Belief in God in Islam consists of four matters:
(I) Belief in God’s existence.
(II) God is the Supreme Lord.
(III) God Alone is entitled to worship.
(IV) God is known by His Most Beautiful Names and
Attributes.
(I) Belief in God’s Existence
God’s existence does not require proof by scientific, mathematical,
or philosophical arguments. His existence is not a ‘discovery’ to be made by
the scientific method or a mathematical theorem to be proven. Simply said,
mere common sense bears witness to God’s existence. From a ship one learns of
the ship-builder, from the cosmos one learns of its Creator. God’s existence
is also known by answers to prayers, miracles of prophets and the teaching in
all revealed scriptures.
In Islam, a human being is not seen as a sinful creature
to whom the message of Heaven is sent to heal the wound of original sin, but as
a being who still carries his primordial nature (al-fitrah), an imprint
on his soul that lies deeply buried under layers of negligence. Humans are not
born sinful, but forgetful as God has said:
“…Am I not your Lord? They said: ‘Yes, we bear witness...’” (Qur'an
7:172)
In this verse, the
“they” refers to all human beings,
male and female. The ‘yes’ confirms the affirmation of God’s oneness by
us in
our precosmic state. Islamic doctrine holds that men and women still
carry the
echo of this ‘yes’ deep down within their souls. The call of Islam is
directed
to this primordial nature, which uttered ‘yes’ even before they
inhabited the
earth. Knowledge that this universe has a Creator is something
instinctive in
Islam and therefore it requires no proof. Scientists, such as Andrew
Newberg
and Eugene D’Aquili, both affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania
and pioneers in the neurological research of religion, say “We are
wired for God.”[1]
The Holy Qur'an rhetorically asks:
“…Can there be any doubt about God, the Creator of the heavens
and the earth?...” (Qur'an 14:10)
One might ask, ‘if belief in God is natural, then why do
some people lack this belief?’ The answer is simple. Every human being has an
innate belief in a Creator, but this belief is not a result of learning or
personal deductive thinking. With the passage of time, outside influences
effect this innate belief and confuse the person. So, one’s environment and
upbringing veil the primordial nature from the truth. The Prophet of Islam, may
the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“Every child is born in a state of fitrah (a natural
belief in God), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” (Saheeh
Muslim)
Often these veils are lifted when a human being is faced
with a spiritual crisis and left helpless and vulnerable.
(II) God Is the Supreme Lord
God is the only Lord of heaven and earth. He is the
Lord of the physical universe and the Lawgiver for human life. He is the
Master of the physical world and Ruler of the affairs of men. God is the Lord
of every man, woman, and child. Historically, only a few have denied the
existence of the Lord, which means that throughout the ages people have, for
most part, believed in One God, a Supreme Being, a supernatural Creator. That God
is the Lord specifically contains the following meanings:
First, God is the sole Lord and Ruler of the
physical world. Lord means He is the Creator, Controller, and Owner of the
Kingdom of the heaven and the earth; they belong exclusively to Him. He alone
brought existence out of non-existence, and all existence depends on Him for
its conservation and continuance. He did not create the universe and leave it
to pursue its own course according to fixed laws, thereafter ceasing to take
any further interest in it. The power of the Living God is required at every
moment to sustain all creatures. Creation has no Lord besides Him.
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the
earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the
dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?’ They
will say: ‘God.’ Say: ‘Will you not then be afraid of God’s punishment (for
setting up rivals with Him)?’” (Qur'an 10:31)
He is the ever-ruling King and the Savior, the Loving
God, full of wisdom. No one can change His decisions. Angels, prophets, human
beings, and the animal and plant kingdoms are under His control.
Beauty in nature. The Grand Falls of the Chaudiere River near St. Georges, Quebec. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Second, God is the only
Ruler of the affairs of men. God is the supreme Lawgiver,[2]
the Absolute Judge, the Legislator, and He distinguishes right from wrong. Just
like the physical world submits to its Lord, human beings must submit to the
moral and religious teaching of their Lord, the Lord who sets right apart from
wrong for them. In other words, God alone has the authority to make laws,
determine acts of worship, decide morals, and set standards of human
interaction and behavior. His is the command:
“…Surely, His is the creation and the command; blessed be God,
the Lord of the worlds.” (Qur'an 7:54)
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