Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

The Quran introduces God (Allah) as the singular, transcendent, and all-encompassing Creator and Sustainer of the universe, emphasizing His absolute oneness (Tawḥīd), mercy, sovereignty, and intimate relationship with creation. Below is a structured breakdown of how the Quran articulates the nature and attributes of God:

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1. Absolute Oneness (Tawḥīd)

The Quran’s central message is the uncompromising oneness of God, rejecting any form of polytheism or anthropomorphism:

• Quran 112:1–4:
  “Say, ‘He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge; He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’”
• Quran 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi):
  “Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep…”

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2. Creator of All Things

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes God as the sole Creator, with no partners or intermediaries:

• Quran 6:101–102:
  “Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He has no consort? He created all things, and He is Knowing of all things.”
• Quran 35:1:
  “All praise is due to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [Who] made the angels messengers…”

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3. Divine Names and Attributes (Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā)

The Quran enumerates God’s 99 names and attributes, reflecting His perfection and multifaceted relationship with creation:

• Al-Raḥmān (The Entirely Merciful):
  “The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established” (Quran 20:5).
• Al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living):
  “He is the Ever-Living; there is no deity except Him” (Quran 40:65).
• Al-Qadīr (The All-Powerful):
  “Indeed, Allah is over all things competent” (Quran 2:20).
• Quran 59:22–24:
  “He is Allah, besides whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful…”

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4. Transcendent Yet Immanent

God is beyond human comprehension yet intimately close to His creation:

• Transcendence:
  “There is nothing like unto Him” (Quran 42:11).
  “Vision cannot perceive Him, but He perceives [all] vision” (Quran 6:103).
• Immanence:
  “We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein” (Quran 50:16).
  “Wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah” (Quran 2:115).

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5. Sustainer and Provider (Al-Razzāq)

The Quran emphasizes God’s role as the ultimate source of provision and guidance:

• Quran 11:6:
  “There is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision…”
• Quran 51:58:
  “Indeed, Allah is the Provider, the Possessor of Strength, the Firm.”

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6. Sovereign Authority (Al-Malik)

God’s absolute sovereignty over all realms is a recurring theme:

• Quran 3:189:
  “To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is over all things competent.”
• Quran 67:1:
  “Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent.”

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7. Relationship with Humanity

The Quran describes God’s dynamic relationship with humans, balancing justice and mercy:

• Quran 51:56:
  “I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
• Quran 2:186:
  “When My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”

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8. Rejection of Polytheism

The Quran categorically denies any partners or intermediaries in divinity:

• Quran 16:51–52:
  “Allah has said: ‘Do not take two gods. He is but One God. So fear only Me.’ To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth…”
• Quran 21:22:
  “Had there been within them [the heavens and earth] gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined.”

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9. The Ultimate Judge (Al-Ḥakam)

God is the final arbiter of justice and accountability:

• Quran 1:4:
  “Master of the Day of Judgment.”
• Quran 40:16–17:
  “The Day they come forth, nothing about them will be concealed from Allah. To whom belongs the dominion this Day? To Allah, the One, the Prevailing.”

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10. Personal and Accessible

The Quran portrays God as approachable through sincere supplication and reflection:

• Quran 2:186:
  “I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”
• Quran 50:16:
  “We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.”

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11. The Quran’s Oaths

The Quran uses natural phenomena to affirm God’s authority and creative power:

• Quran 91:1–10:
  “By the sun and its brightness, and the moon when it follows it, and the day when it displays it, and the night when it covers it…”

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Conclusion

The Quran introduces God as Al-Ilāh (The Divinity), Al-Awwal (The First), and Al-Ākhir (The Last)—the Uncaused Cause who is both infinitely beyond creation and intimately involved in its affairs. His essence is defined by mercy, justice, wisdom, and absolute sovereignty. As the Quran states:
“Allah—there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names” (Quran 20:8).

This portrayal invites humans to worship, reflect, and submit to the One who is “the Lord of the worlds” (Quran 1:2).