In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, and Most Merciful.
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Muslim scholars have laid down some characteristics of God, the Almighty that no other creature could have. The creatures also have some characteristics that seem to have the same names, but the difference is that Allah has the perfect and exalted meanings, whereas creatures have negative features.
Accordingly, God is perfectly different from all creatures in both nature and features.
Allah has described himself in a brief quotable sentence, pushing away any pretended similarity between Him and His creatures; He has said what means:
" (He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things)." Meanings of Holy Quran:(Ash-Shura: 11).
Therefore Allah has some specific features as follow:
- The Existence:
Allah exists, His existence isn’t due to a motive or cause, on the contrary ours is due to His will.
Allah states in the Holy Quran:
"Or, who has created the heavens and the earth, and who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it we cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty and delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice. " (An-Naml: 60)
Allah says what means:
" And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has Power to gather them together when He wills." (As-Shura:29)
A - The Antiquity (Oldness):
He is the first, nothing existed before Him, and His oldness means that He has no start. Everything has a start except Him.
Allah says what means:
“He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Hidden: and He has full knowledge of all things. “ (Al-Hadid: 3)
B - The Remaining (Duration):
Allah is the last, nothing will endure after Him, His remaining means that He has no end, He is the Eternal. Everything will perish except Him.
Allah says what means:
“All that is on earth will perish: But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.” (Ar-Rahman: 26-27)
“He is the First and the Last...” (Al-Hadid: 3)
C - The Differentiation to all occurring things:
Allah has no match in Identity neither in Characteristic, nor in acts. Nothing is like Him.
Allah says what means:
“(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever likes unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things).” (Ash-Shura: 11)
D - Absolute Affluence:
He is free of all needs, as opposed to all creatures who are Needy.
Allah says what means:
“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.” (Fatir: 15)
He says:
“To Allah belong all things in heaven and earth: verily Allah is He (that is) free of all wants, Worthy of all praise.” (Luqman: 26)
He says:
“They say, "Allah hath begotten a son!" Glory be to Him! He is Self-Sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! Say ye about Allah what ye know not?” (Yunus:68)
E - The Oneness:
His Identity has no complication ( structure ), He is neither made up of several identities, nor He Has Multiple features, nothing could exert influence on His acts. He has no partner on Earth.
1 - Life:
Life is a condition to the other Characteristics:
So Allah is ever alive, never dies.
Allah says what means:
“Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory) “ (AL-Baqarah:255)
And says:
“ And put thy trust in Him Who lives and dies not; and celebrate His praise; and enough is He to be acquainted with the faults of His servants;.” (Al-Furqan: 58)
“He who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority): Allah, Most Gracious: ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things).” (Al-Furqan: 59)
And He says:
“He is the Living (One): there is no god but He: call upon Him, giving Him sincere devotion. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! "(Gafir: 65)
2 - Knowledge:
Allah knows all things (that exist or not). His knowledge is an old Characteristic attendant to His existing.
So Allah has full knowledge of all things.
Allah says what means:
“It is He Who is God in heaven and God on earth; and He is Full of Wisdom and Knowledge.” (Az-Zukhruf: 84)
And says:
“And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.” (Fussilat: 36)
And says:
"Is not He who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?"Yea, indeed! for He is the Creator Supreme of skill and knowledge (infinite)!”(Ya-Sin :).” (Al-Furqan: 58-59) 81)
And Says:
“He knows what is in the heavens and on earth; and He knows what ye conceal and what ye reveal: yea, Allah knows well the (secrets) of (all) hearts.” (At-Tagbun: 4)
He says:
“ He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of authority), He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.”
(AL-Hadid: 4)
And says:
“Verily Allah knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth: and Allah sees well all that ye do." (AL-Hujurat: 18)
And Says:
“(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal.” (Gafir: 19)
3 - The will:
It specifies all possible things according to its feasibility: like, producing or exterminating them, creating them in a specific time or place, making them in a specific color or quantity.
So Allah is willing.
Allah says what means:
“Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "Be", and it is! So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him will ye be all brought back.” (Ya-Sin: 82-83)
4- Might (Power):
It fulfills all possible things according to the will.
So Allah Has Power over all things.
Allah says what means: The same last verses (Ya-Sin:82-83)
And He says:
“Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance, each from the other." See how We explain the Signs by various (symbols); that they may understand”
(AL-An’am:65)
And Says:
“Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends His Command: that ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in (His) Knowledge.” (At-Talaq: 12)
And says:
“See they not that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and never wearied with their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yea, verily He has power over all things." (Al-Ahqaf: 33)
5- Talk (speaking):
It Concerns every known things, it shows everything that Allah wants to reveal.
So Allah is a Speaker (and still speaking).
Allah says what means:
“Those Messengers We endowed with gifts, some above others: to one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour); to 'Isa, the son of Maryam, We gave Clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If Allah had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after Clear (Signs) had come to them but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If Allah had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah fulfilleth His plan.” (AL-Baqarah:253)
The Holy Quran is His Speech, and all previous books (Torah and the gospel...).
6- Hearing:
It concerns every existing thing, and uncovers it with other way than the uncovering of Knowledge and sight.
So Allah hears all things.
Allah says what means:
“That is because Allah merges Night into Day, and He merges Day into Night and verily it is Allah Who hears and sees (all things).” (AL-Hajj: 61)
And says:
“Seest thou not that Allah doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth? There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes the fourth among them, nor between five but He makes the sixth, nor between fewer nor more, but He is with them, wheresoever they be: in the end will He tell them the truth of their conduct, on the Day of Judgment. For Allah has full knowledge of all things. » (Al-Mujadila: 7)
7- Sight (Vision):
It Concerns every existing thing, and uncovers it with other way than the uncovering of Knowledge and Hearing.
So Allah sees all things.
Allah says what means:
“And Allah will judge with (Justice and) Truth: but those whom (men) invoke besides Him, will not (be in a position) to judge at all. Verily it is Allah (alone) Who hears and sees (all things).” (Gafir: 20)
Abderrahman Saidi
On Sunday, 29 July 2012 at 00:36 ·