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What Does the Qur’an Say About God?

12 April, 2017
Q What Does the Qur’an Say About God?

Answer

Peace dear questioner,

With regards to the verses dealing with/introducing God, the Qur’an appears to be self-explanatory.

{Allah–There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, while they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).} (Quran 2:255)

It is worth noting that the word “Allah” in Arabic means The One and Only God (i.e. The Creator of all existence, Sustainer of all existence, Originator of all existence, etc). The word “Allah” in Hebrew language is “Eloh-im”, much closer in sound and pronunciation to Allah, than to the word “God”.

This is plausible since the Arabic and Hebrew languages originate from the same family linguistically. The same word “Allah” is used by Arab Christians and Jews with reference to The God.   

{He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Knower of the invisible and the visible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Sovereign Lord the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb. Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him). He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.} (Qur’an 59:22-24)

We also see verses dealing with Allah’s all-encompassing Knowledge of the heavens and the earth and everything therein:

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{With Him are the keys to the things that are beyond the reach of a created being’s perception: none knows them but He. And He knows all that is on land and in the sea; and not a leaf  falls but He knows it; and neither is there a grain in the earth’s deep darkness, nor anything living or dead, but is recorded in [His] clear decree.  And He it is who causes you to be [like] dead at night, and knows what you do in daytime; and He brings you back to life each day in order that a term set [by Him] be fulfilled. In the end, unto Him you must return: and then He will show you the truth of all that you were doing [in life].} (Qur’an 6:59-60)

The Qur’an stresses the oneness of Allah as the Absolute Unique God, The Creator who is not similar to His creation, yet is the closest and most knowing of them and is the ultimate source of their existence, survival and sustenance.

One of the most significant suras (chapters) that capture this essence of Absolute Uniqueness, Oneness of God is Chapter 112 called Al-Ikhlas, The Sincerity, which is a major indication of the absolute monotheism of Islam as indicated in the Qur’an:

{Say: He is Allah the One and Only. Allah is the Self-Sufficient (independent of all, while all are dependent on Him). He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him.} (Qur’an 112)

We also find:

{[He is] The Originator of the heavens and the earth. He has given you mates of your own kind just as [He has willed that] among the cattle [there be] mates – to multiply you thereby; [but] There is nothing like Him, and He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing.}  (Qur’an 42:11) 

The signs of Allah in the creation are also repeatedly mentioned in the Qur’an as a reminder to mankind of their Creator:

{O mankind! Remember Allah’s grace toward you! Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the sky and the earth? There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, how then are you turning away?}  (Qur’an: 35:3)

And also Qur’an: 23:78-80.

We also find this aspect strongly-put in Chapter 30 in seven consecutive verses highlighting few of the signs of Allah in the creation and inviting the reader to contemplate, think and reason:

{And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth].

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.

And of His signs is your sleep by night and day and your seeking of His bounty. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.

And of His signs is [that] He shows you the lightning [causing] fear and aspiration, and He sends down rain from the sky by which He brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that are signs for a people who use reason.

And of His signs is that the heaven and earth remain by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will come forth.

And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and earth. All are to Him devoutly obedient.

And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest attribute in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} (Qur’an 30: 20-27)

The Qur’an also stresses that there is no partners or deities worthy or worship beside Allah, and that it is unreasonable to disregard the Creator and worship any of His creation:

{And your God is One God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.} (Qur’an 2:163 )

This is just a glimpse, and of course, the best way to get the full message is to read the Qur’an in its entirety to get the full message from the Creator in His verbatim direct words to His creations.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

Belief Only in Allah: Enough?

How to Understand the Quran Correctly

The Story of the Quran

About Dina Mohamed Basiony
Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.