Understanding Allah from Quran

When we read the Quran, it introduces us to our Creator and helps us understand His nature. The Quran, being the word of Allah, reflects His attributes through its verses. This sacred book reveals the qualities of Allah and deepens our understanding of His divine character. The goal of this work is to explore the characteristics of Allah Almighty to gain a deeper understanding of our Creator.

Surah Al-A'raf (Surah 7)

This emphasizes monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, showcasing Allah's compassionate guidance and provision for humanity. It highlights Allah's supreme power in creation, sustenance, and the administration of justice, reflecting His patience with people's repeated disobedience and His continued willingness to forgive. It underscores Allah's self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer, emphasizing His constant surveillance and accountability for all actions. Through these attributes, Surah Al-A'raf offers a comprehensive understanding of Allah’s nature and His interactions with humanity, encouraging believers to follow His guidance and seek His forgiveness.

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Lessons and Reminders from the Event of Satan's Expulsion from Jannah in the Quran

...These are verses of the Wise Book.

Is it surprising for the people that We have sent the divine revelation to a man from among them to direct him that he should warn the people (who are heedless), and give happy news to those who believe that they will have a truly excellent footing at a place near their Lord? The disbelievers said, “Surely, he is an open sorcerer.”

Surely, your Lord is Allah, the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He positioned Himself on the Throne. He governs all affairs (of His creation). There is no one who could intercede before Him, except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord. So, worship Him. Would you still pay no heed?

Towards Him all of you have to return, this being a true promise from Allah. Surely, He originates the creation; then He will bring it again, so that He may justly reward those who believe and do good deeds. As for those who disbelieve, for them there is a drink of boiling water and a painful punishment, because they used to be infidels.

[10:1-4]

Allah’s singular authority and power in creation and governance establish His supreme position, underscoring the necessity of worshiping Him alone. His subtlety and gentleness provide hope and comfort to believers, assuring them of His close and caring nature. His watchfulness guarantees justice, accountability, and the fulfillment of His promises, reinforcing the moral framework within which humans operate.

Surah Maryam (Surah 19)

Emphasizes the oneness and uniqueness of Allah, firmly rejecting any notion of partners or equals. It illustrates Allah’s gentle and compassionate nature in guiding and supporting His prophets and believers. The surah highlights Allah’s supreme power in creating life and executing His will through miraculous events, reflecting His immense patience and willingness to forgive and guide humanity despite their repeated failings. It underscores Allah’s self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer, emphasizing His constant observation and awareness of all actions. Allah’s boundless generosity is evident in His provision for creation and His responsiveness to prayers. The surah demonstrates Allah’s infinite wisdom in planning and guiding His creation, providing guidance and revelation to lead humanity on the righteous path. It also reflects Allah’s eternal and perfect life, ensuring His guidance remains accessible for all generations. Emphasizing Allah’s role in sustaining and maintaining the existence of His creation, it acknowledges His infinite knowledge and awareness of all circumstances and needs. These attributes collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His guidance and seek His mercy and support.

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Humans and Jinn: Interaction and Divine Guidance

Surah Ta-Ha (Surah 20)

Emphasizes monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, demonstrating Allah’s compassionate guidance and provision for humanity. It highlights Allah’s supreme power in creation, sustenance, and the administration of justice, reflecting His patience with the repeated disobedience of people and His continued willingness to forgive. The surah underscores Allah’s self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer, emphasizing His constant surveillance and accountability for all actions. It reflects Allah’s purity and the moral goodness of His guidance, highlighting His role in providing clear guidance to humanity. Demonstrating Allah’s infinite wisdom in His commandments and strategic interventions, Surah Ta-Ha presents a comprehensive view of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His power, seek His guidance, and rely on His eternal support and wisdom.

Surah Al-Qasas (Surah 28)

Emphasizes monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, demonstrating Allah’s compassionate guidance and provision for humanity. It highlights Allah’s supreme power in creation, sustenance, and the administration of justice, reflecting His patience with the repeated disobedience of people and His continued willingness to forgive. The surah underscores Allah’s self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer, emphasizing His constant surveillance and accountability for all actions. It reflects Allah’s purity and the moral goodness of His guidance, highlighting His role in providing peace and tranquility to His followers. Through these attributes, Surah Al-Qasas presents a comprehensive view of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His power, seek His guidance, and rely on His eternal support and wisdom.

