The Nearness of God:
The Nearness of God: Theological and Symbolic Meanings in the Qur’an I. Introduction: A Distant God or a Near Allah? The question of divine proximity to human beings has been addressed in diverse ways throughout religious history. In Deist perspectives, God is often perceived as a creator who does not intervene in the universe. In contrast, the Qur’anic portrayal of Allah describes Him as a power closer to the human being than their own jugular vein (Qaf 50:16), intimately involved in both creation and consciousness. II. Key Verses 1. Qaf 50:16 "Indeed, We created man, and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein." Symbolic meaning: God’s nearness “closer than the jugular vein” symbolizes an inner dimension of awareness—He witnesses the human being’s thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Psychological reflection: It is not that the servant reaches out and calls upon a distant God, but that the human being already lives...