controlling the universe

One who believes that there is anyone controlling the universe other than Allaah is a kaafir

Q: If a person says that there is anyone controlling the universe other than Allaah, is he a kaafir?.

A: Praise be to Allaah.

The Muslims believe that Allaah is the only controller of the universe; He is the only One Who controls the affairs of all created things. This comes under the idea of Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (Oneness of Divine Lordship), which is the belief that there is no creator but Allaah, no sovereign except Allaah, no controller of the affairs of creation except Allaah. The one who believes anything other than that is a kaafir.

The mushrikeen who worshipped idols and statues used to affirm that Allaah was the one who controlled the affairs of all created things.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?’ They will say: ‘Allaah.’ Say: ‘Will you not then be afraid of Allaah’s punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allaah)?’” [Yoonus 10:31], {قُلْ مَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَمَّن يَمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَمَن يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُ ۚ فَقُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ}, Transliteration: Qul Man Yarzuqukum Mina As-Samā'i Wa Al-'Arđi 'Amman Yamliku As-Sam`a Wa Al-'Abşāra Wa Man Yukhriju Al-Ĥayya Mina Al-Mayyiti Wa Yukhriju Al-Mayyita Mina Al-Ĥayyi Wa Man Yudabbiru Al-'Amra Fasayaqūlūna Allāhu Faqul 'Afalā Tattaqūna

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: Is the one who believes that there is anyone controlling the universe other than Allaah a kaafir?

They replied: The one who believes that is a kaafir, because he has ascribed a partner to Allaah in His Lordship (ruboobiyyah). Indeed, he is a worse kaafir than many of the mushrikeen who ascribed partners to Allaah in His Divinity (uloohiyyah).

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessing and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (1/4).

And Allaah knows best.