who is ALLAH?

Surah 2. The Cow

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1. A.L.M.

2. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.

3. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;

4. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.

5. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper.

6. As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

7. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).

------------------------------------------------------------ --------13. When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe:" They say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but they do not know.

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17. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.

18. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

19. Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: In it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning: They press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!

20. The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things.

21. O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness;

22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).

23. And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.

24. But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared for those who reject Faith.

Why do people writing in English refer to God as
Allah? Allah is an Arabic word. English speaking
Christians don't call God Yahweh. French Christians
say 'Dieu' German Christians say 'Gott' etc etc. Only
Muslims in whatever language they speak call God
by a name from a particular language.

If an English-speaking person calls God 'Allah' does
this mean that Allah is the proper name of God like
Peter or Henry? Did Allah give himself the name
Allah? Is Allah' s mother tongue Arabic? Does Allah
prefer Arabic to any other language? Doesn't Allah
like Japanese or Zulu?

 

Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 49

Allah's Words: " The Most Beautiful Names Are For Allah, So Call on Him by Them"

Allah, Most High says:

" The most beautiful Names are for Allah, so call on Him by them, but shun those who deny His Names" (Qur'an 7:180)

Allah (swt ), Most Glorified, Most High, informs us in this verse that His Names are of the utmost beauty and that He (swt ) is Most Perfect and Complete in all of His Divine Attributes, then He (swt ) tells us that we should supplicate Him using these Names, in order that our prayers be answered and that they be answered quickly. Then He (swt ), Most High, commands us to avoid those who reject His Names or knowingly alter their meanings in order to suit their deviated understanding of Tawheed. Then He (swt ), Almighty, All-powerful, warns them of the condign punishment which awaits those who deny His Names and Attributes on the Day of Resurrection.

The rule regarding Allah's Names and Attributes is that we do not ascribe to Him any name or attribute which is not found in the Qur'an or the authentic Ahadith of the Prophet (saas ), and we reject all names and attributes which He (swt ) and His Messenger (saas ) have rejected, and we remain silent concerning matters connected with His Names and Attributes about which we have no knowledge.Ibn Abi Hatim reported on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (ra ) that he said: "Those who belie or deny His Names are guilty of Shirk."

Relevance of This Narration to the Subject of the Chapter and to the Subject of Tawheed

That the narration proves that Ibn `Abbas (ra ) held that ascribing Allah's Names to idols is an act of denial of those Names and it is confirmed that those who do so are guilty of Shirk.

..ooOOoo..

It is reported on the authority of Al-A'amash that he said that they used to ascribe names to Allah which were not His.

Relevance of This Narration to the Subject of the Chapter and to the Subject of Tawheed

That the narration is evidence that Al-A'amash was of the view that calling Allah (swt ) by names which are not His is a denial of those Names and it has been confirmed that denial of Allah's Names is Shirk.

(Plz see http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/tawheed/abdulwahab/ KT1-chap-49.html fo details).

Brothers and sisters Peace be on you all!

These should be the basic Questions for all those who have wisdom and who use their mind:

(1)                       Who are we and where do we come from?

(2)                       Where do we go after death?

(3)                       What is all this around us? Millions and millions of Galaxies, stars and planets. Who has organised them in such a manner? Who is the creator of all these trillions and trillions of countless atoms which has such a complex system that we still don�t understand yet?

(4)                       Is all this creation just BY CHANCE?

So the logical conclusion is that if a Boeing 747, or the space shuttle, or the super computer can�t be created just from no where how come such a complex system of universe and human was created BY CHANCE? We cannot point out even a single thing in the known human history which was created BY CHANCE except for this universe.

 

A few days ago the famous and leading world Cosmologist Sir Roger Penrose (who is very close associate of Stephen Hawking) while talking in the BBC�s Hard Talk responded to a question in similar way.

Once he was asked that, can we create Human Robots or Human Machines in the laboratories?     He straight away responded in NO (meaning a robot in relation to physics and not a genetic model). He said that there is a missing ingredient which is yet not explainable or conceivable but it certainly is not present in machines and is unique to Humans, may be conscious or my be emotions.

