Subtleties and Allusions

The Meaning of “Ease” in God’s Works

It is not the case that some works are difficult for God and others easy, or that some are easy and others easier. Thus, in response to Zechariah (a.s.), He says: “It is simple for Me, and certainly I created you before when you were nothing” (19:9).(354) This means that all works, whether complete being (kān tāmma) or incomplete being (kān nāqiṣa), are easy for God. And if regarding resurrection He says: “It is He who originates the creation, and then He will bring it back—and that is more simple for Him,” which apparently suggests that return is easier than origination, He continues: “His is the loftiest description in the heavens and the earth, and He is the All-mighty, the All-wise” (30:27).(355) This means that God is above having something be easy for Him and something else easier, because God’s power is unlimited and He creates everything through will. Therefore, the creation of everything is equally simple for Him, just as creating an “ocean” and a “drop” is the same in the realm of human consciousness.

The conclusion is that the creation of Adam (a.s.), who had neither father nor mother, the creation of Joseph (a.s.), who was born to an elderly father and an elderly barren mother, and the birth of Jesus (a.s.), who was born without a father and only from a mother, are all equal before God. One cannot say that one was difficult and another easy, or that one was easy and another easier.