Allah: The One True God

 Who is Allah?

The existence of this entire universe—including human beings, jinn, birds, and animals—is not a matter of chance or luck. This perfectly designed universe is proof of the existence of a Creator, a Planner, and a Controller of its affairs.

This naturally implies that this Creator is the sole Owner and Master of all the things that exist. He is the one who manages the affairs of this world. He is the lawgiver who demands obedience and compliance to His laws. He is the only authority worthy of worship by His creations/slaves—human beings and jinn.

Allah says:

لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ

وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ

"To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you speak aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah! There is no God but Him! To Him belong the Best Names."

(Quran, Surah Ta Ha 20:6-8) 

2. How can we know Allah?

Allah sent His Prophets with His books to let people know about Himself. The Prophets were men chosen by Allah for His revelation.

Allah says:

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ

"Verily, I am Allah! There is no God but Me, so worship Me, and perform Salah for My remembrance.''

 (Quran, Surah Ta Ha 20:14)

Our perfect form and shape in itself is proof of the existence of our Creator. 

Allah questions people regarding their creation in the following verse: Were they brought into existence without a maker, or did they create themselves?

أَمْ خُلِقُوا۟ مِنْ غَيْرِ شَىْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُونَ

أَمْ خَلَقُوا۟ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ

"Or were they created by nothing Or were they themselves the creators

Or did they create the heavens and the earth Nay, but they have no firm belief." 

(Quran, Surah At Tur 52:35-36)

Every Muslim should know about Allah Subhanahu wa Tala.  The way to know about Allah is through the text of the Quran and hadith. The Quran speaks directly about Allah, describing His essence, names, and attributes. Which is further explained in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).   

We should understand the verses of the Quran in the way the earliest generations—the sahabah and those who learned from them—understood it.

Knowledge about Allah is the noblest of all knowledge. Seeking this knowledge is an act of worship and brings great reward. Indeed, Allah, Subhanahu wa Tala, has made knowledge a prerequisite for our deeds, as confirmed in the divine verse:

فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَىٰكُمْ

"So know that there is no god but Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest." 

(Quran, Surah Muhammad 47:19)

Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:

"Knowledge precedes expression and action" (al-Wahhab, 1979).

Allah is Our Rabb 

Rabb means the Lord and Master who manages the affairs of His servants and holds the authority to guide them. He bestows various blessings upon them, guiding and caring for them. He sustains and governs the affairs of all creation. The term Rabb also encompasses the meanings of Creator, Owner, and Provider.

 Allah tells us about Himself as the Rabb of all that exists in the following verse:

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

"[All] Praises are [due] to Allah the Lord of all the worlds."

(Quran, Surah al Fatihah 1:2)

 Allah warns us against speaking or acting without knowledge. We must have firm knowledge of Allah before speaking about Him or performing any actions in His name.

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًا

"And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah)."

 (Quran, Surah Al Isra 17:36) 

Importance of Knowing Allah Subhanahu wa Tala

• Purifies our soul: A correct belief in Allah purifies our hearts from all forms of shirk and deviation. The stronger our knowledge of Allah, the stronger our commitment to Tawheed.

• Increases Iman: When we come to know and internalize the  Names and Attributes of Allah, it shapes our worldview and strengthens our faith. Shaykh Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Sadi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Believing in and knowing the Most Beautiful Names of Allah includes the three types of Tawheed: Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah (Unity of Divine Lordship), Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (Unity of the Divine Nature) and Tawheed al-Asma wal-Sifaat (Unity of the Divine Names and Attributes). These three types of Tawheed form the essence and joy of faith (the word translated here as joy implies peace and relief from stress), and this knowledge is the basis and purpose of faith. The more a person learns about the Names and Attributes of Allah, the more his faith increases and the stronger his conviction becomes. (Al-Tawdeeh wal-Bayaan li Shajarat al-Eemaan by al-Sadi, p. 41).

• Increases Taqwa: Knowing Allah helps us fulfill our duties towards Him, seeking His pleasure and rewards. The fear of His punishment keeps us away from sins, while hope in His Mercy protects us from despair and nurtures patience. This knowledge also encourages us to turn to Him in repentance.

• Guards us from falling into errors: A deeper understanding of Allah reduces the likelihood of doubting Allah’s actions and falling into disbelief (Kufr).  

• Bring peace and tranquility: When we truly know Allah, we will not question His decisions. We will place our trust in Him. This will bring peace and tranquility to our hearts during times of distress and trials.

• Forgiveness from Allah is granted to those who understand His rights upon them and act accordingly: Narrated Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet peace be upon him said, "O Mu'adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Not to punish them (if they do so)." (Sunan Ibn Majah 4296)

Knowing Allah elevates our status in the eyes of our Rabb

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The key to the call of the Messengers, the essence of their Message, is knowing Allah through His Names and Attributes and Deeds, because this is the foundation on which the rest of the Message, from beginning to end, is built.

(Al-Sawaaiq al-Mursalah ala al-Jahamiyyah wal-Muattilah by Ibn al-Qayyim, 1/150-151). 

When we learn about Allah, we fulfill the purpose for which we are created. However, if we neglect this, we disregard our true reason for existence.

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him said, “To whomever Allah wills goodness, He grants him understanding of the religion.” 

(Sahih Al Bukhari 71)

Understanding Allah and His religion brings excellence to our character

 The Prophet Peace be upon him said, “The best of you in the time of ignorance is the best of you in Islam if you have understanding.” 

(Sahih Al Bukhari 3374)

• Reference:

1. Al-Ashqar, Dr. Umar. Belief in Allah in the Light of Islam, IIPH Riyadh, 2018
2. https://sunnah.com.  
3.  https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah