LessonsProof of Mutual Hindrance: Divine Unity, Conflicting Wills and Eternity of AttributesQuiz

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا
Had there been other gods besides Allah in the heavens and the earth, both would have fallen into disorder. (Qur’an 21:22)

The conditional law presents a hypothetical: a plurality of gods would entail corruption or disorder. It is invoked to negate polytheism and affirm unity. The precise sense of “corruption,” the alleged necessary connection, and the relationship between multiple independent wills all require examination.

A technical proof needs more than a casual appeal to the world’s observed order. It must show how the supposition of several unlimited, independent wills leads to an impossibility or to incapacity incompatible with deity.

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Qur’anic formulation of mutual hindrance

Proof of Mutual Hindrance: Divine Unity, Conflicting Wills and Eternity of Attributes

لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا
Had there been other gods besides Allah in the heavens and the earth, both would have fallen into disorder. (Qur’an 21:22)

The conditional law presents a hypothetical: a plurality of gods would entail corruption or disorder. It is invoked to negate polytheism and affirm unity. The precise sense of “corruption,” the alleged necessary connection, and the relationship between multiple independent wills all require examination.

A technical proof needs more than a casual appeal to the world’s observed order. It must show how the supposition of several unlimited, independent wills leads to an impossibility or to incapacity incompatible with deity.