God According to Islam

GOD ACCORDING TO ISLAM

Who is God according to Islam ? The answer is simple – God is Allah. But who is Allah ? In Islam the information about God is written in the Holy Koran which is written in Arabic. It has been translated into English by several experts. One of the most well known translator is Yusuf Ali. The other is Marmaduke Pickthall. But they translated in old English. Today Hasan Qaribullah translated the Holy Koran in modern English, so it is easier for us to understand. In this Hub I will use these three translations.

In one of its verses God gives us information about himself. Now let’s take a look at the translations of the verse about God. It is called Al Ichlas in Arabic or Absoluteness in English. First this is the translation of Marmaduke Pickthall.

Absoluteness

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful

Say : He is Allah the One

Allah is the eternally besought of all

He begetteth not nor he was begotten

And there is none comparable unto him

And this is the translations of Yusuf Ali :

The Unity, Sincerity, Oneness of God

In the name of God, most Gracious, Most Merciful

Say : He is God, the One and Only

God, eternal, absolute

He begetteth not, nor He begotten

And there is none like unto Him

And this is the translation of Hasan Qaribullah

Oneness

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the most Merciful

Say :He is Allah, the One

The called upon

Who has not given birth, and has not been born

And there is none equal to him

The beautiful names and Nature of God

In the Holy Koran we will find that God has many beautiful names which indicate His natures as the following :

Ar Rahman – the beneficent, Ar Rahim - the Merciful, Al Malik – the Sovereign Lord, Al Quddus – The Holy, As Salam – the source of Peace, Al Mu’min – the Guardian of Faith, Al Muhaymin – the Protector, Al Aziz – The Mighty, Al-Jabbar – The Compeller, Al Mutakabbir – The Majestic, Al Khaliq – The Creator, Al Bari – The Evolver, Al Musawwir – The Fashioner, Al Ghaffar – The Forgiver, Al Qahhar – The Subduer, Al Wahab – The Bestower, Ar Razzaq – The Provider, Al Fattah – The Opener, Al-Alim – The All Knowing, Al Qabid – The Constrictor, Al Basit – The Expander, Al Khafid – The Abaser, Ar Rafi – The Exalter, Al Muiz – The Honorer, Al Muzill – The Dishonorer, As Sami – The All Hearing, Al Basir – The All Seeing, Al Hakam – The Judge, Al Adl – The Just, Al Latif – The Subtle One, Al Khabir – The Aware, Al Halim – The Forbearing One, Al Azim – The Great One, Al Ghafur – The All Forgiving, As Shakur – The Appreciative, Al Ali – The Most High, Al Khabir – The Most Great, Al Hafiz – The Preserver, Al Muqit – The Maintainer, Al Hasib – The Reckoner, Al Jalil – The Sublime One, Al Karim – The Generous One, Ar Raqib – The Watchful, Al Mujib – The Responsive, Al Wasi –The All Embracing, Al Hakim – The Wise, Al Wadud – The Loving, Al Majid – The Most Glorious One, Al Baith – The resurrector, Ash Shahid – The Witness, Al Haqq – The Truth, Al Wakil – The Trustee, Al Qawi –The Most Strong, Al Matin – The Firm One, Al Wali – The Protecting Friend, Al Hamid – The Praiseworthy, Al Muhsi – The Reckoner, Al Mubdi – The Originator, Al Muid – The Restorer, Al Muhyi – The Giver of Life, Al Mumit – The Creator of Death, Al Hayy – The Alive, Al Qayyum – The Self Subsisting, Al Wajid – The Finder, Al Majid – The Noble, Al Wahid – The Unique, Al Ahad – The One, As Samad – The Eternal, Al Qadir – The Able, Al Muqtadir – The Powerful, Al Muqaddim – The Expediter, Al Muakkhir – The Delayer, Al Awwal –The First, Al Akhir – The Last, Az Zahir – The Manifest, Al Batin – The Hidden, Al Wali – The governor, Al Muta’ali – The Most Exalted, Al Barr – The Source of All Goodness, At Tawaab – The Acceptor of Repentance, Al Muntaqim – The Avenger, Al Afuw – The Pardoner, Ar Rauf – The Compassionate, Malik –ul-Mulk – The Eternal Owner of Sovereignty, Dhul –Jalal-Wal-Ikram – The Lord of Majesty and Bounty, Al Muqsit – The Equitable, Al Jamee – The Gatherer, Al Ghani – The Self Sufficient, Al Mughni – The Enricher, Al Mani – The Preventer, Ad Darr – The Distresser, An Nafi – The Propitious, An Nur- The Light, Al Hadi – The Guide, Al Badi – The ncomparable, Al Baqi – The everlasting, Al Warith – The Supreme Inheritor, Ar Rashid – The Guide to the right path, As Sabur – The patient.

From the names above it is clear that He is the creator of the whole universe including human being. He has absolute power in the whole universe. He is a just ruler. He is merciful, he give mercy to any sin except idolatry. He gives us provision, protection, guidance to the right path, knowledge etc.

He watches over all human being. He is very close to human, in a verse it is described that He is closer than our jugular vein. (Al Qaf verse 16 : We are nearer to him than his jugular vein).