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Lesson 2 of 3

One God

5 min read

Everything in Islam starts with one belief: God is One. This is called tawhid. Four short verses of the Quran state it more clearly than any explanation.

Surah al-Ikhlas

Arabic: قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

How to say it: Qul huwal-laahu ahad

Meaning: Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One,

Arabic: ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ

How to say it: Allaahus-samad

Meaning: Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

Arabic: لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

How to say it: Lam yalid wa lam yoolad

Meaning: He neither begets nor is born,

Arabic: وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ

How to say it: Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad

Meaning: Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

In plain words

  • One

    God is one, with no partners.

  • Refuge

    Everyone turns to Him in need. He needs no one.

  • Unlike us

    He has no parent, child, or equal.

Is Allah a different God?

No. Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use it too, and Arabic Bibles use it for God. Muslims worship the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

A God of mercy

Almost every chapter of the Quran opens with these words. Muslims say them before eating, starting a task, or beginning to read.

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Quran 1:1 (Saheeh International translation)

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

Quran 39:53 (Saheeh International translation)

No middleman

In Islam you do not need a priest, a saint, or anyone else to reach God. You can speak to Him anywhere, in any language, at any time.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Quran 2:186 (Saheeh International translation)

The beautiful names of God

Muslims know God through many names that describe Him, such as the Merciful, the Forgiving, the Wise, and the Creator. Each is a way of knowing Him better. They are not separate gods.

Remember

God is One, close, and merciful. You can turn to Him directly, with nothing between you.

Next, you will see why God made us.

Sources (5)

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Up next: Why are we here?

Step 1: What Islam is, 4 min

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