God in Islam

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Islam has a very strict definition of God. The Islamic concept of God is of pure monotheism. The shahadah affirms the unity and uniqueness of worship of God. In Islam, God is considered as not possessing any gender and not resembling human or any creation in shape or form. God is omnipotent and does not beget nor is He begotten. As such, attribution of children or spouse to God is considered blasphemous in the Islamic faith.

Allah is the considered the proper name of God used by Arabic speakers, irrespective of their religion. Many Arabic speakers of all faiths whether Jews, Christians or Muslims use the word "Allah" to mean "God". Similarly, words used in Aramaic such as Elah or in Hebrew such as Eloh(Elohim is considered by many Muslims as an incorrect term used in Hebrew to signify God because it is implying plurality and hence the correct term is Eloh) are similar to Allah, meaning The Deity.

Contents

[edit] God's attributes

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Glossary of Islamic terms

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Muslims consider God to be:

  • The Almighty God

Lord of the Universe

  • One and Unique without any partners
  • Without a wife or a child
  • The Most Gracious*The Most Merciful
  • The Oft- Forgiving
  • Attentive to the prayers of His servants
  • The All Seeing
  • The All Hearing
  • The Most Wise
  • The Master of The Day of Judgment

The Qur'an describes Oneness of God in Sura 112:

“ 1. Say: He is God, the One
2. God, the Eternal, Absolute
3. He begeteth not, nor is he begotten
4. And there is none like unto him.		 „

The Qur'an also defines attributes of God:

Say: "Call upon God, or call upon Ar-Rahman (the Beneficient) by whatever name ye call upon him, (it is well): for to him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between." [17:110]

Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names. [20:8]

[edit] God's omniscience

The Qur'an describes God as being fully aware of everything that happens in the universe, including private thoughts and feelings and that nothing can be hidden from Allah:

[6:60] It is He who does take your souls by night, and has knowledge of all that you have done by day: by day does He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the end unto Him will be your return; then will He show you the truth of all that you did.

An example of Allāh written in simple Arabic calligraphy
An example of Allāh written in simple Arabic calligraphy

The Qur'an states that the proclamation of faith (Arabic: Shahaada) is: "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah" (Arabic: Laa ilaaha illa Allah), In literal terms this would be translated as "There is no god except God."

[2:255] Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there that can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

[3:18] There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

[47:19] Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes.

[2:163] Your Ilah (God) is one Ilah (God - Allah); there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[3:62] Verily! This is the true narrative (about the story of Isa/Jesus), and Laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One and the Only True God, Who has neither a wife nor a son). And indeed, Allah is the All Mighty, the All Wise.

[4:87] Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Surely, He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. And who is truer in statement than Allah?

[edit] Prohibition of Idolatry and polytheism

Main article: Tawhid

Islam says that Allah is Singular (Tawhid), and anyone worshipping more than one God is a polytheist. This is taken to include the Christian concept of the Trinity. This belief is affirmed by the following passage that is part of thier five daily prayers [1]:

“ You alone We worship, and only Your aid We seek. [1:5] ”

Other Qur'anic verses that show this position are:

“ They disbelieved who say: God is one of three (in a Trinity): for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous chastisement will befall the disbelievers among them. [5:73] ”
“ Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth: How can He have a son when He hath no consort? He created all things, and He hath full knowledge of all things. [6:101] ”

Islam holds that Allah cannot be seen or directly experienced by the senses. Therefore, the belief that one may physically see God is held to be a sort of polytheism [2] except Moses and Muhammad. Other Qur'anic verse that show this position are:

“ No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is Subtle well-aware (of all things). [6:103] ”
“ Thus do We explain the Signs by various (ways): that they may say, "Thou hast learnt this (from somebody)," and that We may make the matter clear to those who know. [6:105] ”

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/p.php?p=philosophy&url=book2
  2. ^ http://www.al-shia.com/html/eng/p.php?p=philosophy&url=book2

[edit] External links

[edit] Bibliography

  • Al-Bayhaqi, (1999), "Allah's Names and Attributes", Publisher:ISCA, ISBN 1-930409-03-6, [1]
  • Hulusi,Ahmed, (????), ""Allah" as introduced by Mohammed" , ISBN 975-7557-41-2 [2]
  • Muhaiyaddeen,M. R. Bawa, (1976), "Asma'ul Husna - The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah: The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah", Publisher:The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship, ISBN 0-914390-13-9 [3]
  • Netton,Ian Richard (1994), "Allah Transcendent: Studies in the Structure and Semiotics of Islamic Philosophy, Theology and...", Publisher:Routledge , ISBN 0-7007-0287-3 [4]
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