The Faceless God Discombobulates Gnanasara Thero
By Mass L. Usuf –December 9, 2016
Mass Usuf
“To imagine something which occupies neither space nor time and is immune to alteration or change is impossible.” ~ (George Lister, Introduction to Philosophical Principles)
In one of the many recent diatribes against the Muslims, Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thero calls the God that the Muslims believe in as a faceless God. The mens rea of this statement is clear. Denunciation, condemnation and hate filled much to the displeasure of the Muslims and the decent Buddhists. However, personally, I see it differently. Though his intention was patently not clean, I congratulate him for he has spoken the truth at least in stating that Allah is faceless.
We all know that there is the smallest and biggest in everything. If I say, and it is true, that the smallest country in the world is less than ½ of a square mile and it is a world-famous place; Curiosity will kick in to know which is this tiny country.
The faceless God is no exception to this curiosity. There are many things in life which we take for granted. One of which is that like everyone has a face, God also has a face. To learn otherwise, is strange and strange things evince interest. The God of the Muslims, addressed in the Arabic language as ‘Allah’, does not have a face like we humans or animals do. Gnanasara therefore, for once has uttered the truth but he is discombobulated (fanciful coinage for confusion…).
The Eternal, Absolute
Theism (Belief in the existence of God) is an interesting subject which has also courted much controversy among a few namely the atheists (do not believe in any god) and agnostics (do not know if any god exist or not). A classification of theism informs us of Polytheism (belief in multiple gods), Pantheism (belief that everything is god), Henotheism (belief in a particular god without disbelieving in the existence of others) and Monotheism (belief in only One God).
Ever since the thero’s expression of his confused state of mind about the faceless God of the Muslims, honest inquiry has occupied the thinking of many normal folks. To find an answer, I will have to seek the help of the Quran to explain this phenomenon of the faceless God. A reading of the foundation of Islam reveals that Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion. The monotheistic nature of the God in Islam and His facelessness is succinctly encapsulated in a beautiful formula, which reads as:
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begets not, nor was He begotten;
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(Chapter 112 of the Quran)
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begets not, nor was He begotten;
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(Chapter 112 of the Quran)
The uniqueness of Allah is in His Oneness. Therefore, in Islam there is no polytheistic, pantheistic or henotheistic beliefs. Allah is not the son of anyone nor does He have a son. Linked with the idea of monotheism is the belief in the Unity of Allah. Allah as One in person. Allah as the only Creator. He is the One who sustains and nourishes, it is only Allah who deserves to be worshipped and adored and so on.
