12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 1

“Images of God”

by

Daud R Matthews IT Manager (ret’d)

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 2

Introduction• In Islam there are no images of God.• If a person tries to form an image of God in their mind

they should immediately ignore it• Similarly, there are no icons, statues, idols or pictures etc.

(We pray with our eyes open.)

• In Islam, it is not the ‘person’ and God’s ‘interaction’ which produces an ‘image’ in human life, but our search for the ‘Will of God’. ‘Image’, in Islam, has to be searched for in this framework. We have been told we have been created to worship Him. We seek to serve Him and come close to Him. Hence, ‘Will’ is defined as Guidance (hidayah) and the nearest thing to an ‘image’, in Islam, are God’s characteristics or attributes (sifaat).

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 3

The basic teaching of Islam about God?

Islam teaches that there is one, and only one, God Who is the Creator and Controller of the entire universe. He is unique in every respect, and there is nothing which bears any likeness to Him. He is the Knower of all things, and has full power over the whole of creation. He does not stand in need of anything at all, while everything is totally dependent on Him. He possesses all the perfect qualities, and mankind should worship Him, and Him alone.

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 4

Islamic Concept of One God: Tawheed

• Although “monotheism” may be one way to describe tawheed, the Islamic concept of "One God" can be understood on different levels: Muslim scholars frequently divide tawheed into three categories or degrees:

• Belief in Allah’s Divine Lordship (over Creation)• Belief in Allah’s Divine Nature (worthy of all

worship - Deity/ilah)• Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 5

Tawheed• Tawhid-ul-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Allah’s Lordship):

– is to believe in Allah’s Omnipotence; He Alone is the Originator of creation, He gives life and death, He is the Sustainer, Provider, Nourisher, Cherisher etc. of all His creation

• Tawhid-ul-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship/Ibadah):– is the sincerity of devotional acts e.g. Salah (Prayer), Sawm (Fast),

Zakah (obligatory charity), vows and sacrifice– Works of the heart [amaal al qulub] or worship of the heart—

Love for Allah sincerely and Glorification and fear and hope, humility and abasing oneself before Allah, aspiring and dread, consciousness of Allah [taqwa] and reverence, reliance and dependence, repentance, contrition, patience and thankfulness, submission and contentment are all works of the heart

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 6

Tawheed

• Tawhid-ul-Asma’ wal-Sifat (Oneness of Allah’s 99 Names and Attributes):– is to talk of Allah’s Names and Attributes in

the same manner He and His Prophet (peace be upon him) did; giving Him the same Names and Attributes He gave Himself: free from comparison, not likening Allah’s Attributes to those of His Creation, no distortion of the meaning, or denial of Allah’s Attributes

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 7

Tawheed

• The Arabic word tawheed means “unification” or “asserting oneness.” In Islam, tawheed refers to the divine oneness and uniqueness of Allah.

• Muslims refer to God as Allah because it is what the Creator calls Himself in the Holy Qur’an. The name Allah is not used exclusively by Muslims, however. Jews and Christians in the Arab speaking world also refer to God as Allah.

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 8

Belief in Allah’s Divine Nature (Tawheed Uloohiyyah)

• Since Allah is the only God, only He is worthy of worship. In Islam, there is no such thing as an intercessor or intermediary. Each Muslim develops his or her own personal relationship with Allah by praying directly to Him and through other acts of worship such as giving to charity, reading the Holy Qur’an, and making Pilgrimage / hajj. Worship should be accompanied by full submission and obedience to Allah.

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 9

Passages from the Qur'an on theAsma al-Husna

(The 99 Names of God)• Say: And God's alone are the attributes of perfection; invoke Him, then, by these, and stand aloof from all who distort the meaning of His attributes.” Al-A'Raf 7:180, tr. Asad

• “Invoke God, or invoke the Most Gracious: by whichever name you invoke Him, He is always the One -- for His are all the attributes of perfection.” Al-Isra 17:110, tr. Asad

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 10

Shirk – Associating Partners with Allah

• The greatest sin in Islam is to engage in practices which contradict or compromise tawheed. This direct or indirect association of partners with Allah is referred to as shirk. The one sin Allah tells us He will not forgive.

• Shirk can take many forms. Praying to idols, praying to saints or prophets, practicing magic, fortune telling, believing in superstitions, and believing that amulets protect one from harm are all examples of actions which contradict the Oneness of Allah.

