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Modification ·in the Creation
SYNOPSIS Eternal divine knowledge does not contradict divine omnipotence; the Jewish position about Gods omnipotence; the place of modification (bada) in the Shiite doctrine; the determination of Gods decree (qtuja); the benefit in the belief in modification; the real meaning of bada in the Shiite doctrine; Sunni traditions that corroborate bada ; disclosures by the infallible Imams of future events.
In chapter ١٠ we discussed the question of abrogation (naskh) of ordinances, and this was in the realm of matters related to the Sharia. We should now tum our atten- tion to the question of bada , which is a sort of naskh, but in the realm of the matters connected with creation (takwln). This subject is important because the actual mean- ing of bada is unknown to many Muslim scholars, and hence, they have attributed to the Shates that of which they are innocent. Moreover, they have not been able to comprehend the subject well and have not been fair in their critique. I f only they had proceeded with caution or had suspended judgment when they did not know the sub- ject.١ To preserve complete integrity in citations and to apply caution in passing a judgment on a subject under investigationjs a normal expectation in a .work of schol- arship. Moreover, in the matter of religion, one needs to observe the requirements of piety. In view of all this, it is necessary to make a few remarks to clarify the meaning of bada, even though it is not directly relevant to an introduction to the exegesis of the Quran.
To begin our discussion, it is appropriate to state that there is no doubt that the universe in its entirety is under Gods sovereignty and His omnipotence. Moreover, the existence of any of the possible things is dependent upon the will of God, the Exalted. Thus, if God wills, He brings that thing into existence, and if He does not will, He does not create it.
Furthermore, there is no doubt that Gods knowledge encompasses everything since eternity, and that all things in.their entirety possess a cognizant apportionment in the eternal knowledge of God. This apportionment is sometimes designated as Gods predetermination (taqdfr), and at other times as Gods decree (qada). How-