Allah is the Arabic word for God and is central to Islamic belief. In Islam, Allah is understood to be the one and only deity, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the Sustainer of all that exists. Here are several key aspects that define who Allah is in Islamic theology:
1.
Oneness (Tawhid): The concept of Tawhid, or the oneness of Allah, is the foundation of Islamic belief. It asserts that there is no god but Allah, who is unique and without partners. This is emphasized in the declaration of faith (Shahada), which states, "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger." This principle is reinforced in the Quran, where Allah states, "He is Allah, than Whom there is no deity; the Sovereign, the Pure, the Source of Peace, the Giver of Security, the Guardian, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior" (Quran
59:23).
2.
Attributes of Allah: Allah is described with numerous attributes that reflect His perfection and majesty. Among these attributes are:
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The Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman) and
The Most Compassionate (Ar-Rahim): These attributes highlight Allah's mercy and compassion towards His creation.
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The All-Knowing (Al-Alim): Allah possesses complete knowledge of the unseen and the seen, encompassing all that occurs in the universe.
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The All-Powerful (Al-Qadir): Allah has absolute power over all things and is capable of creating and commanding whatever He wills.
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The Wise (Al-Hakim): Allah's actions are based on wisdom, and He has a purpose behind all that He creates.
3.
Creator and Sustainer: Allah is recognized as the Creator of everything that exists. The Quran states, "Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?" (Quran
52:35). This emphasizes the belief that everything in existence is a result of Allah's will and creative power. He is also the Sustainer, providing for all His creatures and ensuring their needs are met.
4.
Transcendence and Immanence: Allah is transcendent, meaning He is beyond human comprehension and is not limited by time or space. At the same time, He is immanent, meaning He is close to His creation and aware of their thoughts and actions. The Quran states, "And We are closer to him than his jugular vein" [Quran
50:16), indicating Allah's intimate knowledge of human beings.
5.
Worship and Servitude: In Islam, worship is due to Allah alone. Muslims believe that they are His servants and that their purpose in life is to worship Him and follow His guidance. The Quran commands, "O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous" (Quran
2:21).
6.
Mercy and Forgiveness: Allah is often described as the Most Merciful and Forgiving. The Quran reassures believers of Allah's readiness to forgive those who sincerely repent for their sins. This aspect of Allah's nature encourages Muslims to seek His mercy and strive for righteousness.
In summary, Allah is the one true God in Islam, characterized by His oneness, attributes of perfection, role as Creator and Sustainer, and His mercy and forgiveness. Understanding Allah is fundamental to the Islamic faith, shaping the beliefs, practices, and ethical conduct of Muslims around the world.
