Facts About Allah - Qamar Islam Khan

The Quran is the last revealed Word of God. It is a record of the exact words revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel. It was then dictated to his Companions who memorized it, and it was written down by scribes. The Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad fourteen centuries ago. Allah says:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“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.” (Surah Al-Hashr 59:24)

Not one word of its 114 chapters has been changed over the centuries. The Quran deals with all subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. The case for God’s existence in the Quran and Sunnah is straightforward, easy to comprehend, and supported by logic and sound reasoning. Conviction in faith is attained when the basic faculties of the heart and mind combine in reflection upon the facts of existence and the message of the Prophets. Allah says:

وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:180)

Allah: “الله” (God)

“Allah” is the name which God has described Himself with, as stated in Verse 14 of Surat Ta-Ha (Chapter 20), Verse 9 of Surat Al-Naml (Chapter 27), and Verse 30 of Surat Al-Qassas (Chapter 28) of the Holy Quran. He is the Creator of life, Who is worshipped by His creations as an expression of gratitude for His blessings, which include life, care, provision, and the promise of everlasting life in the hereafter for the righteous believers among them. Allah says:

إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي

“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no other god except Me. So, worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”(Surah Ta Ha, 20: 14).

يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّهُ أَنَا اللَّـهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“O Moussa (Moses), indeed, I am Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Naml, 27: 9).

يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي أَنَا اللَّـهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ

“O Moussa (Moses), indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Surah Al-Qassas, 28: 30).

Truth has many aspects. Infinite truth has infinite expressions. Though the sages speak in diverse ways, they express the same Truth. The Absolute Truth is One. God is One; The Uncaused Cause of all creation. The God (Allah) Whom we worship is not exclusive: He is your God (Allah), as well as mine, theirs as well as ours. He is the Lord of the Worlds to any person, of any faith. Allah says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. True guidance has become distinct from error. Whoever rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped the firmest handhold, that will never break. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:256)

Allah’s (God’s) Grace and Beneficial Guidance is not racial, social, gender, and family privilege. Each individual must earnestly strive for that Eternal Bliss. And although Allah (God) is invisible in this realm of existence, He has left innumerable evidence of His Reality through which people can know, be inspired and be empowered by Him; if they only look. Allah says:

“We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and their selves until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Quran) is the truth”. (Surah Fussilat 41:53)

A conscious and introspective look at the marvels of the universe; from the smallest subatomic particles to the vast expanse of the multiverse (from the inner universe within each individual to the outer universes within creation) – their delicately complex and infinitely precise, balanced order, universal harmony and unity of design, reveals, glorifies, testifies, declares, and points towards the existence of “One Magnificent, Transcendent, Omnipresent (present everywhere), Omnipotent (unlimited power) and Lovingly Supreme Creator”. Allah says:

“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith; verily, to him, We will give a new life; a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:97)

Our role as believers is to be the best examples of our faith that we can be, to make the case for Islam with grace, compassion, and beautiful preaching, to offer goodwill to all and to pray for the guidance of those who need it. It does not require any special training or philosophy to arrive at the truth of theism; the evidence and arguments are accessible to all people regardless of their level of education.

Here are some facts about Allah (God) in Islam:

Allah sent Muhammad (PBUH) as the last Prophet and Messenger for all mankind
Allah is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful and he is also Severe in punishment
Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him) and the good-doers
Allah has sent all of His messengers to invite people to worship Him Alone
Allah sent His Messengers (peace be upon them) to guide all of mankind
Allah is the All-Knowing, and All-Merciful, the Supreme, the Sovereign
Allah is near and he responds to the invocations of the supplicants
Allah does not forgive setting up partners (in worship) with Him
Allah not only warned us against Satan but also his footsteps
Allah knows what we conceal and what we reveal
Allah is very Gracious and Kind to His slaves
Allah is the one God, Who has no partner
Allah knows what is in our hearts
Allah is All-Powerful, absolutely Just
It is only Allah Who is capable of granting life to anything
Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not created, nor a part of His creation
There is no other entity in the entire universe worthy of worship besides him
Allah’s book is the Holy Qur’an, the only authentic revealed book in the world that has been kept without change
Allah says in the Quran, “Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him.”
Allah promises who obey Him to enter Paradise in the hereafter and warned who disobey Him against the Hell
Allah is First, Last, and Everlasting; He was when nothing was and will be when nothing else remains