So once asked that do you believe that this is the creation of GOD, although he said I won�t specifically say that in context of some religion but I do think that this unknown creation or ingredient is too complex to be termed as self-created. May be there is some intelligent force about which we do not know yet.

Mr. Penrose was certainly talking about the �SPIRIT� or the �SOUL� known as �ROOH� in Arabic. The Quran says about this in 17:85, �And they ask you about the soul. Say: The soul is of the commands of my Lord, and you have not been given knowledge but a little�.

 

Here it is not said that you now don�t understand the nature of the soul, but it is said that this knowledge (the knowledge of Amar-ul-Allah, or God�s orderly world is beyond the human perception).  Human understanding is limited to the Physical and a portion of metaphysical world.

Similarly, we can not perceive or explain God in physical terms. Only we can identify Him trough the various characteristics as mentioned in Quran (Samad, Rahim, Rahman, Qadir, etc) ever sustainer, creator of everything, Alone, extremely kind, absolutely independent, ever-lasting, self-existent, has power/control over all etc.

In Quran at 16:74, it is said, �So do not give likeliness for Allah; surely Allah knows and you do not know�. At another place it is said that there is even no example of even His similitude.

 

Everything has been created by someone, like computers, aircrafts, similarly this whole Universe and life is created by Allah. Most atheists will ask that if everything has a creator then, WHO CREATED ALLAH? The answer to this question is that creation is linked with time, (like aircraft was created in early 1900 etc) but Allah has no beginning and no end therefore He is self-existent, ever-living and has no beginning. The question of His existence would have come in if He is to be considered as existent from a particular time onwards.  

This can be explained as to what is the last digit in counting or numbers? Surely there is no last digit and the counting goes to infinity. But Allah is unique his existence is since ever and for ever. He has no ends.

 

So who is Allah,the answer is given in Ch- 112 of Quran: �1. Say: He, Allah, is One (the word used here is AHAD means who is one and alone, like I am one but there are billions of other persons like me but Allah is the one only). 2. Allah is He on Whom all depend (here word SAMAD is used meaning one who is absolutely independent, who is self-sustaining, answerable to no one, independent of all while all other are solely dependent on Him, who is self-existent and everyone else is existing due to Him alone, etc. This is very wide ranging word with no equivalent in any other language). 3. He begets not, nor is He begotten. (Neither he has any creator nor any father/mother nor any wife or children. He is above all these things). 4. And there is nothing like Him.�

 

Brother someguy says that: we have wasted this life by submitting to the religious demands and all religions are wrong and Allah will judge him according to his understanding of God. Moreover, he says that Quran is not word of God and why God will leave such a pain, starvation and suffering in this world if He is all merciful.

While brother Howard asked that: why we Muslims use word Allah for the God while all other people call the creator in their own native tongue.

Brother someguy you are in some regards absolutely right and indeed you have a thinking mind. May Allah guide you to the truth.

 

You are right in saying that most of us waste our lives while following the demands of various (man made) religions. Remember Islam is not a man made religion but a �natural way of living� Deen-e-fitrah.

As said in 2:213. �The whole of mankind was a single nation; so (once they start dividing amongst themselves) Allah raised Prophets as bearers of good news (about heaven) and as Warner (of hell), and He revealed with them the Book with truth....�.

Also in 10:19. �And people are naught but a single nation, later they disagreed....� and in 42:14, �And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them, out of rivalry among themselves....�. Similar message is given in 45:17.

 

The question arise that if we all were on one grid then why Allah did not kept us all on one track? The answer is given in 11:18, �And if your Lord had willed He would certainly have forced the mankind to remain a single community, but they shall continue to differ�. Because God has sent us in this world for a test and has given us the option to differ and act in whichever manner you like to act till an appointed day. However, after that he would reward us according to our deeds. As told in 12:13-14, �13. And certainly We did destroy generations before you because they were unjust (and disobedient), and their apostles had come to them with clear instructions, and they were not to believe (due to their arrogance); thus do We recompense the guilty people with such punishment. 14. Then We made you successors on earth after them so that We may see how do you act�,

and in 11:7, �And He (is Allah) Who created the heavens and the earth in six days(or stages) and His dominion (extends) on the water, so that He might manifest to you, which of you is best in deeds....�

also in 53:31, �And to Allah belong what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, that He may reward those who do evil according to their deeds, and (that) He may reward those who do good  according to their good deeds�.

