Lordship (rubūbiyyah) The relationship that exists between...

Lordship (rubūbiyyah) The relationship that exists between God and His creation is not only because of the creation being the effect of God, but the creation from all its existential aspects needs God the Supreme. The creation is entirely dependent upon God, and He can intervene and manage affairs in whichever way He wishes. When this relationship is considered in a general form, the concept of Lordship is abstracted.

The management of affairs is the necessary factor here, from which several other referents for this concept can be derived: maintenance and protection, giving life and causing death, providing guidance and sustenance, etc. Stations of Lordship can be divided into two general groups: i.Metaphysical lordship, which includes the managing of affairs of all the existents and provision for their needs - thus engendering the universe.

ii.Legislative lordship, which is peculiar to those existents, which have intelligence and free-will. It includes issues such as the deputising of the prophets (a), sending heavenly books, prescribing responsibilities and discipline and the making of rules. The absolute lordship of God means that all creatures depend upon God. The dependency that exists between creatures also returns to dependence upon God.

He is the one who manages His affairs through His creatures, and guides the intelligent existents (through intellect and other perception) and assigns responsibilities, rules and regulations for them. Lordship is similar to Creatorship in its being a relational concept, however with the difference that sometimes the relationship between the creatures is also considered, as mentioned in earlier while discussing sustenance. c.

Divinity (ulūhiyyah) With regards to the concept of the Divine (illah) and divinity (ulūhiyyah), several discourses have been discussed, which are recorded in the books of commentaries of the Qur’an. The meaning preferred by us for the divine is: the One who is worshipped (ma’būd), or the One worthy of being worshipped. This is in the same manner as which, ‘a book’ means a thing written and a thing, which has an eminence of being written.

According to the mentioned meaning, the attribute of Divinity must be abstracted through the relation of responsibility, obligation and worship. Although those who are misguided have recognised a false deity for themselves, the only one who deserves worship is the one who has created them and that is the Lord of the universe.