Atheism’s Number One Question: Why “Who Created God?” Isn’t a Genuine Challenge
Atheism’s number one question — “If God created everything, who created God?” — may sound clever at first, but when you dig a little deeper, it’s more of a rhetorical trick than a genuine philosophical challenge. On the surface, it seems like a simple inquiry, but beneath it lies a tangled web of misunderstandings about the nature of God, the nature of existence, and the very logic we use to understand the world around us.
In this exploration, we’ll break down this question from multiple angles: philosophical, logical, theological, and even scientific. By the end, you’ll see how fundamentally flawed the question really is, and why it falls apart when viewed through the lens of Islamic teachings, reason, and modern insights.
1. The Problem with Causality
First and foremost, let’s address the core misunderstanding about causality itself. The atheist’s question implicitly relies on the assumption that everything must have a cause. This assumption is grounded in our experience of the world around us. In the physical world, every event has a cause.1 A rock doesn’t just float in mid-air without some force acting on it. A tree doesn’t grow without a seed, soil, water, and sunlight.
This idea, however, applies only to contingent beings within the universe — things that exist within time and space. And this is where the atheist’s reasoning breaks down.
To say that everything must have a cause is to misunderstand the nature of necessary existence. There is a profound difference between what we call contingent beings (those that are dependent on something else for their existence) and necessary existence (the type of existence that doesn’t depend on anything else, and therefore has no cause).
“Allah is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden.”
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:3)
This verse encapsulates the nature of Allah. He is not bound by time, and He is not a contingent being.2 If God were to have a cause, He would no longer be a necessary existence; He would be dependent on something else. But in Islam, God is self-sufficient, and His existence is not contingent upon anything else — not time, not space, not anything. He simply is, and His very nature transcends the limitations of time and space. To question who created God is to misunderstand His very essence.
2. The Logical Fallacy of Infinite Regress
Let’s dig into a well-known concept in philosophy: infinite regress. The concept of infinite regress is that if every event or being must have a cause, then tracing back the chain of causes would eventually lead to an endless, never-ending chain. But logically, an infinite chain of causes is a paradox.
Imagine this scenario: you ask, “Who created the world?” and you get an answer, “The Creator.” Then you ask, “Who created the Creator?” The answer might be, “The Uncreated Creator.” And if you keep asking, “Who created that Uncreated Creator?” you would be stuck in an endless cycle. This, however, doesn’t make sense. An infinite regress of causes would mean we would never reach a starting point — a First Cause.
Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers in history, proposed that to avoid this paradox, there must be an uncaused cause — something that itself does not need a cause.3 In the context of Islam, Allah is that First Cause. He is not a part of the chain of contingent beings; He is the very origin of everything that exists. If we deny the existence of a First Cause, we are left with an illogical infinite regress.
The atheist’s question presupposes that every entity within the universe, including God, must be caused. But when we apply the principles of logic, we quickly see that such reasoning collapses. An infinite regress cannot be actualized because it cannot explain the origin of the universe. Hence, there must be a First Cause that itself has no origin — a being that is uncaused, and that is Allah.
3. The Ontological Argument
Let’s bring in a classic philosophical argument for the existence of God, known as the ontological argument. It’s been posited in various forms by many thinkers, most notably by Saint Anselm and later refined by Immanuel Kant, but it boils down to this:
A God that exists necessarily (a necessary being) is a being that must exist and cannot fail to exist.4 It is not contingent upon anything else. The very concept of God — an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-perfect being — necessitates His existence. To ask, “Who created God?” is to misunderstand the very nature of God’s existence. If God exists necessarily, He does not rely on anything else for His existence, and thus, no creator is needed.
In Islamic thought, God’s necessary existence is an essential attribute. His existence is not the product of anything else; it is the foundation of all existence. Allah is the source of all that exists, and He exists necessarily.
“Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)
This verse from the Qur’an emphasizes Allah’s necessary existence. He is the one who sustains all that exists, but He Himself is not sustained by anyone.5 To ask who created Him is to ignore the very definition of necessary existence.
4. Time and Eternity: Understanding God’s Relationship with Time
Another key element of this question lies in the concept of time. Time is a property of the created universe. The universe itself began with the Big Bang, and with it, time as we understand it began. Time has a starting point and an ending point. This is where science and philosophy converge.
