1 Who is God?

The concept of God has remained a riddle for the human mind since time immemorial. Many a great philosophers and eminent thinkers have meditated over the issue through ages but have found no solution. Who is God? How defined? Where is He? How is He? Whether He exists or not? These are some of the uestions which are raised about God by in uisitive minds! but the same have ever remained unresolved. God cannot be defined because God cannot be limited or confined within any particular framework. We have to perceive things in order to create an image of a thing or make definitions of a particular thing. "ut God#s nature and His existence are not limited to what is familiar to us. $t is! therefore! more proper to say that the entity and nature of God are uestions that relate to what lies beyond the reach of human perception. Human mind has a finite scope! but God is infinite. How can finite reach infinity? Therefore! our minds cannot truly perceive God#s nature and entity. God cannot be described in human language but we can understand Him only through His attributes and His creations. %l&'ur#an! the revealed book of $slam! presents in its verses a very vivid and beautiful description of Who is God. God! according to the 'ur#an! is the %lmighty! %ll&(owerful! %ll&)nowing and *mnipresent +ord of the whole universe. He is the "eneficent! the Merciful! the ,orgiving God. There is no God save Him. He has no partner! no son! no children! no parents and no consorts. He is the %live! the -ternal! neither sleep nor slumber overtake Him. He is the creator of the universe! the heavens and the earth and everything in the heavens and the earth! and of stars! sun! moon! satellites! day and night! animals! plants! matter! oceans! winds! rivers! fire! mountains! human beings! indeed of all seen or unseen things. Whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. He gives life and death and He is the Master of the .ay of /udgment. He raised the heavens without visible support and spread out the earth placing therein hills! flowing streams and fruits. He has created everything of water and in pairs! in different kinds and colours. Thus speaks the 'ur#an as to who is God?

(raise be to %llah! +ord of the World. The "eneficent! the Merciful. *wner of the .ay of /udgment. Thee 0alone1 we worship2 Thee 0alone1 we ask for help. 3how us the straight path2 The path of those whom Thou hast favoured2 4ot 0the path1 of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. 5567%l& ,atihah7658 %llah9 There is no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal. 4either slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. :nto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them! while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the 3ublime! the Tremendous. 55;7%l&"a arah7;<< +o9 %llah 0it is1 Who splitteth the grain of corn and the date&stone 0for sprouting1. He bringeth forth the living from the dead! and is the bringer&forth of the dead from the living. 3uch is %llah. How then are ye perverted? He is the cleaver of the .aybreak! and He hath appointed the night for stillness! and the sun and the moon for reckoning. That is the measuring of the Mighty! the Wide. %nd He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea. We have detailed *ur revelations for people who have knowledge. %nd He it is Who hath produced you from a single being! and 0hath given you1 a habitation and a repository. We have detailed *ur revelations

for a people Who have understanding. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky! and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind2 We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth thick 5 clustered grain7 and from the date 5 palm! from the pollen thereof! spring pendant bunches2 and 0We bring forth1 gardens of grapes! and the olive and the pomegranate! alike and unlike. +ook upon the fruit thereof! when they bear fruit! and upon its ripening. +o9 Herein verily are portents for a people who believes. 55=7%l&%n#am7><5>> %llah it is Who raised up the heavens without visible supports! then mounted the Throne! and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service! each runneth unto an appointed term2 He ordereth the course2 He detaileth the revelations! that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your +ord. %nd He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams! and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses 0male and female1. He covereth the night with the day. +o9 Herein verily are portents for people who take thought. 556?7%r&@a#d7;&? %llah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and caused in water to descend from the sky! there by producing fruits as food for you! and maketh the ships to be of service unto you that may run upon the sea at His command! and hath made of service unto you the rivers. %nd maketh the sun and the moon! constant in their courses! to be of service unto you! and hath made of service unto you the night and the day. %nd He giveth you of all ye ask of Him! and if ye would count the bounty of %llah ye cannot reckon it. +o9 Man is verily a wrong 5 doer! an ingrate. 5 6A7$brahim7?;5?A He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky! whence ye have drink and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture. Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you! and the olive and the date&palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. +o9 Herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect. %nd He hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you! and the stars are made subservient by His command. +o9 herein indeed are portents for people who have sense. %nd whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues! +o9 Therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed. %nd He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence! and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. %nd thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye 0mankind1 may seek of His bounty! and that haply ye may give thanks. %nd He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it uake not with you! and streams and roads that ye may find a way. %nd landmarks 0too1! and by the star they find a way. 556=7%n&4ahl76B56= He it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. 3mall thanks give ye9 %nd He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth! and unto Him ye will be gathered. %nd He it is Who giveth life and causeth death and His is the difference of night

and day. Have ye then no sense? 55;?7%l&Mu#minun78C5CB 3ay7 :nto Whom 0belongeth1 the earth and whosoever is therein! if ye have knowledge? They will say7 :nto %llah. 3ay7 Will ye not then remember? 3ay7 Who is +ord of the seven heavens! and +ord of the Tremendous Throne? They will say :nto %llah 0all that belongeth1. 3ay7 Will ye not then keep duty 0unto him1? 3ay7 $n Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth! While against Him there is no protection! if ye have knowledge? They will say7 :nto %llah 0all that belongeth1. 3ay7 How then are ye bewitched? 55;?7%l&Mu#minun7CA5C> %nd He it is Who hath given independence to the two seas 0though they meet12 one palatable! sweet! and the other saltish! bitter2 and hath and set a bar and forbidding ban between them. %nd He it is Who hath created man from water! and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage2 for thy +ord is ever (owerful. 55 ;<7%l&,ur an7<?5<A 3ay7 Have ye thought! if %llah made night everlasting for you till the .ay of @esurrection! who is a God beside %llah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear? 3ay7 Have ye thought! if %llah made day everlasting for you till the .ay of @esurrection! who is a God beside %llah who could bring you night wherein ye rest? Will ye not then see? *f His mercy hath He appointed for you night and day! that therein ye may rest! and that ye may seek His bounty! and that haply ye may be thankful. 55;C7%l& 'asas78658? %nd if thou wart to ask them7 Who created the heavens and the earth! and constrained the sun and the moon 0to their appointed works1? They would say7 %llah! How are they turned away? %llah maketh the provision wide for whom He will of His bondmen! and straiteneth it for whom 0He will1. +o9 %llah is %ware of all things. %nd if thou wert to ask them7 Who causeth water to come down from the sky! and therewith reviveth the earth after its death? They verily would say7 %llah. 3ay7 (raise be to %llah9 "ut most of them have no sense. 55;>7%l&%nkabut7=65=? %llah it is Who created the heavens and the earth! and that which is between them! in six days. Then He mounted the throne. De have not! beside Him! a protecting friend or mediator. Will ye not then remember? He directeth the ordinance from the heavens unto the earth2 then it ascendeth unto Him in a day! whereof the measure is a thousand years of that ye reckon. 3uch is the )nower of the invisible and the visible! the Mighty! the Merciful. Who made all things good which He created! and He began the creation of man from clay2 Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid2 Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit2 and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. 3mall thanks give ye9 55?;7%s&3aEdah7A5> He it is Who created you from dust! then from a drop 0of seed1! then from a clot! then

bringeth you forth as a child! then 0ordaineth1 that ye attain full strength and afterward that ye become old men&though some among you die before 5 and that ye reach an appointed term! that haply ye may understand. He it is Who uickeneth and giveth death. When He ordaineth a thing. He saith unto it only7 "e9 %nd it is. 55AB7%l&Mumin7=85=C 6A. %llah it is Who hath made the sea of service unto you that the ships may run thereon by His command! and that ye may seek of His bounty! and that haply ye may be thankful2 %nd hath made of service into you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth2 it is all from Him. +o9 Herein verily are portents for people who reflect. 55A<7%l&/athiyah76;56? %nd that thy +ord! He is the goal2 %nd that He it is Who maketh laugh! and maketh weep! %nd that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life2 %nd that He createth the two spouses! the male and the female. ,rom a drop 0of seed1 when it is poured forth2 %nd that He hath ordained the second bringing forth2 %nd that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth7 %nd that He it is Who is the +ord of 3irius2 55<?7%n&4aEm7A;5A> %ll that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth %llah2 and He is the Mighty! the Wise. His is the 3overeignty of the heavens and the earth2 He uickeneth and He giveth death2 and He is able to do all things. He is the ,irst and the +ast! and the *utward and the $nward2 and He is )nower of all things. He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days2 then He mounted the Throne. He knoweth all that entereth the earth and all that emergeth therefrom and all cometh down from the sky and all that ascendeth therin2 and He is with you wheresoever ye may be. %nd %llah is 3eer of what ye do. His is the 3overeighnty of the heavens and the earth! and unto %llah 0all1 things are brought back. He causeth the night to pass into the day! and He causeth the day to pass into the night! and He is )nower of all that is in the breasts. 55<87%l&Hadid765= He is %llah! than Whom there is no other God! the )nower of the invisible and the visible. He is the "eneficent! the Merciful. He is %llah! than Whom there is no other God! the 3overeign +ord! the Holy *ne! (eace! the keeper of ,aith! the Guardian! the MaEestic! the Fompeller! the 3uperb. Glorified be %llah from all that they ascribe as partners 0unto Him19 He is %llah! the Freator! the 3haper of naught! the ,ashioner! His are the most beautiful names. %ll that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him! and He is the Mighty the Wise. 55<>7%l&Hashr7;;5;A
The 'ur#an in its Gerse 4o. ;<C of its chapter ; tells us how prophet %braham 0$brahim1 tried to explain the concept of God to king of $ra when the latter had an argument with the (rophet. The Gerse reads7 H"ethink thee of him who had an argument with %braham about his +ord! because %llah had given him the kingdom2 how! when %braham said2 My +ord is He who giveth life and causeth death! he answered7 $ give life and cause death. %braham said7 +o9 %llah causeth the sun to rise in the -ast! so do thou cause to come

up from the West. Thus was the disbeliever abashed. %nd %llah guideth no wrong&doing folkI. 0;7;<C1 (rophet %braham again explained concept of God when addressing his father and other worshipers of idols! he said7 H+o9 they 0the idols1 are 0all1 an enemy unto me! save the +ord of the worlds! Who created me! and He doth guide me. %nd Who feedeth me watereth me. %nd when $ sicken! then He healeth me. %nd Who causeth me to die! then giveth me life 0again1. %nd Who! $ ardently hope! will forgive me my sin on the .ay of /udgment.I 0%l&'ur#an ;=788 to C;1 The 'ur#an in its verses numbering from ;? to ;C of its chapter ;= tells us how (rophet Moses explained to (haraoh of -gypt as to Who is the +ord of the Worlds. The Gerses read7 (haraoh said7 %nd what is the +ord of the Worlds? 0Moses1 said7 +ord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! if ye had but sure belief. 0(haraoh1 said unto those around him7 Hear ye not? He said7 Dour +ord and the +ord of your fathers. 0(haraoh1 said7 +o9 your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman9 He said7 +ord of the -ast and the West and all that is between them! if ye did but understand. [Back to top of page]

; 5 -vidence of God#s -xistence 3ince times immemorial! the philosophers and the learned have been trying in vain to prove or disprove the existence of God. The existence of God! however! cannot be proved through scientific arguments as science is in a continuous process of development. $t proves today what it used to deny yesterday! and it may reEect tomorrow what it accepts today. Hence scientific arguments are uncertain and they cannot be taken as final in matters which relate to God. When traveler passes through a forest and sees a cottage he immediately thinks presence of a human being who has constructed the cottage and is living therein. When a caravan passes through a desert and sees footprints of a man the members are immediately convinced of a traveler who passed from there instead of conEecturing that the footprints have grown out themselves. $f you look at a beautiful building you instantly think of the architect who made the plan of that building and of the engineers! masons and labourers who constructed it. 4ot even for a moment you think that the building has come into existence of its own. "ut how strange that we should not get convinced about the Freator when we look at the heavens! the stars! the sun and the moon! and also see the oceans! mountains! animals! plants and gardens around us. Have these things created themselves or have they been created by some great creator? Fertainly they have been created by the +ord of all beings as they cannot create themselves. $f a human being who is intelligent of all these things cannot create himself how come the earth! the mountains! the skies! the animals! the hills! and the plants can create themselves9 $f the existence of a cottage in a forest can convince of the presence of a human being! the footprints can convince of a traveler having passed through desert and the existence of building can convince of its architect! then why the existence of universe! heavens and earth! sun and moon! and above all of ourselves should not convince us of the presence of an %ll&(owerful *mnipresent Freator. The Holy 'ur#an proves the existence of the %lmighty God from God#s creation! His %ttributes and His signs! and the portents and the indicators in the universes and in the nature which are scattered around us. The 'ur#an draws our attention to the world around

us and invites us to meditate on the creation of the universe! the heavens and the earth! the sun and the moon! the galaxies of stars! the oceans and the rivers! the mountains and the hills! the animals and the trees! and even on the creation of ourselves to recogniJe the existence of God Who is the Freator! the 3ustainer and the +ord of all. %ccording to the 'ur#an! in the creation of the heavens and the earth! in the difference of the day and the night! in the floating of the ships upon the sea! in the flying of the birds in the air! in the revival of the earth with rain water! in the life and death! in the growth of plants and fruit 5 trees! in the dispersing of all kinds of animals on earth! in the winds and clouds! in the running of stars and planets in their orbits! in the organiJation and order in the nature and all natural phenomenon! in the diversity of the plants and vegetation although served with one water! in the difference of languages and colours of human beings though all have common parents %dam and -ve! there are signs of God for those who reflect. God says in the 'ur#an7 HWe shall show them *ur portents on the horiJons and within themselves until it will be manifest unto them that it is the TruthKI 0A67<?1. %t another place the Holy 'ur#an indicates the portents of %llah thus7 H%nd in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure! %nd 0also1 in yourselves. Fan ye then not see?I 0<67;B&;61. ,ollowing are some of the Gerses of the Holy 'ur#an which invite us to look within us and around us in order to see the proofs of existence of God7
1. How

disbelieve ye in Allah when ye were dead and He gave life to you! Then He will give you death, then life again, and then unto Him ye will return. He it i !ho created for you all that i in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fa hioned it a even heaven . And He i knower of all thing . ""#$Al% Ba&arah$#'"#( #. )o! *n the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the hip which run upon the ea with that which i of u e to men, and the water which Allah endeth down from the ky, there+y reviving the earth after it death, and di per ing all kind of +ea t therein, and ,in- the ordinance of the wind , and the cloud o+edient +etween heaven and earth$ are ign ,of Allah. overeignty- for people who have en e. ""#$Al%Ba&arah$1/0 1. )o! *n the creation of the heavens and the earth and ,in- the difference of night and day are token ,of Hi overeignty- for men of under tanding. ""1$Al% *mran$1(2 0. 3ay$ !ho delivereth you from the darkne of the land and the ea4 5e call upon Him hum+ly and in ecret, , aying-$ *f we are delivered from thi ,fear- we truly will +e of the thankful. 3ay$ Allah delivereth you from thi and from all affliction. 5et ye attri+ute partner unto Him! 3ay$ He i a+le to end puni hment upon you from a+ove you or from +eneath your feet, or to +ewilder you with di en ion and make you ta te the tyranny one of another. 3ee how !e di play the revelation o that they may under tand. "" /$Al%An.am$/1"/6 6. )o! in the difference of day and night and all that Allah hath created in the heaven and the earth are portent , verily, for folk who ward off ,evil-. "" 12$5unu $/