Absolute trust in Allah (tawakkul) means to completely surrender yourself to Allah’s will. It means to rely only on Allah and no one else. Trust in Allah requires giving up your own will wholeheartedly before Allah’s. In fact, trust between Allah and human beings is a unique feeling that no word can enclose its meaning. Surely, we can use the word “trust” to understand its comprehensiveness. It is an emotion that strengthens the relationship between Allah and humans. Allah is enough for the one whose trust in Allah is firm in every aspect of life.

وَإِذَا مَسَّ النَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

“And when touches people hardship, they call their Lord turning to Him. Then when He causes them to taste from Him Mercy behold! A party of them with their Lord associate partners.” (Surat al-Rum 30:33)

Allah’s (God’s) creation could be just called nature by those who don’t believe in Allah (God). Allah’s (God’s) prophets as the bearer of good news and excellent exemplars could be called just fictional stories from the past – BUT what about a PERSPICUOUS, LIVING MIRACLE as a Clear Evidence for Allah’s (God’s) Existence and His Loving Guidance with no statements of, “you just have to believe”? Allah says:

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

“That (is) the book no doubt in it, a Guidance for the God-conscious.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2)

In the Islamic tradition, the case for God’s existence is solid in terms of its rational foundations as well as the purpose, meaning, comfort, and guidance that it gives to our lives. The Quran inspires conviction by appealing to the aspects of the inner life of human beings, namely, to the heart and the mind. Intuition and experience work in tandem with logic and reason to arrive at a state of certainty in faith.

A-List of the Good Names and Attributes of Allah, Which Are Mentioned Directly in the Holy Quran:

Allah: Allah (The God) اللهُ
Al-Ilah: The God ألإِلَـٰهٌ
Ilah Al-Nas (pronounced as illah annas): God of the People إِلَـٰهُ النَاسِ
La Ilaha Illa Huwa: No (Other) God But He لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ
Al-Rahman (pronounced ar-Rahman ): The Beneficent الرَّحْمَـٰنُ
Al-Raheem (pronounced as ar-Raheem): The Merciful الرَّحِيمُ
Al-Malik: The King الْمَلِكُ
Al-Maalik: The Eternal Owner ألمَالِكُ
Maalik Al-Mulk: The Owner of the Dominion مَالِكُ الْمُلْكِ
Al-Quddoos: The Holy الْقُدُّوسُ
Al-Salam (pronounced as as-salam): The Peace السَّلَامُ
Al-Mu.min: The Believer in His Godhood الْمُؤْمِنُ
Al-Muhaymin: The Dominant الْمُهَيْمِنُ
Al-‘Azeez: The Rare in His Might and Power الْعَزِيزُ
Al-Jabbar: The Compeller الْجَبَّارُ
Al-Mutakabbir: The Majestically Proud الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
Al-Khaliq: The Creator الْخَالِقُ
Al-Abqa: The Everlasting الأَبْقَىٰ
Al-Fatir: The Originator الفَاطِرُ
Al-Badee’u: The Creative البَدِيعُ
Al-Hadi: The Guide الهَادِيُ
Al-‘Afuw: The Pardoner العَفُوّ
Al-Akhir: The Last الْآخِرُ
Rab Al-‘Aalameen (pronounced as rabul ‘aalameen): The Lord of the Worlds رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Rab Al-‘Arsh (pronounced as rabul ‘arsh): The Lord of the Throne رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ
Ahlu Al-Taqwa (pronounced as ahlut taqwa): The Source of Piety and Righteousness أَهْلُ التَّقْوَىٰ
Ahsan Al-Khaliqeen (pronounced as A’hsanul Khaliqeen): The Best of Creators أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
Al-Bari’: The Maker, The Curer الْبَارِئُ
Ar’hamu Al-Ra’himeen (pronounced as ar’hamur ra’himeen): The Most Merciful Among the Merciful أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Maalik Yawm Al-Deen” (pronounced as maaliku yawmud deen): The Owner of the Day of Judgment مَالِكُ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Human beings since the existence of God—or what they perceive as a higher power—by pure instinct, with or without a prophetic revelation to guide them. Expressions of this Sensus divinitatis have appeared in cultures and religions all over the world, despite them being widely separated by time, geography, and language. In Islamic spiritual terms, this is because God took a primordial covenant with every person before the world was created that they would recognize their Creator.

