About Oneness of God/Allah

About Oneness of God/Allah

Monotheism is the essence of Islam. To understand the purity and uniqueness of Islam, one must first study its concept of monotheism. First, Muslims recognize that God alone is Divine, and that no entity nor being shares any of His powers or rights. "God created all things and He is the agent upon which all things depend." [39:62]. Second, and this is what distinguishes Islam from other faiths. Muslims must not violate the oneness of God in their worship and devotion. There is no praying to, nor through an intermediary, whether it be a prophet, priest, saint or idol. The Prophet made it clear to Muslims that there can only be one object of their worship-God/Allah. There can be no believing in horoscopes, and no fearing "unlucky" numbers. One should only pray to God, put all hope in God, love Him before all else, and only fear the wrath of God. "Do not worship besides God that which cannot help nor harm you." [21:66]. Third, Islamic monotheism also includes recognizing the perfect names and attributes of God, which He gave himself in the Qur'an. He is Ar-Rahman, the All-Merciful, He created beings in need of that mercy, namely, humans. He is Al-Adl, The Just, and therefore rewards and punishes according to what each person has earned. One cannot compare His love, mercy, wrath, sight, or any other characteristic to that of anyone or anything else. All of the attributes of humankind are created; the attributes of God are not created, but have always existed and are eternal. One of the earliest revelations to Prophet Muhammad reads: "Say: He is Allah, the One, Allah, the Self-Sufficient Master upon Whom all depend, He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none who is comparable unto Him." [112: 1-4]. Another beautiful verse, known as 'The Verse of the Kursi/Footstool,' shows more of His attributes: "Allah! None has the right to be worshipped except He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi/footstool extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." [2:255].