Attributes of Allah – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The attributes of Allah are the special qualities that make Allah unique and perfect.

• Who Allah is: Allah is the One and Only God in Islam.
• Why we learn them: they help Muslims know their Creator better and strengthen their faith.
• Names of Allah: Muslims also learn the beautiful names of Allah (Al-Asma ul-Husna), and many of them describe these attributes.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what the attributes of Allah are;
2. name at least ten attributes of Allah and give the meaning of each;
3. say “La ilaha illa Allah” and state its meaning;
4. explain why Muslims do not make images of Allah;
5. describe how knowing Allah’s attributes guides the way Muslims live.

What are the key attributes of Allah?

This note covers eleven key attributes: Tawhid, Al-Khaliq, Al-Alim, Al-Basir, As-Sami, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, Al-Qadir, Al-Hayy, Al-Adl, As-Samad and Al-Ahad.

What is Tawhid (Allah is One)?

Tawhid is the belief that Allah is completely One.

• Meaning: there is only one God.
• No partners: Allah has no partners, children or equals.
• Importance: it is the most important belief in Islam.
• Declaration: Muslims say “La ilaha illa Allah”, which means “There is no god but Allah.”

What does Al-Khaliq (the Creator) mean?

Al-Khaliq means that Allah made everything in the universe.

• What He created: the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, plants, animals and humans.
• Everything else: all that exists, apart from Allah, was created by Him.
• No helper: He needed no help to create the world.
• Quran: when Allah wants something to be, He simply says “Be” and it becomes.

What does Al-Alim (All-Knowing) mean?

Al-Alim means that Allah knows everything.

• Time: He knows the past, the present and the future.
• Public and secret: He knows what we do openly and what we hide.
• Inner life: He knows our thoughts and feelings.
• Hidden things: nothing is hidden from Allah.

What does Al-Basir (All-Seeing) mean?

Al-Basir means that Allah sees everything at all times.

• Smallest things: He sees even the tiniest creature, such as an ant moving in the dark.
• Always watching: Muslims believe Allah watches over them always.

What does As-Sami (All-Hearing) mean?

As-Sami means that Allah hears everything.

• All sounds: He hears the loudest thunder and the quietest whisper.
• Prayers: He hears the prayers of all people at the same time.
• Dua: when Muslims make dua (supplication), they know Allah is listening.

What does Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim (Most Merciful) mean?

Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim mean that Allah is the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

• Greatness of mercy: Allah’s mercy is greater than anything we can imagine.
• Kindness: He is kind and forgiving to His creation.
• Blessings: He gives countless blessings, even to those who do not thank Him.
• Quran: the Quran begins with “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

What does Al-Qadir (All-Powerful) mean?

Al-Qadir means that Allah can do anything.

• No difficulty: nothing is too hard for Him.
• Control: Allah controls everything in the universe.
• Life and death: He gives life and takes it away.
• Nature: He brings the day after night and makes the seasons change.
• Limits: Allah’s power has no limits.

What does Al-Hayy (Ever-Living) mean?

Al-Hayy means that Allah is alive and will never die.

• Always existing: He has always existed and will always exist.
• No needs: unlike His creation, He does not need food, water or sleep.
• Quran: “Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Sustaining.”

What does Al-Adl (Just) mean?

Al-Adl means that Allah is perfectly fair.

• Reward and punishment: He rewards good deeds and punishes bad deeds.
• Day of Judgment: Allah will judge everyone with complete justice.
• No unfairness: no one will be treated unfairly.
• No favourites: Allah does not favour people because of wealth, colour or status.

What does As-Samad (Self-Sufficient) mean?

As-Samad means that Allah does not need anything or anyone.

• Dependence: all creation depends on Allah, but He depends on no one.
• No weakness: Allah does not get tired or weak.
• No help needed: He does not need help from His creation.
• Our need: we need Allah for everything.

What does Al-Ahad (Unique) mean?

Al-Ahad means that there is nothing like Allah.

• Different from creation: Allah does not look like humans or any other created thing.
• Perfect attributes: His attributes are perfect in ways we cannot fully understand.

Why do Muslims not make images of Allah?

Muslims do not make images of Allah because nothing can represent Him.

• Uniqueness: there is nothing like Allah, so no picture or statue can show Him.
• Tawhid: making images could lead people to treat created things like God.
• Worship: Muslims worship Allah alone, without any image.

How do Allah’s attributes guide Muslims?

Learning about Allah’s attributes helps Muslims grow closer to Him and guides how they live.

• All-Knowing and All-Seeing: Muslims try to do good even when alone.
• Most Merciful: they have hope when they make mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
• All-Powerful: they turn to Him in difficult times.
• Just: they try to be fair to others.
• Love and worship: the more they learn about Allah, the more they love and worship Him.
• Following guidance: they try to please their Creator by following His guidance.

Evaluation

1. What is meant by the attributes of Allah?
2. What does Tawhid mean?
3. Which attribute of Allah means that He hears everything?
4. How does the belief that Allah is All-Knowing affect the behaviour of a Muslim?
5. Why do Muslims not make images of Allah?

Assignment

Choose any five attributes of Allah. For each one, write its Arabic name and one sentence to explain its meaning.