Here is a list of facts about Allah Almighty that all Muslims should know:

Allah is Unique: In the Quran it says: “Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Quran 112:1-4). This means that He has no family and He is everything in His own accord and there is none like Him: “And your God is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” (Quran 2:163)
Allah is the Only Creator: “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. And they who disbelieve in the verses of Allah – it is those who are the losers.” (Quran 39:62-63). The Quran is full of verses that talk about Allah as “The Creator” and the word of Allah is the Absolute Truth.
Allah is the Most Merciful: Allah Almighty is known to Muslims as the Most Merciful Being, it is only because of His mercy that even when we commit sins, He lets them go and gives us many chances. “And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 4:110). and, “But those who committed misdeeds and then repented after them and believed – indeed your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 7:153).
4. Allah is the Impartial Judge: “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (Quran 16:90). And indeed Allah is the most impartial Judge: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness…” (Quran 5:8).
5. Allah is All-Knowing: Allah indeed knows all that is in our hearts. Allah’s knowledge compasses all things, as does His mercy and wisdom. There is nothing in the heavens or on Earth that escapes His notice. “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it…” (Quran 6:59). And, “Unquestionably, they the disbelievers turn away their breasts to hide from Him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover themselves in their clothing, Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.” (Quran 11:5).
6. Allah is the Loving One: It is well known to us that Allah Almighty loves His creation 70 times more than a mother loves her child. He has instilled love in us as well as a sign of Him: “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Quran 30:21).
7. Allah is the Delayer: Known as “Al-Mu’akhkhir”, Allah is the delayer and the One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead what He wills and delays what He wills. “Allah will forgive you of your sins and delay you for a specified term. Indeed, the time [set by] Allah, when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew.” (Quran 71:4).
8. Allah is the Bestower of Sufficiency: Allah is the One who satisfies the necessities of His creations. “O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise” (Quran 9:28). And, “And that it is He who enriches and suffices.” (Quran 53:48)
9. Allah is the Maintainer of life: He is the Giver of life and it is only through His grace that we breathe as we do and can function in our daily lives. In the Quran, it is said: “And indeed, it is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritor.” (Quran 15:23). And, “To observe the effects of the mercy of Allah – how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same one] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.” (Quran 30:50).
10. Allah is a Friend: Allah is true “Al-Waliyy” which means a protecting friend and supporter. “And Allah is most knowing of your enemies, and sufficient is Allah as an ally, and sufficient is Allah as a helper.” (Quran 4:45). Allah is surely the best ally to have and even He acknowledges it in the Holy Quran: “Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran 10:62)

From insecurity, guilt, and agony; to Contentment, Dignity, and Healing. From ignorance, injustice, and enslavement; to Wisdom, Justice, and Freedom. From the darkness of falsehood and evil; to Allah’s Eternal Love, Beneficial Guidance, Peace and Fulfillment of the highest bliss. Knowing and having a personal relationship with Allah is a matter of experiencing a fulfilling life and the lack thereof a matter of confusion, discontentment, and ultimate destruction.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

