affection for their true source, God.

Those people who love others independently of God, as having an
independent existence distinct from Him, are making a grave error. According
to the Koran, love and devotion are only to be felt for God, and other things are
loved for their manifestations of Him. God has the following to say about those
who love people and ascribe to them an independent existence:

Some people set up equals to God, loving them as they should love
God. But those who believe have greater love for God. If only you could
see those who do wrong at the time when they see the punishment, and
that truly all strength belongs to God, and that God is severe in
punishment. (Surat al-Baqara: 165)

As it says in the verse, to ascribe to people or things a force outside the

existence of God means to consider them the equals and partners of God.
However, nothing that exists has the power to do anything or carry out any
action apart from God. In many verses of the Koran, people are warned about
ascribing powers to anything else than God:

Those you call on besides God are
servants just like yourselves. Call
on them and let them respond to
you if you are telling the truth. Do
they have legs they can walk
with? Do they have hands they
can grasp with? Do they have

eyes they can see with? Do they have ears they
can hear with? Say: "Call on your partner-gods and
try all your wiles against me and grant me no
reprieve. My Protector is God Who sent down the
Book. He takes care of the righteous." Those you
call on besides Him are not capable of helping you.
They cannot even help themselves. If you call them
to guidance, they do not hear. You see them
looking at you, yet they do not see. (Surat al-A'raf:

194-198)

198 MATTER: THE OTHER NAME FOR ILLUSION