Allah is the Arabic word for God and is usually used to represent the God of the religion Islam (which, incidentally, is the same as the Christian and Jewish God).

الله

ALLAH
The 99 Attributes

He who has the power to create the entities



It is not possible to perfectly translate the names and attributes of Allah from original Arabic into English. However, here are some fairly close explanations -

  1. Ar-Rahman: The Most Compassionate, Most Kind
  2. Ar-Rahim: The Most Merciful
  3. Al-Malik: The Master, The King, The Monarch
  4. Al-Quddus: The Pure, The Holy One
  5. As-Salaam: The Peace, The Tranquility
  6. Al-Mu'min: The Faithful, The Trusted
  7. Al-Muhaymin: The Protector, The Vigilant, The Controller
  8. Al-'Aziz: The Almighty, The Powerful
  9. Al-Jabbar: The Oppressor, The All Compelling
  10. Al-Mutakabbir: The Haughty, The Majestic, The Lord
  11. Al-Khaliq: The Creator, The Maker
  12. Al-Baari': The Inventor
  13. Al-Musawwir: The Fashioner, The Organiser, The Designer
  14. Al-Ghaffar: The Forgiving, The Forgiver
  15. Al-Qahhar: The Almighty, The Dominant
  16. Al-Wahhab: The Donor, The Bestower
  17. Ar-Razzaq: The Provider, The Sustainer
  18. Al-Fattah: The Opener, The Revealer
  19. Al-'Alim: The All Knowing, The Omniscient
  20. Al-Qabid: The Contractor, The Restrainer, The Recipient
  21. Al-Basit: The Expander, The Increaser
  22. Al-Khafid: The Abaser, The Humbler
  23. Ar-Rafi': The Raiser, The Exalter
  24. Al-Mu'iz: The Honourer, The Exalter
  25. Al-Muzil: The Abaser, The Subduer
  26. As-Sami': The All Hearing, The All Knowing
  27. Al-Basir: The All Seeing, The Insightful
  28. Al-Hakam: The Arbitrator, The Judge
  29. Al-'Adl: The Justice, The Equitable
  30. Al-Latif: The Most Gentle, The Gracious, The One Who is Kind
  31. Al-Khabir: The Aware, The Segacious
  32. Al-Halim: The Gentle, The Most Patient, The Benevolent
  33. Al-'Azim: The Great, The Mighty
  34. Al-Ghafoor: The Forgiving, The Pardoner
  35. Ash-Shakur: The Grateful, The Thankful
  36. Al-'Aliy: The Most High, The Exalted
  37. Al-Kabir: The Greatest, The Biggest
  38. Al-Hafiz: The Guardian, The Preserver
  39. Al-Muqit: The Maintainer, The Nourisher
  40. Al-Hasib: The Noble, The Reckoner
  41. Al-Jalil: The Majestic, The Honorable, The Exalted
  42. Al-Karim: The Most Generous, The Bountiful
  43. Ar-Raqib: The Guardian, The Watcher
  44. Al-Mujib: The Answerer
  45. Al-Wasi': The Enricher, The Omnipresent, The Knowledgeable
  46. Al-Hakim: The Most Wise, The Judicious
  47. Al-Wadud: The Affectionate, The Loving