In Islamic theology, Allah exists beyond time.6 He is not bound by the temporal world. The Qur’an tells us that Allah is eternal, without beginning or end.7
“He is the First, and the Last, and the Manifest, and the Hidden.”
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:3)
Because Allah is eternal and beyond time, the very concept of “before” or “after” doesn’t apply to Him.8 To ask “Who created God?” assumes that God is in time, that He has a past, a present, and a future. But this is a misunderstanding of His essence. God exists outside the constraints of time, which is why He is not subject to the same rules that govern the created world.
When we say Allah is eternal, we mean He transcends time itself.9 He doesn’t “come into being” or “cease to be,” because He is beyond time.10 The notion of “before” or “after” is meaningless when it comes to the Eternal.
5. The Problem of the Atheist’s Own Question
The atheist’s question also implicitly reveals something deeply ironic. If the atheist insists that everything must have a cause, then according to their own reasoning, they must also accept that the universe itself needs a cause. But if the atheist’s universe needs a cause, and they reject the idea of an eternal God, then they are left with an even bigger problem: where did the universe come from?
This is a classic case of special pleading. The atheist demands a cause for God but doesn’t provide a satisfactory explanation for the universe itself. In science, this is known as the problem of the first cause or the origination of the universe. But without God, this question remains unanswerable, because nothing in the universe is capable of explaining its own existence. If the atheist is unwilling to accept that the universe had a cause, they’re left with a massive intellectual hole.
6. Science and the Origin of the Universe
Let’s bring in some modern science. The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe had a definite beginning.11 Before the Big Bang, there was no time, no space, and no matter. This supports the idea of a first cause — something outside the realm of time and space, which could have initiated the creation of the universe.
Physicists, like Stephen Hawking, have attempted to argue that the universe could have arisen from nothing, but even these theories are filled with caveats. Modern cosmology suggests that the laws of physics as we know them break down at the singularity — the point of the Big Bang.12 This is where the need for an external cause or a Creator becomes apparent. The question “Who created the universe?” is, in essence, a question about God.
7. Why the Question Doesn’t Hold
Atheism’s most famous question — “Who created God?” — is not just a misunderstanding of theology, it’s a misapplication of logic and reasoning.13 The concept of God in Islam is not just that of a powerful being, but the necessary existence that is the foundation of all existence.14 When you apply finite logic — which is appropriate for created beings — to the infinite, eternal Creator, you end up with a paradox. The question itself becomes meaningless.
The deeper we go, the clearer it becomes: God, by His very nature, cannot be created. He exists eternally, outside of time, and independent of anything else.15 Trying to apply the laws of causality to Him is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just doesn’t work.
8. The Nature of Divine Simplicity: God’s Unity and Uniqueness
In Islamic theology, Allah is not just a singular entity but is defined by the concept of divine simplicity — that is, His essence is not compounded of parts, attributes, and things that depend on one another.16 This is a deeply profound and important concept.
When we say Allah is simple, we mean that He is entirely one and indivisible, free of complexity. His essence, His attributes, and His actions are not separate from His being.
A human being, for example, is made up of many parts — organs, limbs, consciousness, etc.17 A cause is needed for all of these parts. The question “Who created God?” wrongly assumes that God must be a composite being, and that a composite being must have a cause. But Allah, in His divine simplicity, is not made up of parts that can be separated or traced back to something else.18 This unity of God — tawhid — is a core concept in Islam, and it reinforces the idea that Allah is beyond the need for a cause.19
As Imam Al-Ghazali famously put it, God is “the Necessary Existence,” and His essence is beyond all description, which makes Him incomparable to anything else. His unity is perfect, and the idea of a Creator who requires a cause is inherently flawed when applied to a Being who is the absolute unity and simplicity.
9. Theological Reflections: God’s Transcendence and Immanence
Islamic theology holds that God is transcendent (beyond and independent of the created world) and immanent (present and active in the world). The question, “Who created God?” doesn’t adequately reflect these two attributes in harmony. The atheist’s question assumes that God is within the created order, subject to the same physical and temporal constraints that we experience. But Islam teaches that God is both beyond the scope of creation (transcendent) and intimately involved with it (immanent), without being bound by it.
This dual nature of God’s relationship with the universe makes it clear that God is not “created” in the conventional sense.20 His transcendence means that He cannot be likened to anything within the created world.21 At the same time, His immanence means that He is near and fully aware of all things, yet He is not in any way bound by time, space, or causality.
