THE NATURE OF ALLAH

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
To be able to Know and understand the characteristics of Allah, how they are shown in the Qu’ran and why they
are important to Muslims.

Starter:
Write God in a spider diagram and around it write
words to best describe God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWkgHHp0kDY

Homework:
http://www.islam101.com/tauheed/AllahNames.htm
Create a mind map of 25-30 of Allah’s names and characteristics
using the link above. You need to provide a brief description.
 KEY WORDS & DEFINITIONS

• Tawhid Refers to the attributes of Allah,

• Beneficence
as highlighted in the Qu’ran.
• Immanence
• Omnipotence
• Transcendence Read and highlight each
• Mercy definition from your key terms
• Fairness
sheet.
• Justice

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/
clips/z9b9jxs
The Nature of Allah – Remember that Sunni
and Shi’a Islam agree on Allah’s nature.
Tawhid Oneness of Allah
The belief that Allah is ‘inside’ creation, meaning
Immanence He works in the world.

Transcendence
The belief that Allah is ‘outside’ creation, meaning Allah is
not restricted by the laws of the universe.

The belief that Allah is all-powerful

Omnipotence

Beneficence The belief that Allah is all-loving

Mercy The belief that Allah is the source of all mercy and
compassion. Allah forgives sinners.

Fairness The belief that all that Allah does is fair.

Justice
The belief that Allah is the source of justice and always
acts justly.
Sorting activity – take a look at the selection of names for Allah on your
sheet.

A. Use 3 colours to sort the names into categories –

- one for ‘Intimate and personal’,
- one for ‘Awe inspiring and transcendent’
- one for ‘both’.

B. Pick 3 of the names, one from each category. Suggest a situation

where a Muslim may think about this name or quality. E.G. ‘Allah the
Forgiver’ when they have done something bad.

C. Do you think having all these ‘names’ helps or hinder Muslims to

understand Allah? Give two reasons for your views.
 The Last The Firm The Wise The Mighty The Creator

The
The Finder The Loving The forgiver The Knower
Manifest

The Avenger The Peace The Friend The Humbler The Trustee

The Life-
The Truth The Patient The Merciful The Living
Giver

The The
The One The Judge The eternal
Incomparable Compassionate

The
The First The Repairer The Powerful The Light
Generous

The The
The Provider The Hidden The Majestic
Watcher Responder

The
The Gentle The Just The Guide The King
Protector
 THE NAMES OF ALLAH .
1. In the Qur’an and Hadith (Muhammad’s sayings) there are many ‘names’ used to describe
Allah.

2. Although different lists have different names, often they are referred to as ‘the 99 names
of Allah’.

3. Allah is too great to be described fully by these names but they remind Muslims of Allah’s
qualities.

4. They aid Muslims in prayer when meditating or contemplating on Allah’s nature.

5. There is a danger of thinking of Allah as a ‘perfect human’ and the Qur’an reminds Muslims:
“No vision can grasp Him., but His grasp is over all vision.” Surah 6 :103.

* For this same reason it is forbidden to draw a picture of Allah – this could lead to
idolatry or the worship of the art rather than Allah. Muslims call this ‘shirk’.
Look at the picture. It is a famous painting of the 99 names of Allah by the
Muslim artist Ahmed Mustafa (1987). It is called “The attributes of Divine
perfection.”

R
Isl emem
a b
any m for er
d b
of rawi ids
All ng
ah !

Task - discuss in pairs:

A) Do you like the

painting? Why?
B) What do you think
of when you look at
it?
C) How does it make
you feel?
D) How effective is
the painting in
making you think
about Allah?
 Thinking about Allah- The Shahadah or declaration of faith
contains the underpinning belief about the nature of Allah.

Remember This
both Sunni and declaration of
Shi’a Muslims faith sums up
agree on the the main belief
Shahadah as a The Shahadah: of Muslims
‘declaration of about Allah.
faith’. “I bear witness that
there is no god but All other
Allah, and Muhammad beliefs about
is the messenger of Allah and all
Shi’a add “… Allah.” other Islamic
and Ali was the teachings come
representative back to this.
(friend) of
Allah” Allah is one.
Allah’s Immanence and Transcendence
The belief that Allah is ‘inside’ creation, meaning
Immanence he works in the world.

Transcendence
The belief that Allah is ‘outside’ creation, meaning Allah is
not restricted by the laws of the universe.

An easy way to help you

remember these two terms: Task:

Immanent – means ‘now’. A) In pairs discuss ‘what does

it mean to be both
Transcend – ‘above or beyond’. immanent and
transcendent’?
These are two opposing ideas B) What do you think this
about Allah. Both Shi’a and means for Muslims?
Sunni Islam teaches that Allah C) “God can’t be both ‘in and
is both. out’ of creation.” Do you
It is a mystery how this can be agree? Be ready to give
– but remember humans can’t verbal feedback.
know everything about Allah!
 A summary of the nature of Allah .

What you need to know for the

What you need to know for the
GCSE:
GCSE:
• Allah is omniscient – He knows
• Allah is one (Tawhid).
everything.
• Islam prohibits the drawing of
• Allah is omnipotent – He can
Allah, this could lead to ‘shirk’.
do anything (all – powerful)
• Allah has many qualities, often
• Allah works within creation
described in His 99 names.
(Immanent)
• Sunni Islam traditionally
• Allah is not governed by the
understands these literally.
laws of the universe
• Shi’a Islam traditionally
(transcendent)
understands these
• Allah is the source of all
allegorically or metaphorically.
goodness, and this includes
• Allah is the Creator of the
justice and compassion
Universe.
• Allah cares for His creation –
• Allah has a plan for His
this is why He has sent His
creation, including humanity.
revelation (Qur’an).
And to finish . . . What’s that word ? ? ?

Tawhid Oneness of Allah

The belief that Allah is ‘inside’ creation, meaning
Immanence He works in the world.

Transcendence
The belief that Allah is ‘outside’ creation, meaning Allah is
not restricted by the laws of the universe.

The belief that Allah is all-powerful

Omnipotence

Beneficence The belief that Allah is all-loving

Mercy The belief that Allah is the source of all mercy and
compassion. Allah forgives sinners.

Fairness The belief that all that Allah does is fair.

Justice
The belief that Allah is the source of justice and always
acts justly.
 Why are these characteristics
important?
- Knowing some of Allah’s attributes helps Muslims to understand
some of Allah’s nature as they cannot fully comprehend Allah.

- Understanding Allah’s nature enables Muslims to establish a close

relationship with him through worship.

- Knowing about Allah helps Muslims to reflect the same divine

attributes. For example, if Allah is beneficent, then Muslims should
show this through their actions too.
 Exam Focus

(a) Outline three characteristics of Allah (3 marks)

(b) Explain two Muslims beliefs about Allah

(4 marks)

c) Explain two reasons why belief in Tawhid is important to

Muslims (refer to SOWA)
d) ‘Allah cannot be just and omnibenevolent’ Evaluate this
claim