ما يعلم به الصانع
That by which the Maker may be known.
One explanation of the word ʿālam is that it points beyond itself to its Creator. Reflection on order, determination, and dependence opens the way to arguments for a maker. Ṣāniʿ here denotes the One who brings the world into being.
Knowing an agent through evidence does not make the evidence identical with that agent. The cosmos may serve as a sign of its Creator without itself being the Creator's essence.
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The World and Its Origination: Creation and Philosophical Eternity
ما يعلم به الصانع
That by which the Maker may be known.
One explanation of the word ʿālam is that it points beyond itself to its Creator. Reflection on order, determination, and dependence opens the way to arguments for a maker. Ṣāniʿ here denotes the One who brings the world into being.
Knowing an agent through evidence does not make the evidence identical with that agent. The cosmos may serve as a sign of its Creator without itself being the Creator's essence.