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 11

AllahCaligraphic script - Maghrabi Kufic - Kufic (Samarqand)

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 12

A BismillahBy al-Qandusi, from his remarkable 12-

volume Qur'an (completed 1849)

A BismillahIn the form of a bird appearing to drink

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 13

A BismillahStylized Arabic Calligraphy

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 14

Jilli diwaniA larger version of diwani.

Composition by Muhammad 'izzat al-KarkukiO Prophet! We did indeed send you as a witness and giver of happy news and a warner and caller to Allah with His permission as a shining lamp. Surah 33:34

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 15

And say, My lord increase my knowledge

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 16

Andalusian maghribi script

Fragment of a page from the Qur'an, copied on coloured silk

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 17

Kufic LetteringAlternation and juxtapositioning of a supple, cursive

style with rigid, angular kufic lettering. The combination of stylized floral ornamentation, geometric interlacing

and the richness of the polychrome treatment highlight the individual words and invocations

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 18

Naskhi and ta'liq scriptTop: The help from Allah and victory is near.

Middle (Persian): [taking a glance for Allah’s sake]Bottom: Allah’s names

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 19

The Shahadah: Testimony of FaithLa ilaha illalla Muhammad-ar Rasoullulah

There is no god but Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 20

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 21

Allah is my Lord and I do not share Him with anybody

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 22

Allah is the Light of heaven and earth

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 23

There is no God but You, indeed I was among the cruel ones

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 24

Allah is sufficient for me, there is no God but Him, on Him do I trust, and He is the

Lord of the Great Throne

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 25

Allah wishes ease for you and not the difficulty

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 26

A BirdBringing a message to the mystic Abdelqadar Jilali, known as

the 'White Hawk'. Calligram in relief on an unidentifiable ground.

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 27

And there falls not a leaf but He knows it. Surah 6, Ayah 59

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 28

Quran: 2:255 - Ayat ul-Kursi Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and

whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him

not, and He is the Most High, the Great. There is no compulsion in religion …

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 29

Surely Allah has power over all things. Surah 29, Ayah 20

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 30

Al-Rahim: The Merciful

• "And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto You." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extends to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs;-

• Al-Qur'an 7:156 (Al-Araf [The Heights])

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 31

Al-Wadud: The Loving

• "But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."

• Al-Qur'an 11:90 (Hud [Hud])

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 32

Al-Ghafur: The Forgiving

• “He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name has been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then he is guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.”

• Al-Qur'an, 2:173 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 33

Al-Salam: The Flawless and the Giver of Peace

• “Allah is He, other than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.”

• Al-Qur'an 59:23 (Al-Hashr [Exile, Banishment])

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 34

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 35

Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist.

Surah 2, Ayah 255

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 36

Thank You

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 37

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of AllahName/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Allah Allah 1:1; 3:18; 5:109; 6:124; 7:180; 8:40; 16:91; 20:8; 57:5; 65:3; 74:56; 85:20

Ar-Rahman The Most CompassionateThe Most BeneficentThe Gracious

1:3; 17:110; 19:58; 21:112; 27:30; 36:52; 50:33; 55:1; 59:22; 78:38

Ar-Rahim The Merciful 2:163; 3:31; 4:100; 5:3; 5:98; 11:41; 12:53; 12:64; 26:9; 30:5; 36:58

Al-Malik The King 20:114; 23:116; 59:23; 62:1; 114:2

Al-Quddus The Most Holy 59:23; 62:1

As-Salam The All PeacefulThe Bestower of Peace

59:23

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 38

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Mu’min The Granter of Security 59:23

Al-Muhaymin The Protector 59:23

Al-Aziz The Mighty 3:6; 4:158; 9:40; 9:71; 48:7; 59:23; 61:1

Al-Jabbar The Compeller 59:23

Al-Mutakabbir Supreme in GreatnessThe Majestic

59:23

Al-Khaliq The Creator 6:102; 13:16; 39:62; 40:62; 59:24

Al-Bari The Maker 59:24

Al-Musawwir The Bestower of FormThe Shaper

59:24

Al-Gaffar The Forgiver 20:82; 38:66; 39:5; 40:42; 71:10

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 39

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Wahhab The Bestower 3:8; 38:9; 38:35