“The sun and the moon follow courses exactly computed.” (Quran 55:5)
“Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names.” (Quran 20:8)
“Truly, it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.” (Sūrat al-Ra’d 13:28)
“Your Lord is sure to give you so much that you will be well satisfied.” (Sūrat al-Ḍuḥa 93:5)
“Was he not a drop of sperm emitted, when did he become a leech-like clot. Then did Allah make and fashion him in due proportion. And of him, He made two sexes, male and female.” (Quran 75:37-39)
“Those who do not fear to meet Us say, ‘Why are the angels not sent down to us?’ or ‘Why can we not see our Lord?’ They are too proud of themselves and too insolent.” (Sūrat al-Furqān 25:21)
“You see the mountains and think they are firmly fixed. But they pass away just as the clouds pass away. Such is the artistry of Allah, Who disposes of all things in perfect order.” (Quran 27:88)
“By His command, He has made the night and day, the sun, moon, and stars all of benefit to you. There truly are signs in this for those who use their reason.” (Sūrat al-Naḥl 16:12)
“If you asked them who created the heavens and earth, they are sure to say, ‘God.’ Say, ‘Praise belongs to God,’ but most of them do not understand.” (Sūrat Luqmān 31:25)
“And Allah has created every animal from water. Of them, some creep on their bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four…” (Quran 24:45)
“Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We split them apart? And We made from water every living thing…” (Quran 21:30)
“Were they created out of nothing? Were they the creators? Did they create the heavens and the earth? No! They do not have faith.” (Sūrat al-Ṭūr 52:35-36)
“It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. All (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.” (Quran 21:33)
“He created the heavens and the earth in true proportions. He makes the night overlap the day, and the day overlap the night. He has subjected the sun and the moon to His law; each one follows a course for a time appointed…” (Quran 39:5)
“It is not permitted for the sun to catch up to the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day. Each just swims along in its orbit.” (Quran 36:40)
“And know that your possessions and your children are a test; and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward.” (Qur’ an 8:28)
“But He fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him of His spirit. And He gave you hearing, and sight, and understanding.” (Quran 32:9)
“He makes you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness.” (Quran 39:6)
“If you [Prophet Muhammad] ask them who created them they are sure to say, ‘God,’ so why are they deluded?” (Sūrat al-Zukhruf 43:87)
Whenever they go onboard a ship they call on God, and dedicate their faith to Him alone, but once He has delivered them safely back to land, see how they ascribe partners to Him!” (Sūrat al-‘Ankabūt 29:65)
“He did create the pairs, male and female, from a sperm-drop when lodged in its place.” (Quran 53:45-46)
“See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it? Truly that is easy for Allah.” (Quran 29:19)

All creation is part of Allah’s Family and the best of people are those best to Allah’s Universal Family. All true and revealed religion confirms and conforms to the human nature that the Creator instilled within us. The Quran refers to human religious nature as fiṭrat Allāh, the instinctive and inherent disposition with which God created people. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“O you who believe! Consciously revere Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will give you a double portion of His Mercy and He will make for you a light, you will walk with it, and He will forgive you. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:28)

All people were born to be believers in God, and the revelations of the Prophets simply awaken and reinforce the disposition that is already inside us. Even polytheists, who believe in multiple gods and deities, often believe that there is an even higher power, and even greater God over all of them. Allah says:

“[But] you, a soul at peace: return to your Lord well-pleased and well-pleasing; go in among My servants; and into My Garden.” (Sūrat al-Fajr 89:27-30)

Our relation to God is similar to those organisms observed by the scientists, except that our finite existence is even feebler as compared to the infiniteness of the Supreme Being. We can become aware of God through His signs, but we can never comprehend the full measure of God. The reality of God is too vast to be seen directly or measured with instruments. If the cosmic veil had been lifted, the awesomeness that is God Almighty would eradicate us. Allah says:

وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِيَ بِإِذْنِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّهُ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ

“And not is for any human that Allah should speak to him except (by) revelation or from behind a veil or (by) sending a messenger then he reveals by His permission what He wills. Indeed, He (is) Most High, Most Wise.” (Surah As Shura 42:51)

The Quran promises those who have faith that they will live a “good life” and move into an infinitely greater existence in the afterlife. The peace that believers experience in this life is only a brief taste of the peace to come in the Hereafter. Reflecting upon this fact day after day in prayer contributes to a state of calm and tranquillity.

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