The atheist’s question assumes that everything that exists must be contingent upon something else. But if we accept that God is both transcendent and immanent, we can see that such questions simply do not apply to Him. God’s essence is beyond the laws of causality that govern the material world.
10. The Concept of Creation Ex Nihilo: The Science of Creation
Moving into the realm of science, there’s another fascinating angle to consider. The universe, as modern science suggests, came into being “from nothing” (ex nihilo), which is an idea that aligns quite well with Islamic cosmology. The Big Bang theory, despite its complexities and unanswered questions, essentially posits that the universe began from a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature where the known laws of physics break down.22
Islamic cosmology holds that the universe was created by the command of Allah, who simply said, “Be,” and it was — kun fa-yakun (Qur’an 36:82). This creation ex nihilo doesn’t just point to the power of God; it also underscores His absolute sovereignty.23 There is no need for a “who created God?” because, just as the universe came into being without any cause within time or space, so too does God’s eternal existence stand apart from any logical requirement of a creator.
“It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days; then He established Himself above the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor other than Him.”
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:4)
This verse speaks of Allah’s creative power, bringing everything into existence without any external cause. By applying this divine power to His own existence, it becomes clear that He is the uncaused Cause. Everything else in the universe depends on Him, but He depends on nothing.
11. The Non-Physical Nature of God
One further point that strengthens the answer to the question comes from the nature of God’s essence itself. Unlike human beings, who exist in the physical realm and are composed of material elements, Allah is non-material — He has no physical form or limits.24 He exists without spatial extension or temporality. To apply a materialistic concept such as “creation” to Him is an error.
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”
(Surah Ash-Shura 42:11)
This verse reiterates that God cannot be understood in material terms. When we ask who created God, we are implicitly applying human categories of space and time to something that exists beyond both. This is akin to trying to describe a concept that doesn’t fit within the limits of human language or experience. God’s essence transcends these categories.
12. Intellectual Humility: Recognising Our Limitations
One of the key lessons in Islamic thought is intellectual humility.25 The atheist’s question is based on the assumption that the human mind can fully comprehend the nature of the Creator, but Islam teaches us that our understanding is limited. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“But they will never encompass Him in knowledge.”
(Surah Ta-Ha 20:110)
This isn’t a cop-out, nor is it an invitation to abandon reason. Rather, it is a reminder that there are truths about the universe — and especially about the Creator — that are beyond the full grasp of human understanding. To demand an explanation of God’s nature that fits into human intellectual categories is to disregard the vast difference between the Creator and the created.
13. The Limitations of Human Language and Thought
Finally, it’s important to note that the question “Who created God?” is also rooted in the limitations of human language and thought. Language is an imperfect tool, and it can only express concepts within certain confines. The question itself operates within the realm of time and space, while God exists outside of both. We are trying to explain the Infinite using finite terms. It’s like trying to explain the concept of infinity using a ruler — the tool itself is insufficient for the task.
The Qur’an itself often uses terms and analogies to describe God’s attributes, but it also acknowledges that these descriptions are ultimately limited. The true nature of God cannot be fully captured by human language, and as such, asking questions that rely on human cognitive structures about the Creator is bound to fall short.
14. The Qur’anic Approach to God’s Nature: The Eternal Self-Sufficiency of Allah
One key dimension of Islamic thought that reinforces the uncreated nature of Allah is His self-sufficiency — a concept often encapsulated in the term al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient).26 Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Allah is the Eternal, the Absolute. Everything that exists is dependent on Him, while He is not dependent on anyone or anything.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)
This verse, known as Ayat al-Kursi, highlights that Allah’s essence is independent, needing nothing and no one for His existence.27 This directly contradicts the logic of “who created God?” which implies that the Creator must depend on something external to Himself for His existence. Islam teaches that God’s essence is self-contained, self-sustaining, and does not require an external cause to exist.
15. The Fallacy of Infinite Regress: Unraveling the Atheist’s Logic
The atheist’s question often implies an infinite regress: if everything needs a cause, then God must also need one. This is a classic logical fallacy.
An infinite regress in causal chains presents a paradox because it suggests that there is no starting point, and so nothing ever truly begins. If every event requires a preceding cause, then nothing would exist because this chain of causes would never have a first cause. Islam counters this by positing the concept of a Necessary Being — an entity whose existence is independent and does not require a cause.
