In Islam, the concept of Allah (God) is central to the faith and serves as the foundation of the religion’s beliefs, practices, and spiritual principles. Muslims believe in the existence of one, eternal God, referred to as Allah in Arabic. The concept of Tawhid (monotheism) is the essence of Islamic belief, emphasizing the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God.
The Oneness of Allah (Tawhid) #
Tawhid is the most fundamental concept in Islam and refers to the belief in the oneness of God. This means that:
- God is One and Unique: There is no deity or being comparable to Allah. Allah has no partners, equals, or offspring. This belief in absolute monotheism differentiates Islam from polytheistic religions.
- God is Eternal and Self-Sufficient: Allah is not dependent on anything or anyone, but everything in the universe depends on Allah for its existence.
- God is Incomparable: Allah cannot be compared to any created being, and nothing in creation resembles Him. The Qur’an describes this by stating, “There is nothing like unto Him” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:11).
The Attributes of Allah #
Islamic teachings emphasize that while humans cannot fully comprehend the nature of God, the Qur’an and Hadith provide descriptions of Allah’s attributes to help believers understand His greatness. Some of the key attributes of Allah include:
- Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Ar-Rahim (The Most Compassionate): Allah’s mercy and compassion are infinite, and His forgiveness is extended to all who seek it.
- Al-Khaliq (The Creator): Allah is the Creator of everything that exists, from the vastness of the universe to the smallest particles.
- Al-Alim (The All-Knowing): Allah possesses perfect knowledge of everything, including the past, present, and future. Nothing is hidden from Him.
- Al-Adl (The Just): Allah is absolutely just in all His actions and judgments. He rewards the righteous and holds accountable those who do wrong.
- As-Samad (The Eternal Refuge): Allah is self-sufficient, independent of all creation, and the ultimate refuge for all beings in times of need.
- Al-Wahid (The One): Allah is indivisible and unique, having no partners or rivals.
Allah in the Qur’an #
The Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, contains numerous verses that describe the nature and attributes of Allah. It emphasizes that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth and that He is intimately aware of all things. Some key Qur’anic verses about Allah include:
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4): “Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'”
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255) – Ayat al-Kursi: “Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
Allah’s Relationship with Creation #
In Islam, Allah is both transcendent and immanent. This means that while Allah is beyond human comprehension and the limitations of the physical world, He is also close to His creation and aware of all that happens. The Qur’an teaches that Allah is always near, hearing the prayers and supplications of believers, and guiding them through His revelations.
Muslims believe that their relationship with Allah is built on worship, submission, and devotion. Every act of worship, whether prayer, fasting, charity, or pilgrimage, is directed solely to Allah. The concept of Ibadah (worship) in Islam encompasses all actions done with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
Avoidance of Anthropomorphism #
In Islam, it is strictly forbidden to ascribe human characteristics or forms to Allah. This avoidance of anthropomorphism reinforces the belief that Allah is unique and incomparable. Muslims reject any depiction of God in images or statues, emphasizing that Allah is beyond physical representation.
The Importance of Belief in Allah #
Belief in Allah is the first and most important article of faith in Islam. The Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, states, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This declaration affirms the believer’s commitment to monotheism and the acknowledgment of Allah as the sole object of worship.
