Archive for Allah (S.W.T)

The Oneness of God

The entire universe, in the way it is created and the way it is controlled, bears witness to the oneness of Allah:

“Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!’

[Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:54]

The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the different kinds of inanimate objects, plants and fruits, the creation of humans and animals… all of that indicates that the Almighty Creator is One with no partner or associate:

“That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things,none has the right to be worshiped but He. How then are you turning away (from Allah, by worshiping others instead of Him)

[Chapter: al-Ghaafir 40:62]

The variety and greatness of these created things, the perfect way in which they are formed, the way in which they are maintained and controlled, all indicate that the Creator is One and that He does as He wills and rules and decides as He wants:

“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakeel
Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian over all things”

[Chapter: al-Zumar 39:62]

These great created things either created themselves – which is impossible – or man created himself then created them – which is also impossible:

“Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief.”

[Chapter: al-Toor 52:35-36]

Reason, revelation and the original state of man (fitrah) all indicate that this universe has One Who brought into being, that these created things have a Creator Who is Ever-Living and Eternal, All-Knowing and All-Aware, Powerful and Almighty, Kind and Most Merciful. He has the Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes and He knows all things. Nothing is beyond His control, and there is nothing like unto Him:

“And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God), Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshiped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

[al-Baqarah 2:163]

The existence of Allah is something that is there is no excuse for not knowing. It is the matter of common sense:

“Their Messengers said: What! Can there be a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth?”

[Chapter: Ibrahim 14:10]

Allah has created people with the natural instinct (fitrah) to affirm His Lordship and Oneness, but the shayateen (devils) came to the sons of Adam and caused them to deviate from their religion.

According to a hadith: “I created all My slaves as haneefs (monotheists), but the shayaateen (devils) came to them and made them deviate from their religion, and they forbade them that which I had permitted to them.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 2865)

Among them are those who deny the existence of Allah, and those who worship the Shaytan, and those who worship man. And there are those who worship the dinar [money], or fire, or genital organs, or animals. And there are some who associate in worship with Him a stone from the earth or a star in the sky.

These things which are worshipped instead of Allah, cannot create or provide; they cannot hear or see, or bring benefits or cause harm. So how can they worship them instead of Allah?

“Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?”

[Chapter: Yusuf 12:39]

Allah has condemned those who worship these idols which cannot hear, see or think:

“Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful.Have their feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear?”

[Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:194-195]

How ignorant man is of his Lord Who created him and provides for him. How he rejects Him and forgets Him, and worships others instead of Him:

“Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.”

[Chapter: al-Hajj 22:46]

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds:

Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!

Is not He Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? Nay, but most of them know not!

Is not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!

Is not He Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!

Is not He Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? Say: ‘Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful.”

[Chapter: al-Naml 27:59-64]

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From Usool al-Deen al-Islami

Allah: The One & Only God

It is a known fact that every religion has one or more terms that are used in reference to God. This is not the case in Islam. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the word god which can be made plural: gods, or feminine: goddess. It is interesting to notice that Allah is the personal name of God in Aramaic, the language of Jesus (p.b.u.h.)* and a sister language of Arabic.

The One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was asked by his companions about Allah; the answer, which was revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) is found in Chapter 112 which reads:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Say (O Muhammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone.”

Stereotypes allege that God in Islam is a stern and cruel God who demands to be obeyed fully. He is not loving and kind. Nothing can be farther from truth than this allegation. It is enough to know that, each of the 114 chapters of the Qur’an begins with the verse: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.” In one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) we are told that “God is more loving and kinder than a mother to her dear child.”

But God is also Just. Hence evildoers and sinners must have their share of punishment and the virtuous, His bounties and favors. Actually God’s attribute of Mercy has full manifestation in His attribute of Justice. People suffering throughout their lives for His sake and people oppressing and exploiting other people all their lives should not receive similar treatment from their Lord. Expecting similar treatment for them will amount to negating the very belief in the accountability of man in the Hereafter and thereby negating all the incentives for a moral and virtuous life in this world. The following Quranic verse is very clear and straightforward in this respect:

“Verily, for the Righteous are gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord. Shall We then treat the people of Faith like the people of Sin? What is the matter with you? How judge you?” (68:34-36)

http://zaitundawah.org/GodInIslam.aspx
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*(p.b.u.h.): peace be upon him

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