/. And in the 7arth are neigh+ouring tract , vineyard and ploughed land , and date palm , like and unlike which are watered with one water. And we have made ome of them to e8cel other in fruit. )o! herein verily are portent for people who have en e. ""11$Ar%9a.d$0 :. Have they not een the birds o+edient in mid air4 ;one holdeth them ave Allah. )o! herein, verily, are portent for a people who +elieve. ""1/$An%;ahl$:( '. * not He ,+e t- !ho created the heaven and the earth, and endeth down for you water from the ky where%with !e cau e to pring forth <oyu orchard , who e tree it never hath been your to cau e to grow. * there any =od +e ide Allah4 ;ay, +ut they are folk who a cri+e e&ual ,unto Him-! * not He ,+e t- !ho made the earth a fi8ed a+ode, and placed river in the fold thereof, and placed firm hill therein, and hath et a +arrier +etween the two ea 4 * there any =od +e ide Allah4 ;ay, +ut mo t of them know not! * not He ,+e t- !ho an wereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroy of the earth4 * there any =od +e ide Allah4 )ittle do they reflect! * not He ,+e t- !ho guideth you in the darkne of the land and the ea, He who endeth the wind a herald of Hi mercy4 * there any =od +e ide Allah4 High e8alted +e Allah from all that they a cri+e a partner ,unto Him-! * not He ,+e t- !ho produeth creation, then reproduceth *t, and !ho provideth for you from the heaven and the earth4 * there any =od +e ide Allah4 3ay$ Bring your proof, if ye are truthful! ""#:$An%;aml$/2"/0 (. And of Hi ign i thi 7 He created you of du t, and +ehold you human +eing , ranging widely! And of Hi ign i thi $ He created for you helpmate from your elve that ye might find re t in them, and He ordained +etween you love and mercy. )o! herein indeed are portent for folk who reflect. And of Hi ign i the creation of the heaven and the earth, and the difference of your language and colour . )o! Herein indeed are portent for men of knowledge. And of Hi ing i your lum+er +y night and +y day, and your eeking of Hi +ounty. )o! herein indeed are portent for folk who heed. And of Hi ign i thi $ He howeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and endeth down water from the ky, and there+y &uickeneth the earth after her death. )o! herein indeed are portent for folk who under tand. And of Hi ign i thi $ The heaven and the earth tand fa t +y Hi command, and after ward, !hen He calleth you, )o! from the earth ye will emerge. ""12$Ar%9um$#2"#6 12. A token unto them i the dead earth. !e revive it, and !e +ring forth from it grain o that they eat thereof> And !e have placed therein garden of the date% palm and grape , and !e have cau ed pring of water to gu h forth therein. That they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hand made it not. !ill they not, then, give thank 4 =lory +e to Him !ho created all the e8ual pair , of that which the earth groweth, and of them elve , and of that which they know not! A token unto them i night. !e trip it of the day, and lo! They are in darkne . And the un runneth on unto a re ting%place for him. That i the mea uring of the

?ighty, the !i e. And for the moon !e have appointed man ion till he return like an old hrivelled palm%leaf. *t i not for the un to overtake the moon, nor doth the night out trip the day. They float each in an or+it. And a token unto them i that !e +ear their off pring in the laden hip. And have created for them of the like thereof whereon they ride. ""1/$5a 3in%.11%0# 11. 3ay ,@ ?uhammad, unto the idolater -$ Ai +elieve ye verily in Him !ho created the earth in two Aay , and ascribe ye unto Him rival 4 He ,and none el ei the )ord of the !orld . He placed therein firm hill ri ing a+ove it, and +le ed it and mea ured therein it u tenance in four Aay , alike for ,allwho a k> Then turned He to the heaven when it wa moke, and aid unto it and unto the earth$ Bome +oth of you, willingly or loth. They aid$ !e come, o+edient. Then He ordained them even heaven in two Aay and in pired in each heaven it mandate> and !e decked the nether heaven with lamp , and rendered it inviola+le. That i the mea uring of the ?ighty, the Cnower. ""01$Ha ?im A %3a<dah$(%1# 1#. !e created you. !ill ye then admit the truth4 Have ye een that which ye emit4 Ao you create it or are !e the Breator4 !e mete out death among you, and !e are not to +e outrun, That !e may tran figure you and make you what ye know not And verily ye know the first creation.D !hy, then do ye not reflect4 Have ye een that which ye cultivate4 * it ye who fo ter it, or are !e the Eo terer4 *f !e willed, !e verily could make it chaff, then would ye cea e not to e8claim$ )o! we are laden with de+t! ;ay, +ut we are deprived! Have ye o+ erved the water which ye drink4 * it ye who hed it from the raincloud, or are !e the hedder4 *f !e willed !e verily could make it +itter. !hy, then, give ye not thank 4 Have ye o+ erved the fire which ye trike out$ !a it ye who made the tree thereof to grow, or were !e the grower4 !e, even !e, appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dweller in the wilderne . F6/ $Al%!a&iDah$6:" :1
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? 5 How is God? We have already discussed that God is infinite whereas our minds are finite. Therefore! we cannot comprehend the nature and entity of God. %ll we know about Him is through His signs which are scattered in the whole of universe around us and through the (rophets and the revealed books. %ccording to the 'ur#an! %llah is the light of the heavens and the earth and the human vision comprehends Him not. 4aught is as His likeness and there is none comparable unto Him. 1. Allah! There i no God ave Him, the Alive, the 7ternal. ;either lum+er nor leep overtaketh Him. Gnto Him +elongeth what oever i in the heaven and what oever i in the earth. !ho i he that intercedeth with Him ave +y Hi leave4 He knoweth that which i in front of them and that which i +ehind them, while they encompa nothing of Hi knowledge ave what He will. Hi throne includeth the heaven and the earth and He i never weary of pre erving them.

He i the 3u+lime, the Tremendou .[1] F#$Al%Ba&arah$#66 #. Hi ion comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth ,all- vi ion. He i the 3u+tile, the Aware.[#] F/$Al%AnDam$121 1. Allah i the )ight of the heaven and the earth. The imilitude of Hi light i a a niche wherein i a lamp. The lamp i in a gla . The gla i a it were a hining tar. ,Thi lamp i - kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the 7a t nor of the !e t, who e oil would almo t glow forth ,of it elf- though no fire touched it. )ight upon light, Allah guideth unto Hi light whom He will. And Allah peaketh to mankind in allegorie , for Allah i Cnower of all thing .[1] #0$ An%;ur$16 0. The Breator of the heaven and the earth. He hath made for you pair of your elve , and of the cattle al o pair , where+y He%multiplieth you. ;aught i a Hi likene $ and He i the Hearer, the 3eer.[0] F0#$A h%3hura$11 6. 3ay$ He i Allah, the Allah, the eternally Be ought of He +egetteth not nor wa And there i none compara+le unto Him.[6] F11#$Al%*khla $1%0 @ne! all! +egotten.

[1] Thi ver e i called a IAayat%ul%Cur iJ. *t ummariKe in a very +eautiful way the Lur.anic concept of =od. *t provide a vivid de cription of =od. @nene , Hi eternal e8i tence, Hi Aominion and Hi knowledge. According to a tradition of Mrophet ?uhammad ,MBGH-, thi i the +e t ver e of the Holy Lur.an. [#] According to ?uhammad A ad$ IThe term latif denote omething that i e8tremely u+tle in &uality, and, therefore, intangi+le and unfathoma+le. !henever thi term occur in the LurDan with reference to =od in con<unction%with the ad<ective kha+ir ,Iall%AwareJ-, it i invaria+ly u ed to e8pre the idea of Hi in%acce i+ility to human perception, imagination or comprehen ion a contra ted with Hi @wn all%awarene J. [1] ?uhammad A ad write $ I*n the a+ove conte8t it allude to the impo i+ility of defining =od even +y mean of a metaphor or a para+le % for, ince Ithere i nothing like unto HimJ ,0#$11-, there i al o Inothing that could +e compared with HimJ ,11#$0-. Hence, the para+le of Ithe light of =odJ i not meantD to e8pre Hi reality % which i inconceiva+le to any created +eing and, therefore, ine8pre i+le in any human language % +ut only to allude to the illumination which He, who i the Gltimate Truth, +e tow upon the mind and the feeling of all who are willing to +e guided. Ta+ari, Baghawi and *+n kathir &uote *+n A++a and *+n ?a Dud a aying in thi conte8t$ I*t i the para+le of Hi light in the heart of a +elieverJ. According to A+u.1 ADla ?aududi$ I*n thi para+le. Allah ha +een likened to the )amp and the univer e to the ;iche. The gla hade i the veil +ehind which Allah ha concealed Him elf from Hi creation. Thi veil i not a phy ical veil for concealment, +ut a veil cau ed +y the inten ity of Aivine manife tation. The human eye i una+le to ee Him not +ecau e of the intervening darkne +ut +ecau e of the inten ity of the all%pervading, all%em+racing )ight radiating through the tran parent veil. The human vi ion which i limited in nature cannot comprehend it. *t can only comprehend and perceive limited phy ical light which vary in +rightne , which di appear and reappear, and which can +e perceived only +y contra t to e8i ting darkne . But the DA+ olute )ightD ha no confronting darkne $ it doe not vani h, it hine forth and pervade all around with ever%e8i ting glory> it i +eyond human perception and comprehen ion.J IA for the lamp which i lit with the oil of a +le ed olive tree, which i neither ea tern nor we ternJ, thi i a metaphor to give an idea of the perfect light of the lamp and it +rilliance. *n anti&uity the ource for +rilliant light were the olive lamp , and the mo t uperior oil for the purpo e wa that o+tained from a tree tanding in an open and elevated place. The epithet of )amp for Allah in the para+le doe not mean that Allah i deriving Hi energy from ome e8ternal

ource. *t only mean that the )amp of the para+le i not an ordinary lamp +ut the mo t +rilliant lamp that can +e imagined. Nu t a a +rilliant lamp illuminate the whole hou e, o ha Allah illuminated the whole univer e.J [0] ?uhammad A ad e8plain it thu $ IThe phra e, Ithere i nothing like unto HimJ implie that He i fundamentally " and not merely in Hi attri+ute " IdifferentJ from anything that e8i t or could e8i t, or anything that man can conceive or imagine or define> and ince Ithere i nothing that could +e compared with HimJ ,11#$ 0-, even the IhowJ of Hi +eing IdifferentJ from everything el e i +eyond the categorie of human thoughtJ. [6] 78plaining the word A %3amad, ?uhammad A ad write $ IThi rendering give no more than an appro8imate meaning of the term a amad, which occur in the Lur.an only once, and i applied to =od alone. *t compri e the concept of Mrimary Bau e and eternal independent Being, com+ined with the idea that everything e8i ting or conceiva+le goe +ack to Him a it ource and i , therefore, dependent on Him for it +eginning a well a for it continued e8i tence.J !hile commenting on the la t ver e of thi 3urah, ?ohammad A ad write $ IThe fact that =od i one and uni&ue in every re pect, without +eginning and without end, ha it logical correlate in the tatement that Ithere i nothing that could +e compared with HimJ " thu precluding any po i+ility of de cri+ing or defining Him. Bon e&uently, the &uality of Hi Being i +eyond the range of human comprehen ion or imagination$ which al o e8plain why any attempt at IdepictingJ =od +y mean of figurative repre entation or even a+ tract ym+ol mu t +e &ualified a a +la phemou denial of the truthJ. [Back to top of page]

A 5 Where is God?
God is *mni&present. He is everywhere. To %llah belong the -ast and the West! whithersoever you turn! there is the (resence of %llah. God is with you wheresoever you may be. God is near to everyone of us! even nearer to one than one#s Eugular vein. There is no secret conference where %llah is not present and on the .ay of /udgment He would inform everyone what he used to do. %ccording to the 'ur#an! God established Himself upon the Throne directing all things after creating the heavens and the earth in six days. "ut this should not lead one to understand that God is seated on or confined to only a particular place in the universe! because this would be a misconception. God is everywhere and His throne! in fact! includes the heavens and the earth. ,ollowing Gerses of the Holy 3cripture of $slam! the 'ur#an! persuade us to comprehend the $slamic notion of *mnipresence of %ll 5 seeing and %ll&knowing God Who is the +ord of the Fosmos. :nto %llah belong the -ast and the West! and whithersoever ye turn! there is %llahLs Fountenance. +o9 %llah is! %ll&-mbracing! %ll&)nowing M;7%l&"a arah766< %nd when My servants uestion thee concerning Me! then surely $ am nigh. $ answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. 3o let them hear My call and let them trust in Me! in order that they may be led arightLN=O. M;7%l&"a arah76C= %llahL There is no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal. 4either slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. :nto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them! while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the 3ublime! the Tremendous. M;7%l&"a arah7;<< %nd with Him are the keys of the $nvisible. 4one but He knoweth them. %nd He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. 4ot a leaf falleth but He knoweth it! not a grain amid the darkness of the earth! naught of wet or dry but 0it is noted1 in a clear record. M=7%l&%nLam7<> +o9 Dour +ord is %llah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days! then He established Himself upon the Throne! directing all things N8O. There is no intercessor 0with Him1 save after His permission. That is %llah! Dour +ord! so worship Him! *h! will ye not remind? M6B7Dunus7?

%nd He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days & and His Throne was upon the waterNCO 5that He might try you! which of you is best in conduct. Det if thou 0* Muhammad1 sayest7 +o 9 De will be raised again after death9 those who disbelieve will surely say 7 This is naught but mere magic. M667Hud78 We verily created man and We know what his soul whispereth to him! and We are nearer to him than his Eugular vein. M<B7'af76= Kand He is with you wheresoever ye may be. %nd %llah is 3eer of what ye do. M<87%l&Hadid7A Hast thou not seen that %llah knoweth all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? There is no secret conference of three but He is their fourth! nor of five but He is their sixth! nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they may be2 and afterwards! on the .ay of @esurrection! He will inform them of what they did. +o9 %llah is )nower of all things. M<C7%l5 MuEadilah78 [Back to top of page]

5 God is One
God is one. There is no God save Him. $slam is strictly a monotheistic faith and is committed to hold that %llah is the only God of the whole of the universe and there is no God in any form or manifestation except %llah. :nity of Godhead is the fundamental teaching of the religion of $slam. The belief in the *neness of God is the most important of the five maEor and fundamental articles of faith for a follower of $slam. 4one can embrace $slam and enter into the brotherhood of the Muslims until and unless he declares by tongue and also truly believes in his heart that there is no God but %llah. $t is rightly said that al&'ur#an! the revealed book of $slam! teaches directly or indirectly in almost every other verse the fundamental principle of *neness of God and condemns those who hold or worship more than *ne God or who associate partners unto %llah. %ccording to the 'ur#an the messiah! /esus son of Mary! was only a messenger of %llah and His word which He conveyed unto Mary! and a spirit from Him. /esus was neither son of %llah nor he was God. Thus the 'ur#an reEects Fhristian doctrine of Trinity or three Gods 0God the ,ather! God the 3on and the Holy Ghost1 in unambiguous terms. The 'ur#an also dismisses the doctrine of two&Gods held by the Poroastrians and idea of many gods held by polytheists like Hindus. The 'ur#an tells us in detail how the (rophets of God! right from %dam to Muhammad 0May %llah#s peace by upon them1! have been teaching the *neness of God and how they have been enEoining their followers to believe in and worship only *ne God. Thus spoke /esus! son of Mary! from the cradle7 H+o9 $ am the slave of %llah. He hath given me the scripture and hath appointed me a (rophet2 %nd hath made me blessed wherever $ may be! and hath enEoined upon me prayer and alms 5 giving so long as $ remain alive! %nd 0hath made me1 dutiful towards her who bore me! and hath not made me arrogant! unblest!I ,Al%Lur.an 1($12"1#-. $n the following verses! al&'ur#an promotes on the one hand the uncompromising principle of the absolute *neness of God as taught by all the (rophets of God and on the other hand it reEects the belief held by some religions and philosophies that there is no god or there are many gods in the universe. 5our =od i @ne =od> there i no =od ave Him, the Beneficent, the ?erciful.

