Foundational Concepts

The Noble Name, “Allah” (الله), is pronounced as “al-LAH,” with the **emphasis on the second syllable**. It is the Arabic word for God and is used not only by Muslims but also by Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews. It is regarded in Islamic belief as the **unique and proper name** of the One Supreme God, without plural or gender, and is viewed as more than just a generic word for “god.”

Linguistic Context: The name’s etymology is connected to the Semitic root “ʾ-l-h” (أ ل ه), which means “to worship” or denotes a deity. In closely related Semitic languages, the name for God bears remarkable similarity:

• Aramaic: The word is أَلَاها (Alāhā).
• Hebrew: The singular form is אֱלוֹהַּ (Eloah). The plural form, אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), is often understood as a **majestic or royal plural**, referring to the singular, supreme God.

Singularity and Exclusivity: It is crucial to note that while “Elohim” takes a plural form for reasons of honor, **“Allah” in Arabic is strictly singular**. In Islamic understanding, **“Allah”** is a **unique and exclusive name**, never pluralized or feminized. It stands as the most comprehensive designation of God in Arabic, encompassing all divine attributes, and serves as the central Name by which God is invoked and worshiped in Islam.

In Islam, ”Allah” is the Only Deity worthy of worship. He is God, the **Creator, Sustainer, and the Judge** of the universe. Muslims believe that **”Allah”** is **singular, unique, eternal, and self-sufficient**, who has no partners, equals, or offspring. He neither begets nor is begotten, and no one is comparable to Him in power or essence.

The Qur’an emphasizes **”Allah’s”** oneness (Tawhid) as the **fundamental principle of faith**, underscoring His complete independence and transcendence above all creation.

Described in Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse): Complementing this understanding, **Ayat al-Kursi** (Qur’an 2:255) further describes **”Allah’s”** majesty and omnipotence:

• It portrays **”Allah”** as the **Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting Sustainer** of all existence.
• His **”throne extends over the heavens and the earth,”** highlighting His vast dominion and authority.
• It emphasizes that He never tires or sleeps and that all knowledge and power rest with Him alone.

Muslims understand **Allah** as **transcending all limitations** of time, space, and physical location. He is not confined by matter, direction, or spatial dimensions, as He is the Creator of all such concepts. Thus, asking where **Allah** is, in terms of physical place, is beyond human comprehension and unnecessary for faith.

Sovereignty and Exaltation: The Qur’an conveys **Allah’s** exaltedness and sovereignty, for instance, in **Ayat al-Kursi** (Qur’an 2:255), which portrays **Allah** as the ever-watchful and eternal sovereign whose authority extends over all creation without being limited to it.

Intimate Closeness (Nearness): The Qur’an also states:

This is understood to mean **Allah’s knowledge and presence** encompass and are intimately close to each person, even though He is not confined to a physical location. This balance of **transcendence** (being above creation) and **intimate nearness** (being aware of and responsive to creation) is central to Islamic theology.

In Islam, **Allah’s attributes** (known as ṣifāt Allāh) are the qualities and characteristics that describe His divine nature. These attributes are perfect, devoid of any deficiency, and **incomparable to human qualities**. They are learned primarily through the **99 Names of Allah**, such as Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Al-Ghaffar (The Great Forgiver), and Al-Hakim (The Most Wise).

The attributes are generally categorized into three main types:

• Essential Attributes (Intrinsic to Essence): Qualities intrinsically bound to Allah’s Essence, such as Life, Knowledge, Power, Will, Hearing, Sight, and Eternity.
• Attributes of Action: Qualities related to Allah’s actions regarding creation, such such as creating, giving life, providing sustenance, rewarding, and forgiving.
• Attributes Ascribed to Both Essence and Action: Attributes that reflect both His fundamental nature and His continuous deeds.

Overall: Allah’s attributes affirm His **omnipotence, omniscience, mercy, justice, and transcendence**. For instance, Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, but not in a physical sense like human beings, as His qualities are incomparable to creation.

Muslims understand **Tawhid** as the absolute **oneness and uniqueness of Allah**, which is the foundation of Islamic belief. Tawhid means affirming that **Allah alone is the one true God**, with no partners, equals, or associates in His Lordship, divinity, names, and attributes. He is one entity and is not made up of any other entities (deities).

Tawhid is often broken down into three categories to ensure a complete understanding:

• Oneness of Divine Lordship (Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah): Believing that Allah is the **sole creator, sustainer, and ruler** of all that exists.
• Oneness of Worship (Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah): Requires that **all acts of worship** be dedicated to Allah alone, rejecting any form of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
• Oneness of Allah’s Names and Attributes (Tawhid al-Asma wa as-Sifat): Affirming that Allah’s divine names and attributes are **unique and cannot be likened** to anything in creation.

The testimony of faith (shahādah) — “**There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger**” — is entirely grounded in this principle. Rejecting Tawhid, especially by associating partners with Allah, is considered the gravest sin called **Association (shirk)**.

While many faiths believe in a supreme being, Islam’s concept of **Allah** is distinguished by His **absolute transcendence**, **lack of partners**, and **unique attributes**—a concept called **Tawhid**.

The most fundamental difference is that Allah is **absolutely singular**. Unlike concepts in other faiths that may involve a trinity, a pantheon, or a god who is born, dies, or takes a physical form, Islam explicitly rejects these notions. The Qur'an states that Allah **"neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent"** (Qur'an 112:3-4).

Key Distinctions:

• Singularity: Allah is one, indivisible, and has no partners or associates.
• Transcendence: Allah is beyond human imagination and physical form. He is not limited by time, space, or creation.
• Worship: All worship must be directed exclusively to Allah, without any intermediaries.
• Name: "Allah" is the unique, proper name of God, which is strictly singular and without gender or plural form.

This uncompromising monotheism is what makes the Islamic concept of God unique and central to the faith.