Defining God?

[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16]Defining
God?[/size][/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]It is impossible to reach a meaningful
definition of God. If we can define God we can have a complete
concept of reality and then it is a valid question to ask what is
beyond it, i.e. what is beyond God?[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]Therefore all we can do is form a
necessarily incomplete concept by considering how several
statements about the attributes of God fit together sensibly.
Human beings are not qualified to invent any of these attributes.
Instead we must look to what God’s messengers to Mankind
have said about God.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]In Islam the primary source of statements
on the attributes of God is the Qur’an. This is judged by
Muslims to be the exact word of God. Muslims also accept what
other messengers from God stated though invariably the records of
what they said are incomplete and some mistakes have crept in
through human error. [/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]In the Qur’an God describes himself in
many places and in many ways. In this brief time I can only hope
to cover a few.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]In choosing which aspects to look at I
consider it important to cover first aspects with a bearing on
the real and imagined differences between Islam’s concept of
God and the Christian concept of God.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16]Names and Attributes of God[/size][/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]At the heading of the chapters of the
Qur’an and at the start of every action by a Muslim, the
phrase “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim” is found. This
contains 3 names or attributes of God. It declares that the
action is in the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the bestower of
Grace. This is the most important set of attributes because of
how often they are mentioned.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]The first name “Allah” is the
common Arabic word for God. Literally it means THE Divinity. It
is a word that has no plural and has no gender. It is a uniquely
specific word in the Arabic language.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]The second name is ar-Rahman. This means
the Most Gracious. This is in comparison with ar-Rahim meaning
the bestower of grace. The difference between these two words is
like the difference between an adjective which describes a nature
and a verb which describes an action. Allah is the source of all
good and mercies to all of creation: He actively wills good and
mercy on creation.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is close[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 2:186 (Yusuf Ali translation)[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]When My servants ask thee concerning
Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of
every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a
will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may
walk in the right way.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is loving and forgiving [/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 11:90[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]“But ask forgiveness of your Lord,
and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full
of mercy and loving-kindness.”[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is the cherisher and
sustainer[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 1:2[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]Praise be to God, the Cherisher and
Sustainer of the worlds;[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is all-knowing, caring,[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 2:268[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]The Evil one threatens you with poverty
and bids you to conduct unseemly. God promiseth you His
forgiveness and bounties. And God careth for all and He
knoweth all things.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is one[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 2:163[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]And your God is One God: There is no
god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote><blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 5:72[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]They do blaspheme who say: “God is
Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O
Children of Israel! worship God, my Lord and your Lord.”
Whoever joins other gods with God,- God will forbid him the
garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the
wrong-doers be no one to help.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote><blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA 112:1-4[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]Say: He is God, the One and Only;[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]God, the Eternal, Absolute;[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]And there is none like unto Him.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote><blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA 19:35[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]It is not befitting to (the majesty of)
God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He
determines a matter, He only says to it, “Be”, and
it is.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Allah is Just[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
<blockquote>
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]YA - 4:40[/font][/b][/color]

[color=olive][b][font=Arial]God is never unjust in the least
degree: If there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and
giveth from His own presence a great reward.[/font][/b][/color]

</blockquote>[color=olive][b][font=Arial][size=16][i]Other verses[/i][/size][/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]‘The Ayah of the Throne’ (ayat
al-Kursiy) from the Qur’an contains some of these Names
appear along with other descriptions of Allah:[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]God! There is no god but He, - the Living,
The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep.
His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can
intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth
What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After Or Behind
them. Nor shall they compass Aught of His knowledge Except as He
willeth. His Throne doth extend Over the heavens And the earth,
and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them For He
is the Most High The Supreme in glory.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial](Qur’an 2:255 YA)[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]The Qur’an contains many such
‘names’ of Allah, These have been made into a list of
‘The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names’ or ‘Attributes
of Perfection’. These are memorised by many Muslims, and
used when they wish to praise Allah or call on Him for guidance
or help. [/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]Allah is He, than Whom there is no other
god; who knows (all things) both secret and open. He, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful. Allah is He, than Whom there is no other
god; the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and
Perfection), the Guardian of the Faith, the Preserver of safety,
the exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory to
Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial]He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the
Bestower of Forms (or colours) To Him belong the Most Beautiful
Names. Whatever is in the heavens and on earth doth declare His
Praises and Glory. And He is the exalted in Might, the
Wise.”[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b][font=Arial](Qur’an 59:22-24)(YA)[/font][/b][/color]
[color=olive][b]

[font=Arial]Other passages of the Qur’an where
more of Allah’s attributes of perfec[/font][/b][/color]