Characteristic
of Allah in the
Qur’an
What does it mean? Source of wisdom and authority
Tawhid
Tawhid is the belief in the oneness of
Allah. Allah is one, unique, and without
any equals.
‘We sent a messenger to every
community, saying “Worship God and
shun false gods.”’ Surah 16:35-36
Immanent This means Allah is close to his
creation, he sustains the universe.
‘We were never far from them’ Surah 7:
6-7
‘We are closer to him than his jugular
vein’. Surah 50:16
Transcendent This means Allah is above creation,
beyond human understanding.
Allah ‘established himself on the throne…
Exalted be God’. Surah 7:54
Omnipotence
The belief that God is all powerful.
He has the power to create
everything from nothing and can do
whatever he wills.
“Do you know that control of the
heavens and the earth belongs to Him?
You [believers] have no protector or
helper but God […] He has power over
all things”. Surah 2: 107-109
Beneficence
Muslims believe that Allah is the most
beneficient of all beings and that he
loves his creation, especially humans.
His kindness knows no limits.
‘your Lord’s bounty is not restricted’.
Surah 17:20
2.3 The Nature of Allah
Why are these characteristics important to Muslims?
Although Allah is transcendent, so can’t be fully known, these attributes
help Muslims to understand him as much as possible.
According to the Qur’an humans were created by Allah to have a
relationship with him through worship (Surah 51:56). Understanding Allah
is important for this to happen.
Muslims strive to reflect some of Allah’s characteristics e.g. because Allah
is merciful, Muslims should try to be too. This way humans can become a
reflection of some of Allah’s attributes/characteristics (Surah 2:138).
Everything Allah does is an act of
kindness, even punishment which is
seen as being like medicine to heal the
infected parts of the soul. Many
Muslims believe that hell is only
temporary.
‘My mercy embraces all things.’
Surah 7:156
Adalat or ‘Adl
This means Divine Justice. God is
just and fair and therefore humans
should try to be too.
“God commands you to return things
entrusted to you to their rightful owners,
and, if you judge between people, to do
so with justice: God’s instructions to you
are excellent, for He hears and sees
everything”. Surah 4:58
2.3 The Nature of Allah
Why are these characteristics important to Muslims?
Although Allah is transcendent, so can’t be fully known, these attributes
help Muslims to understand him as much as possible.
According to the Qur’an humans were created by Allah to have a
relationship with him through worship (Surah 51:56). Understanding Allah
is important for this to happen.
Muslims strive to reflect some of Allah’s characteristics e.g. because Allah
is merciful, Muslims should try to be too. This way humans can become a
reflection of some of Allah’s attributes/characteristics (Surah 2:138).
of Allah in the
Qur’an
What does it mean? Source of wisdom and authority
Tawhid
Tawhid is the belief in the oneness of
Allah. Allah is one, unique, and without
any equals.
‘We sent a messenger to every
community, saying “Worship God and
shun false gods.”’ Surah 16:35-36
Immanent This means Allah is close to his
creation, he sustains the universe.
‘We were never far from them’ Surah 7:
6-7
‘We are closer to him than his jugular
vein’. Surah 50:16
Transcendent This means Allah is above creation,
beyond human understanding.
Allah ‘established himself on the throne…
Exalted be God’. Surah 7:54
Omnipotence
The belief that God is all powerful.
He has the power to create
everything from nothing and can do
whatever he wills.
“Do you know that control of the
heavens and the earth belongs to Him?
You [believers] have no protector or
helper but God […] He has power over
all things”. Surah 2: 107-109
Beneficence
Muslims believe that Allah is the most
beneficient of all beings and that he
loves his creation, especially humans.
His kindness knows no limits.
‘your Lord’s bounty is not restricted’.
Surah 17:20
2.3 The Nature of Allah
Why are these characteristics important to Muslims?
Although Allah is transcendent, so can’t be fully known, these attributes
help Muslims to understand him as much as possible.
According to the Qur’an humans were created by Allah to have a
relationship with him through worship (Surah 51:56). Understanding Allah
is important for this to happen.
Muslims strive to reflect some of Allah’s characteristics e.g. because Allah
is merciful, Muslims should try to be too. This way humans can become a
reflection of some of Allah’s attributes/characteristics (Surah 2:138).
Everything Allah does is an act of
kindness, even punishment which is
seen as being like medicine to heal the
infected parts of the soul. Many
Muslims believe that hell is only
temporary.
‘My mercy embraces all things.’
Surah 7:156
Adalat or ‘Adl
This means Divine Justice. God is
just and fair and therefore humans
should try to be too.
“God commands you to return things
entrusted to you to their rightful owners,
and, if you judge between people, to do
so with justice: God’s instructions to you
are excellent, for He hears and sees
everything”. Surah 4:58
2.3 The Nature of Allah
Why are these characteristics important to Muslims?
Although Allah is transcendent, so can’t be fully known, these attributes
help Muslims to understand him as much as possible.
According to the Qur’an humans were created by Allah to have a
relationship with him through worship (Surah 51:56). Understanding Allah
is important for this to happen.
Muslims strive to reflect some of Allah’s characteristics e.g. because Allah
is merciful, Muslims should try to be too. This way humans can become a
reflection of some of Allah’s attributes/characteristics (Surah 2:138).