Introduction
As Islam is an Abrahamic religion, it teaches belief in the existence of one God, Allah (belief in one god is called monotheism). In this section we will explore this idea further.
Tawhid
Being a Muslim involves six key beliefs, the first and most important of which is belief in the oneness of God. This is Tawhid. The concept of Tawhid can be broken down into:
There is only one God (Allah)
Allah is indivisible
Allah is the sole creator of the universe
No-one else is equal to Allah
Because of Tawhid, Allah is unique, and only Allah should be worshipped, and to think that anything is worthy of worship is a sin (Tawhid rules out polytheism). Tawhid can be seen in Surah 112 of the Qur’an:
He is Allah—One;
Allah—the Sustainer.
He has never had offspring, nor was He born.
And there is none comparable to Him.
Ninety-nine names of Allah
Islam teaches that that Allah has ninety-nine names, each reflecting one aspect of his nature. These names help Muslims understand and relate to Allah.
Here are five key names:
Ar-Rahman - The Most Merciful - Allah shows mercy and kindness to all living beings, regardless of their actions.
Ar-Rahim - The Most Compassionate - Allah has special mercy for believers, guiding and protecting them with compassion.
Al-Malik - The King - Allah is the ruler of the entire universe, having complete control over everything.
Al-Quddus - The Most Holy - Allah is pure and perfect, free from any flaws or imperfections.
As-Salam - The Source of Peace - Allah brings peace and safety to the hearts of believers and the world.
The ninety-nine names of Allah are used in prayer and other forms of worship, and help Muslims understand the nature of Allah, making it easier for them to relate to him.
The most merciful
The Qur’an tells Muslims that Allah loves those who do good, are kind to others, and are fair. He is always ready to forgive when people make mistakes and ask for forgiveness. It also teaches that Allah's love is like a guiding light, helping people find the right path in life. Overall, Allah’s love in the Qur’an shows his care for every person and his willingness to forgive.
The first line of the Quran says,
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
This means that everything in the Qur’an is shared with the blessings and kindness of Allah, who is omnibenevolent. It reminds Muslims that Allah’s love is central to the message of the Qur’an.
Final thoughts
As you will have seen, the Abrahamic religions share a number of key beliefs, including about God (especially belief in monotheism), Abraham (and his relationship with God), and the religious importance of Jerusalem.
There are significant differences however, with perhaps the most important concerning the status of Jesus. Alan Berger, a scholar of Judaic Studies, wrote,
While Judaism birthed both Christianity and Islam, the three monotheistic faiths went their separate ways.
It is up to you to decide to what extent you agree.
📚 Key Terms:
Known as the father of the Jewish people. God made a covenant with him, promising him land and descendants.
Known as the founding father of Judaism
The Arabic word for God used by Muslims.
Part of the understanding of the nature of God; the belief that God created the world from nothing.
Part of the understanding of the nature of God; God as compassionate.
Communicating with God; listening to and speaking to God.
Belief in the oneness of God (Islam).
🔗 Related Resources:
Level: GCSE