Ar-Razzaq The Provider 51:58

Al-Fattah The OpenerThe Judge

34:26

Al-Alim The All-Knowing 2:158; 3:92; 4:35; 24:41; 33:40; 35:38; 57:6

Al-Qabid The Withholder 2:245

Al-Basit The Expander 2:245

Al-Khafid The Abaser

Ar-Rafi The Exalter

Al-Muizz The Bestower of Honour 3:26

Al-Mudhill The Humiliator 3:26

As-Sami The All-Hearing 2:127; 2:137; 2:256; 8:17; 49:1

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 40

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Basir The All-Seeing 4:58; 17:1; 42:11; 42:27; 57:4; 67:19

Ar-Hakam The Judge 22:69

Al-Adl The JustThe Equitable

Al-Latif The GentleThe Knower of Subtleties

6:103; 22:63; 31:16; 33:34; 67:14

Al-Khabir The All-Aware 6:18; 17:30; 49:13; 59:18; 63:11

Al-Halim The Forbearing 2:225; 2:235; 17:44; 22:59; 33:41

Al-Azim The Incomparably Great 2:225; 42:4; 56:96

Al-Gafur The Forgiving 2:173; 8:69; 16:110; 41:32; 60:7

Ash-Shakur The Appreciative 35:30; 35:34; 42:23; 64:17

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 41

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Aliyy The Most High 2:255; 4:34; 31:30; 42:4; 42:51

Al-Kabir The Most Great 13:9; 22:62; 31:30; 34:23; 40:12

Al-Hafiz The Preserver 11:57; 34:21; 42:6

Al-Mughith The Sustainer

Al-Hasib The Reckoner 4:6; 4:86; 33:39

Al-Jalil The Majestic, The Revered, The Sublime

Al-Karim The Generous 27:40; 82:6

Ar-Raqib The Watchful 4:1; 5:117

Al-Mujib The Responsive 11:61

Al-Wasi The All-EncompassingThe All-Embracing

2:115; 2:261; 2:268; 3:73; 3:54

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 42

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Qawiyy The Most Strong 22:40; 22:74; 42:19; 57:25; 58:21

Al-Matin The Firm OneThe Authoritative

51:58

Al-Waliyy The Protector 3:68; 4:45; 7:196; 42:28; 45:19

Al-Hamid The All PraisedThe Praiseworthy

14:1; 14:8; 31:12; 31:26; 41:42

Al-Muhsi The Reckoner

Al-Mubdi The Originator 10:4; 10:34; 27:64; 29:19; 85:13

Al-Mu’id The Restorer to Life 10:4; 10:34; 27:64; 29:19; 85:13

Al-Muhyi The Giver of Life 3:156; 7:158; 15:23; 30:50; 57:2

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 43

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Mumit The Causer of Death 3:156; 7:158; 15:23; 57:2

Al-Haayy The Ever-Living 2:255; 3:2; 20:111; 25:58; 40:65

Al-Qayyum The Self-Existing by Whom all subsist

2:255; 3:2; 20:111

Al-Wajid The Self-SufficientThe All-Perceiving

Al-Majid The Glorified

Al-Wahid The One 2:163; 5:73; 9:31; 18:110; 37:4

As-Samad The Eternally Besought 112:2

Al-Qadir The Omnipotent, The Able 6:65; 36:81; 46:33; 75:40; 86:8

Al-Muqtadir The Powerful 118:45; 54:42; 54:55

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 44

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Muqaddim The Expediter

Al-Mu’akhkhir The Delayer 71:4

Al-Awwal The First 57:3

Al-Akhir The Last 57:3

Az-Zahir The Manifest 57:3

Al-Batin The Hidden 57:3

Al-Wali The GovernorThe Protector

Al-Muta’ali The Most Exalted 13:9

Al-Barr The BenignThe Source of all Goodness

52:28

At-Tawwab The Granter and Accepter of Repentance

2:37; 2:128; 4:64; 49:12; 110:3

Al-Muntaqim The Lord of RetributionThe Avenger

33:22; 43:41; 44:16

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 45

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-’Afuww The Pardoner 4:99; 4:149; 22:60

