Monotheism.

[wel_mel_2]

Bismillah:

Thanks for the clarity on Islam Monotheism. Many of the attributes prescribed to Allah are no different than the attriubutes that Christians have been presribing towards God for milleniums.

i agree, but there are still huge difference between our understanding of the term monotheim and your understanding.


for example:


1- The Qur’an gives no less than <b>ninety-nine different attributes </b> to Almighty Allah. The Qur’an refers to Allah as Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious), Ar-Raheem (Most Merciful) and Al-Hakeem (All Wise) among many other names. You can call Allah by any name but that name should be beautiful and should not conjure up a mental picture. we should not call Him as Jesus for example.


2- Not only does God possess unique attributes, but also each attribute of Almighty God is sufficient to identify Him. Let us take an example of a famous personality, say Neil Armstrong. Neil Armstrong is an astronaut. The attribute of being an astronaut possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but <b>not unique </b> to Neil Armstrong alone. So when one asks, who is an astronaut? The answer is, <b>there are hundreds of people in the world who are astronauts</b>. Neil Armstrong is an American. The attribute of being American possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but not sufficient to identify him. So when one asks, who is an American? <b>The answer is, there are millions of people who are American</b>. To identify the person uniquely we must look for a unique attribute possessed by none except that person. For example, Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. So when one asks, <b>who was the first man to set foot on the moon, the answer is only one, i.e. Neil Armstrong</b>. Similarly the attribute of Almighty God should be unique. If I say God is the constructor of buildings, it is possible and true, <b>but it is not unique</b>. Thousands of people can construct a building. But each attribute of Allah is unique and points to none but Allah. For example, <b>God is the creator of the universe</b>. If someone asks who is the creator of the universe, the answer is only one, i.e. Almighty God is the Ultimate Creator. Not Jesus for exampl.


3- Besides the attribute being unique, it should <b>not contradict other attributes</b>. To continue with the earlier example, suppose somebody says that Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut who was the first human to set foot on the moon and was an Indian. The attribute possessed by Neil Armstrong of being the first man to set foot on the moon, is <b>correct.</b> But <b>its associated quality of being an Indian, is false. </b> Similarly if someone says that God is the Creator of the Universe and has one head, two hands, two feet, etc., the attribute (Creator of the Universe) is correct but <b>the associated quality (in the form of human being) is wrong and false. </b>


4- Since there is only one God, all the attributes should point to one and the same God. To say that Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut who first set foot on the moon, but he was born in 1971 is <b>wrong.</b> Both these unique qualities belong to one and the same person, i.e. Neil Armstrong. Similarly to say that the Creator of the universe is one God and the Cherisher is another God is absurd because God possesses all these attributes combined together. or to say thta God is one and in the same breath you say he is three is totally false and rejected in Islam.


5- and lastly you should not worship anything or anyone along with this God. this is called Shirk in Islam


Shirk literally means sharing or associating partners. In Islamic terms it means <b>associating partners with Allah and is equivalent to idolatry.</b>


Shirk is the <b>greatest sin </b> which Allah will never forgives. Shirk also leads to hell fire


The Qur’an says in Surah Maidah: “They do blaspheme who say:<b> ‘Allah is Christ the son Of Mary.’ </b> But said Christ: ‘O Children of Israel! <b>Worship Allah, my Lord And your Lord’. </b> Whoever Joins other gods with Allah -<b>Allah will forbid him The Garden, and the Fire Will be his abode. There will For the wrongdoers Be no one to help.</b>” [Holy Qur’an 5:72]


in short God commanded us to worship and obedey none but Him:


The Qur’an says: <b>“O people Of the Book! Come To common terms As between us and you: That we worship None but Allah; That we associate No partners with Him; That we erect not, From among ourselves, Lords and patrons Other than Allah.” If then they turn back, Say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) Are Muslims (bowing To Allah’s Will).” </b> [Holy Qur’an 3:64]


Salam


Wael.