‘Allah’ in the Quran

 

By Syed Manzoor Alam, New Age Islam

December 30, 2013

“The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them” (7 :180)

The total number of times the word ‘Allah’ occurs in the Quran is 2698. And every chapter of the Quran, with the exception of Ch 9, begins with this beautiful formula of ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’.

The best definition of Allah anyone can give is to quote the ‘one-third’ Quran i.e., ‘Purity (of Faith), Ch 112:

“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Say: Allah is one and only; Allah, the Absolute, the Eternal; He begets not nor is He begotten; There is nothing like Him”

If we glance through the index of a good translation of the Quran like A. Yusuf Ali, Asad, Arberry we will notice various verses under the heading of ‘Allah’. This article tries to list some of them, to expand His definition.

“Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds” (1:2)

“Allah is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful” (1:3)

“Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He leads them forth into light” (2:257)

“Indeed Allah is the best of Helpers” (3: 150)

“And how many a creature carries not its (own) provision. Allah provides for it and for you” (29: 60)

Contrary to what many fanatics say, Allah’s bounty is bestowed on all:

“Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all... the bounties of thy Lord are closed to anyone. See how We have bestowed more on some than on others; but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and gradation and more in excellence.” (17: 20-21)

“Allah is full of loving kindness” (85:14)

“Allah forgives again and again” (4:25, 5:74, 15: 49, 16: 119 among other verses)

“The Bounty of Allah and His Mercy is way better than worldly wealth” (10: 58)

“Allah’s power is present everywhere, whether ye turn East or West” (2:115)

“Allah is the doer of all He intends” (85: 16

“Allah is the wisest of judges” (95: 8)

Allah is never unjust” (4: 40)

“He is quick in retribution, but He is oft- Forgiving and Most Merciful” (7: 167)

“Allah is the Most Merciful to those who show mercy” (12: 64)

“He is witness over all things” (10: 61)

“Allah is free of all wants but worthy of all praise” (31: 26)

“Allah doth wish to lighten your burdens: for man was created weak (in resolution)” (4: 28)

And my most favourite verse in the entire Quran:

“Say, O my Servants who have transgressed against themselves by sinning, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving and the Merciful.” (39: 53)

Note: The verses have been selected from the index of Yusuf Ali, Mehri, Asad and the Quran search software.

URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/‘allah’-quran/d/35061