All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last Prophet, and upon his family and Companions.
A Muslim brother wrote a letter to me mentioning that one of his colleagues has some doubts; he acknowledges that Allah (Glorified be He) is the Creator of the heavens, earth, 'Arsh (Allah's Throne), Kursy (Allah's Chair) and everything. However, he wonders who created Allah. He answered him that the first part of his speech is right and there is no comment on it. As for the second part about who created Allah, such a question should not be asked by a Muslim. A Muslim should be satisfied with the knowledge that the
Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) found to be sufficient, for they never asked such a question although they were the most knowledgeable of all people. He also added that Allah (Glorified be He) says about
Himself: There is nothing like Him; and He is the AllHearer, the AllSeer. and: He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All Knower of every thing.
He urged me to write about this doubtful matter and my answer was as follows:
You should know may Allah grant me, you and all believers success in understanding His Religion and holding fast to it that devils among mankind and jinn are and will continue to throw Muslims into doubt with regard to the Truth to bring Muslims out of light into darkness and make Kafirs (disbelievers) cling tighter to their false beliefs. It is already foreknown and predestined by Allah that this world is for trials and conflict between
truth and falsehood, so the seeker of guidance will be manifest; the trustful will be distinct from the liar; and the Mu'min (believer) from the Kafir. Allah (Glorified be He) says: AlifLâmMîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test). ; And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allâh) and AsSâbirûn (the patient), and We shall test your facts (i.e. the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful). ; And certainly, the Shayâtîn (devils) do inspire their friends (from mankind) to dispute with you, and if you obey them [by making AlMaitah (a dead animal) legal by eating it], then you would indeed be Mushrikûn (polytheists); [because they (devils and their friends) made lawful to you to eat that which Allâh has made unlawful to eat and you obeyed them by considering it lawful to eat, and by doing so you worshipped them; and to worship others besides Allâh is polytheism]. and: And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies Shayâtîn (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it; so leave them alone with their fabrications. (Tafsîr Qurtubi)
"Allah ordained the destinies of creatures fifty thousand years before creating the heavens and the earth." He (peace be upon him) said, "And His Throne was upon water." (Related by Muslim in his Sahih)
It was authentically reported in many Sahih (authentic) Hadiths that some of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): "We find in ourselves thoughts that one of us finds too terrible to speak of." He (peace be upon him) said, "Have you truly found this?" They said, "Yes." He (peace be upon him) said, "That is (a sign of) pure Iman (faith)."
Undoubtedly, what the colleague in question told you is considered of such insinuations. You have done well. Your answer to him is right, may Allah grant you more knowledge and success.
I will mention here In sha'aAllah (if Allah wills) some of the Hadiths reported concerning this issue besides some of scholars' arguments so that the falsehood of this doubt may be clear to you and your colleague. You will learn what a Mu'min (believer) should say whenever they encounter such a doubt. Then I will conclude my answer with what Allah makes easy for me in this honorable situation. Allah is the One Who guides and leads us to the right way.
"Satan comes to one of you and says, ' Who created such and such? Who created such and such?' until he says, 'Who created your Lord?' When he reaches this far (i.e., when he inspires such a question), let him seek refuge with Allah and stop such thoughts."
"Verily your Ummah (nation based on one creed) would constantly question this and that until they would say: 'Well, it is Allah Who has created the creation, but who has created Allah?'"