Islamic Theology: Understanding Allah

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Questions and Answers

What is an essential aspect of the knowledge required of every accountable person with regards to Allah?

Only knowing the messenger's attributes

Knowing what absolutely must be true of Allah, what cannot be true of Allah, and what may be true of Allah (correct)

Knowing only the attributes of negation of Allah

Only knowing what may be true of Allah

What is a fundamental concept related to the Unity of Allah that an accountable person must understand?

The concept of self-existence (correct)

The concept of intercession

The concept of divine power

The concept of polytheism

Which of the following is NOT a type of attribute that an accountable person must know about Allah?

Attributes of Human-like Qualities (correct)

Attributes of Negation

Attributes of Unity

Attributes of Perfection

What is the significance of knowing what cannot be true of Allah?

It helps to distinguish Allah from creation Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the knowledge required of the accountable person and the Messenger?

The knowledge required includes both Allah and the Messenger Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Allah that means He is not similar to His creation?

Non-resemblance Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute of Allah means that He is not dependent on anyone or anything?

Self-Existence Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the creedal statement 'there is no god but Allah'?

Allah is the only one who deserves to be worshipped Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Allah that means He is not beginningless?

Non-beginning existence Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute of Allah means that He is able to do anything?

Power Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Allah that means He is not dependent on anyone or anything to exist?

Self-Existence Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute of Allah means that He is not limited by space or time?

Non-resemblance Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Allah that means He is the only one who is worthy of worship?

Oneness Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute of Allah means that He is not composite or made up of different parts?

Indivisibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Allah that means He is not limited by His creation?

Independence Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Power related to?

Things that are possible to the sound intellect Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct response to the question 'Can Allāh have a son?'

It is absurd to claim Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the statement 'You do not will anything unless Allāh has willed it'?

Allāh's will is the ultimate cause of everything Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Knowledge related to?

Everything that absolutely must be, cannot be, or may be Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the statement 'Absolutely nothing resembles Him'?

Allāh's attributes are dissimilar to human attributes Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct expression regarding Allāh's ability to create?

Allāh can create everything except impossible things Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribute of Life related to?

Things that do not have the possibility of beginning or end Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the statement 'Allāh does whatever He wills'?

Allāh's will is the ultimate cause of everything Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct response to the question 'Does Allāh like to be disobeyed?'

Could He be disobeyed against His will? Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the attribute of Speech?

Allāh's speech is without letters and sounds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attributes of Allāh

Every accountable person must know what absolutely must be true of Allāh, what cannot be true of Allāh, and what may be true of Allāh.
This knowledge also applies to the Messenger, upon whom be Peace and Blessings.

Power (al-Qudra)

Power is an eternal attribute of Allāh by which He brings what has the possibility of existence into existence, or annihilates it, according to His Will.
He created all actions of creation, including blasphemy, belief, obedience, disobedience, sickness, and health.
All created things fall under His Will and Power.
His Power is related to those things which are possible to the sound intellect, but not to the impossible, which refers to propositions that involve a contradiction in terms.

Will (al-Irāda)

Will is an eternal attribute of Allāh by which He specifies things with what is possible.
It relates to all things that may be, whether they exist or not.
His Will is not related to the impossible, which cannot ever be.

Blasphemy

Saying that Allāh has a son is blasphemy because it implies a flaw in His absolute ownership of everything.
It is incompatible with the concept of believing in one Creator who has absolute ownership of His creation.
Saying "Allāh can have a son" or "Allāh cannot have a son" is also blasphemy, as it implies a flaw in His attribute of godhood.

Knowledge (al-Ilm)

Allāh's Knowledge pertains to all that exists, including what must be, what cannot be, and what may be.
Nothing is hidden from His Knowledge, including what has been, what is now, and what will be.
His Knowledge is not limited by time or space, and is not dependent on cause and effect.

Life (al-Ĥayāt)

Allāh's Life is not related to anything and does not have the possibility of beginning or end.
It is not like the life of created things and is not dependent on a body or soul.

Hearing (al-Sam‘) and Sight (al-Başar)

Allāh's Hearing and Sight pertain to all that exists and is not limited by instruments, distance, or time.
His Hearing and Sight are not sequential, unlike created hearing and seeing.
His attributes are not dependent on anything and are not changed by anything.

Speech (al-Kalām)

Allāh's Speech pertains to whatever His Knowledge pertains to, and is not limited by letter or sound.
It is an eternal attribute of Allāh that is not dependent on time or space.### al-Sanūsiyya
The text is a translation and commentary of al-Sanūsiyya by Abū Abdullah Muḥammad ibn Yūsuf al-Sanūsī al-Mālikī (d. 795 Hijrah)
The book is divided into sections, including Introduction, The Sanūsiyya, The Attributes of Allāh, The Messengers of Allāh, and Conclusion

Introduction

The author begins by praising Allāh and seeking His help and blessing
The author declares their belief in the Absolute Oneness of Allāh and the importance of the science of belief
The author quotes a hadith (narration) about the disappearance of knowledge in the future

The Disappearance of Knowledge

The hadith reports that the Prophet Muḥammad was asked how knowledge can disappear when they have copies of the Qur’ān and have learned from them
The Prophet replied that the Jews and Christians have their scriptures, but they did not learn from them what their Prophets brought them
The author quotes Abū Ja‘far al-Ţaźāwī, who narrated from the companion of the Prophet, Shaddād ibn ‘Aws, that the first knowledge that will disappear is khushū’ (submission and humbleness to Allāh)
al-Ţaźāwī defined khushū’ as submission and humbleness to Allāh, which appears on those who have it, as stated in the Qur’ān about the Companions of the Prophet

The Importance of the Science of Belief

The author emphasizes the importance of the science of belief in understanding the Oneness of Allāh and the attributes of Allāh
The author highlights the need for accountable individuals to have required knowledge about Allāh and the Messengers

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Description

Test your knowledge of Islamic theology and understand the essential aspects of Allah's unity, attributes, and the relationship between knowledge and the Messenger.