So the option is ours whether we want to conduct ourselves in an evil way or in a righteous manner. This is not OUR LIFE this is life given to us by ALLAH, so we should go according to his commandments. Can you tell your face not to grow beard? No because Allah has not given you this mandate, but only you can shave it off or remove it through laser. Or can you tells your hands to grow in length, after all its your own hands? No! but you can use them either to help someone or kill someone. This is where God have given you the mandate.

 

So why is there so much of pain and starvation? Well this is also for a test. If Allah has given someone wealth it is for his test that whether he spends it for the needy and poor or just keeps it to himself.

As said in 2:264, �O you who believe! do not make your charity worthless by reproach and being harsh (in asking for return), like him who spends his property just to be seen by other people and does not believe in Allah and the last day; so his parable is as the parable of a smooth rock with earth upon it, then a heavy rain falls upon it, so it leaves it bare (washing away all his good deeds); they shall not be able to gain anything of what they have earned; and Allah does not guide the unbelieving people. 267. O you who believe! spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and or what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at disposing off the bad things in charity, of which you would not take it yourselves except with disdain, and know that Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy.

268. Shaitan (devil) threatens you with poverty and enjoins you to be miser, and Allah promises you forgiveness and His blessings in abundance; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing�.

Also in Chapter-104, �1. Woe to every slanderer, defamer, 2. Who amasses his wealth and then keep it counting (with an aim to increasing it); 3. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. 4. Nay! he shall most certainly be hurled into the crushing disaster, 5. And what will make you realize what the crushing disaster is? 6. It is the fire kindled by Allah, 7. Which leaps over above the hearts....�

 

Brother, this life is not an end in itself but provides us with means to achieve an end. That end of which has no limits, where there will be no misery or pain so if you still thank Allah even in misery then you pass the test, as said in, 3:186 �You shall certainly be tested respecting your wealth/property and your lives, and you shall certainly hear from those who have been given the Book before you and from those who are polytheists very painful and annoying things; and if you remain patient and guard (against evil), surely these are among most steadfast affairs�.

2:155. �And We will most certainly try you with fear(of enemy) and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits/crops; and give good news to those who remain patient�. 

�Do you think that you would enter the heaven while the state of those who passed away before you has not yet come upon you; distress and affliction befell on them and they were shaken violently....� (2:214)

29:2-3 �Do people think that they will be left away only on saying, We believe, and they will not be tested? 3. And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly judge who are true (believers) and those who are liars�.

 

Your statement saying that Quran is not the word of God is a sweeping statement, without reading it giving such statement is unfair. If you have some evidence then I would like it to be shared by all of us. If you can get these books do read them �STRUGGLING TO SURRENDER� and �EVEN ANGELS ASK� by Jeffery Lang. And the other �The Bible Quran and Science � The Holy scriptures examined in the light of science� by Dr. Maurice Bucaille. Dr. Bucaille is a surgeon by profession and resides in France while Jeffery Lang is the Professor of Mathematics in the Kansas University, USA. You can find sufficient evidence as to whether Quran is a divine revelation or not.

 

Finally answering, Why we say Allah and not �God� in our native languages, because it�s the most purest word. Like with God if you add �ess� it become godess. Regarding Yahweh it�s a tribal god with having no concern with complete human kind except for Jews. But it is not forbidden to call God in our native language but there should be no image or concept attached to that word. Like Hindus have many gods and every god has some image. Therefore no name of Hindu god can be attributed for Allah.

As said in 7: 180, �And to Allah belong the best/beautiful names, therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanctity of His names; they shall be recompensed for what they did�.

20:8 �Allah; there is no god but He; His are the very best names�.

59:24 � He is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names....�  

 

Hope brother Someguy will ponder on as to who is Allah to come out of his agnostic shell!

 

Shams zaman     Pakistan