By Aisha Stacey<\/p>\n
The religion of Islam is based on one core belief, that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah.\u00a0 When a person embraces Islam or a Muslim wants to renew or \u00a0\u00a0confirm his or her faith, they profess their belief that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His final messenger. \u00a0Ashadu an la ill laha il Allah wa Ashadu anna Muhammadan\u00a0 Rasulullah<\/i><\/b>, Saying these words, the Testimony of Faith, \u00a0\u00a0is the first of five pillars or foundations of the religion of Islam.\u00a0 Belief in God is the first of six pillars of faith.[1]<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Muslims believe that there is only One God.\u00a0 He alone is the Sustainer and Creator of the universe.\u00a0 He is without partners, children, or associates. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Wise, and the Most Just.\u00a0 He is the all hearer, all seer, and the all knowing.\u00a0 He is the First , He is the Last.<\/p>\n \u201cSay (O Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One. <\/a>\u00a0Allah-us-Samad <\/i>(The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). <\/a>\u00a0He begets not, nor was He begotten; <\/a>And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.\u201d (Quran 112)<\/p>\n \u201cHe is the Originator of the heavens and the earth.\u00a0 How can He have children when He has no wife?\u00a0 \u00a0He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything<\/a>.\u00a0 Such is Allah, your Lord!\u00a0 La ilaha illa Huwa <\/i>(none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things.\u00a0 So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian, over all things. <\/a>\u00a0No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision.\u00a0 He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well\u00ad Acquainted with all things.\u201d (Quran 6:101-103)<\/p>\n This belief is sometimes called Monotheism which is derived from the Greek words \u2018monos\u2019 meaning only and \u2018theos\u2019 meaning\u00a0 god.\u00a0 It is a relatively new word in the English language and it is used to denote a supreme being Who is all-powerful, the One who is responsible for life, the One who rewards or punishes. \u00a0Monotheism is directly opposed to Polytheism, which is belief in more than one god, and to Atheism, a \u00a0disbelief in all deities.<\/p>\n If we were to take into consideration the general meaning of the word \u2018monotheism\u2019\u00a0 Judaism, Christianity, Islam\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0 Zoroastrianism,\u00a0 and some Hindu philosophies\u00a0 could all be included. However it is, more commonplace to refer to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam\u00a0 as the\u00a0 three monotheistic religions and group them together; nonetheless, there are \u00a0glaring differences between Christianity and Islam.<\/p>\n The concept of a trinity inherent in most Christian denominations ostensibly includes aspects of plurality.\u00a0 The belief that one God is some how three divinities (father, son, and holy spirit) contradicts the concept of Monotheism inherent in Islam, where the Oneness of God is unquestionable.\u00a0 Some Christian groups, including those known as Unitarians believe that God is One and cannot be God and human at the same time.\u00a0 They take the words of Jesus in John 17:3, \u201cthe One True God\u201d literally.\u00a0 However, the vast majority of Christians do not share this belief.<\/p>\n In the religion of Islam belief in One God, without partners or associates is essential.\u00a0 It is the focal point of the religion and it is the essence of the Quran.\u00a0 The Quran calls on humankind to worship God alone and to give up worshipping false gods or associates.\u00a0 The Quran urges us to look at the wonders of creation and understand God\u2019s greatness and power, and it speaks directly of His names, attributes, and actions.\u00a0 The Quran commands us to reject anything that is worshipped instead of, or along with God.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I (God) created not the jinns and humankind except they should worship Me (Alone).\u201d (Quran 51:56)<\/p>\n Islam is often referred to as \u00a0pure<\/i><\/b> monotheism.\u00a0 It is not adulterated with strange concepts or superstitions. \u00a0Belief in One God entails certainty.\u00a0 Muslims \u00a0worship God alone, He has no partners, associates, or helpers.\u00a0 Worship is directed solely to God, for He is the only One worthy of worship.\u00a0 There is nothing greater than God Alone.<\/p>\n \u201cPraise and thanks be to God, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)!\u00a0 Is God better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?\u201d (Of course, God is Better)<\/p>\n Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight?\u00a0 It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any god with God?\u00a0 Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!<\/p>\n Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water).Is there any\u00a0 god with God?\u00a0 Nay, but most of them know not.<\/p>\n Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any god with God?\u00a0 Little is that you remember!<\/p>\n Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)?\u00a0 Is there any god\u00a0 with God?\u00a0 High Exalted be God above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!<\/p>\n \u00a0Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth?\u00a0 Is there any god with God?\u00a0 Say, \u201cBring forth your proofs, if you are truthful.\u201d (Quran 27:59-64)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Footnotes:<\/span><\/p>\n
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