""#$ Al%Ba&arah$ 1/1 Allah! There i no =od ave Him, the Alive, the 7ternal. ""1$ Al"*mran$ # He it i !ho fa hioneth you in the wom+ a plea eth Him. There i no =od ave Him, the Almighty, the !i e. ""1$ Al"*mran$ / Allah ,Him elf- i witne that there i no =od ave Him. And the angel and the men of learning ,too are witne e - maintaining Hi creation in <u tice, there i no =od ave Him, the Almighty, the !i e. ""1$ Al"*mran$ 1' )o! Thi Herily i the true narrative. There i no =od ave Allah, and lo! Allah i the ?ighty, the !i e. ""1$ Al"*mran$ /# @ Meople of the 3cripture! Ao not e8aggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah ave the truth. The ?e iah, Ne u on of ?ary, wa only a me enger of Allah, and Hi word which He conveyed unto ?ary, and a pirit from Him. 3o +elieve in Allah and Hi me enger , and ay not IThreeJ "Bea e! ,it i - +etter for you! Allah i only @ne =od. Ear i it removed from Hi tran cendent ma<e ty that he hould have a on. Hi i all that i in the heaven and all that i in the earth. And Allah i ufficient a Aefender. ""0$ An";i a$ 1:1 They indeed have di +elieved who ay$ )o! Allah i the ?e iah, on of ?ary. 3ay$ !ho then can do aught again t Allah, if He had willed to de troy the ?e iah on of ?ary, and hi mother and everyone on earth4 Allah. i the overeignty of the heaven and the earth and all that i +etween them. He createth what He will. And Allah i A+le to do all thing . ""6$ Al" ?a.idah$ 1: They urely di +elieve who ay$ )o! Allah i the third of three> when there i no =od ave the @ne =od. *f they de i t not from o aying, a painful doom will fall on tho e of them who di +elieve. !ill they not rather turn unto Allah and eek forgivene of Him4 Eor Allah i Eorgiving, ?erciful. The ?e iah, on of ?ary, wa no other than a me enger, me enger ,the like of whom- had pa ed away +efore him. And hi mother wa a aintly woman. And they +oth u ed to eat ,earthly- food. 3ee how we make the revelation clear for them, and ee how they are turned away! ""6$ Al"?a.idah$ :1":6 !hen Allah aith$ @ Ne u , on of ?ary! 9emem+er ?y favour unto thee and unto thy mother> how * trengthened thee with the Holy 3pirit, o that thou pake t unto mankind in the cradle a in maturity> and how * taught thee cripture and !i dom and the Torah and the =o pel> and how thou did t hape of clay a it were the likene of a +ird +y ?y permi ion, and did t +low upon it and it wa a +ird +y ?y permi ion, and thou did t heal him who wa +orn +lind and the leper +y ?y permi ion> and how thou did t rai e the dead, +y ?y permi ion and how * re trained the children of * rael from ,harming- thee when thou came t unto them with clear proof , and tho e of them who di +elieved e8claimed$ Thi i naught el e than mere magic> And when * in pired the di ciple , , aying-$ Believe in ?e and in ?y me enger, they aid$ !e +elieve. Bear witne that we have

urrendered ,unto Thee-. !hen the di ciple aid$ @ Ne u , on of ?ary! * thy )ord a+le to end down for u a ta+le pread with food from heaven4 He aid$ @+ erve your duty to Allah, if ye are true +eliever . ,They aid$ - !e wi h to eat thereof, that we may ati fy our heart and know that thou ha t poken truth to u , and that thereof we may +e witne e . Ne u , on of ?ary, aid$ @ Allah, )ord of u ! 3end down for u a ta+le pread with food from heaven, that it may +e a fea t for u , for the fir t of u and for the la t of u , and a ign from Thee. =ive u u tenance, for Thou are the Be t of 3u tainer . Allah aid$ )o! * end it down for you. And !ho o di +elieveth of you afterward, him urely will * puni h with a puni hment wherewith * have not puni hed any of ,?ycreature . And when Allah aith$ @ Ne u , on of ?ary! Aid t thou ay unto mankind$ take me and my mother for two god +e ide Allah4 He aith$ Be glorified! *t wa not mine to utter that to which * had no right. *f * u ed to ay it, then Thou knewe t it. Thou knowe t what i in my mind, and * know not what i in Thy ?ind. )o! Thou, only Thou art the Cnower of thing hidden4 * pake unto them only that which Thou commanded t me, , aying-$ !or hip Allah, ?y lord and your )ord. * wa a witne of them while * dwelt among them, and when Thou tooke t me Thou wa t the !atcher over them. Thou art !itne over all thing . *f Thou puni h them, lo! they are Thy lave , and if Thou forgive them ,lo! they are Thy lave -. )o! Thou, only Thou art the ?ighty, The !i e. ""6$ Al"?a.idah$ 112"11' Eollow that which i in pired in thee from thy )ord> there i no =od ave Him> and turn away from the idolater . ""/$ Al"An.am$ 12/ !e ent ;oah ,of old- unto hi people, and he aid$ @ my people! 3erve Allah. 5e have no other =od ave Him. )o! * fear for you the retri+ution of an Awful Aay. "":$ Al"A.raf$ 6( And unto ,the tri+e of- A.ad ,!e ent- their +rother, Hud. He aid$ @ my people! 3erve Allah. 5e have no other =od ave Him. !ill ye not ward off ,evil-4 "":$ Al"A.raf$ /6 ;ow, if they turn away ,@ ?uhammad- ay$ Allah ufficeth me. There i no =od ave Him. *n Him have * put my tru t and He i )ord of the Tremendou Throne. ""($ At"Tau+ah$ 1#( And unto ,the tri+e of- Thamud ,!e ent- their +rother 3alih. He aid$ @ my people! 3erve Allah, ye have no other =od ave Him. He +rought you forth from the earth and hath made you hu +and it. 3o a k forgivene of Him and turn unto Him repentant. )o! my )ord i ;igh, 9e pon ive. ""11$ Hud$ /1 And unto ?idian ,we ent- their +rother 3hu.ey+. He aid$ @ my people! 3erve Allah. 5e have no other =od ave Him! And give not hort mea ure and hort weight. )o! * ee you well%to%do, and )o$ * fear for you the doom of a +e etting Aay. ""11$ Hud$ '0 @ my two fellow%pri oner ! Are diver lord +etter, or Allah the @ne, the Almighty4 Tho e whom ye wor hip +e ide Him are +ut name which ye

have named, ye and your father . Allah hath revealed no anction for them. The deci ion re t with Allah only, !ho hath commanded you that ye wor hip none ave Him. Thi i the right religion, +ut mo t men know not. ""1#$ 5u uf$ 1("02 Allah hath aid$ Bhoo e not two god . There i only @ne =od. 3o of ?e, ?e only, +e in awe. ""1/$ An";ahl$ 61 3ay ,@ ?uhammad, to the di +eliever -$ *f there were other god alongwith Him, a they ay, then had they ought a way again t the )ord of the Throne. ""1:$ Bani * ra.il$ 0# *f there were therein god +e ide Allah, then verily +oth ,the heaven and the earth- had +een di ordered. =lorified +e Allah, the )ord of the Throne, from all that they a cri+e ,unto Him-. ""#1$ Al"An+iya$ ## And !e ent no me enger +efore thee +ut !e in pired him , aying-$ There i no =od ave ?e ,Allah-, o wor hip ?e. ""#1$ Al"An+iya$ #6 Allah hath not cho en any on, nor i there any god alongwith Him> el e would each god have a uredly championed that which he created, and ome of them would a uredly have overcome other . =lorified +e Allah a+ove all that they allege. ""#1$ Al"?uminun$ (1
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= 5 God Has 4o (artners $n a preceding section! we have already discussed at length the concept of *neness of God. The basic teaching of $slam is! as is that of previous revealed religions! that there is no God but %llah and only He should be worshipped. God has no partners! no associates. %l&'ur#an! the revealed book of $slam! condemns those! in the severest possible terms! who hold associates of God and attribute partners unto Him. %scribing partners unto %llah is the greatest sin which would not be pardoned although God forgives every other sin whom He will. $n the words of /esus Fhrist! whoso ascribes partners unto God! for him God has forbidden (aradise. %ccording to the 'ur#an! neither idols! nor /inn! nor any human being! nor rabbis! nor monks! nor priests! nor /esus Fhrist are god or partners of God. ,ollowing are some of the very pertinent Gerses of the 'ur#an which establish the truth of the $slamic doctrine that God is *ne and He has no partners or associates. 6. +o9 %llah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth 0all1 save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to %llah! he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin. 55A7%n54isa7AC ;. +o9 %llah pardoneth not that partners should be ascribed unto Him. He pardoneth all save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners unto %llah hath wandered far astray. 55A7%n54isa766= ?. They surely disbelieve who say7+o9 %llah is the Messiah! son of Mary. The Messiah 0himself1 said7* children of $srael9 Worship %llah! my +ord and your +ord. +o9 Whoso ascribeth partners unto %llah! for him %llah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the ,ire. ,or evil 5 doers there will be no helpers. 55<7%l5Ma#idah78;

A. 3ay7Who delivereth you from the darkness of the land and the 3ea? De call upon Him humbly and in secret! 0saying17$f we are delivered from this 0fear1 we truly will be of the thankful. 3ay7%llah delivereth you from this and from all affliction. Det ye attribute partners unto Him9 55=7%l5%n#am7=?5=A <. Det they ascribe as partners unto Him the Einn! although He did create them! and impute falsely! without knowledge! sons and daughters! unto Him. Glorified be He and high exalted above 0all1 that they ascribe 0unto Him1755=7%l&%n#am76BB =. %ttribute they as partners to %llah those who created naught! but are themselves created. %nd cannot give them help! nor can they help themselves9 5587%l5%#raf76>65 6>; 8. +o9 those to whom ye call beside %llah are slaves like unto you. Fall on them now! and let them answer you! if ye are truthful9 Have they feet wherewith they walk! or have they hands wherewith they hold! or have they eyes wherewith they see! or have they ears wherewith they hear? 3ay7Fall upon your 0so&called1 partners 0of %llah1! and then contrive against me! spare me not9 5587%l5%#raf76>A56>< C. They have taken as lords beside %llah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary! when they were bidden to worship only *ne God. There is no god save Him. "e he glorified from all that they ascribe as partner 0unto Him19 55>7%t5Taubah7?6 >. 3ay7$s there of your partners 0whom ye ascribe unto %llah1 one that produceth creation and then reproduceth it? 3ay7%llah produceth creation! then reproduceth it. How! then are ye misled? 3ay7$s there of your partners 0whom ye ascribe unto %llah1 one that leadeth to the Truth? 3ay7%llah leadeth to the Truth. $s He who leadeth to the Truth more deserving that He should be followed! or he who findeth not the way unless he 0himself1 be guided? What aileth ye? How Eudge ye? 556B7Dunus7?A5?< 6B. 3ay7 0* Muhammad17Who is +ord of the heavens and the earth? 3ay7 %llah9 3ay7 Take ye then 0others1 beside Him for protectors which! even for themselves! have neither benefit nor hurt? 3ay7 $s the blind man e ual to the seer! or is darkness e ual to light? *r assign they unto %llah partners who created the like of His creation so that creation 0which they made and His creation1 seemed alike to them? 3ay7 %llah is the Freator of all things! and He is the *ne the %lmighty. 556?7%r5@a#d76= 66. Those unto whom they cry beside %llah created naught! but are themselves created. 0They are1 dead! not living. %nd they know not when they will be raised. 556=7%n5 4ahl7;B 5 ;6 6;. 3ay 0* Muhammad! to the disbelievers17 $f there were other gods alongwith Him! as they say! then had they sought a way against the +ord of the Throne. 55687"ani $sra#il7A; 6?. "ut He is %llah! my +ord and $ ascribe unto my +ord no partner. 556C7%l5)ahf7?C 6A. $f there were therein gods beside %llah! then verily both 0the heavens and the earth1 had been disordered. Glorified be %llah! the +ord of the Throne! from all that they ascribe 0unto Him1. 55;67%l5%nbiya7;; 6<. Turning unto %llah 0only1! not ascribing partners unto Him2 for whoso ascribeth partners unto %llah! it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far5off place. 55;;7%l5HaEE7?6

6=. * mankind9 % similitude is coined! so pay ye heed to it7 +o9 those on whom ye call beside %llah will never create a fly though they combine together for the purpose. %nd if the fly took something from them! they could not rescue it from it. 3o weak are 0both1 the seeker and the sought9 M;;7%l5HaEE78? 68. %llah hath not chosen any son! nor is there any god alongwith Him2 else would each god have assuredly championed that which he created! and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be %llah above all that they allege. )nower of the invisible and the visible9 and exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners 0unto Him19 M;?7%l&MuLminun7>65>; 6C. We have enEoined on man kindness to parents2 but if they strive to make thee Eoin with Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! then obey them not. :nto Me is your return and $ shall tell you what ye used to do. M;>7%l5L%nkabut7C 6>. 3ay7 Have ye seen your partner&gods to whom ye pray beside %llah? 3how me what they created of the earth9 *r have they any portion in the heavens? *r have We given them a 3cripture so that they act on clear proof therefrom? 4ay! the evil&doers promise one another only to deceive. M?<7%l5,atir7AB ;B. 3ay 0unto them! B Muhammad17 Have ye thought on all that ye invoke beside %llah? 3how me what they have created of the earth. *r have they any portion in the heavens? "ring me a 3cripture before this 03cripture1! or some vestige of knowledge 0in support of what ye say1! if ye are truthful. %nd who is further astray than those who! instead of %llah! pray unto such as hear not their prayer until the .ay of @esurrection! and are unconscious of their prayer. MA=7%l5%h af7A&<
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7 God Neither Begets Nor Was Begotten

God! the %lmighty +ord of the cosmos has neither parents! nor any consort or spouse! nor any son! nor any daughter. $n other words! He was not begotton nor He begets. The 'ur#an condemns those! in very harsh words! who ascribe sons and daughters to the %lmighty. The 'ur#an has turned down straight away not only the suggestion of the pagan %rabs that God has daughters but has also reEected the claim of the /ews that -Jra is the son of %llah and the claim of the Fhristians that /esus is the son of God. The revealed book of $slam gives a detailed account how Mary! the mother of /esus! conceived! how she withdrew from the people to a far place and how the baby /esus spoke to the /ews to reEect their false allegations against the chastity of his mother. The 'ur#an has likened /esus to %dam. %dam was born without father and mother whereas /esus was born without father. $f %lmighty %llah created %dam without both parents why He could not create /esus without father? When %lmighty intends to do a thing! He says7 "e! and it is9 3o the birth of /esus without a biological father should neither cause /ewish allegations of unchastity against Mary nor it should lend support to Fhristian claim that /esus was son of God. "oth these utterances are a great coloumny and a blasphemous utterance. $n the following verses the Holy 'ur#an elaborates its view point on the absolute unity of God and turns down the allegations of those who attribute sons and daughters unto Him7

+o9 the likeness of /esus with %llah .is as the likeness of %dam. He created him of dust! then He said unto him7 "e9 and he is! M?7%l&$mran7<> Det they ascribe as partners unto Him the Einn! although He did create them! and impute falsely! without knowledge! sons and daughters! unto Him. Glorified be He and high exalted above 0all1 that they ascribe 0unto Him17 The *riginator of the heavens and the earth9 How can He have a child! when there is for Him no consort! when He created all things and is %ware of all things? M=7%l& %nLam76BB&6B6 %nd the /ews say 7-Jra is the son of %llah! and the Fhiristians say7The Messiah is the son of %llah! That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. %llah 0Himself1 fighteth against them. How perverse are they9 M>7%t&Taubah7?B They say7%llah hath taken 0unto Him1 a son&Glorified be He9 He hath no needs9 His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. De have no warrant for this. Tell ye concerning %llah that which ye know not. M6B7Dunus7=C %nd say7(raise be to %llah! Who hath not taken unto Himself a son! and Who hath no partner in the 3overeignty! nor hath He any protecting friend through dependence. %nd magnify Him with all magnificence. M68 7"ani $srael7666 %nd make mention Lof Mary in the 3cripture! when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking -ast! %nd had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her *ur spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. 3he said7 +o9 $ seek refuge in the "eneficent *ne from thee! if thou art God&fearing. He said2 $ am only a messenger of thy +ord! that $ may bestow on thee a faultless son. 3he said7 How can $ have a son when no mortal hath touched me! neither have $ been unchaste? He said73o 0it will be1. Thy +ord saith7 $t is easy for Me. %nd 0it will be1 that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from :s! and it is a thing ordained. %nd she conceived him! and she withdrew with him to a far place. %nd the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm&tree. 3he said7 *h! would that $ had died ere this and had become a thing of naught! forgotten9 Then 0one1 cried unto her from below her! saying7 Grieve not9 Thy +ord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee. %nd shake the trunk of the palm&tree toward thee! thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. 3o eat and drink and be consoled. %nd if thou meetest any mortal! say7+o9 $ have vowed a fast unto the "eneficent! and may not speak this day to any mortal. Then she brought him to her own folk! carrying him. They said7* Mary9 Thou hast come with an amaJing thing. * sister of %aron9 Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. Then she pointed to him. They said7How can we talk to one who is in the cradle! a young boy? He spake7+o9 $ am the slave of %llah. He hath given me the 3cripture and hath appointed me a (rophet! %nd hath made me blessed wheresoever $ may be! and hath enEoined upon me prayer and alms 5 giving so long as $ remain alive! %nd 0hath made me1 dutiful toward her who bore me! and hath not made me arrogant! unblest. (eace on me the day $ was born! and the day $ die! and the day $ shall be raised alive9 3uch was /esus! son of Mary70this is1 a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. $t befitteth not 0the MaEesty of1 %llah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him9 When He

