The Quran.
God is revealed within the holy book of Islam, The Quran which was written down by the prophet Muhammad. The Quran tells us more about the God of the religion, Islam (or as they state Allah), because it describes Allah and his oneness attributes and actions. When it comes to describing Allah, other books can’t even come close to distinguish his characteristics like the Quran does because Allah solely describes it in the Quran. Every particular page from the Quran withholds a description of Allah, amidst these descriptions, there are 99 different divine names to describe Allah. To name a few, The Loving, the Forgiving, the Highest, The Master, the Kind, the Owner of whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth, The All-Mighty, The Creator of all things and many more. These names reveal the characteristics of Allah. Has it said, Allah is loving, forgiving, and kind. Allah is recognized above all being and the maker of all creations in the universe, therefore, Allah holds the power of heaven and earth. Muslims believe that Allah is Omnipotent because of the descriptions of Allah that is made in the 99 names, and other verses which are revealed in the Quran. The Quran also states that Allah has no son or daughter, nor does he have a partner or a gender. Through the Quran it is believed that Allah is Unique, Allah is One and lastly that Allah is utterly perfect. In the Quran, chapter 5 verse 120, it says “To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over all things competent.” This verse explains that Allah has the authority of the whole universe and all within it, the complete power of the heavens and earth belongs entirely to him.
Significance to Muslim?
The Quran is significant to Muslims as it declares the rules and regulations that a Muslim must follow in order to achieve heaven and paradise. Another major factor is that the Quran is the foundation of the Islamic faith because the Quran is the literal words of Allah. The Quran is essential for the different names of Allah since Muslims use these names to pray in their daily lives. Not only does the Quran help Muslims understand Allah but it also allows them to understand his ways and values. The Quran holds information about how to perform worship ceremonies and prayers which are the Five Pillars of Islam. These are the reason why the Quran is significant to Muslims. Therefore, the Quran is highly respected. Muslims express their respect by keeping it protected in cloth when it is not being read. Before reading Muslims perform wudu which a ritual washing of the face, hands and feet. Muslims learn different verses of the Quran by heart to show the importance they have for it in their lives. Muslims when facing difficulties regard back to the Quran as a source of guidance or a direction to overcome their troubles, as well as being a source for knowledge about their faith and traditions.
24.1% of the world’s population believes in the Islamic faith, this could not have been possible without the Quran. If the Quran was not written down by the prophet Muhammad, then the Islamic faith would have been lost because the 99 beautiful names of Allah wouldn’t have survived. The instructions that were given by Allah to Muhammad about how a Muslim should live their life to honour and please Allah wouldn’t have survived either. The descriptions about Allah’s characteristics and guidance to overcome challenges also wouldn’t have survived because if Muhammad hadn’t written down the words of Allah, then after Muhammad’s death, his preaching’s about Allah and his wonderful attributes would’ve travelled around through the word of mouth. This could create problems because it will devise another understanding of the faith and the people will also create false information of Allah’s words which could contradict with the actual words from Allah. Due to this, the Islamic community would’ve faced great difficulty because Muslims would’ve been confused about what is the truth and what is the lie. As a result, this will cause debates and arguments in the community, therefore, creating separations in the Islamic society. However, all the words of Allah were written down into the Quran and were passed down into generations. The Islamic community strives to spread the words of Allah across the world. The Quran holds the 99 names of Allah as well as the instructions and descriptions of Allah, without it, Islam could not have sustained throughout different generations hence why it is called the foundation of the Islamic faith.
Pillars of Islam
Another belief that reveals Allah in the 5th pillar of Islam, Zakat. This is the compulsory giving of an established proportion of one’s wealth to a charity. It is acknowledged as a type of worship and self-purification. Zakat contributes to a giving of 2.5% of one’s wealth each year for the benefit of the poor. This is usually done in the month of Ramadan. Quran Chapter 2 verse 273 says “Charity shall go to the poor who are suffering in the cause of God and cannot emigrate. The unaware may think that they are rich, due to their dignity. But you can recognize them by certain signs; they never beg from the people persistently. Whatever charity you give, God is fully aware thereof.” This tells me that Allah is aware of the poor and needy and he is considerate of them. It is because he is loving, generous and kind that he instructed Muslims to follow such precautions for the disadvantaged in the month of Ramadan. This set an example for Muslims to follow.
Zakat’s Significance It is an act of worship and it shows us that Muslims believe in what Allah says and they are prepared to follow his instructions because they know Allah always mean well for everybody, therefore Muslims are always willing to give what they have for other’s wellbeing. Besides, it is believed by Muslims that paying Zakat purifies one’s possessions and it helps please Allah, it also multiplies the remainder of their wealth. Zakat shows the undying loyalty Muslims have for Allah as they are willing to share the wealth with others who need them more than they do, just because Allah asks them to.
Since thousands of people around the world participate in Zakat, it has the potential to lighten the sufferings of millions. By participating in Zakat, the poor can be cared for, which includes widows, orphans, the disabled, and the needy. Zakat can help decrease the population of the disadvantaged and help them to gain a home, food and a feeling of security. By doing this, it will promote Islam has a religion to gain a better reputation and it will help misbelievers to see the generosity that Allah encourages. It will represent Allah’s love, care and kindness for all human beings. Quran Chapter 2 verse 274 says, “Those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s way) by night and day, secretly and publicly- they will have the reward of the Lord.” This tells us, whether if you provide the poor with your wealth in public or in private you will be blessed by Allah because that is Allah’s way.
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