The Nature of Allah (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The Nature of Allah: Omnipotence

The Omnipotence of Allah

• Muslims believe that God is Omnipotent, as God is the creator, sustainer and owner of all things

• One of the 99 names or characteristics of Allah is Al-Jabbar: the one who restores, resets, or fixes our brokenness. Meaning that Allah can compel things and people to do whatever He wishes

• Mulsims believe that humankind will always need Him and there is a reason for everything that happens

• Muslims believe that Allah sees their every action and knows their innermost thoughts and desires and He hears when they call Him

The Impact on Muslim Life

• Muslims give thanks to Allah for creating the world and all life. This is shown through prayer, rituals and the way they behave

• Muslims can be secure in knowing that Allah knows what is happening in the world and so they try to live their lives in accordance with the Qur’an

• The idea that ‘He is able to do all things’ ensures a Muslim’s submission to Him. This is displayed in the devotion shown to Allah

• The fact that everything happens for a reason gives Muslims strength during difficult times

The Nature of Allah: Immanence & Transcendence

Allah as Immanent

• Muslims believe that God is Immanent, within all things, and close to His people

  • ‘We are closer to human than his jugular vein’ (Qur’an 50: 16) meaning that Allah is vital to human existence. If the jugular vein is cut, humans die, so trying to live without Allah is worse than death

  • ‘And He is with you wherever you may be’ (Qur’an 57:4) meaning that Allah is always with Muslims as a guide and knows everything that is happening

• Muslims believe God is active in the world and not a non-active bystander

• Allah gives Muslims both the purpose and ability to live their lives

Allah as Transcendent

• Transcendence is being separate to the world, beyond it, which allows Allah to control and act in the world, but not be affected by it

  • ‘No vision can grasp Him…He is above all comprehension’ (Qur’an 6:103) meaning that Allah is outside this world and everything that He created

  • ‘Nothing there is like him’ (Qur’an 42:11) meaning that Allah is beyond human understanding and comparison, limitless and therefore He is not part of this world

• Muslims believe that Allah is outside time, whereas humans are subject to time. Allah has no beginning or end, so He cannot be part of time

Immanence and Transcendence

• It is difficult for some to comprehend how God can be both immanent and transcendent particularly as the concepts appear to contradict

• For Muslims, God can be both because He is everywhere and with everyone, but also above and greater than everyone

• God is creator of the universe, therefore outside and not limited by the physical world, yet he is also within all things and compassionate towards people

• For Muslims this means that God is limitless in terms of His power but that He also understands mankind

The Nature of Allah: Beneficence & Mercy

Allah as Beneficent and Merciful

• God is viewed as both beneficent and merciful by all Muslims

• The 99 names of Allah include, the Beneficent (AlRahman) and the Merciful (Al-Rahim)

• In the Qur’an, Allah is referred to 57 times as Beneficent and over 160 times as the Merciful

• ‘For Muslims, God is viewed as the source of all goodness

  • His generosity is seen in his gift to humans of life on earth

  • He sent prophets as guides to the right path, so He is compassionate and humans have free will to follow His path

• God’s beneficence is linked to his mercy and compassion

  • The mercy of Allah is reflected in the rules within the Qur’an

  • Allah’s mercy allows humans to exist, to live, and to love

  • Allah’s compassion surrounds them and mercy helps them deal with being humans

Impact Upon the Life of a Muslim

• In their daily prayers, Muslims begin by saying, ‘In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy’. This phrase is called the ‘Bismillah’ and Muslims say it to dedicate everything they do to God.

• They believe that God is merciful: he understands their suffering, care for them and forgives them if they are truly sorry for any wrong they have done

• Muslims believe that making mistakes is part of being human, but Allah always forgives those who repent

  • Out of mercy Allah forgives and even repeated sin is forgiven. Muslims have the chance to make up for bad deeds

• Suffering clearly exists, but it is a test of faith to see how humans respond even where it seems beyond comprehension

  • Humans are not always capable of recognising the plan that Allah has for everyone but they must put trust and faith in God

The Nature of Allah: Fairness & Justice

Allah as Fair and Just

• Justice (Adalat) means fairness, that is, to do what is right

• Allah is absolute, so always does what is right. Muslims must accept this and try to act in a fair way to others

• Muslims believed that everyone will be judged by Allah on Judgement Day where Allah rewards good actions and evil actions have consequences

  • At least 40 verses of the Qur’an discuss the justice of Allah and on the Day of Judgement, each individual will face justice for their own actions

  • Having a balanced response increases the chance of the response being appropriate and fair

• Muslims believe that Allah acts with fairness and justice. He treats people equally and justly, and requires that they do the same to their fellow human beings

  • Humans are commanded to be just and fair in their actions: ‘Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal not justly’ (Qur’an 5:8)

• The idea of Allah being just is central to both Shi’a and Sunni Muslims

  • Belief in divine justice is one of the Five Roots of Faith within Shi’a Islam

  • Belief in the Day of Judgement is one of the Six Articles of Faith within Sunni Islam

How a Just God influences Muslim Life

• Muslims believe that they should always act moderately and not in the extreme

• So a Muslims must never be too angry or too calm, too courageous or too weak, too clever or too foolish. They should strive to live their lives in a balanced way

• Having a balanced response increases the chance of the response being appropriate and fair

• Muslims trust that there will be justice in the end even if life appears unjust at times

• Knowing that justice will take place at the Day of Judgement means that they will try to live their life according to the Qur’an to gain reward in the afterlife