decreeth a thing! He saith unto it only7 "e9 and it is. %nd lo9 %llah is my +ord and your +ord. 3o serve Him. That is the right path. M6>7Maryam76=5?< %nd they say7 The "eneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. %ssuredly ye utter a disastrous thing. Whereby almost the heavens are torn! and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall in ruins7 That ye ascribe unto the "eneficent a son9 When it is not meet for 0the MaEesty of1 the "eneficent that He should choose a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the "eneficent as a slave6. M6>7Maryam7CC5>? %nd they say7The "eneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. "e He glorified9 4ay! but 0those whom they call sons1 are honoured slaves.M;67%l5%nbiya7;= He unto Whom belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth! He hath chosen no son nor hath He any partner in the sovereignty. He hath created everything and hath meted out for it a measure. M;<7%l&,ur an7; 4ow ask them 0B Muhammad17Hath thy +ord daughters whereasL they have sons? *r created We the angels females while they were present? +o9 it is of their falsehood that they say7 %llah hath begotten. %nd lo9 verily they tell a lie. M?87%s&3affat76A>&6<; 3ay7He is %llah the *ne9 %llah! the eternally "esought of all9 He begetteth not nor was begotten. %nd there is none comparable unto Him. M66;7%l5$khlas765A
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8 Gods Signs
God is invisible. 4one has seen Him. He is recogniJed by the signs which one sees around him in the universe! in the nature! in the creation of various things! in the functioning of different natural actors! and above all in himself. The Holy "ook of $slam particularly presents the following as signs of God to those who have understanding7creation of the heavens and the earth2 all that has been created in the heavens and the earth2 placing of hills and flowing streams in the earth2 difference of night and day2 the rain 5 water which revives the dead earth and causes production of fruits! corn! gardens! plants! as food for humans and animals2 winds and clouds2 the ships which run upon the sea2 creation of fruits! plants animals and humans in pairs2 creation of the sun! the moon and the stars2 how the shadows of the things created by God incline to the right and the left making prostration to Him2 rain! lightening! thunder! hail2 creation of human being of dust2 difference of languages and colours2 night made for rest and sleep! day for work and seeking of God#s bounty2 creation of beasts and animals2 uickening of dead2 etc! etc. ,ollowing Gerses of the Holy 'ur#an point out some of the signs of God and invite the

people to meditate and reflect7 +o9 in the creation of the heavens and the earth! and the difference of night and day! and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men! and the water which %llah sendeth down from the sky! thereby reviving the earth after its death !and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein! and 0in1 the ordinance of the winds! and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth7are signs 0of %llah#s sovereignty1 for people who have sense. 55;7%l5"a arah76=A +o9 $n the creation of the heavens and the earth and 0in1 the difference of night and day are tokens of His sovereignty for men of understanding. 55?7%l5$mran76>B +o9 in the difference of day and night and all that %llah hath created in the heavens and the earth are portents verily! for folk who ward off 0evil1. 556B7Dunus7= %nd He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams! and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses 0male and female1. He covereth the night with the day. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who take tought. %nd in the earth are neighbouring tracts! vineyards and ploughed lands! and date& palms! like and unlike! which are watered with one water. %nd We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who have sense. 556?7%r5@a#d7?5A Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you! and the olive and the date&palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. +o9 herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect. %nd He hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you! and the stars are made subservient by His command. +o9 herein indeed are portents for people who have sense. %nd whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues! lo9 therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed. 556=7%n54ahl76656? Have they not observed all things that %llah hath created! how their shadows incline to the right and to the left! making prostration unto %llah! and they are lowly? %nd unto %llah maketh prostration whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth of living creatures! and the angels 0also1! and they are not proud. 55 6=7%n54ahl7AC5A> Hast thou not seen how %llah wafteth the clouds! then gathereth them! then maketh them layers! and thou seest the rain come forth from between them2 He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail! and smiteth therewith whom He will! and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight. %llah causeth the revolution of the day and the night. +o9 herein is indeed a lesson for those who see. 55;A7%n54ur7A?5AA Hast thou not seen how thy +ord hath spread the shade 5 %nd if He willed He could have made it still&then We have made the sun its pilot2 Then We withdraw it unto :s! a gradual withdrawal? %nd He it is Who maketh night a covering for you! and sleep repose! and maketh

day a resurrection. %nd He it is Who sendeth the winds! glad tiding heralding His mercy! and We send down purifying water from the sky. That We may give life thereby to a dead land! and We give many beasts and men that We have created to drink thereof. 55;<7%l5,ur an7A<5A> Have they not seen the earth! how much of every fruitful kind We made to grow therein? +o9 herein is indeed a portent2 yet most of them are not believers. 55;=7%sh5 3hu#ara#785C %nd of His signs is this7He created you of dust! and behold you human beings! ranging widely9 %nd of His signs is this7He created for you helpmates from yourselves that ye might find rest in them! and He ordained between you love and mercy. +o! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect. %nd of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth! and the difference of your languages and colours. +o9 herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge. %nd of His signs is this7He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope! and sendeth down water from the sky! and thereby uickeneth the earth after her death. +o9 herein indeed are portents for folk who understand. %nd of His signs is this7The heavens and the earth stand fast by His command! and afterward! when He calleth you! lo9 from the earth ye will emerge. 55?B7%r5@um7;B5;< $s it not a guidance for them 0to observe1 how many generations We destroyed before them! amid whose dwelling 5 places they do walk? +o! therein verily are portents9 Will they not then heed? Have they not seen how we lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat! and they themselves? Will they not then see? 55?;7%s53aEdah7;=5;8 % token unto them is the dead earth. We revive it! and We bring forth from it grain so that they eat thereof2 %nd We have placed therein gardens of the date&palm and grapes! and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein! that they may eat of the fruit thereof! and their hands made it not. Will they not! then! give thanks? Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs! of that which the earth groweth! and of themselves! and of that which they know not9 % token unto them is night. We strip it of the day! and lo9 they are in darkness. %nd the sun runneth on unto a resting&place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty! the Wise. %nd for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shriveled palm&leaf. $t is not for the sun to overtake the moon! nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit. %nd a token unto them is that We bear their offspring in the laden ship! %nd have created for them of the like thereof whereon they ride. 55?=7Da5 3in7??5A;

%nd of His portents are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. %dore not the sun nor the moon2 but adore %llah who created them! if it is in truth Him whom ye worship. "ut if they are too proud&still those who are with thy +ord glorify Him night and day! and tire not. %nd of His portents 0is this12 that thou seest the earth lowly! but when we send down water thereon it thrilleth and groweth. +o9 He who uickeneth it is verily the 'uickener of the dead. +o9 He is %ble to do all things. 55A67Ha Mim %s5 3aEdah7?85?> %nd of His portents is the creation of the heaven and the earth! and of whatever beasts He hath dispersed therein. %nd He is %ble to gather them when He will. whatever of misfortune striketh you! it is what your right hands have earned. %nd He forgiveth much. De cannot escape in the earth! for beside %llah ye have no protecting friend nor any helper. %nd of His portents are the ships! like banners on the sea2 $f He will He calmeth the wind so that they keep still upon its surface5lo9 herein verily are signs for every steadfast grateful 0heart1. 55A;7%sh53hura7;>5?? +o9 in the heavens and the earth are portents for believers. %nd in your creation! and all the beasts that He scattereth in the earth! are portents for a folk whose faith is sure. %nd the difference of night and day and the provision that %llah sendeth down from the sky and thereby uickeneth the earth after her death! and the ordering of the winds! are portents for a people who have sense. These are the portents of %llah which We recite unto thee 0Muhammad1 with truth. Then in what fact! after %llah and His portents! will they believe? 55A<7%l5 /athiyah7?5= Will they not regard the camels! how they are created? %nd the heaven! how it is raised? %nd the hills! how they are set up? %nd the earth! how it is spread? 55CC7%l5Ghashiyah7685;B
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9 Can a Mortal See God?

4o mortal human being 5 neither ordinary one nor even the blessed one like a prophet 5 can see God! since human vision cannot comprehend Him. -ye&sight cannot see God as eye&sight is limited while God is unlimited. The obEect of sight is something in space and form but God is above such things. The 'ur#an tells us that when God spoke to (rophet Moses on Mount 3inai! Moses expressed his desire to see the %lmighty! but he could not. When God revealed His Glory to the mountain crashing it down! Moses feel down in a swoon. The followers of Moses also insisted that Moses should show them God! but lightening seiJed them and they fell lifeless. (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1 saw %ngel Gabriel twice or thrice in his lifetime but he never saw God! neither during his ascension

0MairaE1 to heaven nor on any other occasion. %lthough some of the (rophet#s companions claim that (rophet had seen God! but many of them and his wife %yesha report that Muhammad 0(":H1 never saw God. When (rophet himself was asked this uestion! he replied7God is light how can $ see Him? %ccording to the 'ur#an! vision of God for a human in this world is not possible! but in the next world God would reveal Himself before all the human beings on the .ay of /udgment. The believers who enter paradise would have vision of %llah more often. ,ollowing are the verses of the 'ur#an which bring to light this fact that no mortal eye can see God. %nd when ye said7* Moses9 We will not believe in thee till we see %llah plainly2 and even while ye gaJed the lighting seiJed you. Then We revived you after your extinction! that ye might give thanks! 55;7%l5"a arah7?5= Gision comprehendeth Him not! but He comprehendeth 0all1 vision. He is the 3ubtile! the %ware. 55=7%l5%n#am76B? %nd when Moses came to *ur appointed tryst and his +ord had spoken unto him! he said7My +ord9 3how me 0Thy self1! that $ may gaJe upon Thee. He said7Thou wilt not see me! but gaJe upon the mountain9 $f it stand still in its place! then thou wilt see Me. %nd when his +ord revealed 0His1 glory to the mountain He sent it crashing down. %nd Moses fell down senseless. %nd when he woke he said7Glory unto Thee9 $ turn unto Thee repentant! and $ am the first of 0true1 believers. 5587%l5%#raf76A? %nd it was not 0vouchsafed1 to any mortal that %llah should speak to him unless 0it be1 by revelation or from behind a veil! or 0that1 He sendeth a messenger to reveal what He will by His leave. +o9 He is -xalted! Wise. 55A;7%sh53hura7<6 There they have all that they desire! and there is more with :s. 55<B7'af7?< ,ollowing %hadith of (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1 clearly tell us that everyone will see the face of God who enters in (aradise7 3ohaib reported from the holy (rophet who said7When the inmates of (aradise will enter (aradise! the %lmighty %llah will say7Dou are wishing a thing which may increase for you. They will say7Hast Thou not made our faces shining? Hast Thou not admitted us in (aradise and saved us from the ,ire? He said7Then the screen will be lifted up and they will see the face of the almighty %llah. 4othing will be more pleasing to them than the look towards their +ord. Than he recited7,or those who do good! there is good 0reward1! and more. (Muslim) %bu @aJin al&: aili reported7$ asked7* Mssenger! of %llah9 Will everygody of us see on the @esurrection .ay his +ord in His open form? QDes# he replied. $ asked7%nd what is the sign of that in His creation? He said7* %bu @aJin is it not that everyone of you sees the moon in the full moon&lit night in its naked form? He said7Des. He said7Gerily it is a creation of the creations of %llah! and %llah is the Most -xalted and the Mightiest. (Abu Daud) %bu Parr reported7$ asked the %postle of %llah7Have you seen your +ord? He replied7

0He is1 +ight. How could $ have seen Him? (Muslim) 3hu#bi reported that $bn %bbas met )a#ab at %rafat and asked him about a thing. He recited takbir till the mountains were resounded with it. $bn %bbas said7QWe are the descendants of Hashim. )a#ab said7Gerily the %lmighty %llah divided His sight and His talk between Muhammad and Moses. Twice and Muhammad saw Him twice. Masru reported7$ went to %yesha and asked7.id Muhammad see his +ord? 3he said7Dou have talked about a thing for which my hairs stand on end. $ said7Talk slowly. Then $ read7He has indeed seen of the greatest signs of his +ord. <?76C'. 3he said7May the eye be lost to you9 He was Gabriel. Who has informed you that Muhammad saw his +ord or concealed something of which he was ordered or knew the five things of which the %lmighty %llah said7Gerily %llah has got knowledge of the Hour and He sends down rain 5 ?67?A'? He has made the great. "ut he saw Gabriel. He did not see him in his form but twice! once near the farthest lot&tree and once in his best form with six hundred wings covering the horiJon. TirmiJi narrated it. %nd the two 3heikhs narrated with addition and difference. %nd in their narration! he said7$ asked %yesha7Where is His saying 5 then he drew near! then he drew nearer. 3o he was of the measure of two bows or closer still 5 0<?7C>'1? 3he said7He was Gabriel 0peace be on him1 who used to come to him in the form of a man! and he came to him this time in his form which is his 0real1 form and closed up the horiJon.
[1] Thi ver e i called a IAayat%ul%Cur iJ. *t ummariKe in a very +eautiful way the Lur.anic concept of =od. *t provide a vivid de cription of =od. @nene , Hi eternal e8i tence, Hi Aominion and Hi knowledge. According to a tradition of Mrophet ?uhammad ,MBGH-, thi i the +e t ver e of the Holy Lur.an. [#] According to ?uhammad A ad$IThe term latif denote omething that i e8tremely u+tle in &uality, and, therefore, intangi+le and unfathoma+le. !henever thi term occur in the LurDan with reference to =od in con<unction%with the ad<ective kha+ir ,Iall%AwareJ-, it i invaria+ly u ed to e8pre the idea of Hi in%acce i+ility to human perception, imagination or comprehen ion a contra ted with Hi @wn all%awarene J. [1] ?uhammad A ad write $I*n the a+ove conte8t it allude to the impo i+ility of defining =od even +y mean of a metaphor or a para+le % for, ince Ithere i nothing like unto HimJ ,0#$11-, there i al o Inothing that could +e compared with HimJ ,11#$0-. Hence, the para+le of Ithe light of =odJ i not meantD to e8pre Hi reality % which i inconceiva+le to any created +eing and, therefore, ine8pre i+le in any human language % +ut only to allude to the illumination which He, who i the Gltimate Truth, +e tow upon the mind and the feeling of all who are willing to +e guided. Ta+ari, Baghawi and *+n kathir &uote *+n A++a and *+n ?a Dud a aying in thi conte8t$I*t i the para+le of Hi light in the heart of a +elieverJ. According to A+u.1 ADla ?aududi$ I*n thi para+le. Allah ha +een likened to the )amp and the univer e to the ;iche. The gla hade i the veil +ehind which Allah ha concealed Him elf from Hi creation. Thi veil i not a phy ical veil for concealment, +ut a veil cau ed +y the inten ity of Aivine manife tation. The human eye i una+le to ee Him not +ecau e of the intervening darkne +ut +ecau e of the inten ity of the all%pervading, all%em+racing )ight radiating through the tran parent veil. The human vi ion which i limited in nature cannot comprehend it. *t can only comprehend and perceive limited phy ical light which vary in +rightne , which di appear and reappear, and which can +e perceived only +y contra t to e8i ting darkne . But the DA+ olute )ightD ha no confronting darkne $ it doe not vani h, it hine forth and pervade all around with ever%e8i ting glory> it i +eyond human perception and comprehen ion.J IA for the lamp which i lit with the oil of a +le ed olive tree, which i neither ea tern nor

