Introduction

Muslims believe in a single deity whom they refer to in Arabic as Allah. He created and directs the world as an omnipotent, merciful ruler, and he will judge humanity at the end of the world. Acceptance of Allah as the one true God is an essential foundation for all Muslims. All those wishing to become Muslim must make a declaration of their faith in God: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Apostle of God."¹The Šahādah. The phrase "There is no god but God" is found in the Quran , but the entire declaration is found only in the ḥadīth, in various contexts.

When Muhammad began preaching monotheism in 7th century Arabia, he emphasized that the god worshiped by Muslims was the same god worshipped by Jews and Christians. In other words, the Allah of Islam is equivalent to the Yahweh of Judaism and Christianity. The three religions do not always agree on the messengers, message, or characteristics of God, but because they all emerge from the same religious tradition, they worship a common deity.

Attributes of Allah

Much of Muslims' belief concerning Allah stems from the Quran. Each chapter of the Quran (with the exception of the ninth) begins, "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate," emphasizing his goodness. The Verse of the Throne also lists attributes of Allah:

God there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. His Throne comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them oppresses Him not; He is the All-high, the All-glorious.⁴Quran: 2:255.

Surah 112, referred to as "The Unity," indicates that Allah encompasses all existence, has always existed, and has no offspring:

Say: 'He is God, One, God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, and has not been begotten, and equal to Him is not any one.'⁵Quran: 112:1-4.

The Quran teaches that Allah created humans and is generally merciful to them. He does have expectations for humans, though, including the expectation that they will submit their will to him. During the final days, he will judge humans and assign them to either the garden of paradise or to hell.

Iconography

Muslims prohibit visual depictions of Allah because such depictions are considered idols. Instead, Muslims describe God using his ninety-nine names or other divine attributes found in the Quran. There are passages in this sacred text that describe God as having human attributes such as sight and hearing. He is also portrayed as sitting on a throne and showing his face. Although such passages seem to indicate an embodied deity, most Muslims consider Allah to be incorporeal.