Ar-Ra’uf The Most KindThe Clement

3:30; 9:117; 57:9; 59:10

Malik-ul-Mulk Owner of the Kingdom 3:26

Dhul Jalal wal Ikhram Possessor of Majesty and Honour

55:27; 55:78

Al-Muqsit The Just, The Equitable 3:18

Al-Jame The Gatherer 3:9

Al-Ghaniyy The All-Sufficient 2:263; 3:97; 39:7; 47:38; 57:24

Al-Mugni The Enricher 9:28

Al-Mani The Preventer of Harm

Ad-Darr The Afflicter

An-Nafi The Benefitter

12/04/2023 46

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

An-Nur The Light 24:35

Al-Hadi The Guide 25:31

Al-Badi The Originator 2:117; 6:101

Al-Baqi The Everlasting 55:27

Al-Warith The Ultimate Inheritor 15:23

Ar-Rashid The Guide

As-Sabur The Patient One

DeLisle Catholic Science College

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 47

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of AllahName/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Allah The Greatest Name

Ar-Rahman The All-Compassionate

Ar-Rahim The All-Merciful

Al-Malik The Absolute Ruler

Al-Quddus The Pure One

As-Salam The Source of Peace

Al-Mu'min The Inspirer of Faith

Al-Muhaymin The Guardian

Al-'Aziz The Victorious

Al-Jabbar The Compeller

Al-Mutakabbir The Greatest

Al-Khaliq The Creator

Al-Bari' The Maker of Order

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 48

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Musawwir The Shaper of Beauty

Al-Ghaffar The Forgiving

Al-Qahhar The Subduer

Al-Wahhab The Giver of All

Ar-Razzaq The Sustainer

Al-Fattah The Opener

Al-'Alim The Knower of All

Al-Qabid The Constrictor

Al-Basit The Reliever

Al-Khafid The Abaser

Ar-Rafi' The Exalter

Al-Mu'izz The Bestower of Honours

Al-Mudhill The Humiliator

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 49

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

As-Sami The Hearer of All

Al-Basir The Seer of All

Al-Hakam The Judge

Al-'Adl The Just

Al-Latif The Subtle One

Al-Khabir The All-Aware

Al-Halim The Forbearing

Al-'Azim The Magnificent

Al-Ghafur The Reliever

Ash-Shakur The Rewarder of Thankfulness

Al-'Ali The Highest

Al-Kabir The Greatest

Al-Hafiz The Preserver

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 50

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Muqit The Nourisher

Al-Hasib The Accounter

Al-Jalil The Mighty

Al-Karim The Generous

Ar-Raqib The Watchful One

Al-Mujib The Responder to Prayer

Al-Wasi' The All-Comprehending

Al-Hakim The Perfectly Wise

Al-Wadud The Loving One

Al-Majíd The Majestic One

Al-Ba'ith The Resurrector

Ash-Shahid The Witness

Al-Haqq The Truth

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 51

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Wakil The Trustee

Al-Qawi The Possessor of All Strength

Al-Matin The Forceful One

Al-Wáli The Governor

Al-Hamid The Praised One

Al-Muhsi The Appraiser

Al-Mubdi The Originator

Al-Mu'id The Restorer

Al-Muhyi The Giver of Life

Al-Mumit The Taker of Life

Al-Hayy The Ever Living One

Al-Qayyum The Self-Existing One

Al-Wajid The Finder

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 52

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Májid The Glorious

Al-Wahid The Only One

Al-Ahad The One

As-Samad The Satisfier of All Needs

Al-Qadir The All Powerful

Al-Muqtadir The Creator of All Power

Al-Muqaddim The Expediter

Al-Mu'akhkhir The Delayer

Al-Awwal The First

Al-Akhir The Last

Az-Zahir The Manifest One

Al-Batin The Hidden One

Al-Walí The Protecting Friend

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 53

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Al-Muta'ali The Supreme One

Al-Barr The Doer of Good

At-Tawwib The Guide to Repentance

Al-Muntaqim The Avenger

Al-Afu The Forgiver

Ar-Ra'uf The Clement

Malik al-Mulk The Owner of All

Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram The Lord of Majesty and Bounty

Al-Muqsit The Equitable One

Al-Jami The Gatherer

Al-Ghani The Rich One

Al-Mughni The Enricher

Al-Mani’ The Preventer of Harm

12/04/2023 DeLisle Catholic Science College 54

Beautiful Names (Attributes) of Allah Cont’d.

Name/Transliteration Translation Selected relevant verses

Ad-Darr The Creator of The Harmful

An-Nafi The Creator of Good

An-Nur The Light

Al-Hadi The Guide

Al-Badi The Originator

Al-Baqi The Everlasting One

Al-Warith The Inheritor of All

Ar-Rashid The Righteous Teacher

As-Sabur The Patient One