we ternJ, thi i a metaphor to give an idea of the perfect light of the lamp and it +rilliance. *n anti&uity the ource for +rilliant light were the olive lamp , and the mo t uperior oil for the purpo e wa that o+tained from a tree tanding in an open and elevated place. The epithet of )amp for Allah in the para+le doe not mean that Allah i deriving Hi energy from ome e8ternal ource. *t only mean that the )amp of the para+le i not an ordinary lamp +ut the mo t +rilliant lamp that can +e imagined. Nu t a a +rilliant lamp illuminate the whole hou e, o ha Allah illuminated the whole univer e.J [0] ?uhammad A ad e8plain it thu $IThe phra e, Ithere i nothing like unto HimJ implie that He i fundamentally " and not merely in Hi attri+ute " IdifferentJ from anything that e8i t or could e8i t, or anything that man can conceive or imagine or define> and ince Ithere i nothing that could +e compared with HimJ ,11#$0-, even the IhowJ of Hi +eing IdifferentJ from everything el e i +eyond the categorie of human thoughtJ. [6] 78plaining the word A %3amad, ?uhammad A ad write $ IThi rendering give no more than an appro8imate meaning of the term a amad, which occur in the Lur.an only once, and i applied to =od alone. *t compri e the concept of Mrimary Bau e and eternal independent Being, com+ined with the idea that everything e8i ting or conceiva+le goe +ack to Him a it ource and i , therefore, dependent on Him for it +eginning a well a for it continued e8i tence.J !hile commenting on the la t ver e of thi 3urah, ?ohammad A ad write $ IThe fact that =od i one and uni&ue in every re pect, without +eginning and without end, ha it logical correlate in the tatement that Ithere i nothing that could +e compared with HimJ " thu precluding any po i+ility of de cri+ing or defining Him. Bon e&uently, the &uality of Hi Being i +eyond the range of human comprehen ion or imagination$ which al o e8plain why any attempt at IdepictingJ =od +y mean of figurative repre entation or even a+ tract ym+ol mu t +e &ualified a a +la phemou denial of the truthJ. [/] According to A+ul ADla ?aududi$ I*t mean $ IThough you cannot % ee ?e and feel ?e with your en e , you mu t never imagine that * am far from you. ;ay, * am o near to every ervant of ?ine that he can invoke ?e and place hi re&ue t +efore ?e wherever he may +e. 3o much o that * hear and an wer even tho e re&ue t which are not e8pre ed in word +ut are made only in the innermo t heart. A to the fal e and impotent god you have created in your ignorance and folly, you have to go to them, and even then they do not hear and an wer you. But here am *, the 3overeign, the a+ olute 9uler of the +oundle univer e and Mo e or of a11 the power and authority, o near to hear and an wer you that you need no recommendation or interce ion for making any re&ue t anywhere and any time you like. Therefore, you hould free your elve from the folly of running from door to door after fal e god , and accept ?y invitation and turn to ?e and tru t in ?e and u+mit to ?e and +ecome ?y ervant .J [:] According to ?uhammad A ad$ IAll. ?u lim commentator , cla ical and modern, are unanimou ly of the opinion that it metaphorical u e in the LurDan i meant to e8pre =odD a+ olute way over all Hi creation. *t i noteworthy that in all the even in tance where =od i poken of *n the LurDan a Ie ta+li hed on the throne of Hi almightine J ,:$60 12$1, 11$#, #2$6, #6$6(, 1#$0, and 6:$0-, thi e8pre ion i connected with a declaration of Hi having created the univer eJ. ['] ?uhammad A ad e8plain it thu $ IThe ym+olic reference to Ithe throne of Hi almightine re ting upon waterJ would eem to point to the =od%!illed evolution of all life out of water % a fact clearly +rought out +y the LurDan and in modern time confirmed +y +iological re earch.J 1 According to ?uhammad A ad$ IThe idea that =od might have a I onJ % either in the real or in the metaphorical en e of thi term % would pre uppo e a degree of innate likene +etween Ithe fatherJ and Ithe onJ$ +ut =od i in every re pect uni&ue, o that Ithere i nothing like unto HimJ ,0#$11- and Inothing that could +e compared with HimJ ,11#$0-. ?oreover, the concept of IprogenyJ implie an organic continuation of the progenitor, or of part of him, in another +eing and, therefore, pre uppo e a degree of incompletene +efore the act of procreation ,or incarnation, if the term I on hipJ i u ed metaphorically-$ and the idea of incompletene , in whatever en e, negate the very concept of =od. But even if the idea of I on hipJ i meant to e8pre no more than one of the different Ia pect J of the @ne Aeity ,a i claimed in the

Bhri tian dogma of the ITrinityJ-, %it i de cri+ed in the LurDan +la phemou ina much a it amount to an attempt at defining Him who i I u+limely e8alted a+ove anything that men may devi e +y way of definitionJ , ee la t entence of ,/$122-.J

1 Gods Names and Attri !tes

The proper 4ame of %lmighty God is %llah Who has other ninety nine attributive names which all have been mentioned in the 'ur#an! the revealed book of $slam. The word %llah is the %rabic name of God and it consists of two words7 H%lI and H$lahI. The first one is the definite article! while the second one means Hthe being who is worshippedI. When these two words were Eoined the letter HiI at the beginning of the second word was dropped for easier pronunciation and thereby the two words became inseparable merging into one word H%llahI. Thus H%llahI means HThe GodI! i.e.! Hthe supreme being who is worshipped by all creatures and to whom all turn and pray for fulfillment of their needs.I The 4inety&4ine %ttributive 4ames of %llah denote %ttributes of the %lmighty. ,or example! God#s 4ame %r&@ahman means the most compassionate as in showing mercy God does not distinguish between pious and sinners. %l&)hali is another name of God which denotes the attribute of creation which basically belongs to God. %r&@aJi means the Q(rovider# and it denotes %llah#s attribute of providing sustenance to all His creatures. Thus each name of the %lmighty highlights each or sometimes more of His attributes. %lthough memoriJing all these 4ames of God is not discouraged but the greatest merit lies in that if the attributes contained in these names are followed instead of repeating the names on a rosary like a parrot. The (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1 is reported to have said7 H$mbue thyself with divine attributesI. God is %r&@ahim 0the most Merciful1! so a human being should also show mercy to his fellow beings. 3imilarly God is Ghafoor 0the most forgiving1 so a believer should also follow this divine attribute and forgive the faults of his fellows. *ne of the 4ames of God is the greatest 0called $sm&e&%Jim1 but nobody knows which it is and where to find it. There exists a great difference of opinion among the Eurists and scholars about the greatest name of %llah. %ccording to a tradition of the (rophet of $slam! the greatest name of %llah is in these two verses7 verse no. 6=? of the 'ur#an#s chapter ; and verse no ; of its chapter ?. HafiJ $bn&e&HaEr %s alani! great Muslim scholar and commentator of the Holy 'ur#an! in his book ,athul& "ari! has statedly drawn up a list of the verses wherein all the names of %llah are found. Generally following verses are identified to contain the >> %ttributive names of God. 6 06&?12 ;066<! 6;=! 6;C! 6<C! 6=?! ;<<! ;=?12 ?0;! C! =;12 A06! A?! A<! C<! C=12 =06A! 6C! =<! 8A! 6B;! 6BA! 66<12 660<8! =6! 8?12 6;0;6! ?>! =A12 6?0>! ;?12 6=08B! >612 680AA! =<! 66B12 6C066B12 6>0A812 ;B06A! C;12 ;6066;12 ;;06812 ;A0;B! ;<! ?<12 ;<0?B! ?612 ;8 0>! AB12 ;C0<C12 ?B0<;12 ?;0;;12 ?A0;=12 ?=0C612 ?C0=<12 ?>0?=12 AB0?! 6<! ;B! ;;12 A;06>! ;C12 <60<C12 <;0;C12 <A0<<12 <80?12 <>0;;! ;A12 C<06A12 C80612 >=0?12 66;06&;12 ,ollowing are >> %ttributive 4ames of the %lmighty7

0 %@&@%HM%4 6 The "eneficent 1 0 %+&M%+$) ? The 3overeign +ord 1 0 %3&3%+%M < The 3ource of (eace 1 0 %+&M:H%DM$4 8

0; 1 0A 1 0= 1 0C

%@&@%H$M The Merciful %+&':..:3 The Holy %+&M:M$4 The Guardian of ,aith %+&Q%P$P

The (rotector

1 06 B1 06 ;1

The Mighty %+&M:T%)%""$@ The MaEestic %+&"%@$ The -volver

0 %+&/%""%@ > The Fompeller 1 0 %3&)H%+$' 6 The Freator 6 1 0 %+&M:3%WW$@ 6 The ,ashioner ? 1 0 %+&'%HH%@ 6 The 3ubduer < 1 0 %@&@%PP%' 6 The (rovider 8 1 0 %+&Q%+$M 6 The %ll&knowing > 1 0 %+&"%3$T ; The -xpander 6 1 0 %@&@%,$# ; The -xalter ? 1 0 %+&M:P$++ ; The .ishonorer < 1 0 %+&"%3$@ ; The %ll&3eeing 8

06 A1

%+&GH%,,%@ The ,orgiver

06 =1

%+&W%HH%" The "estower

06 C1

%+&,%TT%H The *pener

0; B1

%l&'%"$. The Fonstrictor

0; ;1

%+&)H%,$. The %baser

0; A1

%+&M:#$PP The Honorer

0; =1

%3&3%M$ The %ll&Hearing

0; C1

%+&H%)%M The /udge

1 0 %+&Q%.+ ; The /ust > 1 0 %+&)H%"$@ ? The %ware 6 1 0 %l&Q%P$M ? The Great *ne ? 1 0 %3H&3H%):@ ? The %ppreciative < 1 0 %+&)%"$@ ? The Most Great 8 1 0 %+&M:'$T ? The Maintainer > 1 0 %+&/%+$+ A The 3ublime *ne 6 1 0 %@&@%$" A The Watchful ? 1 0 %+&W%3$# A The %ll5-mbracing < 1 0 %l&W%.:. A 0? B1 %+&+%T$, The 3ubtle *ne

0? ;1

%+&H%+$M The ,orbearing *ne

0? A1

%+&GH%,:@ The %ll&,orgiving

0? =1

%+&Q%+$ The Most High

0? C1

%+&H%,$P The (reserver

0A B1

%+&H%3$" The @eckoner

0A ;1

%+&)%@$M The Generous *ne

0A A1

%+&M:/$" The @esponsive

0A =1

%+&H%)$M The Wise

0A

%+&M%/$. The Most Glorious

8 The +oving 1 0 %l&"%#$TH A The @esurrector > 1 0 %+&H%'' < The Truth 6 1 0 %+&'%W$ < The Most 3trong ? 1 0 %+&W%+$ < The (rotecting ,riend < 1 0 %+&M:H3$ < The @eckoner 8 1 0 %+&M:#$. < The @estorer > 1 0 %+&M:M$T = The Freator of .eath 6 1 0 %+&'%DD:M = The 3elf&3ubsisting ? 1 0 %+&M%/$. = The 4oble < 1 0 %+&%H%.

C1 0< B1

*ne %3H&3H%H$. The Witness

0< ;1

%+&W%)$+ The Trustee

0< A1

%+&M%T$4 The ,irm *ne

0< =1

%+&H%M$. The (raiseworthy

0< C1

%+&M:".$ The *riginator

0= B1

%+&M:HD$ The Giver of +ife

0= ;1

%+&H%DD The %live

0= A1

%+&W%/$. The ,inder

0= =1

%+&W%H$. The :ni ue

0=

%3&3%M%.

= The *ne 8 1 0 %+&'%.$@ = The %ble > 1 0 %+&M:'%..$M 8 The -xpediter 6 1 0 %+&%WW%+ 8 The ,irst ? 1 0 %P&P%H$@ 8 The Manifest < 1 0 %+&W%+$ 8 The Governor 8 1 0 %+&"%@@ 8 The 3ource of %ll > Goodness 1 0 %+&M:4T%'$M C The %venger 6 1 0 %@&@%#:, C The Fompassionate ? 1 0 C < 1 .H:+&/%+%+&W%+& $)@%M The +ord of MaEesty and "ounty

C1

The -ternal

08 B1

%+&M:'T%.$@ The (owerful

08 ;1

%+&M:#%)H)H$@ The .elayer

08 A1

%+&%)H$@ The +ast

08 =1

%+&"%T$4 The Hidden

08 C1

%+&M:T%#%+$ The Most -xalted

0C B1

%T&T%WW%" The %cceptor of @epentance %+&Q%,:W The (ardoner

0C ;1

0C A1

M%+$)&:+&M:+) The -ternal *wner of 3overeignty %+&M:'3$T The - uitable

0C =1

0 %+&/%MC The Gatherer 8 1 0 %l&M:GH4$ C The -nricher > 1 0 %.&.%@@ > The .istresser 6 1 0 %4&4:@ > The +ight ? 1 0 %+&"%.$ > The $ncomparable < 1 0 %+&W%@$TH > The 3upreme $nheritor 8 1 0 %3&3%":@ > The (atient > 1

0C C1

%+&GH%4$ The 3elf&3ufficient

0> B1

%+&M%4$ The (reventer

0> ;1

%4&4%,$ The (ropitious

0> A1

%+&H%.$ The Guide

0> =1

%+&"%'$ The -verlasting

0> C1

%@&@%3H$. The Guide to the @ight (ath

,ollowing are some of the Gerses of the 'ur#an which contain %llah#s 4ames and also call upon the believers to invoke %llah with these names so that their prayers be accepted7

6. (raise be to %llah! +ord The "eneficent! the *wner of the .ay of /udgment! 5567 %+5,atihah7 6&?

of

the World! Merciful.

;. He is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven! and fashioned it as seven heavens. %nd He is knower of all things. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;> ?. :nto %llah belong the -ast and the West! and whithersoever ye turn! there is %llah#s countenance. +o9 %llah is %ll&-mbracing! %ll&knowing. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 66< A. %llah9 There is no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal. 4either slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. :nto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which

is in front of them and that which is behind them. While they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth! and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the 3ublime! the Tremendous. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;<< <. %llah9 There is no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal. 55?7 %l5$mran7 ; =. +o9 This verily $s the true narrative. There is no God save %llah! and lo9 %llah is the Mighty! the Wise. 55?7 %l5$mran7 =; 8. He selecteth for His mercy whom He will. %llah is of infinite bounty. 55?7 %l5$mran7 8A C. "ut %llah is your protector! and He is the best of helpers. 55?7 %l5$mran7 6<B >. Will they not rather turn unto %llah and seek forgiveness of Him? ,or %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55<7 %l5Ma#idah7 8A 6B. He is the *mnipotent over His slaves! and He is the Wise! the )nower. 55=7 %l5 %n#am7 6C 66. %llah#s are the fairest names. $nvoke Him by them. %nd leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be re uited for what they do. 5587 %l5%#raf7 6CB 6;. %nnounce! 0* Muhammad1 unto My slaves that verily $ am the ,orgiving! the Merciful. 556<7 %l5HiEr7 A> 6?. 3ay 0unto mankind17 Fry unto %llah! or cry unto the "eneficent! unto whichsoever ye cry 0it is the same1. His are the most beautiful names. %nd thou 0Muhammad1! be not loud voiced in thy worship not yet silent therein! but follow a way between. 55687 "ani $sra#il7 66B 6A. 3ay7 Though the sea became ink for the Words of my +ord! verily the sea would be used un before the Words of my +ord were exhausted! even though We brought the like thereof to help. 556C7 %l5)ahf7 6B> 6<. %llah9 There is no God save Him. His are the most beautiful names. 55;B7 Ta Ha7 C 6=. %llah is the +ight of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. 0This lamp is1 kindled from a blessed tree! an olive neither of the -ast nor of the West! whose oil would almost glow forth 0of itself1 though no fire touched it. +ight upon light. %llah guideth unto His light whom He will. %nd %llah speaketh to mankind in allegories! for %llah is knower of all things. 55;A7 %n54ur7 ?< 68. %nd cry not unto any other god along with %llah. There is no God save Him. -verything will perish save His countenance. His is the command! and unto Him ye will be brought back. 55;C7 %l5'asas7 CC 6C. %nd if all the trees in the earth were pens! and the sea! with seven more seas to help it! 0were ink1! the words of %llah could not be exhausted. +o9 %llah is Mighty! Wise. 55?67 +u man7 ;8

6>. 3ay7 *ur +ord will bring us all together! then He will Eudge between us with truth. He is the %ll&knowing Eudge. 55?A7 3aba7 ;= ;B. * mankind9 De are the poor in your relation to %llah. %nd %llah9 He is the %bsolute! the *wner of (raise. 55?<7 %l5,atir7 6< ;6. The ,orgiver of sin! the %ccepter of repentance! The 3tern in punishment! The "ountiful. There is no God save Him. :nto Him is the Eourneying. 55AB7 %l5Mu#min7 ? ;;. +o9 %llah9 He it is that giveth livelihood! the +ord of unbreakable might. 55<67 %dh5 .hariyat7 ; ;?. "lessed be the name of thy +ord! Mighty and Glorious9 55<<7 %r5@ahman7 8C ;A. He is the ,irst and the +ast! and the *utward and the $nward2 and He is )nower of all things. 55<87 %l5Hadid7 ? ;<. He is %llah! than whom there is no other God! the knower of the invisible and visible. He is the "eneficent! the Merciful. He is %llah! than whom there is no other God! the 3overeign +ord! the Holy *ne! (eace! the )eeper of ,aith! the Guardian! the MaEestic! the Fompeller! the 3uperb. Glorified be %llah from all that they ascribe as partner 0unto Him1. He is %llah! the Freator! the 3haper out of naught! the ,ashioner. His are the most beautiful names. %ll that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him! and He is the Mighty! the Wise. 55<>7 %l5Hashr7 ;;&;A ;=. +o9 He it is Who produceth! then reproduceth! %nd He is the ,orgiving! the +oving! +ord of the Throne of Glory! .oer of what He will. 55C<7 %l5"uruE7 6?&6= ;8. 3ay7 He is %llah! the *ne9 %llah! the eternally "esought of all9 He "egetteth not nor was "egotten. %nd there is none comparable unto Him. 5566;7 %l5$khlas7 6&A
,ollowing are some of the %hadith of (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1! which call upon the believers to count %llah#s 4ames and beseech %llah with His 4ames. 6. %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 there are >> names 0one hundred but one1 for %llah. Whoso counts them will enter (aradise. %nd in a narration7 %nd He is one and loves what is single. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 ;. "oraidah reported that the %postle of %llah heard a man say7 Q* %llah9 $ beseech Thee as Thou art %llah. There is no deity but Thou! the *ne! ,ree from want! *ne who begets not nor was begotten! and there is no e ual like HimI. He said7 He has beseeched %llah with His greatest name. $f He is implored with it! He gives2 and if He is invoked with it! He responds. 0TirmiJi! %bu .aud1 ?. %sma#&bn&DeJid reported that the %postle of %llah said7 The greatest name of %llah is in these two verses7 H%nd your +ord is one God2 there is no deity but He2 the Most Fompassionate! the Most MercifulI 0;76=?1 and in the opening of the ,amily of $mran 5 H%lif! +am! Mim2 He is %llah2 there is no deity but He! the -ver&living! the -ternalI 0TirmiJi! %bu .aud! $bn MaEah! .arimi1

