Module 1 – Circle 9 The Attributes of Allah swt

Module 1 – Circle 9 How is Allah swt best described? Allah swt says in the Quran: Say, “He is God, [who is] One, God, The Eternal, The Absolute. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equal.

Module 1 – Circle 9 Does Allah swt look like us? “[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.” [Surah 42, verses 11-12]

Can we see Allah swt? “When Musa came to the place appointed by us, and his Lord addressed him, he said: O my Lord show yourself to me, that I may look upon you. Allah said: By no means can you see me; but look upon the mountain; if it remains in its place, then shall you see me. When his Lord manifested his glory on the mountain, he made it as dust, and Musa fell down unconscious. When he recovered to his senses he said: Glory be to you! To you I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe.” (Surah 7:143) Module 1 – Circle 9 "No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision..." (Surah 6:103)

Module 1 – Circle 9 Was Allah swt created? Allah tells us in the Quran that He is the only creator and sustainer of all that exists and that nothing and no one exists alongside Him, nor does He have any partners. He tells us that He is not created, nor is He like His creation in anyway. He calls Himself by a number of names and three of them are: The First – (Al Awal) The Last – (Al Akhir) The Eternal, who is sought after by His creation, while He has no need from them at all – (As- Samad)

Module 1 – Circle 9 Is Allah swt in need of us and our worship? "I have only created jinns and humans to worship Me. I do not need from them to provide for Me, and I do not need from them to feed Me. Allah is surely the One Who gives providence, and He is the Mighty and Strong." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 51, Verses 56-58

Module 1 – Circle 9 Why does Allah swt ask us to Worship Him if He is not in need of our Worship? “Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surah Ra’d: 28)

Module 1 – Circle 9 Where is Allah swt? "And verily, your Rabb is Allah who created the heaven and earth in six days, and then rose over the 'Arsh." (Surah 7:54) "Are you sure that He Who is Above the heaven will not cleave the earth beneath you? Or are you sure that He Who is above the heaven will not send against you a stone- charged hurricane." (Surah 67:17-18)

Module 1 – Circle 9 The Knowledge of Allah swt "Do you not see that Allah knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth? There is no secret counsel of three, but He is their fourth, nor of five, but He is their sixth, nor of fewer than that, nor of more, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of what they did. Surely, Allah knows all things full well.“ (Surah 58:7)

Module 1 – Circle 9 Is Allah swt Loving? “Say: ‘If you do love Allah follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.’” (Surah 3:31) “On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness will (Allah) Most Gracious bestow Love.” (Surah 19:96)

Module 1 – Circle 9 Is Allah swt Wrathful? Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: My mercy excels My wrath. (Muslim 6627) Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah created one hundred (parts of mercy) and He distributed one amongst His creation and kept this one hundred excepting one with Himself (for the Day of Resurrection). (Muslim 6630)

Module 1 – Circle 9 The Mercy of Allah swt Allah's Messenger (saw) said: “Allah the Most High says: 'O son of Adam! As long as you supplicate to Me and hope in Me, I will forgive you what you have done. O son of Adam! If your sins were to reach the lofty regions of the sky, then you ask Me for forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you were to come to Me with enough sins to fill the earth, but you met Me not associating anything with Me I would bring you the like of it of forgiveness.” [Bukhari, 8/319]

Module 1 – Circle 9 Which words can we use to describe Allah swt? "Allah there is no god but He. To Him belong the most beautiful names" (Qur’an 20:8) "He is Allah, 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) "The most beautiful names belong to God: so call on Him by them;..." (7:180)