Instructions:
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Watch the video carefully and take clear, organized notes while watching.
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Review the concepts covered in the video and then attempt all the given exercises independently.
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If you feel stuck on any question, go back to your notes and re-watch the relevant part of the video before moving on.
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Do not skip difficult questions—use your notes to understand the method or concept step by step.
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Write down any questions or confusions in your notebook so you can ask the lecturer during the next class.
Assalamu Alaikum everyone. Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most important topics in Islam — God in Himself. This concept is the foundation of our entire faith. Everything we believe and everything we practice comes back to how we understand Allah.
At the heart of this belief is Tawhid — the oneness of Allah. The Qur’an makes it crystal clear in Surah al-Ikhlas: “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none like unto Him.” This short surah sums it up beautifully — Allah is unique, has no partner, no children, no parents, and no equal. That’s why Islam strongly rejects shirk, which means associating partners with Allah.
Another key idea is the transcendence of Allah. This means Allah is beyond our imagination. The Qur’an says, “There is nothing whatever like unto Him.” He is not limited by time or space. We cannot picture Him or compare Him to anything in creation. But at the same time, Allah has revealed His names and attributes so that we can know Him in the way He wants us to.
These attributes are of two main kinds. First, the attributes of majesty, which show His power, justice, and authority — like Al-Qadir, the All-Powerful, and Al-Adl, the Just. Then, there are the attributes of beauty, which show His love, mercy, and forgiveness — like Ar-Rahman, the Most Merciful, and Al-Ghafur, the Forgiving. Together, they help us see that Allah is both mighty and caring.
Allah is also the Creator and Sustainer. He made everything from nothing, and He continues to provide for His creation every single day. The Qur’an tells us: “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He has power over all things.” Think about it — every breath we take, the food we eat, even the sunlight and rain — all of it is provided by Allah.
Another important part of knowing Allah is understanding His knowledge and power. He is Al-‘Alim, the All-Knowing. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows what’s in our hearts, what we think, and even what will happen in the future. And since His power is unlimited, nothing happens without His permission.
Now, we often hear about Allah’s mercy. Almost every surah begins with “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.” This shows us how central His mercy is. He forgives, He guides, and He constantly blesses us. But remember, His mercy is always balanced with His justice — meaning forgiveness never cancels fairness.
Although Allah is transcendent and beyond full comprehension, He is also very close to us. The Qur’an says, “We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” This doesn’t mean physically, but it means Allah is aware of us, knows us better than we know ourselves, and cares for us deeply. He sent prophets and scriptures to guide us, so we’re never left without direction.
One way Muslims connect with Allah is through His 99 Names. These names help us understand Him better. For example, knowing He is Al-Razzaq, the Provider, makes us trust Him when we’re worried about money. Knowing He is Al-Hakam, the Judge, reminds us to stay accountable for our actions.
So, to summarise — Allah is One, unique, and has no partner. He is beyond human imagination but reveals Himself through His names and attributes. He is the Creator, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Merciful, and Forgiving. He is close to us, guides us, and deserves our worship alone. Rejecting shirk and holding firmly to Tawhid is what keeps our faith pure.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this lesson, you should understand that Allah is One and unique, beyond comparison, yet merciful and close to His creation. You should also know the difference between His attributes of majesty and beauty, and why Tawhid is the foundation of our belief.