  48. Al-Majid: The Glorious, The Exalted
  49. Al-Ba'ith: The Resurrector, The Raiser from death
  50. Ash-Shahid: The Witness
  51. Al-Haqq: The Truth, The Just
  52. Al-Wakil: The Guardian, the Trustee
  53. Al-Qawee: The Powerful, The Almighty, The Strong
  54. Al-Matin: The Strong, The Firm
  55. Al-Walee: The Supporter, The Friend, The Defender
  56. Al-Hamid: The Praiseworthy, The Commendable
  57. Al-Muhsi: The Counter
  58. Al-Mubdi': The Beginner, The Creator, The Originator
  59. Al-Mu'eed: The Restorer, The Resurrector
  60. Al-Muhyee: The Bestower, The Life Giver
  61. Al-Mumeet: The Bringer of Death, The Death Giver
  62. Al-Hayy: The Ever-Living
  63. Al-Qayyum: The Self-Subsistent, The Eternal, The Self-Sustaining
  64. Al-Wajid: The All Perceiving, The Bountiful, The Finder
  65. Al-Wahid: The One, The Unique
  66. Al-Majid: The Noble, The Illustrious
  67. Al-Ahad: The Only, The Unique
  68. As-Samad: The Perfect, The Eternal
  69. Al-Qadir: The Able, The Capable, The Omnipotent
  70. Al-Muqtadir: The Capable, The All Powerful
  71. Al-Muqaddim: The Presenter, The Advancer, The Expediter
  72. Al-Mu'akhkhir: The Fulfiller, The Deferrer
  73. Al-'Awwal: The First
  74. Al-'Akhir: The Last
  75. Az-Zahir: The Apparent, The Exterior, The Manifest
  76. Al-Batin: The Hidden, The Interior, The Veiled
  77. Al-Waali: The Governor, The Ruler, The Master
  78. Al-Muta'ali: The Exalted, The Most High, The One above reproach
  79. Al-Barr: The Benefactor, The Beneficient, The Pious
  80. At-Tawwab: The Acceptor of Repentance, The Forgiver, The Relenting
  81. Al-Muntaqim: The Avenger
  82. Al-'Afuww: The Forgiver, The Pardoner
  83. Ar-Ra'uf: The Merciful, The Ever Indulgent
  84. Al-Muqsit: The Just, The Equitable
  85. Aj-Jami': The Collector, The Comprehensive, The Gatherer
  86. Al-Ghanee: The Richest, The All Sufficing, The Self-Sufficient
  87. Al-Mughnee: The Enricher, The Sufficer, The Bestower
  88. Al-Maani': The Supporter
  89. Ad-Daarr: The Distresser, The Afflictor, The Bringer of Adversity
  90. An-Nafi': The Beneficial, The Benefactor
  91. An-Nur: The Light
  92. Al-Hadi: The Guide
  93. Al-Badi': The Wonderful, The Maker, The Incomparable
  94. Al-Baqi: The Enduring, The Everlasting, The Eternal
  95. Al-Warith: The Inheritor, The Heir
  96. Ar-Rashid: The Rightly Guided, The Concious, The Guide
  97. As-Sabur: The Most Patient, The Enduring
  98. Malik Al-Mulk: The Ruler of The Kingdom, The King of The Universe
  99. Zul-Jalali wal-Ikram: Lord of Majesty and Generosity