[Back to top of page]

" #he All $no%ing &Gods $no%ledge'

God has knowledge of everything! of whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth. He knows what you hide in your breasts or reveal it. He knows that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth. He knows what is in front of you and that which is behind you! while you encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. God knows your secrets and your utterances and He knows what you earn. $t is only God who knows what is in the land and in the sea. 4ot a leaf falls but He knows it! not a grain amid the darkness of the night! naught of wet or dry but it is noted in a clear record. God is the )nower of the invisible and the visible and He knows which every female bears. *nly He knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth and with Him are the keys of the invisible. %ccording to the 'ur#an! only God has the knowledge of the unseen. 4one of His creatures! no mortal nor even any messenger has knowledge of the unseen until and unless God gives him some of such knowledge. *nly He knows when the doomsday would come! He knows which is in the wombs. 4o soul knows what it will earn and in what land it will die. He knows which goes down into the earth and that which comes forth from it! and that which descends from the heaven and that which ascends into it. 4o female bears or brings forth! save with His knowledge. 4o secret conference of three takes place but He is their fourth! nor of five but He is their sixth! nor of less than that or more but he is with them. $n short! God#s knowledge of the seen and unseen! of visible and invisible! of past! present and future! of hidden and known! of everything in the earth or in the heavens! is perfect! total and absolute. *ut of His grace! He makes part of His knowledge available to His servants. %llah has granted man some knowledge ever since He intended to appoint man as vicegerent on earth. Man! however! allows himself to be daJJled by the limited knowledge which has been given to him and sometimes becomes so arrogant as to forget the existence of God who created the universe and bestowed many blessings on man. The following verses of the 'ur#an bring into focus God#s knowledge7 6. %llah9 There is no God save Him! the %live! The -ternal. 4either slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. :nto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them! while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His Throne includeth the heavens and the earth! and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the 3ublime! the Tremendous. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;<< ;. +o9 nothing in the earth or in the heavens is hidden from %llah. 55?7 %l5$mran7 < ?. 3ay! 0* Muhammad17 Whether ye hide that which is in your breasts or reveal it! %llah knoweth it. Her knoweth that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth! and %llah is %ble to do all things. 55?7 %l5$mran7 ;> A. He is %llah in the heavens and in the earth. He knoweth both your secret and your utterance! and He knoweth what ye earn. 55=7 %l5%n#am7 ? <. %nd with Him are the keys of the invisible. 4one but He knoweth them. %nd He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. 4ot a leaf falleth but He knoweth it! not a grain amid the darkness of the earth! naught of wet or dry but 0it is noted1 in a clear record. 55=7 %l5%n#am7 <> =. %llah )noweth that which every female beareth and that which the wombs absorb and that which they grow. %nd everything with Him is measured. He is the knower of the invisible and the visible! the Great! the High -xalted. %like of you is he who hideth the saying and he who noiseth it abroad! he who lurketh in the night and he who goeth freely in the daytime. 556?7 %r5@a#d7 C&6B 8. 3ay 0unto them! * Muhammad17 He Who knoweth the secret of the heavens and the earth hath revealed it. +o. He ever is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55;<7 %l5,ur an7 = C. * my dear son9 +o9 though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard&seed! and though it be in a rock! or

in the heavens! or in the earth! %llah will bring it forth. +o %llah is 3ubtile! %ware. 55?67 +u man7 6= >. +o9 %llah with Him is knowledge of the Hour. He sendeth down the rain! and knoweth that which is in the wombs. 4o soul )noweth what it will earn to&morrow! and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. +o9 %llah is )nower! %ware. 55?67 +u man7 ?A 6B. He )noweth that which goeth down into the earth and that which cometh forth from it! and that which descendeth from the heaven and that which ascendeth into it. He is the Merciful! the ,orgiving. 55?A7 3aba7 ; 66. %llah created you from dust! then from a little fluid then He made you pairs 0the male and female1. 4o female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. %nd no one groweth old who groweth old! nor is aught lessened of his life! but it is recorded in a "ook. +o9 that is easy for %llah. 55?<7 %l&,atir7 66 6;. +o9 %llah is the )nower of the :nseen of the Heavens and the earth. +o He is %ware of the secret of 0men#s1 breasts. 55?<7 %l&,atir7 ?C 6?. :nto Him is referred 0all1 knowledge of the Hour. %nd no fruits burst forth from their sheaths! and no female carrieth or bringeth forth but with His knowledge. %nd on the day when He calleth unto them7 Where are now My partners? They will say7 We confess unto Thee! not one of us is a witness 0for them1. 55 A67 Ha Mim %s&3aEdah7 A8 6A. Hast thou not seen that %llah knoweth all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. There is no secret conference of three but He is their fourth! nor of five but He is their sixth! nor of less than that or more but He is with them wheresoever they may be2 and afterward! on the .ay of @esurrection! He will inform them of what they did. +o9 %llah is )nower of all things. 55<C7 %l&MuEadilah7 8 6<. He is the )nower of the unseen! and He revealth unto none His secret! save unto every messenger whom He hath chosen! and then He maketh a guard to go before him and a guard behind him. 558;7 %l5 /inn7 ;=&;8 [Back to top of page]

( )i*ing+ ,ternal
%ccording to the 'ur#an! God is -ver5+iving or %live and -ternal. -ternal life is a life which neither starts nor ends at any point in time. 3uch life is absolutely above the concept of time which is always attached to the lives of creatures. +ives of creatures run for limited periods starting at one point in time and coming to end at other point in time. God is only one Who can be described as -ternal or -ver&living as no start or end in terms of time can be attributed to His life. The concept of -ternal life also refers to a self&sustaining life which is not derived from any outside source! and this concept also applies only to %llah as lives of creatures are not eternal because those are given to them by the creator. %ccording to the 'ur#an! everything will perish and pass away except the Fountenance of the %lmighty %llah. Thus speaks the 'ur#an about this attribute of God7 %llah9 There is no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal. 4either slumber nor sleep overtaketh HimKK 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;<< %llah9 There is 55?7 %l5$mran7 ; no God save Him! the %live! the -ternal.

%nd faces humble themselves before the +iving! the -ternal. %nd he who beareth 0a burden of1 wrongdoing is indeed a failure 0on that .ay1. 55;B7 Ta5Ha7 666 %nd trust thou in the +iving *ne Who dieth not! and Hymn His praise. He sufficeth as the )nower of His bondmen#s sins. 55;<7 %l5,ur an7 <C %nd cry not unto any other god along with %llah. There is no God save Him. -verything will perish

save His countenance. His is the command! and unto Him ye will be brought back. 55;C7 %l5'asas7 CC He is the +iving *ne. There is no God save Him. 3o pray unto Him! making religion pure for Him 0only1. (raise be to %llah! the +ord of the Worlds9 55AB7 %l5Mu#min7 =< -veryone that is thereon will pass away2 There remaineth but the countenance of thy +ord of Might and Glory. 55<<7 %r5@ahman7 ;=&;8 [Back to top of page]

- .el/er+ 0rote1tor
%ccording to the 'ur#an! %llah is the (rotector and He is the best of helpers. He is (rotecting ,riend of those who believe and He brings them out of darkness into light. $f God is your helper! none can overcome you. "ut if He withdraws His help! then none can help you. $ndeed %llah is the best (rotecting ,riend! a blessed (atron and blessed Helper. The Holy 'ur#an says7 %llah is the (rotecting ,riend of those who believe. He bringeth them out of darkness into light. %s for those who disbelieve! their patrons are false deities. They bring them out of light into darkness. 3uch are rightful owner of the ,ire. They will abide therein. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;<8 "ut %llah is your 55?7 %l5$mran7 6<B (rotector! and He is the best of helpers.

$f %llah is your helper none can overcome you! and if He withdraw His help from you! who is there who can help you? $n %llah let believers put their trust. 55?7 %l5$mran7 6=B %llah knoweth best 0who are1 your enemies. %llah is sufficient as a ,riend! and %llah is sufficient as a Helper. 55A7 %n54isa7 A< %nd if they would deceive thee! then lo9 %llah is sufficient for thee. He it is Who supporteth thee with His help and with the believers. %nd 0as for the believers1 hath attuned their hearts. $f thou hadst spent all that is in the earth thou couldst not have attuned their hearts! but %llah hath attuned them. +o9 He is Mighty! Wise. * (rophet9 %llah is sufficient for thee and those who follow thee of the believers. 55C7 %l5%nfal7 =;&=A KK 3o establish worship! pay the poor&due! and hold fast to %llah. He is your (rotecting ,riend. % blessed (atron and a blessed Helper. 55;;7 %l5HaEE7 8C +o9 We verily do help *ur messenger! and those who believe! in the life of the world and on the day when the witnesses arise! 55AB7 %l5Mu#min7 <6 Had %llah willed! He could have made them one community but %llah bringeth whom He will into His mercy. %nd the wrong&doers have no friend nor helper. *r have they chosen protecting friends besides Him? "ut %llah! He 0alone1 is the protecting ,riend. He uickeneth the dead! and He is %ble to do all things. 55A;7 %sh53hura7 C&> [Back to top of page]

5 #he Mer1i2!l
The 'ur#an tells us that God is the "eneficent and the Most Merciful. God is the most Merciful of all who show mercy. He has prescribed for Himself mercy. Who does evil and then repents and starts doing right! God forgives him and shows him His mercy. God is merciful to individuals as well as to nations. %ccording to traditions of (rophet Muhammad! God has written in a record that His mercy surpasses His wrath. God has one hundred mercies out of which He kept ninety&nine with Him and distributed only one among /inn! men and all animals. God is more affectionate to His servant than a mother is for her child.

The Holy 'ur#an says7 (raise be to %llah! +ord of the world! the "eneficent! the Merciful. 5567 %l5,atihah7 6&; Dour God is *ne God2 there is no God save Him! the "eneficent! the Merciful. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 6=? %nd when those who believe in *ur revelations come unto thee! say7 (eace be unto you9 Dour +ord hath prescribed for Himself mercy! that whoso of you doeth evil and repenteth afterward thereof and doeth right! 0for him1 lo9 %llah is ,or& giving! Merciful. 55=7 %l5%n#am7 <A Thy +ord is the %bsolute! the +ord of Mercy. $f He will! He can remove you and can cause what He will to follow after you! even as He raised you from the seed of other folk. 55=7 %l5%n#am7 6?A He said7 My +ord9 Have mercy on me and on my brother2 bring us into Thy mercy! Thou are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy. 5587 %l5%#raf7 6<6 %sk pardon of your +ord and then turn unto Him 0repentant1 +o9 My +ord is Merciful! +oving. 55667 Hud7 >B %nd /ob! when he cried unto his +ord! 0saying17 +o9 adversity afflicteth me! and Thou are Most Merciful of all who show mercy. Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered! and We gave him his household 0that he hadlost1 and the like thereof along with them! a mercy from *ur store! and a remembrance for the worshippers. 55;67 %l5%nbiya7 C?&CA +o9 There was a party of My slaves who said7 *ur +ord9 We believe! therefore forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art best of all who show mercy2 55;?7 %l5Muminun7 6B> %nd 0* Muhammad1 say7 My +ord9 ,orgive and have mercy! for Thou art best of all who show mercy. 55;?7 %l5Muminun7 66C %nd put thy 55;=7 %sh53huraa7 ;68 trust in the Mighty! the Merciful.

%bout God#s Mercy! the Traditions of (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1 are7 %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 When %llah created the creation! He wrote a record which is near Him above His Throne7 Gerily My mercy surpassed My wrath 0and in a narration7 prevailed upon my wrath1. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 There are for %llah one hundred mercies of which He sent down one mercy among Einn! men! beasts! birds and insects. They are therewith at amity with one another! therewith they show kindness to one another! therewith the animals show affection to their young ones2 and %llah kept in abeyance ninety nine mercies with which He will show mercy to His servants on the @esurrection .ay. %greed upon it. %nd in a narration of Muslim from 3alman! there is a similar report! and in its last he said7 When there will appear the @esurrection day! He will make it perfect with this mercy. %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 $f a believer could know how much of the punishment is near %llah! nobody would hope for His paradise2 and if a polytheist could know how much of mercy is near %llah! nobody would be despaired of His (aradise. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 *mar&al&)hattab reported7 Faptives came to the (rophet among whom was a woman whose breast was ooJing with milk. 3he was running. When she found a boy out of the captives! she took him and kept him attached to her bosom and suckled him. The (rophet said to us7 Fan you magine that this woman can throw her child unto the fire? Q4o# we said! Qshe cannot throw him#. He said7 %llah is more affectionate to His servants than this woman for her child. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 %bdullah&b&*mar reported7 We were with the (rophet in one of his holy wars. He passed by a people. He said7 Who is this people? They replied7 We are Muslims. % woman was kindling a fire under her pot and her son was with her. When the fieak of fire rose high! she took it to a side. Then the %postle of %llah came 0there1 and she asked7 %re you the %postle of %llah? QDes# said he. 3he

said7 My father and mother be sacrificed to thee! is not %llah the most Merciful among the merciful? QDes# he replied. 3he asked7 $s not %llah more affectionate to His servants than a mother for her child? QDes# said he. 3he said7 % mother does not certainly cast her child into fire. Then the %postle of %llah burst into tears. %fterwards he raised his head towards her and said7 %llah will not punish His servants for their sins except one who is disobedient! rebellious! raising rebellion against %llah and refusing to say 5 There is no God but %llah.# $bn MaEah. [Back to top of page]

