Basics of Religious Education — Page 27
B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION 27 27 27 27 27 The Islamic name of God is ‘Allah’. This name, in Arabic, applies only to the One Supreme Being and to no one else. The word ‘Allah’ is never used in the plural, because Islam advocates the belief in the absolute unity of Allah. In addition to the proper name ‘ Allah ’, Allah has many beautiful names called al-Asmaa'ul Husnaa (59:25), signifying His various attributes. The opening Chapter of the Qur’an ( Surah al-Fatihah ) explains (commen- tary follows) that those Divine attributes that relate to human beings in any manner, branch out from His four principle attributes as follows: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Rabbul-`Aalameen (Lord of all the Worlds). This means that Allah creates everything and then fosters everything gradually towards perfection; ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Ar-Rahmaan (the Gracious). This means that without any effort on the part of His creatures, Allah provides everything that is necessary for their development and progress; ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Ar-Raheem (the Merciful). This means that Allah is the Giver of the best and highest reward for those who do good voluntarily, and that reward continues indefinitely; and, ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Maaliki-yaumiddeen (Master of the Day of Judgment). This means that the ultimate judgment concerning everything rests with Allah alone. The Holy Qur’an & Ahadith refer to over one hundred attributes of Allah. Islam stresses the need to have firm belief in them and to follow them. The Holy Prophet sa advises in one of his Ahadith : “Follow the attributes of Allah. ” All these attributes may be divided into three categories as follows: Allah Allah Allah Allah Allah and His Attributes and His Attributes and His Attributes and His Attributes and His Attributes God— Allah Attributes of Allah Four Principle Attributes of Allah 2. 1 2. 1 2. 1 2. 1 2. 1 A A A A A LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH AND AND AND AND AND THE THE THE THE THE H H H H H OL OL OL OL OLY Y Y Y Y Q Q Q Q Q UR UR UR UR UR ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ AN AN AN AN AN — A — A — A — A — A LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH & H & H & H & H & H IS IS IS IS IS A A A A A TTRIBUTES TTRIBUTES TTRIBUTES TTRIBUTES TTRIBUTES