Imam Al-Ghazali elaborated on this in his works, especially in The Incoherence of the Philosophers, where he pointed out that an infinite regress in the chain of causality is logically impossible.28 Eventually, a necessary existence must exist to avoid this paradox, and that is the essence of Allah in Islam — the Uncaused Cause.29
16. The Limits of Empirical Science in Understanding the Divine
Scientific inquiry is based on empirical observation, and it has limitations when it comes to answering metaphysical questions about the existence of God.30 Empirical science can tell us about the mechanisms of the universe but cannot explain the metaphysical cause behind its origin.31 The question of who created God cannot be answered by science because it transcends the physical realm.
For instance, science might tell us how the universe began (the Big Bang), but it does not answer why it began or what set that first cause in motion.32 In this way, science is limited when confronted with ultimate questions about existence. As Albert Einstein himself remarked, the deeper mysteries of the universe cannot be answered by science alone; they transcend the physical laws we study.
Islamic scholars have long argued that the questions of creation and the Creator lie in the domain of theology and philosophy, where reason and revelation meet — not just empirical observation.
17. Theological Consistency: The Impossible God-Creator Duality
The concept of God needing a creator conflicts with key attributes of divinity. If God had a creator, then He would be a created being and therefore subject to the limitations of creation — He would no longer be infinite, eternal, or omnipotent. In Islam, these attributes are not negotiable. They form the core of God’s nature. The moment you allow for God to have a creator, you inherently deny His attributes as the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing being who exists beyond time and space.
This is a theological inconsistency. God’s creation is entirely separate from His essence. The two cannot be conflated without undermining the integrity of God’s nature.
18. Islamic Mysticism (Sufism) and God’s Uniqueness
From the mystical perspective of Sufism, God’s nature is considered beyond conceptualization. Sufis teach that Allah cannot be comprehended through the mind’s finite concepts or linguistic structures. The question “Who created God?” arises from an intellectual attempt to comprehend the incomprehensible.
Rumi, the great Sufi poet, reflected this mystery when he wrote:
“Why are you so busy with this or that or good or bad; pay attention to how things blend.”
The Sufi tradition teaches that God’s existence is beyond all human categories and intellectual constructs. The idea of applying a linear, cause-and-effect understanding to God is simply not applicable. This mystical approach provides another dimension in understanding the question, reinforcing that God’s nature transcends human intellect and understanding.
19. The Concept of Time and Eternity in Islamic Thought
In terms of time, Islamic scholars argue that God exists outside of the temporal world. Time is a creation of Allah, and He is not bound by it. This means that the notion of “before” and “after” doesn’t apply to God. He is eternal, and His existence is not affected by the passage of time.
Time, as we know it, is only a phenomenon within the created world. Therefore, asking “who created God?” is a category mistake because it applies temporal concepts to a Being who is outside of time altogether.
“He is the First and the Last, the Seen and the Unseen, and He has knowledge of all things.”
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:3)
This verse further elaborates on Allah’s relationship with time — He is beyond it. Therefore, the question itself is based on a flawed understanding of time.
A Complete Refutation of the Atheist’s Question
To summarise, the question of who created God is not just a simple theological misunderstanding; it is a deep-rooted error that arises from applying finite, material concepts to an infinite and non-material being. From a logical standpoint, the idea of a creator for the Creator creates a paradoxical infinite regress. Philosophically, the question assumes that all existence must be contingent and thus requires a cause — a fallacy when applied to God, who is the Necessary Existence. Theologically, God is defined as the Uncaused Cause, and in Islam, Allah’s attributes of eternity, self-sufficiency, and transcendence make the question irrelevant.
The atheist’s question fails because it fundamentally misunderstands the nature of God and existence. By pushing for a cause of the Creator, one is forgetting that the very concept of a Creator implies that He is beyond cause and effect. This is a category mistake that, once corrected, shows the question is not even meaningful in the context of Islamic thought.
In the end, the Islamic perspective on God’s nature makes it clear: Allah exists beyond the concepts of time, space, and causality. The question of who created God cannot be answered because it simply does not apply to a Being whose existence is outside of those bounds. The answer is simple: Allah is eternal, uncreated, and independent of everything. He is the Necessary Existence, and everything else is contingent upon Him.
