Foundational Questions About Islam

2. Who or What Is Allah, and How Is the Islamic Concept of God Different from That in Other Religions?

Muslims profess belief in Allah as the one and only God, the Creator of all that exists. But what exactly does Islam mean by Allah? Is He simply the Arabic name for the God of the Bible, or does the Qur’an present a different divine portrait? Is Allah personal, loving, and relational — or solely transcendent and commanding? How does the Islamic concept of God compare to those in Judaism and Christianity?

Answer

According to Islamic sources and the standard Islamic narrative:

Allah is the proper name of the one true God — eternal, uncreated, and unique — who alone is worthy of worship. In Islam, Allah is not a generic deity, nor merely the Arabic term for “God,” but the specific name of the divine being described in the Qur’an and revealed through the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Absolute Oneness and Uniqueness (Tawḥīd)

The central concept in Islamic theology is Tawḥīd — the uncompromising belief in the oneness of Allah. He has no partners, no equals, no offspring, and no intermediaries.

“Say: He is Allah, [who is] One.
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born.
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(Qur’an 112:1–4)

This distinguishes Allah from concepts of God in traditions where divine plurality, incarnation, or personhood are present.

Names and Attributes of Allah

The Qur’an and Hadith describe Allah through His 99 Names (al-Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā), which include:

  • Ar-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful)

  • Al-ʿAlīm (The All-Knowing)

  • Al-Ḥakam (The Judge)

  • Al-ʿAdl (The Just)

  • Al-Wadūd (The Loving)

  • Al-Qahhār (The Subduer)

“To Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them.”
(Qur’an 7:180)

Muslim theologians affirm that Allah’s attributes are unlike anything in creation and must be understood in a way that preserves His transcendence.

Transcendent but Near

While Allah is transcendent and utterly beyond human comprehension, the Qur’an also emphasizes His closeness and responsiveness:

“We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.” (Qur’an 50:16)
“Indeed, My Lord is near and responsive.” (Qur’an 11:61)

Yet, Allah remains unseen, unembodied, and unincarnate — He does not enter into creation, take human form, or share divinity with anything or anyone.

Allah’s Love and Mercy

Allah is repeatedly described as merciful and forgiving, but His love is often portrayed as conditional upon obedience:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” (Qur’an 3:159)
“Indeed, Allah does not love the arrogant.” (Qur’an 16:23)
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you…’” (Qur’an 3:31)

Mercy is fundamental to His identity:

“My mercy encompasses all things.” (Qur’an 7:156)

However, Islamic theology distinguishes between universal mercy and divine love reserved for the faithful.

Comparison to Jewish and Christian Concepts

Islam affirms belief in the same Creator worshiped by Abraham and Moses, but it explicitly rejects any notion of divine sonship, incarnation, or Trinity:

“They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.’” (Qur’an 5:72)
“There is nothing like unto Him…” (Qur’an 42:11)

Islam does not portray Allah as a father figure, nor does it allow for a personal relationship in the intimate sense used in Christianity. Instead, Allah is described as Lord (Rabb), Master, and Judge, and the relationship of the believer to Him is one of servitude, obedience, and awe.

Thus, in classical Islamic understanding, Allah is the one and only God, utterly unique and indivisible, known through His names and attributes, and beyond all human likeness. While merciful and near, He is not personal in a relational or incarnate sense. Islam’s vision of God is therefore distinct from both polytheistic religions and from Christian doctrines of divine incarnation or Trinity.

Have I Misrepresented Anything?

If you're a Muslim reader or scholar and believe that any of these questions misrepresent Islamic belief, feel free to respond — but please provide references from the Qur’an, authentic hadiths, or classical Islamic scholarship. This blog is committed to accurate representation, followed by rigorous analysis.

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