All Muslims must believe in the 'Oneness of the Names and Qualities of Allah' and this in arabic is known as Tauhid-al-Asma'was-sifat
It is not upto any man to name or qualify Allah except with what He or His Messenger Mohammed (p.b.u.h) has named or qualified him. Neither should anyone be named or qualified with the Names or qualifications of Allah e.g. Ar-Rahman - since this would attribute the characteristic of compassion and kindness in its absolute totality to someone other than Allah. But instead one can be named 'Abdur-Rahman' which would translate to 'Servant of the Most Compassionate the Most Kind'.

Allah is present over his throne as mentioned in the Qur'an -

Quran 20:05

The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits his majesty)

The Throne is over the seventh heaven and yet Allah comes down over the first (nearest) heaven on the day of Arafah and also during the last third part of every night as mentioned by Prophet Mohammed (p.b.u.h.) in authentic hadith, and Allah has the knowledge of the seen and the unseen.

Quran 6:59-60

And with him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.
It is he who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then He raises (wakes) you up again that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled, then (in the end) unto Him will be your return. Then he will inform you of that which you used to do.

It is important to note that it is not as some muslims think that Allah is present everywhere i.e. here, there and even inside the breasts of men. Rather He knows of Everything and is closer to man than man is of himself.

Quran 50:16

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge).

Allah has the quality of hearing and sight in its totality without bearing a likeness or a resemblance to his creation.

Quran 50:16

...There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.

Allah also has two hands, but again not bearing a likeness or a resemblance to his creation.

Quran 38:75

...To one whom I have created with Both My Hands...

Quran 48:10

...The hand of Allah is over their hands...

Finally, All muslims are required to believe with a certainty of mind, body and soul -

"La ilaha illallah"

(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah)

It is a principle among Muslims that Allah (SWT) is not a thing. He created all things. There is none like unto him. His power encompasses all things, yet he himself is encompassed by nothing.

Allah (SWT) is the Arabic word for God. "Al-Lah" means "The God," but putting "The" before it changes its meaning to The One and only God, as opposed to any god with a small "g." People refer to Him in english in the masculine form, though He is not a male.(It's disrespectful to call God an 'It'). It is written in Arabic as الله

The Qur'an itself declares that Allah is the same God that spoke to the Jews and Christians. It commands Muslims thus: "Say: 'We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)'."(2:136)

When Muslims speak about God, they are talking about the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Even the Arab Christians (who speak Arabic, obviously) say "Allah" when talking about God, and the Arabic Bible uses the same word. Just because some people use a different word doesn't mean it's a different God. The spanish word for God is Dios, and nobody claims it's a different God. Interestingly enough, the word for God in Aramaic is also Allah, since it's a sister language of Arabic, which is why Muslims believe Jesus called God "Allah."

Muslims prefer to use the name "Allah" no matter what language is being spoken. The word Allah in Arabic can't be altered in any way. You can't pluralize the name (like gods) or alter gender (like goddess). You can talk to a Muslim about God and use the names Allah and God interchangeably if you wanted (as I do in this writeup). Muslims prefer to use "Allah" since they feel it is His proper name.

Allah, according to Islam is One and Only. Eternal and Absolute. He was not born nor does He have any children. And there is nothing like Him, we cannot compare Him to anything else. He is not divided into parts; The Oneness of God is known as Tawhid, and He has no partners or children. According to the Qur'an, God said He never authorized the worship of anything but Him, and to do so is a major sin known as shirk.

God isn't a 'He,' nor is He a 'she.' Allah is genderless, but it's impolite to refer to God as an "It." God made all life, and split it into two kinds of genders, with no special preference to either one.

One of the most memorized passages in the Qur'an is the Ayatul Kursi, the Verse of the Throne. It gives a good introduction to how Muslims view God:

"Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, Who needs no other but Whom all others need. He is never drowsy nor does He rest. Space and Earth belong to Him; who can intercede without His consent? He knows everything people have done and will do, and no one can grasp the least of His knowledge, without His review. His throne extends over the heavens and the Earth and He doesn't tire in their safekeeping. He alone is the Most High, the Lord Sovereign Supreme." (Qur'an 2:255)

Allah is the Lord of the Universe, the Maker and Creator of everything. He does not to sleep, and though we cannot see Him, He sees us. He knows every little going on in the heavens and the earth. Allah is the most kind and loving; He gives us all that we have and need on this earth. Water, food, and light all come from what He provides. He gave us minds and hearts so we can perceive Him and thank Him.

All of Islam is based on Allah. The five pillars of Islam all exist to bring a person closer to Allah. A person swears that Allah is the only being worthy of worship, they pray five times a day to remember Him and keep Him in one's mind, they fast during Ramadan to learn to ignore the physical needs of the world and get closer to Allah, they make a pilgrimmage to Mecca to pray together and follow the path of Allah's prophets. Since we owe everything that goes well in our lives to God, pleasing God through faith and good behavior should be the main aim of our lives. We can only get to know Him through His words and guidance to us, which Muslims try to follow.

