8.1 — Belief in God

2026 📋 Syllabus Objectives

Candidates should study God, including what Muslims believe about Him.

📖 Main Content

https://cambridgeassistant.com

1. Introduction — The First Article of Faith

  • In Islam, there are Six Articles of Faith. The very first and most important one is belief in the Oneness and Unity of Allah SWT.
  • This belief is known in Arabic as Tawheed.
  • Every Muslim must believe, with full conviction of the heart, that Allah SWT alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of the entire universe.
  • This belief is the foundation of Islam — all other beliefs and practices are built upon it.
  • Tawheed was not a new teaching brought only by Prophet Muhammad PBUH. It was taught by every Prophet AS sent by Allah SWT, including Hazrat Ibrahim AS, Hazrat Nuh AS, Hazrat Musa AS, and Hazrat Isa AS.

2. What is Tawheed?

Tawheed means believing that:

  • Allah SWT is One — He has absolutely no partners, associates, or equals.
  • He is Single — He has no family of any kind: no wife, no son, no daughter, no relatives.
  • He is Perfect in every way — in His existence, His life, His knowledge, and His power.
  • He is Incomparable — nothing in the entire creation can even come close to resembling Him.
  • He is Immortal — He never dies. The entire universe will one day come to an end, but He is eternal.
  • He never grows tired — He manages and controls the entire universe without any fatigue or difficulty.
  • He is the only One worthy of worship — all acts of worship, gratitude, and supplication are for Him alone.

Reference: Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1–4) Exact Verse: "He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none equal or comparable to Him." Context: This short but powerful Surah summarises the entire concept of Tawheed. It clearly states that Allah SWT is One, eternal, has no offspring, and has no equal whatsoever. It is considered equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an in its subject matter, as it covers the theme of Tawhid — the full description of Allah SWT's nature and Oneness.

3. Allah SWT — What Muslims Believe About Him

Muslims believe in a rich and detailed understanding of who Allah SWT is. Below are the key beliefs:

(a) Allah SWT as the Creator

  • He fashioned, designed, and brought into existence the entire universe — including billions of galaxies, stars, and all living creatures.
  • He created human beings from a humble beginning and gave them life, intellect, and countless blessings.
  • Since He made everything, He has complete authority and ownership over all things.

Reference: Surah Al-Hashr (59:23–24) Exact Verse: "It is Allah besides whom none has the right to be worshipped…… He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms…." Context: This verse from Surah Al-Hashr affirms that Allah SWT is the sole Creator and Inventor of all creation. It makes clear that because He alone created everything, He alone deserves to be worshipped.

(b) Allah SWT as the Sustainer and Cherisher

  • He does not simply create and leave. He provides and cares for all His creation at every moment.
  • Every breath, every drop of water, every bite of food — all comes from Him.
  • He promises those who believe in Him an even greater life in the Hereafter, full of reward and blessings.

(c) Allah SWT as the Sovereign Lord

  • He is the Supreme Ruler and King of the entire universe.
  • He single-handedly governs all affairs — no one else shares in His authority or assists Him out of necessity.
  • He is the Law-Giver: His commands, as found in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, are the supreme guidance for all of humanity.

(d) The Attributes of Allah SWT

Allah SWT possesses the Most Beautiful Names and the Loftiest Attributes. Key attributes include:

AttributeMeaning
OmnipotentAll-powerful — nothing is beyond His ability
OmniscientAll-knowing — His knowledge covers everything seen and unseen, present and future
OmnipresentHis knowledge encompasses everything — He knows all that happens everywhere at all times. Note: Allah SWT is above His Throne (Qur'an 20:5) in a manner befitting His Majesty, while His knowledge encompasses all things.
EternalWithout beginning or end — He always was, always is, and always will be
AbsoluteNot limited by time, place, or circumstance
All-MercifulHis Grace and Mercy are unlimited
All-WiseEverything He does has perfect wisdom behind it
  • These attributes belong to Allah SWT alone. No creature can share or possess these qualities.
  • Allah SWT must only be named and described by the names and attributes that He Himself or His Prophets AS have used — humans must not make up names or qualities for Him.

Sign in to view full notes