The Concept of God in Islam: Understanding the Unity and Sovereignty of Allah

Introduction
Central to the Islamic faith is the concept of God, known as Allah in Arabic. This concept is articulated in various verses of the Quran, providing profound insights into the nature and attributes of the divine. This essay explores the doctrine of God's unity and the key passages from the Quran that define this monotheistic view.

The Unity of Allah

The doctrine of Allah's unity, or Tawhid, is one of the core beliefs in Islam. This is explicitly stated in Quran, Surah 112, Al-Ikhlas, where Allah is described as the True and Sole God who is not and does not beget, and whom none is like:

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.
Allah is the One and Only God. Allah is eternally besought by all creation for His blessings. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.

The Light of All Existence

A crucial verse from Quran, Surah 24, An-Nur describes Allah as the Light of the heavens and the earth, emphasizing His omnipresence and illuminating truth:

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. This lamp is kindled from a blessed tree an olive neither of the East nor of the West whose oil would almost glow forth of itself though no fire touched it. Light upon light Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories for Allah is knower of all things.

The Sovereignty of Allah

The Quran further emphasizes Allah's sovereignty and control over all aspects of existence in the universe. This is highlighted in Quran, Surah Luqman - 31:27, which underscores the incomprehensibility of God's knowledge and the impossibility of sharing His governance:

If all the trees on the earth were pens and all the sea were ink with seven more seas added thereto the words of God Hic decrees the acts of all His Names and Attributes manifested as His commandments and the events and creatures He creates would not be exhausted in the writing. Surely God is the All-Glorious with irresistible might Whom none can frustrate and Whom nothing can tire the All-Wise.

The verses also stress the primacy of Allah's sovereignty in governing the universe, as stated in Quran 2:255, Ayatul Kursi:

278 Allah – there is no deity except Him the Ever-Living the Sustainer of [all] existence.

279 Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.

280 To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.

281 Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission

282 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.

283 His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth and their preservation tires Him not.

284 And He is the Most High the Most Great.

Implications of Allah's Sovereignty

The verses noted above also contain implications for human behavior. They highlight that despite Allah's sovereignty, He does not force all humans to follow a single way. This allows for diversity in belief and practice, while emphasizing the importance of striving for faith and good governance. For instance, Quran 2:255 emphasizes that:

For Allah is the Knower of everything, and He has the authority to command and dictate as He sees fit. This provides a balance between the unshakeable unity of God and the human freedom to choose one's path as long as it aligns with His will.

Conclusion

The concept of God in Islam, as outlined in these verses, is one of profound unity and sovereignty. Allah is described as the Eternal, Self-Existent, and Mighty Being whose knowledge and power are all-encompassing. These attributes underscore the unique nature of Allah, distinguishing Him from any created beings, and reinforce the Islamic belief in a single, indivisible God who governs the universe with absolute authority.

References

Quran, Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) Quran, Surah An-Nur (24:35) Quran, Surah Luqman (31:27) Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255)