Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Belief in Allah (God)


The core of Islamic deen (way of life) is to believe in Allah (God). It is to say that there is none worthy of worship except Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and He (SWT) is the only Creator and Sustainer of everything. Allah (SWT) is Omniscient, Merciful and Forgiving. Allah (SWT) is unique in His Names and Attributes. Allah (SWT) is not comparable to anything and nor is He (SWT) within His creation. Allah (SWT) does not beget nor was He (SWT) ever begotten. Allah (SWT) is the only One, Who gives life and causes death. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning):

"There is no true god worthy of worship but He, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. [2:163]

Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me."[21:25]

"Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally Besought of all! He begetteth not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him."[112:1-4]

"The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplieth you. Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer."[42:11]

"Thou causest the night to pass into the day, and Thou causest the day to pass into the night. And Thou bringest forth the living from the dead, and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living. And Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou choosest, without stint."[3:27]


Muslims testify and practice this belief by clinging to the phrase, "La illaha illa Allah (there is no God (worthy of worship) except Allah)". Tawhid is an Arabic word, which is used to describe belief in Allah (SWT) and it is unique in its kind. In addition, bearing witness to this pharse is one of the two steps by which a person embraces the beautiful deen of Allah (SWT), Islam. Islam is not about lips' services; therefore, clinging to this phrase or belief is the next step and core of Islamic life.

The subjects, finding God and His existence, are part of later discussion and insha'Allah (by the will of Allah (SWT)) will be explained in more details. However, for the benefits of the readers, we should make a note of few things. Believing in higher Being has been norm of the society and throughout the history of mankind the majority has always believed in God. This is not a logical approach to prove the existence of God; nonetheless, it does give some indication about the reality and our sole purpose of existence. Our sole purpose of life cannot be simply living and having fun or continuously reproducing ourselves to bring changes in our future species. First, evolution does not explain everything and it is a dependent process; therefore, it does not rule out God. Second, evolutionists have no answer to the question: what we will evolve to. Third, let's take us an example of students studying in an institution. Can students do whatever please them? Why do they have to follow an organized system and guidelines? Why can't they simply play around and enjoy themselves? Again, this is just a brief introduction to detailed topics, which will be covered later on, insha'Allah. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning):

"We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, merely in (idle) sport: We created them not except for just ends: but most of them do not understand." [44:38-39]

"Say those without knowledge: 'Why speaketh not Allah unto us? or why cometh not unto us a Sign?' So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike. We have indeed made clear the Signs unto any people who hold firmly to Faith (in their hearts)."[2:118]

"Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief." [52:35-36]

"I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me." [51-56]


wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best).