The Islamic concept of our place in the universe hinges on the notion that Allah, or God, is the only true reality. There is nothing permanent other than God. Everything exists due to His will and everything depends on Him whether we recognize it or not. He knows everything you did and will do. He knows what's in your heart and understands you better than you do. He does not need us to pray, He won't die if the world forgets Him. He is all-powerful, so he had no need to rest after making the world. He made the world and will one day end it.

Allah is eternal and uncreated. Everything else in the universe is created. Created things will pass away and return to Allah for His review. Not even the stars will last forever.

According to the method of reasoning used in the Qur'an, the proof for God's existance is found in four areas:

  • The natural world with all its complexity and beauty. This is a sign of an intelligence in the universe beacuse only a designing mind could have constructed it. (see also Intelligent Design Theory)
  • Our human abilities and capacities for thought, belief, innovation, creativity, and moral choices. No animal or plant can do what we do.
  • The revelation of God's guidance and the existance of religion. They show that there is a right way and a wrong way to live life. Prophets, Holy Books, flashes of insight- all these serve as proof that guidance is real and purposefully directed.
  • Finally, our inner feelings. These propel us to seek the meaning in things and show that we have a soul that seeks harmony with nature, the universe, and a higher power. Why should we all want to know the answer to the big question "why" if there is no "because"? The fact that a question exists means an answer exists somewhere too.

Once a woman and her son were sitting in a gathering listening to Muhammad as he gave a sermon. The child wandered off and tried to put his hand in the fireplace, and the mother instinctively snatched her child away to safety. She thought for a moment and asked the Prophet how Allah could punish those in Hell when she as a mother only wanted to protect her little one. The prophet bowed his head and cried softly and answered her by saying that Allah does not like to punish. He punishes only those who reject him and committed evil actions. Wouldn't the mother also punish her son when he did wrong, or hurt another sibling?

God loves you. It's said that He loves you 70 times more than your mother loves you. Allah does not like to punish anyone, people don't go to Hell because He's cruel. Hell has a purpose, it purifies warped souls. Most people cast into hell are there temporarily to carry out their sentence, then are removed and escorted to Paradise and given full rewards for any good they might have done. Only God decides a person's fate, and He is never unfair.

Islam says that we don't need to know what will happen tomorrow. God knows, and if we truly trust Him and believe in Him, then we have nothing to worry about. (see Taqwa).

God knows you and can see your future. All things, including people, are dependant on God. Also, since He made and controls existance, nothing happens without His assent. All your successes and failures are attributed to him. He has measured your life's circumstances, and has given a varied and challenging test for each person to pass. This teaches you how to make choices and learn to live by faith and virtue, or descend into a life of nihilism and immorality; your choice. Life is a test, not a series of punishments. "Whatever good happens to you is from Allah; but whatever evil happens to you is from your own self."(Qur'an 4:79)

Praying to Him is a good idea, since only He can change what happens to you. Imagine your entire life is played out on a timeline. God exists outside of the time, in eternity. If you pray, God will hear it and change your timeline, the course of your life, leading you to success.

There are many phrases with Allah's(SWT) name in it:

You may have noticed that some people write (SWT) after using Allah's name. When Muslims use His name, there is extra blessing and reverence if we say Subhana wa ta'ala (High and Exalted is He) after it. It isn't compulsory, but a sign of reverence to Allah (SWT).

There is a beautiful calligraphic picture of the word Allah in Arabic at http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/i/Allah.jpg

If you really want to understand Allah more, I'd suggest reading the Qur'an, as Muslims believe that is what God Himself sent down so people could understand Him and what He wants from us.

I'd also suggest The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick (which I've lifted a paragraph or two from then expanded upon), as well as the "A is for Allah" album by Yusuf Islam.

Al"lah (#), n. [ contr. fr. the article al the + ilah God.]

The name of the Supreme Being, in use among the Arabs and the Mohammedans generally.

 

© Webster 1913.

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