Who is Allah?

Allah: The One and Unique 
Dr. Norlain Dindang

The Only True God and Creator of All
The Qur’ân, the Divine Revelation from the only God, Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds (Qur’ân 56:80), repeatedly tells us that there is no god but Allâh [1]. Allâh (Subhanahu wata’ala,meaning: the Exalted, Most Glorious) Alone claims for universal divinity. He I Alone commands mankind to know that there is no god but He. Allâh the Almighty says in His Book:
“And your Allâh is one Allâh; there is no god but He, Most Gracious Most Merciful.” (Qur’ân, 2:163)
“Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning there from, and let them know that He is (no other than) One Allâh. Let men of understanding take heed.” (14: 52)
" Allâh! There is no god but He (the) Rabb[2] (the Only Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Throne Supreme!” (27: 26)
“O mankind! Call to mind the grace of Allâh unto you! Is there a Creator other than Allâh to give you sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He. How then are you deluded away from the Truth? (35:3)
“Verily, your Allâh is One, Rabb of the heavens and of the earth and all between them and Rabb of every point at the rising of the sun!” (37:4-5)
“Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allâh, and ask forgiveness for your fault...” (47: 19)
For the clear guidance of all mankind, Allâh the Most High mentions in many parts of His Book that He Alone is our God. Indeed, there is no god but Allâh. He is the Living, the Self-Subsisting, the Supporter of all (3: 2), and the One Who gives life and death (3:156; 6:95; 15:23). Allâh
s the Creator of all things. He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible (13: 16).
Belief in Allâh requires that we refrain from assigning partners to Him (6:22, 13:36 and 60:12) as well as saying things about Allâh of which we have no knowledge (7: 33). He is Allâh, the One, not one in a Trinity (5:72), nor one of two (16:51). He has no begotten son (2:116; 6:100; 10:68; 19:35) nor is He begotten (112: 3). Nor does He have consort nor daughters (6:100-101; 16:57; 37:149-157). Verily, Allâh has no partner (6:163). No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle, Well Aware (6:102, 103).
The Only One Worthy of All Praises
Furthermore, the Qur’ân contains many praises to Allâh -- the Only One worthy of all praises (31:26). The most beautiful names or attributes belong to Him (7:180). Ask yourself the following sensible questions: Is there anyone besides Allâh, who claims to be the Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds (i.e., this present world and the world in the Hereafter)? Who has ever claimed ownership of all things in heaven and earth, except Allâh? Has anyone, except Allâh, ever claimed to be the Only One Free of all wants, Worthy of all praise, Master of the Day of Judgment and the Only Deity? Do you know of anyone, except Allâh, who claims to be the Only Creator, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and none is comparable unto Him? If your answer to any of these challenging questions is “None”; then, accept the veracity of the following ayaat (Qur’ânic verses), as divine words coming from the Only True God, Allâh:
In the Name of Allâh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praises belong to Allâh, the Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds: Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You Alone we worship, and You Alone we seek for help. Guide us to the straight Way, the way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned your anger and who went astray. (1:1-7)
Allâh! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who Sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep can overtake Him. His are all things in the heavens and on 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 Throne extends over the heavens and the earth and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Most High the Supreme (in glory). (2:255)
“All Praises and thanks be to Allâh Who, (Alone) created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as equal with their Rabb.” (6:1)
“But if they turn away say: ‘Allâh suffices me: There is no god but He: On Him is my trust - He is the Rabb of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!’” (9:129)
“Say: ‘Call upon Allâh or call upon Rahman (the Most Beneficent), by whatever name you call upon Him (it is well), for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak your Prayer aloud nor speak it in a low tone but seek a middle course between.’ And say: ‘Praises belong to Allâh Who begets no son and has no partner in (His) dominion: nor is He low to have protector. And magnify Him for His greatness and glory!’” (17:110-111)
“To Allâh belong all things in heaven and earth: verily Allâh is He (Who is) free of all wants worthy of all praise.” (31:26)
“Glory to your Rabb, the Rabb of Honor and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! And Peace on the Messengers! And praises to Allâh the Rabb of the Worlds.” (37:180-181)
“Then Praise be to Allâh, the Rabb of the heavens and Rabb of the earth, the Rabb of all the worlds! To Him is Glory throughout the heavens and the earth: and He is Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom!” (45:36-37)
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth does declare the Praises and Glory of Allâh: to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belongs Praise: and He has power over all things. It is He Who has created you; and of you are some that are Unbelievers and some that are Believers: and Allâh sees well all that you do. He has created the heavens and the earth in just proportions and has given you shape and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final Goal. He knows what is in the heavens and on earth: and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Yes, Allâh knows well the (secrets) of (all) hearts. (64:1-4)
Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion: and He has Power over all things. He Who created Death and Life that He may test which of you is best in deed: and He is the Almighty, Most Forgiving. He Who created the seven heavens one above another; you can see no fault in the creation of the Most Gracious. Then look again: Do you see any flaw? (67:1-3)
“Say: `He is Allâh the One. The Eternally besought of all. He begets not nor was He begotten and there is none comparable unto Him.’" (112: 1-4)
The above verses are just few of the many enlightening verses in the Qur’ân that show how Allâh stresses His unique divinity. The Qur’ân consistently guides mankind to the Oneness of Allâh: Who Alone is our God, Creator and Provider and Who Alone deserves all praises and beautiful attributes.