3 #he 4orgi*ing
God is ,orgiving! Merciful. %ccording to the 'ur#an! God may forgive every sin other than that of polytheism. He may not forgive those who are disbelievers in Him and who associate partners unto Him. Whoso commits a sin and then seeks pardon of God sincerely! God shows His clemency and pardons him so much so if a person is forced by necessity and eats a forbidden 0Haram1 thing like swineflesh! God forgives him. %lthough God is strong in punishing yet He is rich in pardon for mankind despite their wrong doing. Were God to take mankind to task for their wrong doing! He would not have left on land any living creature. Those who repent! and believe and do good works! God may change their evil deeds to good deeds instead of pardoning them only. %ccording to traditions of (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1! when a sinner beseeches God! He forgives his sins even if they are as numerous as to reach the clouds of heaven or there are earthful of sins provided the sinner does not set up partners with God. 3o the believers have been advised by the (rophet to seek forgiveness of God at least hundred times a day. ,ollowing Gerses of the 'ur#an highlight God#s attribute of forgiveness7 He hath forbidden you only carrion! and blood! and swineflesh! and that which hath been immolated to 0the name of1 any other than %llah. "ut he who is driven by necessity! neither craving nor transgressing! it is no sin for him. +o9 %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 68? "ut he who feareth from a testator some unEust or sinful clause! and maketh peace between the parties! 0it shall be1 no sin for him. +o9 %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 6C; %llah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths. "ut He will take you to task for that which your hearts have garnered. %llah is ,orgiving! Flement. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 ;;< +o9 %llah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth 0all1 save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to %llah! he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin. 55A7 %n54isa7 AC Det whoso doeth evil or wrongeth his own soul! then seeketh pardon of %llah! will find %llah ,orgiving! Merciful. 55A7 %n54isa7 66B "ut Whoso repenteth after his wrongdoing and amendeth! lo9 %llah will relent toward him. +o9 %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55<7 %l5Maidah7 ?> They surely disbelieve who say7 +o9 %llah is the third of three2 when there is no God save the *ne God. $f they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. Will they not rather turn unto %llah and seek forgiveness of Him? ,or %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55<7 %l5Maidah7 >C )now that %llah is severe in punishment! but that %llah 0also1 is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55<7 %l5Maidah7 ?> "ut those who do ill deeds and afterward repent and believe 5 +o9 for them! afterward! %llah is ,orgiving and Merciful. 5587 %l5%#raf7 6<? %nd they bid thee hasten on the evil rather than the good! when exemplary punishments have indeed

occurred before them. "ut lo9 thy +ord is rich in pardon for mankind despite their wrong! and lo9 thy +ord is strong in punishment. 556?7 %r5@aad7 = $f %llah were to take mankind to task for their wrongdoing! He would not leave hereon a living creature! but He reprieveth them to an appointed term! and when their term cometh they cannot put 0it1 off an hour nor 0yet1 advance 0it1. 556=7 %n54ahl7 =6 Then lo9 thy +ord 5 for those who do evil in ignorance and afterward repent and amend 5 lo9 0for them1 thy +ord is afterward indeed ,orgiving! Merciful. 556=7 %n54ahl7 66> %nd let not those who posses dignity and ease among you swear not to give to the near of kin and to the needy! and to fugitives for the cause of %llah. +et them forgive and show indulgence. Dearn ye not that %llah may forgive you? %llah is ,orgiving! Merciful. 55;A7 %n54ur7 ;; 3ave him who repenteth and believeth and doth righteous work2 as for such! %llah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. %llah is ever ,orgiving! Merciful. 55;<7 %l5,ur an7 8B 3ay7 * My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt9 .espair not of the mercy of %llah! Who forgiveth all sins. +o9 He is the ,orgiving! the Merciful. 55?>7 %J5Pumar7 <? Traditions of (rophet Muhammad 0(":H1 about God#s %ttribute of forgiving sins of His servants are7 %bu Hurairah reported that the apostle of %llah said7 "y %llah! $ seek pardon of %llah and return penitently to Him every day more than seventy times. 0"ukhari1 %bu Parr reported that the %postle of %llah said in the matter of what he had narrated from the blessed and %lmighty %llah Who said7 * My servants9 $ have made inEustice unlawful on Me and made it unlawful for you. * My servants9 don#t do inEustice to one another. -very one of you is misguided except one whom $ guide. 3o seek guidance from Me and $ shall grant you guidance. * My servants9 -veryone of you is hungry except one whom $ give food. 3o seek food from Me and $ shall give you food. * My servants9 -veryone of you is naked except one whom $ give cloth. 3o seek cloth from Me and $ shall give you cloth. * My servants9 Dou commit sins day and night and $ forgive all sins. 3o seek forgiveness from Me and $ shall forgive you. * My servants9 Dou will not be able to inEure Me and so do Me inEury2 you will not be able to do Me benefit and succeed in doing benefit. * my servants9 $f your former and later 0generations1 and your men and your /inn aspire as the one with the purest heart among you! that will not increase anything from My dominion. * My servants9 $f your former and later generations and your men and your /inn were as wicked as the man with the most wicked heart among you! that will not decrease anything from My dominion. * My servants9 $f your former and later generation and your men and your /inn stand in one lofty place and beseech Me and $ give everyone what he asked! that will not decrease what is near Me except as a needle decreases when it is put into sea. * My servants9 These are your actions which $ shall count for you and thereafter compensate them for you. +et him who wishes good! praise %llah2 and let him who wishes other than that blame no one but himself. 0Muslim1 %yesha reported that the %postle of %llah said7 When a servant recognises his sin and then repents! %llah accepts his repentance. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 "y one in Whose hand there is my life! if you had not committed sins! %llah would have destroyed you and brought a people who would then commit sins and would seek forgiveness from %llah and %llah would forgive them. 0Muslim1 %bu Hurairah reported that the %postle of %llah said7 % man committed a sin and said7 * +ord9 $ have committed a sin! so forgive it. His +ord said7 .oes My servant know that he has got a +ord who forgives sins and punishes him? $ have pardoned My servant. Thereafter he tarried so long as %llah wished. %fterwards he committed a sin! and so he said7 * +ord $ have committed a sin and so forgive it. He said7 .oes My servant know that he has got a +ord who can forgive sins and punish him? $ have pardoned My servant. Thereafter he tarried so long as %llah wished. %fterwards he committed a sin. He said7 * +ord9 $ have committed another sin and so forgive me therefore. He said7 .oes My servant know that he has got a +ord who can forgive sins and punish

him? $ have pardoned My servant. 3o +et him do what he wishes. 0"ukhari! Muslim1 /undub reported that the %postle of %llah narrated7 % man said7 "y %llah! %llah will not forgive so and so. Then the %lmighty %llah said7 Who is he who swears that $ shall not forgive so and so! but $ have forgiven so and so and nullified your actions! 0or as he said1. 0Muslim1 %nas reported that the %postle of %llah said7 The %lmighty %llah said7 * son of %dam9 $ will forgive you as long as you implore Me and hope in Me inspite of what you have done! and $ don#t care. * son of %dam9 $f your sins are so numerous as to reach the clouds of heavens and thereafter if you seek forgiveness from Me! $ would forgive you and $ don#t care. * son of %dam9 $f you were to meet Me with an earthfull of sins and then if you were to meet Me without settings up anything with Me! $ would certainty come to you with an earthfull of forgiveness. 0%hmad! .arimi! TirmiJi! 0%pproved! @are11 $bn *mar reported that the %postle of %llah said7 %llah accepts the repentance of a man so long as he is not at the point of death. 0TirmiJi! $bn MaEah1

1 Creator o2 ,*er5thing
God is the best and the greatest creator. He is the *nly *ne who is the *riginator and the creator of the :niverse! the heavens and the earth! and of everything which is visible or invisible to human eye and which is known or unknown to man. He created sun! stars! moon! planets! satellites and every other thing in the heavens and the earth. 4ight and day! light and darkness! air and wind! storms and clouds! rain and water! oceans and rivers! mountains and hills! flowing streams and gushing springs! glaciers and icebergs! life and death are all His creations. (lants! gardens fruits! vegetables! corn! crops! vineyards! date&palms! forests! trees! are all His handiwork. He created %ngels of light! /inn of fire and man of potter#s clay of black mud altered. %nimals! cattle! horses! beasts! birds! fish! milk! honey! fire! are all His creatures. He created all things in pairs and created life of water. $n the following Gerses! the 'ur#an highlights how everything has been created by the +ord of the Fosmos7

6. The *riginator of the heavens and the earth9 When He decreeth a thing! He saith unto it only7 "e9 and it is. 55;7 %+5"a arah7 668 ;. * mankind9 "e careful of your duty to your +ord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. "e careful of your duty toward %llah in Whom ye claim 0your rights1 of one another! and toward the wombs 0that bore you1. +o9 %llah hath been a Watcher over you. 55A7 %n54isa7 6 ?. +o9 Dour +ord is %llah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days! then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day! which is in haste to follow it! and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. "lessed be %llah! the +ord of the Worlds9 5587 %+5%#raf7 <A A. %nd He it is Who sendeth the winds as tidings heralding His mercy! till! when they bear a cloud heavy 0with rain1! We lead it to a dead land! and then cause water to descend thereon and thereby bring forth fruits of every kind. Thus bring We forth the dead. Haply ye may remember. 5587 %+5%#raf7 <8 <. %llah is it who raised up the heavens without visible supports! then mounted the Throne! and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service! each runneth unto an appointed term2 He ordereth the course2 He detaileth the revelations! that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your +ord.

%nd He it is who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams! and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses 0male and female1. He covereth the night with the day. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who take thought. %nd in the -arth are neighbouring tracts! vineyards and ploughed lands! and date&palms! like and unlike! which are watered with one water. %nd We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who have sense. 556?7 %r5 @a#d7 ;&A =. %llah is He Who created the heavens and the earth! and causeth water to descend from the sky! thereby producing fruits as food for you! and maketh the ships to be of service unto you! that they may run upon the sea at His command! and hath made of service unto you the rivers2 556A7 $brahim7 ?; 8. Gerily We created man of potter#s clay of black mud altered! %nd the /inn did We create aforetime of essential fire. 556<7 %+5HiEr7 ;=&;8 C. He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth. High be He exalted above all that they associate 0with Him1. He hath created man from a drop of fluid! yet behold9 He is an open opponent. %nd the cattle hath He created! whence ye have warm clothing and uses! and whereof ye eat2 %nd wherein is beauty for you! when ye bring them home! and when ye take them out to pasture. %nd they bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves. +o9 your +ord is ,ull of (ity. Merciful. %nd horses and mules and asses 0hath He created1 that ye may ride them! and for ornament. %nd He createth that which ye know not. %nd %llah#s is the direction of the way! and some 0roads1 go not straight. %nd had He willed He would have led you all aright. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky! whence ye have drink! and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture. Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you! and the olive and the date&palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. +o9 herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect. %nd he hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you! and the stars are made subservient by His command. +o9 herein indeed are portents for people who have sense. 556=7 %n54ahl7 ?& 6; >. Have not those who disbelieve know that the heavens and the earth were of one piece! then We parted them! and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? %nd We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it uake with them! and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way. %nd We have made the sky a roof withheld 0from them1. Det they turn away from its portents. %nd He it is Who created the night and the day! and the sun and the moon. They float! each in an orbit. 55;67 %+5%nbiya7 ?B&?? 6B. %nd We have created above you seven paths! and We are never unmindful of creation. %nd We send down from the sky water in measure! and We give it lodging in the earth! and lo9 We are able to withdraw it. Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date&palms and grapes! wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat2 %nd a tree that springeth forth from Mount 3inai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters.

55;?7 %+5Mu#minun7 68&;; 66. %llah hath created every animal of water. *f them is 0a kind1 that goeth upon its belly and 0a kind1 that goeth upon two legs and 0a kind1 that goeth upon four. %llah createth what He will. +o9 %llah is %ble to do all things. 55;A7 %n54ur7 A< 6;. Who made all things good which He created! and He began the creation of man from clay2 Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid2 Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit2 and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. 3mall thanks give ye9 55?;7 %s53aEdah7 8&> 6?. %llah is Freator of all things! and He is Guardian over all things. 55?>7 %J5Pumar7 =; 6A. 3ay 0* Muhammad! unto the idolaters17 .isbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two .ays! and ascribe ye unto Him rivals? He 0and none else1 is the +ord of the World. He placed therein firm hills rising above it! and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four .ays! alike for 0all1 who ask2 Then turned He to the heaven when it was smoke! and said unto it and unto the earth7 Fome both of you! willingly or loth. They said7 We come! obedient. Then He ordained them seven heavens in two .ays and inspired in each heaven its mandate2 and we decked the nether heaven with lamps! and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty! the )nower. 55A67 Ha Mim %s53aEdah7 >&6; 6<. We have built the heaven with might! and We it is Who make the vast extent 0thereof1. %nd the earth have We laid out! how gracious was the 3preader 0thereof19 %nd all things We have created by pairs! that haply ye may reflect. 55<67 %dh5.hariyat7 A8&A> 6=. Have ye observed the fire which ye strike out2 Was it ye who made the tree thereof to grow! or were We the grower? We! even We! appointed it a memorial and a comfort for the dwellers in the wilderness. M<= 7 %l5Wa iah 7 86&8? 68. Who hath created life and death that He may try you! which of you is best in conduct2 and He is the Mighty! the ,orgiving. Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou 0Muhammad1 canst see no fault in the "eneficent *neLs creation2 then look again7 Fanst thou see any rifts? Then look again and yet again! the sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. %nd verily We have beautified the worldLs heaven with lamps! and We have made them missiles for the devils! and for them We have prepared the doom of flame. M=87 %l5 Mulk7 ;&< 6C. Have We not made the earth an expanse! %nd the high hills bulwarks? %nd We have created you in pairs! %nd have appointed your sleep for repose! %nd have appointed the night as a cloak! %nd have appointed the day for livelihood.

%nd We have built above you seven strong 0heavens1! %nd have appointed a daJJling lamp! %nd have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water! Thereby to produce grain and plant %nd gardens of thick foliage. M8C7 %n54abaL7 =&6=
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" Creation o2 the .ea*ens and the ,arth

,ollowing verses of the 'ur#an bring into light how God created the heavens and the earth7 6. +o9 in the creation of the heavens and the earth! and the difference of night and day! and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men! and the water which %llah sendeth down from the sky! thereby reviving the earth after its death! and dispersing all kinds of beast therein! and 0in1 the ordinance of the winds! and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth7 are signs 0of %llahLs sovereignty1 for people who have sense. M;7%l5"a arah7 6=A ;. +o9 Dour +ord is %llah Who created the heavens and the earth in six .ays! then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day! which is in haste to follow it! and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. "lessed be %llah! the +ord of the Worlds9 M87 %l5%Lraf7 <A ?. +o9 Dour +ord is %llah Who created the heavens and the earth in six .ays! then He established Himself upon the Throne! directing all things. There is no intercessor 0with Him1 save after His permission. That is %llah! your +ord! so worship Him. *h! will ye not remind? M6B7 Dunus7 ? A. %llah it is Who raised up the heavens without visible supports! then mounted the Throne! and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service! each runneth unto an appointed term2 He ordereth the course2 He detaileth the revelations! that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your +ord. %nd He it is who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams! and of all fruits he placed therein two spouses 0male and female1. He covereth the night with the day. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who take thought. M6?7 %r5@aLd7 ;&? <. %nd verily in the heaven We have set mansions of the stars! and We have beautified it for beholders. M 6<7 %l5HiEr76= =. %nd the earth have We spread out! and placed therein firm hills! and caused each seemly thing to grow therein. %nd We have given unto you livelihoods therein! and unto those for whom ye provide not. M6<7 %l5HiEr7 6>&;B 8. %nd He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it uake not with you! and streams and roads that ye may find a way. M6=7 %n54ahl7 6>&;B C. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece! then We parted them! and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? %nd We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it uake with them! and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way. %nd We have made the sky a roof withheld 0from them1. Det they turn away from its portents. M;6 7%l5%nbiya7 ?B&?; >. He hath created the heavens without supports that ye can see! and hath cast into the earth firm hills! so that it uake not with you2 and He hath dispersed therein all kinds of beasts. %nd We send down water from the sky and We cause 0plants1 of every goodly kind to grow therein. M?67 +u man7 6B 6B. +o9 %llah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not! and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after Him. +o9 He is ever Flement! ,orgiving. M?<7 %l5,atir7 A6 66. 3ay 0B Muhammad! unto the idolaters17 .isbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two .ays!

and ascribe ye unto Him rivals? He 0and none else1 is the +ord of the Worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it! and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four .ays! alike for 0all1 who ask2 Then turned He to the heaven when it was smoke! and said unto it and unto the earth7 Fome both of you! willingly or loth. They said7 We come! obedient. Then He ordained them seven heavens in two .ays and inspired in each heaven its mandate2 and we decked the nether heaven with lamps! and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty! the )nower. MA67 Ha Mim %s53aEdah7 >&6; 6;. Have they not then observed the sky above them! how We have constructed it and beautified it! and how there are no rifts therein? %nd the earth have We spread out! and have flung firm hills therein! and have caused of every lovely kind to grow thereon! % vision and a reminder for every penitent slave. %nd We send down from the sky blessed water whereby We give growth unto gardens and the grain of crops. %nd lofty date&palms with ranged clusters. (rovision 0made1 for men2 and therewith We uicken a dead land. -ven so will be the resurrection of the dead. M<B7 'af7 =&66 6?. Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou 0Muhammad1 canst see no fault in the "eneficent *neLs creation2 then look again7 Fanst thou see any rifts? Then look again and yet again! thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. %nd verily We have beautified the worldLs heaven with lamps! and We have made them missiles for the devils! and for them We have prepared the doom of flame. M=87 %l5Mulk7 ?&< [Back to top of page]

( S!n+ Moon+ Stars and the 0lanets

Freation of sun! moon! stars and planets is highlighted by the following Gerses of %l&'ur#an7 6. He it is who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light! and measured for her stages! that ye might know the number of the years! and the reckoning. %llah created not 0all1 that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge. M6B7 Dunus7 < ;. %nd verily in the heaven We have set mansions of the stars! and We have beautified it for beholders. %nd We have guarded it from every outcast devil! 3ave him who stealeth the hearing! and them doth a clear flame pursue. M6<7 %l5HiEr7 6=&6C ?. %nd He it is Who created the night and the day! and the sun and the moon. They float! each in an orbit. M;67 %l5%nbiya7 ?? A. Hast thou not seen how %llah causeth the night to pass into the day and causeth the day to pass into the night! and hath subdued the sun and the moon 0to do their work1! each running unto an appointed term2 and that %llah is $nformed of what ye do? M?67 +u man7 ;> <. %nd the sun runneth on unto a resting&place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty! the Wise. %nd for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm&leaf. $t is not for the sun to overtake the moon! nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit. M?=7Da 3in7 ?C&AB =. +o9 We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament! the planets2 ?87 %s53affat7 = [Back to top of page]

