Every language has terms for God or lesser deities, but the name Allah is unique. It is the personal name of the One true God — without plural or gender — emphasizing His absolute uniqueness. Allah is also the name for God in Aramaic, the language of Jesus, and a sister language to Arabic.
To Muslims, Allah is the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, incomparable and beyond likeness. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked about Allah, the answer came directly from God in Surah Al‑Ikhlas (112):
“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say: He is God, the One; God, the Everlasting Refuge; He neither begets nor is begotten; and there is none comparable to Him.”
Some mistakenly claim that God in Islam is stern or harsh. In reality, every chapter of the Qur’an except one begins with: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “God is more loving and kinder than a mother to her child.”
God is also Just. His justice ensures that the righteous and the wicked are not treated alike. The Qur’an states:
“Verily, for the Righteous are gardens of Delight… Shall We then treat the people of Faith like the people of Sin?” (68:34‑36)
Islam rejects any depiction of God in human form or favoritism based on race, wealth, or power. All humans are created equal, and only virtue and piety distinguish them.
Concepts such as God resting, wrestling, or incarnating in human form are considered blasphemous in Islam. Associating partners with God (shirk) is the gravest sin — though repentance is accepted for those who turn back before death.
The Creator must be different from His creation. If He were temporal, He would need a creator. Therefore, He is eternal, self‑sufficient, and everlasting: “He is the First and the Last.”
Allah is Al‑Qayyum — the Self‑Subsisting. He creates, preserves, and sustains all things:
“God is the Creator of everything… Unto Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.” (39:62‑63) “No creature moves on earth but its provision rests on God.” (11:6)
If God is eternal, His attributes must also be eternal and absolute. There cannot be multiple gods with absolute attributes, as this would lead to conflict and disorder. The Qur’an states:
“God has not taken to Himself any son, nor is there any god with Him…” (23:91) “Were there gods other than God, the heavens and earth would surely go to ruin.” (21:22)
The Qur’an refutes all false gods. To idol worshippers, it asks: “Do you worship what you have carved?” (37:95)
It recounts Abraham’s rejection of star, moon, and sun worship, concluding: “I have turned my face to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth… I am not of the idolaters.” (6:76‑79)
To be a Muslim, one must believe in God’s Oneness as Creator (Tawhid ar‑Rububiyyah) and also worship Him alone (Tawhid al‑Uluhiyyah).
Faith produces inner states and outward actions. The Prophet said: “Faith is that which resides firmly in the heart and is proven by deeds.”
Gratitude is central to worship. A non‑believer is called kafir — one who denies truth and is ungrateful.
A believer loves God, fears His displeasure, and remembers Him constantly. The Qur’an reinforces this through frequent mention of His attributes:
“He is God — the Knower of the unseen… the All‑Merciful, the All‑Compassionate… the King, the All‑Holy, the All‑Peace…” (59:22‑24)
“There is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting… His throne comprises the heavens and earth…” (2:255)
“Say not ‘Three’… God is only One God… above having a son.” (4:171)