Some people appear mesmerized by their own questions, circling them obsessively but never daring to probe beneath the surface. They treat these questions as though they were exquisite artifacts—polished, showcased, and admired—yet left untouched by deeper exploration. Instead of unlocking pathways to greater understanding, these questions reverberate in a self-contained loop, generating curiosity but no clarity, sound but no substance. A life consumed by such unexamined inquiries risks becoming a half-written story, an unsolved riddle lost in its own echoes.

But questions are not meant to be endpoints; they are beginnings. They are the seeds of discovery, with the potential to grow into transformative truths. However, their value lies in our willingness to pursue answers with the courage to embrace what we find. To linger only on the question is like lighting a candle and refusing to look at its glow, denying ourselves the illumination it offers. Instead, we must allow our questions to break through uncertainty and lead us toward the answers that reshape our understanding.

The question looms large: “Why does God will as He wills?” It feels overwhelming at first, a query stretching the limits of human comprehension. Yet within it lies an entire cosmos of meaning, waiting to unfold. The simplest response—“Because He is the Creator”—is undoubtedly true but calls us to delve deeper, to uncover the profound essence of what it means to create.

Creation is not merely the rearrangement of preexisting materials, as when a carpenter builds a table or an engineer designs a machine. These acts, while impressive, constitute transformation rather than true creation. Genuine creation begins ex nihilo—from absolute nothingness—a concept so alien to human experience that it challenges our very capacity to imagine.

A state devoid of time, space, or matter—utterly absent of any framework or substance—defies human comprehension. From such an absolute void, existence emerges, not through gradual effort or experimentation, but through an unbound act of command. This act, the essence of divine creation, stands beyond any human analogy. It is a pure exercise of will, unshaped by prior conditions or external dependencies.

Human invention, by contrast, operates within the boundaries of the materials and principles already given to us. A scientist manipulates elements that already exist; an artist draws inspiration from forms and ideas that predate them. Even our most groundbreaking discoveries are contingent upon the structures of a world not of our making.

The Qur’an captures the dual nature of divine creation with two words: Khalaqa (He created) and Hadaa (He guided). Together, these terms describe not only the formation of existence but also the direction and purpose embedded within it. God’s creation is not merely functional; it is intentional, with every element playing a role in a larger, interconnected cosmos.

Consider the discovery of electricity. Michael Faraday did not invent electricity; he uncovered relationships within the natural world that God had already established. The properties of magnets, the behavior of currents, and the laws of electromagnetism existed long before Faraday’s experiments. His genius lay in recognizing these patterns and articulating them. The same can be said for countless scientific and technological advancements—penicillin, the compass, the microwave. These are not acts of creation but acts of discovery, uncovering what was already present in the divine design.

This principle extends beyond the physical sciences to the very fabric of human experience. Just as a magnet attracts iron, God has imbued living beings with affinities and desires. Beauty, for example, exists as a potential, but desire requires the alignment of specific conditions. A flower may enchant a poet but mean nothing to a passing dog. Similarly, a beautiful woman may evoke no response in a mule but stir something profound in a man. These dynamics of attraction and response reflect the intricate intentionality of the Creator.

Such harmony in existence is no accident. It reflects a deliberate and purposeful design that invites us to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things. Yet, even as we marvel at this order, we confront the limitations of human understanding. The concept of absolute nothingness defies us; any attempt to conceive of it introduces something—a mental framework or construct—that undermines the idea itself. Our imaginations are bound by the reality we inhabit.

And yet, from this unfathomable void, God brought forth everything: galaxies, atoms, light, and shadow. This act of creation—simultaneously magnificent and mysterious—beckons us to seek understanding, not merely as an intellectual exercise but as a path to recognizing the divine.

The Qur’an does not simply encourage us to ask questions; it compels us to engage deeply, to seek answers that challenge and transform us. True seekers do not stop at inquiry; they wrestle with their questions until the answers elevate and refine their perspective. Through this process, we fulfill one of the essential purposes of our existence: to know,  reflect, and draw closer to the One who brought us into being.

To live fully is to ask questions that awaken us and listen intently when the answers arrive. It is to allow those answers to guide us toward growth, understanding, and a deeper connection with the Creator. To ask without listening is to stagnate; to ask and embrace is to evolve.

Circling endlessly around the flame of curiosity yields little more than fleeting shadows. It is only by stepping into the light that questions transform into answers, and answers, in turn, illuminate lives with purpose and meaning.