The example of those who have adopted patrons other than Allah is like the spider that has made a house, while indeed the weakest of houses is the house of the spider. If only they know.

[29:41]

This verse emphasizes the futility of relying on protectors other than Allah, using the analogy of a spider's web to highlight their frailty. The web, despite its apparent complexity, is fragile and easily destroyed, symbolizing the weakness of anything compared to Allah's unmatched strength and reliability. The imagery serves as a subtle reminder of the deceptive nature of false protectors, guiding believers to recognize Allah as the true source of strength and protection. The verse underscores Allah's absolute power, dominance, and sovereignty over all creation, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and submitting to His will entirely.

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Reflections on Surah An-Naml: Lessons from the Ant's Wisdom

Surah Yasin (Surah 36)

This passage emphasizes monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, demonstrating Allah’s compassionate guidance and provision for humanity. It highlights Allah’s supreme power in creation, sustenance, and resurrection, reflecting His patience with humanity's repeated disobedience and denial. It shows Allah’s self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer, emphasizing His constant surveillance and accountability for all actions. It underscores Allah’s ongoing sustenance and control over life, emphasizing His role in maintaining the existence and order of the universe. It also reflects Allah’s provision of peace and tranquility, especially in the afterlife for believers. Through these attributes, Surah Yasin presents a comprehensive view of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His power, seek His guidance, and rely on His eternal support and wisdom.

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Reflecting on Surah Ya-Sin Through the Lens of Asma-ul-Husna

Another Perspective of Surah Yaseen from Asma ul Husna

... I swear by the Qur’ān, (the book) containing advice, (this is true,)

but those who disbelieve are (involved) in false pride and opposition.

How many a generation have We destroyed before them, so they cried out (for mercy), while no time was left for having any refuge.

[38:1-3]

These verses illustrate Allah's attributes as As-Saboor (The Patient) and As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient). His patience is evident in the repeated warnings given to disbelievers despite their persistent opposition. His self-sufficiency is demonstrated through His independent authority over all creation and His decisive actions against past generations that disobeyed. The Qur'an, embodying Allah's wisdom and guidance, further underscores His eternal and self-sufficient nature.

Surah Ash-Shura (Surah 42)

Surah Ash-Shura emphasizes the oneness and uniqueness of Allah, rejecting all forms of polytheism. It illustrates Allah’s compassionate guidance and provision for humanity, highlighting His supreme power in creation, sustenance, and the administration of justice. The surah reflects Allah’s patience with humanity's repeated disobedience and denial, showcasing His self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and sustainer. It emphasizes Allah’s constant surveillance and accountability for all actions, demonstrating His infinite wisdom in His decisions and commandments. The surah reflects Allah’s comprehensive knowledge of all things and highlights His role in providing peace and tranquility to His followers. It also underscores Allah’s power and ability to do everything, reflecting His unparalleled strength and invincibility. Through these attributes, Surah Ash-Shura presents a comprehensive view of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His power, seek His guidance, and rely on His eternal support and wisdom.

Surah Al-Qalam (Surah 68)

Surah Al-Qalam emphasizes monotheism and the rejection of idolatry and false beliefs. It demonstrates Allah’s compassionate guidance and subtle care for His Prophet and the believers. The surah highlights Allah’s supreme power in enacting justice and controlling the outcomes of human actions, showing His patience with humanity's persistent disobedience and His continued offer of repentance. It underscores Allah’s self-sufficiency and His role as the ultimate refuge and support for those who rely on Him. The surah emphasizes Allah’s constant surveillance and awareness of all actions and intentions, highlighting His role in bringing benefit and goodness to His creation through guidance and blessings. Through these attributes, Surah Al-Qalam presents a comprehensive view of Allah’s nature, encouraging believers to trust in His power, seek His guidance, and rely on His eternal support and wisdom. The surah serves as a reminder of Allah's ultimate justice and mercy, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and righteous in their actions.

by Dr. Syed Wasiq Maqsood Shah