The Nature of Allah

Question 1

What 7 truths do Muslims believe about God?

Answer 1

1. Immanent - existing within creation
2. Transcendent - beyond human nature + understanding
3. Omniscient - all-knowing
4. Beneficent - all-loving
5. Merciful - fair and forgiving
6. Judge - He will judge humans on the D.o.J
7. Creator - He is the creator of all that exists

Question 2

Explain the importance of the 99 names of Allah. (3)

Answer 2

1. Islam rejects anthropomorphic representations of God unlike other Abrahamic religions
2. Qur’an and Hadith have names that describe His qualities rather than appearance.
3. i.e Protector, Wise, Al-Wahid - the one

Question 3

Explain the sin of shirk. (2)

Answer 3

1. Means idol worship

2. Humans must worship Allah, not images of Him.

Question 4

Describe fitrah. (2)

Answer 4

1. Fitrah - the need for God; an instinctive need to know and worship God from birth
2. Islam teaches that it’s the source of our conscience

Question 5

Describe taqwa. (2)

Answer 5

1. Taqwa - the awareness of God in all aspects of life and the desire for a personal connection with Him.
2. Believed to be the highest quality of a Muslim b/c it leads them to worship and submit to God

Question 6

Explain the importance of belief in Tawhid. (3)

Answer 6

1. Part of the Shahadah (Muslim declaration of faith) - “There is no God but Allah”
2. Anything going against beliefs in the nature of God breaks tawhid.
3. God in Arabic, “Allah” has no plural.