Allah: The One and Only God

Allah is the Arabic word for God, the supreme being in Islamic creed. Muslims believe that there is only one God, who is eternal, all-powerful, and merciful. This belief is known as Tawhid, which means the oneness of God.

In Islam, Allah is not seen as a physical or human-like entity, but rather an omnipotent and transcendent deity. He is beyond human comprehension and cannot be compared to any created being.

Islamic theology, also known as Kalam or Ilm al-Kalam in Arabic, refers to the study of God (Allah), His attributes, actions, and relationship with the world and humanity. It is a branch of Islamic studies that aims to understand the nature of God and His role in the universe.

The foundations of Islamic theology are based on the Quran (the holy book of Islam) and Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad). Through these scriptures, Muslims gain knowledge about Allah's attributes, such as His mercy, justice, wisdom, and power.

As mentioned earlier, Tawhid is one of the central beliefs in Islam. It refers to the absolute oneness and unity of God. This concept can be divided into three categories: Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (oneness of lordship), Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (oneness of worship), and Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat (oneness of names and attributes).

Tawhid al-Rububiyyah refers to the belief that Allah is the sole creator, sustainer, and controller of the universe. He has no partners or equals in His actions.

Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah means that only Allah deserves to be worshiped and praised. Muslims believe that all acts of worship must be directed towards Him alone, without associating any partners with Him.

Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat emphasizes the uniqueness and perfection of Allah's names and attributes. Muslims believe that He has 99 names, each representing a specific attribute or quality, such as the Most Merciful, the All-Powerful, and the All-Knowing.

This treatise is on the fundamentals of divine oneness and tenets upon which it is correct to base one's belief. It is obligatory for a person to state: I believe in Allah, his angels, his scriptures, his messengers, resurrection after death, that destiny, good and evil, is from Allah most high, the reckoning, the scale, paradise, and Hellfire; and that they are all true.

In Islamic theology, knowing Allah is considered essential for having a strong faith. Through understanding His nature and attributes, Muslims can develop a deeper connection with Him and strengthen their relationship with Him.

Furthermore, knowledge about Allah helps Muslims understand their purpose in life and how to live according to His will. It also guides them in making moral and ethical decisions based on His teachings.

The term "Islam" embodies the concept of attaining absolute truth through submission to the Will of Almighty God (Allah, or The One). Therefore, an individual who adheres to this principle is known as a "Muslim," a designation derived from the root word "sa-la-ma," which denotes one who has surrendered to God's Will and is thereby considered a believer.

Every morally responsible person should always keep the following obligations in mind, day and night:

1. Never act or make a transaction without knowing Allah's ruling on it.

2. Eat, drink, and dress only through lawful means.

3. Trust in your Lord (Exalted is He), be content with His Decree, and be grateful for all your blessings.

4. Repent for all your sins.

5. Be sincere in your worship by avoiding showing off (riya) and arrogance (ujb).

6. Don’t follow your desires, worldly ambitions, or the whispers of Satan when they conflict with Allah's commands or lead you toward sin or negligence.

7. Recite the Qur'an, reflect on its meanings, and act on its teachings.

8. Learn the sunna of the Beloved of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and apply its guidance in your worship, interactions, habits, and by embodying the Prophet's inner qualities (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

9. Be prepared for death.

10. Avoid detestable speech.

11. Refrain from backbiting, which means speaking about someone in a way they dislike, even if it's true. If it’s false, it’s slander, which is a greater sin.

12. Command what is good and forbid what is evil.

13. Be good to your parents and relatives.

14. Keep your promises.

15. Give charity to those in need, especially those who are hungry.

16. Steer clear of fornication (zind).

Who is Allah in the Quran

(20:8)

٨ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ

8 Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names/attributes.

(112)

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿١﴾ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ﴿٢﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ﴿٤﴾

Say: He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He begetteth not nor was begotten. (3) And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)

(2:163)

١٦٣ وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ

163 And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

(2:255)

٢٥٥ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

255 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 [presently] 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.

(47:19)

١٩ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ

19 So know, that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women. And Allah knows of your movement and your resting place.

(59:22)

٢٢ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ ۖ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ

22 He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

(59:23)

٢٣ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

23 He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ﴿٢٤﴾

(24) He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (24)

(64:13)

١٣ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

13 Allah – there is no deity except Him. And upon Allah let the believers rely.

(112)

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ﴿١﴾ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ﴿٢﴾ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ﴿٣﴾ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ﴿٤﴾

Say: He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He begetteth not nor was begotten. (3) And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)