To Summarise: Why the Question “Who Created God?” Doesn’t Hold Water
Is the question, “Who created God?” rational? Absolutely not. It’s rooted in a profound misunderstanding of theology, logic, and existence itself. This question, while often posed with an air of intellectual cleverness, is based on a faulty logic that applies finite concepts to the Infinite. It arises from a failure to recognise the nature of Allah — the Creator who exists outside of time, space, and causality. When viewed through the lens of Islamic theology, reason, and even modern scientific understanding, this question dissolves into nothingness.
At the heart of this question lies a misconception about causality. In the created world, everything depends on something else for its existence — everything is contingent. But God, in Islamic thought, is the Necessary Existence — independent, eternal, and self-sufficient. As the Qur’an beautifully states: “Allah is the First and the Last, the Seen and the Unseen” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:3). This encapsulates the fact that God is beyond time, beyond causality, and beyond the constraints that apply to creation.
Why the Question Doesn’t Hold: The Logical Fallacy
The atheist’s question presupposes that if everything has a cause, then God must also have a cause. But this reflects a misunderstanding of what it means for something to be necessary as opposed to contingent. The universe and everything within it is contingent — it relies on causes, conditions, and external factors for its existence. But God, as the Necessary Being, does not rely on anything external. He exists by His own essence, independent of any cause or origin.
When you apply finite, material concepts like causality to the infinite, eternal Creator, it leads to a paradox. It’s a category mistake. Just as one wouldn’t ask, “What colour is the number 5?” — because numbers don’t have colour — one cannot ask, “Who created God?” because causality doesn’t apply to God’s eternal, uncreated nature. This question reflects a failure to understand the difference between what is contingent (created) and what is necessary (the Creator).
Theological Insights from Islam: God is the Uncaused Cause
In Islamic theology, Allah is defined as the Uncaused Cause, meaning He is the origin of all existence, yet He Himself does not require a cause. This is central to the Islamic understanding of God. Allah’s existence is not like any other being’s in creation. He is eternal, independent of time, and the source of all things. The idea of an uncreated Creator is fundamental to Islamic belief. Allah is described in the Qur’an as “Al-Awwal” (The First) and “Al-Akhir” (The Last), meaning He has no beginning and no end, reinforcing the notion that He exists outside the realm of time and causality.
This understanding is beautifully articulated in the Tawhid (Oneness) of God, which affirms that God’s essence is unlike anything in creation. Asking “Who created God?” not only misunderstands God’s nature, it misunderstands the very concept of creation itself.
Scientific Limitations and the Nature of Existence
Modern science, while it has made incredible advancements in understanding the mechanics of the universe, cannot answer the ultimate questions of existence. Science can explain the how — how the universe operates, how things evolve, and how physical laws work. But science cannot answer the why. The question of why the universe exists, why there is something rather than nothing, lies outside the scope of empirical observation.
The question “Who created God?” attempts to apply the rules of causality — which are observable only in the physical world — to something that exists outside that realm. Science cannot measure, nor does it concern itself with, the existence of an uncaused Being that lies outside of time and space. This reveals a limitation in the atheist’s approach to the question: they are trying to apply empirical methods to metaphysical truths.
The Question is Irrelevant
When we combine the theological, philosophical, and scientific perspectives, we arrive at the same conclusion: the question of who created God is irrational and meaningless. The concept of a creator applies to the created, but not to the Creator Himself. God’s essence, by definition, is uncreated. He is the Necessary Existence, the First Cause, and does not depend on anything for His being. The question of “Who created God?” collapses under its own contradictions, as it assumes the very thing that Islam denies: that the Creator could be created, or have a cause.
The question is like asking, “What is the colour of the number 7?” or “What does the sound of a tree look like?” — it’s a question that arises from a misunderstanding of the very concepts involved.
Final Thoughts: The Core Truth About the Nature of God
The core of Islamic belief is the recognition of Allah as the eternal, self-sufficient, and uncreated Being. Once you understand that God exists outside of time, space, and the laws of causality, the question of “Who created God?” simply doesn’t hold up. It is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of existence itself.
The atheist’s attempt to apply the rules of the created world to the Creator ultimately fails. Islam provides a coherent, rational answer: Allah is the uncaused cause, the Necessary Existence, and the origin of everything that exists. There is no “before” Him, no creator of the Creator. The question is based on a category mistake, and once understood through the lens of Islamic theology, it becomes clear that the question doesn’t make sense.
So, next time this question arises, remember: it’s a trap of flawed reasoning, and the answer is clear: God is the Uncaused Cause, the Necessary Existence, and the question doesn’t even apply to Him.