Attributes of Allah defined by Allah Himself
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
3 Aug 2012
No one can define Allah better than Allah Himself as He is Al-‘Aleem (The All Knowing). The word ‘Allah’ soothes us in times of panic, consoles us in times of depression, and motivates us in times of distress.
"He is Allah (God), the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner; to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and Glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise”. (Quran 59:24)
Once Muhammad (pbuh) was in Medina and a Christian deputation had come from Najran, an outskirt of Yemen. They had heard that an Arab is claiming to be in communion with God, he is claiming to be a Prophet. So these Christian brothers wanted to meet the new “Prophet”. They wanted to question him about religion.
They come to Medina and they are housed in the mosque of the Prophet; they sleep in the mosque, they eat in the mosque and they have a dialogue in the mosque, for three days and three nights. During the course of the discussion one of the Christians posed this question among many others: ‘Tell us O Muhammad, what is your concept of God?’ And according to tradition, Muhammad (pbuh) does not start just answering. He, so to say, presses his spiritual buttons, trying to commune with God. Muhammad (pbuh) could have said ‘See our concept of God is almost identical to yours; we believe in the God of Abraham, we believe in the God of Moses’ etc. This is how we talk but not so Muhammad. He was asked a question about the Highest (al-A`laa) and he must get it from the highest authority. And there comes the answer through his mouth as he is the end terminal of the message of God, like all other Prophets:
“Say: He is God, the one and only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He does not beget and He is not begotten; and there is nothing like unto Him”. Ch 112 v 1-4
This short chapter of just four lines defines Allah in the most beautiful manner.
To Allah belongs “the most beautiful names: so call on Him by them". (Quran 7:180)
Allah is Ar-Rahmaan: He is the Compassionate, the Beneficent, the One who has plenty of mercy for the Believers as well as the blasphemers as He is the creator of us all (Al- Khaaliq).
He is As-Salaam: He is the source of peace. To gain peace we must be in touch with Him via His revelations.
He is Al-Ghaffaar: The Great Forgiver, The One who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.
He is Al-Fattaah: The Judge, The Opener. Most of us have the habit of judging others on the basis of their belief. Many Muslims say ‘Since you are a Christian/Hindu you will go to hell’; Hindus/Christians sometimes say ‘Since you do not believe in Jesus/Ram/Krishna you will go to hell’. It is best if we leave judgement to the Al- Fattaah.
Allah is Al-^Adl: He is just; He can never do anything that is unjust. Sometimes it may seem that His decision is unjust but in the long run we find out that it was for the better.
He is Al- Wasi: The Vast The All-Embracing, The Knowledgeable. He knows the intention of his creation and their actions. Action is not that important as compared to the intention of the action and Allah knows this and “embraces” our actions and rewards or punishes accordingly.
Allah is Al- Haqq. He is the Truth, the source of Truth. Rabindranath Tagore said: “Facts are many but Truth is One”.
Allah is Ash-Shaheed: nothing is absent from him. "...There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things). Qur'an [42:11]
We must have absolute faith in Allah Almighty. Through faith in Him alone we build hope and optimism, we feel good, secured and happy. Allah is very close to us we just need to take some time to reconnect to the source of the Truth.
"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. (The Noble Quran, 2:186)"
We must have patience in whatever we do:
"O ye who believe! Seek help with patient Perseverance and Prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently preserve. (The Noble Quran, 2:153)"
Discipline is very important in the sight of Allah:
"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing. (The Noble Quran, 2:177)"
And most importantly pray to Allah in humility:
"Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. (The Noble Quran, 29:45)"
If one follows the above points and believes in the attributes of Allah then one will have inner peace and feel the connection with Allah. No matter how difficult life is to you, if you keep your faith, patience and trust in Allah, and always try your honest best in everything you do, and keep yourself disciplined and work hard to accomplish your goals, and pray to Allah Almighty in humility, then no evil will ever overpower you, nor will you ever feel any regrets for losses, because you know it would be from the Will of Allah Almighty and not your own fault or lack of hard work.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/attributes-allah-defined-allah-himself/d/8149