The Concept of God in Islam

Mesude Ozturk

Dialog Student Association

University of Oklahoma

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God is One

Tawhid, uniqueness of God, is the essence of Islam.Islam rejects trinity

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Signs of God

Harmony in the universeProvision of the needs on a timely mannerUltimate science in the universeMercy in the universeAwakening in SpringEcological system

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Is It Possible to Have Multiple Gods?

Balance cannot be sustained in the universeIndivisibility of God's sovereignty

Contradiction by definitionWhat about nature/causes?

Instead of accepting one God, one needs to accept multiple omnipotent gods.This is far more contradictory.

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Quran and Prophetic Tradition

Instead of dogmatism, Quran and Prophetic Tradition repeatedly ask for reflection and contemplation on the uniqueness of God

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Use of Brain and Observation in Accepting Faith

[Quran 17:36]: You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.

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Tawhid in Quran

[Quran 67:3,4]: He created seven universes (heavens) in layers. You do not see any imperfection in the creation by the Most Gracious. Keep looking; do you see any flaw? Look again and again; your gaze will come back to you weak and exhausted.

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Convincing

[Quran 10:31] "Say: 'Who is it that provides you with sustenance out of heaven and earth, or who is it that has full power over [your] hearing and sight? And who is it that brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of that which is alive? And who is it that governs all that exists?" And they will [surely] answer: "[It is] God." 

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Sample Verses on Reflection of the Universe

[Quran 24:41]: Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies GOD, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer and its glorification. GOD is fully aware of everything they do. [Quran 24:43]: Do you not realize that GOD drives the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them on each other, then you see the rain coming out of them? He sends down from the sky loads of snow to cover whomever He wills, while diverting it from whomever He wills. [Quran 24:44]: GOD controls the night and day. This should be a lesson for those who possess eyes.

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Knowledge of GodGod can be known through his Names and Reflections.God has many names in Quran

The Most MercifulThe Most CompassionateOmnipotentAll-KnowledgableJusthttp://islam.about.com/od/godallah/a/asma_husna.htm

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How does Quran Describe God?[Quran 59:22-24]:• He is Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah, the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible. He is the Beneficent, Merciful.•He is God: there is no god other than Him, the Controller, the Holy One, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Truly Great; God is far above anything they consider to be His partner.•He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

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Further Descriptions of God[Quran 2:255] : Allah! There is no God but He,the Living, the Self-subsisting, the Eternal.No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep.All things in heaven and earth are His.Who could intercede in His presence without His permission? He knows what appears in front of and behind His creatures. Nor can they encompass any knowledge of Him except what he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth,and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them, for He is the Highest and Most Exalted.

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Personal Experience on the Existence of God

[Qur'an 2:186]: When My servants ask thee concerning Me,I am indeed close (to them).I respond to the prayer of every suppliantwhen he calls on Me.Let them also, with a will,Listen to My call, and believe in Me,that they may walk in the right way.

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Role of Messengers[Quran 3:144]: Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.[Quran 11:31]: "I do not claim that I possess the treasures of GOD, nor do I know the future, nor do I claim to be an angel. Nor do I say to those despised by your eyes that GOD will not bestow any blessings upon them. GOD knows best what is in their innermost thoughts. (If I did this,) I would be a transgressor."

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Prophetic Tradition

Convincing and thought-provoking examplesProphet Muhammed (pbuh) and a Badawi

Relevant ExamplesProphet Muhammed (pbuh) and Addas