The Oneness of Allah

The Oneness of Allah

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

﴾Say: He is Allah, the One and Only Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like Him.﴿ Holy Qur'an (112:1-4)

The Oneness of Allah

During the time of ignorance in the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyah), polytheists used to worship idols which they themselves made out of iron, stone, wood and other materials. They believed that the idols themselves had the ability to provide, give benefit and inflict harm. They would offer presents or carry out sacrifices for their idols, whom they asked to meet their needs. For instance, the sick would ask to be cured, the poor for sustenance and childless couples for a child.

The people at that time were polytheists, who worshiped other than Allah; Who thus sent Prophet Muhammad [s]1 to bid them to stop adoring idols and tell them that these statutes were merely stones, which could neither benefit nor harm them.

The above-mentioned surah (chapter) of the Holy Qur'an was sent down to explain to people that the only god whom they should worship is the One God and there is no god save Him. It is He alone Who creates, provides, gives life and causes death, and it is He towards Whom people should turn for help.

Indeed Allah is not like any other creature; He has neither father nor mother, nor wife nor children. It is people who are in need of a father, mother and children because they themselves are created and have needs to produce young. Some are similar to others, but Allah the Creator is One and has no equal.

None of Allah's creatures are like Him. He, Who alone is Ever-Lasting and All-Powerful. It is He Who creates, provides and knows everything, no one can be characterized with such great attributes except Him. It is He alone Who deserves praise, obedience, and thanks.

* Islamic Doctrines Simplified. By Al-Balagh Foundation.

^{1-[s] is an abbreviation for an Arabic phrase "sallalahu aleihi wa alihi wa salam" meaning "peace be upon him and his holy family". It is recommended for all Muslim's to invoke this salutation when mentioning the name of Apostle Muhammad [s] or referring to him.}