- 6a5 and Night+ Months and 7ears

6. +o9 $n the creation of the heavens and the earth and 0in1 the difference of night and day are tokens 0of His sovereignty1 for men of understanding! M?7%l5$mran7 6>B ;. He is the Fleaver of the .aybreak! and He hath appointed the night for stillness! and the sun and the moon for reckoning That is the measuring of the Mighty! the Wise. M=7 %l5%nLam7 >= ?. +o9 the number of the months with %llah is twelve months by %llahLs ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. M>7 %t5Taubah7 ?=

A. He it is Who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light! and measured for her stages! that ye might know the number of the years! and the reckoning. %llah created not 0all1 that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge. M6B7 Dunus7 < <. He it is who hath appointed for you the night that ye should rest therein and the day giving sight. +o9 herein verily are portents for a folk that heed. M6B7 Dunus7 =8 =. %nd We appoint the night and the day two portents. Then We make dark the portent of the night! and We make the portent of the day sight&giving! that ye may seek bounty from your +ord! and that ye may know the computation of the years! and the reckoning2 and everything have We expounded with a clear expounding. M687 "ani $sraLil7 6; 8. %nd He it is Who created the night and the day! and the sun and the moon. They float! each in an orbit. M;67 %l5%nbiya7 ?? C. %llah causeth the revolution of the day and the night. +o9 herein is indeed a lesson for those who see. M ;A7 %n54ur7 AA >. 3ay7 Have ye thought! if %llah made night everlasting for you till the .ay of @esurrection! who is a God beside %llah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear? 3ay7 Have ye thought! if %llah made day everlasting for you till the .ay of @esurrection! who is a God beside %llah who could bring you night wherein ye rest? Will ye not then see? *f His mercy hath He appointed for you night and day! that therein ye may rest! and that ye may seek His bounty! and that haply ye may be thankful. M;C7 %l5'asas7 86&8? 6B. He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth. He maketh night to succeed day! and He maketh day to succeed night! and He constraineth the sun and the moon to give service! each running on for an appointed term. $s not He the Mighty! the ,orgiver? M?>7 %J5Pumar7 < 66. %nd have appointed the night as a cloak! %nd have appointed the day for livelihood. M8C7 %n54abaL7 6B&66 [Back to top of page]

5 Water+ Clo!ds+ 8ain and Winds

The 'ur#an in its following Gerses tells us how God sends winds and clouds! how rain falls on earth and how water revives the dead earth and causes all types of vegetation and plants to grow7 6. +o. $n the creation of the heaven and the earth! and the difference of night and day! and ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men! and the water which %llah sendeth down from the sky! thereby reviving the earth after its death! and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein and 0in1 the ordinance of the winds! and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth7 are signs 0of %llah#s sovereignty1 for people who have sense. M;7 %l5"a arah7 6=A ;. %nd He it is who sendeth the winds as tidings heralding His mercy! till! when they bear a cloud heavy 0with rain1! We lead it to a dead land! and then cause water to descend thereon and thereby bring forth fruits of every kind. Thus bring We forth the dead. Haply ye may remember. M87 %l5%#raf7 <8 ?. He it is Who showeth you the lightening! a fear and a hope! and raiseth the heavy clouds. The thunder hymneth His praise and 0so do1 the angels for awe of Him. He launcheth the thunder&bolts and smiteth with them whom He will while they dispute 0in doubt1 concerning %llah! and He is mighty in wrath. M6?7 %r5 @aLd7 6;&6? A. %nd We send the winds fertilising! and cause water to descend from the sky! and give it you to drink. $t is not ye who are the holders of the store thereof. M6<7 %l5HiEr7 ;; <. %nd We send down from the sky water in measure! and We give it lodging in the earth! and lo9 We are able to withdraw it. Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date&palms and grapes! wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat2 M;?7 %l5MuLminun7 6C&6> =. Hast thou not seen how %llah wafteth the clouds! then gathereth them! then maketh them layers! and thou seest the rain come forth from between them2 He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail!

and smiteth therewith whom He will! and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight. M;A7 %n54ur7 A? 8. %llah is He who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds! and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth Him! and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain down&pouring from within them. %nd when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen! lo9 they reEoice2 Though before that! even before it was sent down upon them! they were in despair. M?B7 %r5@um7 AC&A> C. %nd %llah it is Who sendeth the winds and they raise a cloud2 then We lead it unto a dead land and revive therewith the earth after its death. 3uch is the @esurrection. M?<7 %l5,atir7 > >. %nd have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant water! Thereby to produce grain and plant! %nd gardens of thick foliage. M8C7 %n54abaL7 6A&6= [Back to top of page]

3 O1eans and 8i*ers

$n the following verses! the revealed book of $slam! %l&'ur#an! throws light how the oceans and rivers were created and how they are useful for human beings7 6. %llah is He Who created the heavens and the earth! and causeth water to descend from the sky! thereby producing fruits as food for you! and maketh the ships to be of service&unto you! that they may run upon the sea at His command and hath made of service unto you the rivers2 M6A7 $brahim7 ? ;. %nd He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service&that ye eat fresh meat from thence! and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. %nd thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye 0mankind1 may seek of His bounty! and that haply ye may give thanks. %nd He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it uake not with you! and stream and roads that ye may find a way. M6=7 %n54ahl7 6A&6< ?. 0* mankind1! Dour +ord is He Who driveth for you the ship upon the sea that ye may seek of his bounty. +o9 He was ever Merciful toward you. %nd when harm toucheth you upon the sea! all unto whom ye cry 0for succour1 fail save Him 0alone1! but when He bringeth you safe to land! ye turn away! for man was ever thankless. M687"ani $sraLil7 ==&=8 A. %s for those who disbelieve! their deeds are as a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one supposeth it to be water till he cometh unto it and findeth it naught! and findeth! in the place thereof! %llah! Who payeth him his due2 and %llah is swift at reckoning7 *r as darkness on a vast! obysmal sea. There covereth him a wave! above which is a wave! above which is a cloud. +ayer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. %nd he for whom %llah hath not appointed light! for him there is no light. M ;A7%n54ur7 ?>&AB <. %nd two seas are not alike7 this! fresh! sweet! good .to drink! this 0other1 bitter! salt. %nd from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. %nd thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty! and that haply ye may give thanks. M?<7%l5,atir7 6; =. He hath loosed the two seas. They meet. There is a barrier between them. They encroach not 0one upon the other1 Which is it! of the favours of your +ord! that ye denyL There cometh forth from both of them the pearl and coralstone. Which is it! of the favours of your +ord! that ye deny? His are the ships displayed upon the sea! like banners. M<<7 %r5@ahman7 6>&;A [Back to top of page]

7 Creation o2 Man
God created mankind from a single soul and that single soul 0%dam1 was created of potter#s clay of black mud altered. ,rom that single soul was created its mate 0-ve1 and from them twain 0%dam and -ve1 was created a multitude of men and women. This fact is brought home by the Holy 'ur#an in its verses. The 'ur#an! in these verses also tells us how drop of fluid in mother#s womb develops into a living baby and how a baby gets its birth into this world. How an infant attains full strongth and enters into youth and how

he grows into old age which is the most abEect time of life. Thus speaks the 'ur#an7 6. * mankind9 "e careful of your duty to your +ord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and womenKKK MA7 %n54isa7 6 ;. He it is Who did create you from a single soul! and therefrom did make his mate that he might take rest in her. %nd when he covered her she bore a light burden! and she passed 0uunoticed1 with it! but when it became heavy they cried unto %llah! their +ord! saying7 $f Thou givest unto us aright we shall be of the thankful. M87 %l5%#raf7 6C> ?. Gerily We M6<7 %l5HiEr7 ;= created man of potter#s clay of black mud altered!

A. He hath created man from a drop of fluid! yet! behold9 He is an open opponent. M6=7 %n54ahl7 A <. %nd %llah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing! and gave you hearing and sight and hearts that haply ye might give thanks. M6=7 %n54ahl7 8C =. * mankind9 $f ye are in doubt concerning the @esurrection! then lo9 We have created you from dust! then from a drop of seed! then from a clot! then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless! that We may make 0it1 clear for you. %nd We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time! and afterward We bring you forth as infants! then 0give you growth1 that ye attain your full strength. %nd among you there is he who dieth 0young1! and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abEect time of life! so that! after knowledge! he knoweth naught. M;;7 %l5HaEE7 < 8. Gerily We created man from a product of wet earth2 Then placed him as a drop 0of seed1 in a safe lodging2 Then fashioned We the drop a clot! then fashioned We the clot a little lump! then fashioned We the little lump bones! then clothed the bones with flesh! and then produced it as another creation. 3o blessed be %llah! the "est of creators9 Then lo9 after that ye surely die. M;?7 %l5Mu#minun7 6;&6< C. %nd We have enEoined upon man concerning his parents 5 His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness and his weaning is in two years&Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. :nto Me is the Eourneying. M?67 +u man7 6A >. Who made all things good which He created! and He began the creation of man from clay2 Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid2 Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit2 and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. 3mall thanks give ye9 M?;7 %s53aEdah7 8&> 6B. %llah created you from dust then from a little fluid! then He made you pairs 0the male and female1. 4o female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. %nd no one groweth old who groweth old! nor is aught lessened of his life! but it is recorded in a "ook. +o9 that is easy for %llah. M?<7 %l5,atir7 66 66. He created you from one being! then from that 0being1 He made its mate2 and He hath provided for you of cattle eight kinds. He created you in the wombs of your mothers creation after creation! in a threefold gloom. 3uch is %llah! your +ord His is the 3overeignty. There is no God save Him. How then are ye turned away? M?>7 %J5Pumar7 = 6;. He it is Who created you from dust! then from a drop 0of seed1 then from a clot! then bringeth your forth as a child! then 0ordaineth1 that ye attain full strength and afterward that ye become old men though some among you die before&and that ye reach an appointed term! that haply ye may understand. MAB7 %l5Mu#min7 =8 6?. 3o let man consider from what he is created. He is created from a gushing fluid. That issued from between the lions and ribs. MC=7 %t5Tari 7 <&8 [Back to top of page]

8 Creation o2 Animals
He is God who has created cattle and animals and provides them sustenance. God has made them subservient unto man who uses them as beasts of burden! rides over them and also eats their meat. The

'ur#an in its following verses brings these facts into light7 6. There is not an animal in the earth! nor a flying creature flying on two wings! but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the "ook 0of *ur decrees1. Then unto their +ord they will be gathered. M=7 %l5%nLam 7 ?C ;. %nd the cattle hath He created! whence ye have warm clothing and uses! and whereof ye eat2 %nd wherein is beauty for you! when ye bring them home! and when ye take them out to pasture. %nd they bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves! +o9 your +ord is ,ull of (ity! Merciful. %nd horses and mules and asses 0hath He created1 that ye may ride them! and for ornament. %nd He createth that which ye know not. M6=7%n54ahl7 <&C ?. %llah hath created every animal of water. *f them is 0a kind1 that goeth upon its belly and 0a kind1 that goeth upon two legs and 0a kind1 that goeth upon four. %llah createth what He will. +o9 %llah is %ble to do all things. M;A7 %n54ur7 A< A. %nd how many animal there is that beareth not its own provision9 %llah provideth for it and for you. He is the Hearer! the )nower. M;>7 %l5L%nkabut7 =B <. Have they not seen how We have created for them of *ur handiwork the cattle! so that they are their owners. %nd have subdued them unto them! so that some of them they have for riding! some for food? "enefits and 0divers1 drinks have they from them. Will they not then give thanks? M?=7 Da 3in7 86&8? =. %nd in your creation! and all the beasts that He scattered in the earth! are portents for a folk whose faith is sure. MA<7 %l5/athiyah7 A [Back to top of page]

9 0lants+ Cro/s+ Gardens

$n the following Gerses! the 'ur#an tells us how God creates plants! vegetation! crops! gardens! fruits from the earth by irrigating it with rain water! springs and flowing streams7 6. Who hath appointed the earth a resting&place for you! and the sky a canopy2 and causeth water to pour down from the sky! thereby producing fruits as food for you. %nd do not set up rivals to %llah when ye know 0better1. M;7%l5"a arah7 ;; ;. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky! and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind7 We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick&clustered grain2 and from the date&palm! from the pollen thereof! spring pendant bunches2 and 0We bring forth1 gardens of grapes! and the olive and the pome&granate! alike and unlike. +ook upon the fruit thereof! when they bear fruit! and upon its ripening. +o9 herein verily are portents for a people who believe. M=7 %l5%n#am7 >> ?. He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised! and the date&palm! and crops of divers flavour! and the olive and the pomegranate! like and unlike. -at ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth! and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day! and be not prodigal. +o9 %llah loveth not the prodigals.L M=7 %l5%nLam7 6A6 A. %nd He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams! and of all fruits he placed therein two spouses 0male and female1. He covereth the night with the day. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who take thought. %nd in the -arth are neighbouring tracts! vineyards and ploughed lands! and date&palms! like and unlike! which are watered with one water. %nd We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. +o9 herein verily are portents for people who have sense. M6?7 %r5@aLd7 ?&A <. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky! whence ye have drink! and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture. Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you! and the olive and the date&palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. +o9 herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect. M6=7%n54ahl7 6B&66 =. Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date&palms and grapes! wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat2 %nd a tree& that springeth forth from Mount 3inai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters.

M;? 7%l5MuLminun7 6>&;B 8. Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat! and they themselves? Will they not then see? M?;7%s53aEdah7 ;8 [Back to top of page]

19 ,*er5thing Created in 0airs

God has created every living being 5 humans! animals and plants 5 in pairs. This is a great scientific truth which the scientists have discovered only in recent age much after the revelation of the Holy 'ur#an. The 'ur#an! in the following verses highlights the fact of creation in pairs of everything living. 6. Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs! of that which the earth groweth! and of themselves! and of that which they know not9 55?=7 Da 3in7 ?= ;. The Freator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves! and of the cattle also pairs! whereby He multiplieth you. 4aught is as His likeness2 and He is the Hearer! the 3eer. 55A;7 %sh5 3hura7 66 ?. %nd all things We have created by pairs! that haply ye may reflect. 55<67 %dh5.hariyat7 A> A. Wherein is every kind of fruit in pairs. 55<<7 %r5@ahman7 <; [Back to top of page]

11 ,*er5thing Created o2 Water

God has created life from water. -very living being 5 mankind! animals! plants 5 has been created of water. This is again a great scientific truth which modern science has discovered only recently. $t was certainly not known when the 'ur#an was revealed some fourteen centuries ago. %nd this establishes beyond doubt that the Holy 'ur#an is a divine book. The 'ur#an in its following verses brings to light this fact that everything has been created by God out of water. 6. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece! then We parted them! and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? 55;67 %l5%nbiyah7 ?B ;. %llah hath 55;67 %l5%nbiyah7 ?B created every animal of waterKK

?. %nd He it is Who hath created man from water! and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage2 for thy +ord is ever (owerful. 55;<7 %l5,ur an7 <A [Back to top of page]

1" Be : And it is;

When a person wants to make! create or build a thing! he first of all arranges raw material! then he employees workers to help him! then he needs a workshop or factory e uipped with necessary machinery! and after that he is in a position to manufacture a needed thing. "ut this is not with %lmighty God. When God intends to do a thing! He simply says unto it7 "e9 and it is9 ,ollowing verses of the 'ur#an bring home this fact7 6. The *riginator of the heavens and the earth9 When He decreeth a thing! He saith unto it only7 "e9 and it is. 55;7 %l5"a arah7 668 ;. He it is who created the heavens and the earth in truth. $n that day when He saith7 "e9 and it is. 55=7 %l5 %n#am7 8?

?. %nd *ur word unto a thing! when We intend it! is only that We say unto it7 "e9 and it is. 556=7 %n54ahl7 AB A. "ut His command! when He intendeth a thing! is only that he saith unto it7 "e9 and it is. 55?=7 Da 3in7 C; <. He it is who uickeneth and giveth death. When He ordaineth a thing! He saith unto it only7 "e9 and it is. 55AB7 %l5Mu#min7 =C