Who Is Allah SWT (God) The Creator of Earth & Heaven?
Who Is Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala (SWT)/ God The Creator of Earth & Heaven?
Allah, the Islamic concept of God, is not new but has been recognized since ancient times and he has been always the eternal God before the creation of this Universe from Adam to Muhammad, it has always been Allah, the same God, the same Creator.
In Islam, 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no God but Allah) is the testimony of faith, the essence of its creed, and the gateway to its belief. Islam is a religion that believes in the absolute oneness of Allah and considers defining Allah as 'the deity' as fundamental and central to understanding this religion.
So who is Allah in Islam? How does this concept differ from that in other religions? What are His obligatory and impossible attributes? And how does monotheism manifest in Islam?
Who is Allah in Islam?
Allah is the singular, unique name for the One True God, encompassing all the meanings of the holy names and sublime attributes, uniquely designated by the Creator Himself and exclusive to Him.
The origin of its derivation in the Arabic language comes from the word 'ilah,' meaning the one deserving worship from all creation. The name of Majesty (Allah) is a unique term; it cannot be made plural, feminized, or diminished.
The greatest, most concise definition of Allah is found in The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Ikhlas - Chapter 30
‘Say, He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.’
Allah, as an integral part of His definition, is the sole Lord, the Master of this universe, existing by Himself. He does not derive His existence from anyone, nor does He need anyone, nor is He deficient in any way. Everything depends entirely on Him for its power and existence.
Allah is the one who created us, who protects us, who brings us out of darkness into light, and whom we turn to and communicate with through prayers and supplications (Duas).
Allah is the Eternal, who neither perishes nor dies, existing without beginning, enduring without end, unrestricted by time, place, or the laws of nature. He created them and established their system of operation. The Creator can't be subject to what He has created, just as an artist stands outside the dimensions of his painting or a craftsman stands outside the dimensions of the vessel he has made.
Thus, Allah has no equal, no peer, and no likeness, as the Quran states:
‘There is nothing like unto Him.’ Surah Ash-Shura - Verse 11
Allah does not incarnate in any form or shape for humans or any creature to perceive Him. Therefore, the human mind fails to comprehend Him, and it is forbidden to depict Him in any form or shape. Instead, He sends messengers one after another to define Him, to exhort, warn, and guide people to His straight path.
This is the general description, but how does Allah describe Himself in the Quran?
Allah, glorified and exalted, defines Himself in many verses of the Quran. He says:
‘Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.’ Verse 190 from, Surah Al Imran
(Those of understanding are the people of intellect.)
‘Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allah has created and [think] that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement hereafter will they believe?’ Surah Al-Araf - Verse 185
The verse indicates that Allah is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them.
‘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.’ Verse 22 from Surah Al-Hashr
‘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.’ Verse 255 from Surah Al-Baqarah
It is incumbent upon the Muslim to believe in the attributes affirmed by the Creator, Exalted and Glorified be He, for Himself, or affirmed by the Prophet. Also, it is essential to exalt Him from any attribute of deficiency or anything from which the Messenger exalted Him; for the attributes of perfection are established for Him, while deficiency is impossible for Him.
The obligatory attributes of Allah Almighty are numerous and varied, including:
1. Existence
Allah is the One who exists by Himself, not in need of anything.
2. Knowledge
Allah knows everything and is present everywhere, His knowledge does not err or diminish, even the secrets within hearts.
3. Power
Allah is capable of everything; He possesses the power to create, govern, and manage the universe. Nothing can overcome Him, for He can create life, establish it in order, and resolve matters with just a word “Be, and it is.”
4. Justice and Mercy
Allah is just in His judgement and merciful in His dealings with His creation.
As for the impossible attributes of Allah, they include:
1. Beginning: Allah is not created; He is eternal.
2. End: Allah is not perishable; He is everlasting.
3. Similarity: Allah does not resemble anyone.
4. Partnership: Allah has no partner.
5. Ignorance: Allah does not lack knowledge.
6. Incapacity: Allah is not incapable of anything.
In Islam, believing in one God (Allah) is at the heart of everything. Allah is described in the Quran with qualities like mercy, fairness, and power. Muslims see themselves as servants of Allah, promising to obey Him and seek His help. This relationship shapes how they live their lives, guiding them to be good people and grow spiritually. It's the foundation of Islamic beliefs, guiding Muslims in how they worship and behave.
1. Monotheism:
Monotheism is the foundation of the Islamic faith, believing that Allah is one, unique, having no partner or offspring. Monotheism is divided into various types:
a. Oneness of Lordship: Belief in Allah's sovereignty, His power over life and death, answering prayers, His ability over all things, and His creation of humans from a sperm.
b. Oneness of Worship: Not worshiping anyone besides Allah, acknowledging that only Allah can fulfill prayers, as He knows intentions. Oneness of worship means understanding that Allah is responsible for creating, sustaining, and providing for humans.
c. Oneness of Names and Attributes: Knowing Allah's holy names is crucial, as they reveal His power, uniqueness, and mercy. Allah's attributes confirm what He and His noble Messenger, peace be upon him, have conveyed, negating what Allah has negated.
2. Attributes:
In Islam, Allah possesses attributes of perfection, while some human attributes are attributed to gods in other religions.
3. Relationship between Allah and Humans:
In Islam, Allah is viewed as the Creator and Lord of humans, while in some other religions, deities are seen as natural forces or ancestral spirits.
Thus, knowledge of Allah Almighty is the foundation of happiness in this world and the hereafter, and understanding His attributes and worshipping Him correctly is the path to salvation and gaining His pleasure.
In conclusion, the definition of Allah in Islam is characterized by simplicity and clarity, with Muslims believing in Allah's uniqueness, greatness, and omnipotence. Muslims need to reflect this concept in their daily lives by adhering to the monotheistic worship of Allah, believing in His obligatory attributes, and not attributing any impossible attribute to Him.