Foundational Islamic Beliefs: Part 3

Islamic Beliefs Regarding Allah Almighty

Can We See Allah Almighty?

Belief: The vision of Allah Almighty in this worldly life is exclusive to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Hereafter, it will be possible and will occur for every Sunni Muslim. As stated in the Holy Quran: وُجُوهٌۭ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ نَّاضِرَةٌ ٢٢ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌۭ ٢٣ (On that day, some faces will be bright. Looking at their Lord).¹

Spiritual vision, or seeing Allah in a dream, is granted to other Prophets (peace be upon them) and even to saints (Awliya). Our great Imam, Abu Hanifa Nu’man bin Thabit, was blessed with the vision of Allah in a dream 100 times.

Belief: The vision of Allah will be without “how” (bila kaif), meaning we believers will see Him, but it cannot be described as to “how” we will see Him. When something is seen, there is usually a distance, near or far, and it is positioned in a direction—above, below, right, left, front, or back. However, seeing Allah will be free from all such things. As for the question of “how” it will happen, the answer is that “how” does not apply here. Insha’Allah, when we will see Him, we will answer at that time.

The summary of these discussions is: Whatever or wherever the intellect can comprehend or reach is not Allah, and Allah is beyond the reach or comprehension of the intellect. At the time of seeing Allah Almighty, the vision can’t encompass Him as it is impossible for it.

As Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: لَّا تُدْرِكُهُ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ (Eyes do not encompass Him (Allah Almighty), and He encompasses all eyes; He is the Most Subtle, the Fully Aware).²

Does Allah Almighty Experience Sleep?

Belief: He does whatever He wills, however He wills. No one can overpower Him, nor can anyone prevent Him from executing His will as stated in the Holy Quran: إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌۭ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ (Indeed, your Lord do whatever whenever he wills)³. He does not experience drowsiness or sleep as stated in the Holy Quran: لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ ۚ(Neither drowsiness nor sleep overcomes Him)⁴. He watches over all worlds and creations as stated in the Holy Quran: وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّحِيطًۭا (And only to Allah belongs whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is in the Earth, and Allah has control over all things).⁵

He does not experience fatigue or boredom as stated in the Holy Quran: أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ (Did they not come to know that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and did not tire creating them)⁶ and وَمَا مَسَّنَا مِن لُّغُوبٍۢ (And fatigue did not (even) approach Us (Allah Almighty))⁷.

He is the sustainer of the entire universe as stated in the Holy Quran: ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ (All praise is due to Allah, the Owner of all the worlds)⁸, more merciful than parents as stated in the Holy Quran: ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)⁹, and full of forbearance as in Holy Quran: إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًۭا (Indeed, He is the Most Forbearing, Most Forgiving). ¹⁰

His mercy is a refuge for broken hearts. Grandeur and majesty belong to Him alone as in the Holy Quran: وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ (And only He is the Supreme, the Great)¹¹. He shapes creations in the wombs of mothers as He wills, as stated in the Holy Quran: هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ (It is only He(Allah Almighty) Who forms you in the wombs of mothers as He wills)¹².

He is the Forgiver of sins, the Accepter of repentance, the One who executes wrath and anger, as in Holy Quran: غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ ٱلْعِقَابِ (The Forgiver of sins, and the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishing¹³. His seize is firm, and, no one can escape it except by His leave, as in Holy Quran: إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌۭ شَدِيدٌ (Indeed, His seize is painful, severe)¹⁴.

Does Allah Almighty Answer Oppressed?

He can expand the small and contract the vast as He wills. He raises whom He wills and lowers whom He wills. He grants honor to whomever He wills, even if they are humiliated, and He humiliates whomever He wills, even if they are honored; as stated in the Holy Quran: وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ (And You (Allah Almighty) give honor to whomsoever You will, and You cause disgrace for whomsoever You will)¹⁵.

He guides whom He wills to the right path and misguides whom He wills from it, as in Holy Quran: فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ (Indeed, Allah causes to go astray whomsoever He wills and guides whomsoever He wills¹⁶.

He draws close to Him whomever He wills and rejects whomever He wills. He gives to whomever He wills and takes from whomever He wills, as stated in the Holy Quran: قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ ((O Beloved) declare in this manner, ‘O Allah! the Owner of the Kingdom, You grant kingship to whomsoever You will and You take back kingship from whomsoever You will)¹⁷.

Whatever He does or will do is just and fair. He is free from injustice, as stated in the Holy Quran: إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ (Indeed, Allah does not do injustice even to an atom’s weight)¹⁸. He is Exalted and Supreme, He encompasses all, but none can encompass Him, as stated in the Holy Quran: أَلَآ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّحِيطٌۢ (Listen, He encompasses all things)¹⁹.

Benefit and harm are in His control. He answers the cries of the oppressed and takes retribution from the oppressor, as stated in the Holy Quran: وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌۭ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ (And Allah Almighty is overpowering, and Capable of retribution)²⁰.

Is Allah Almighty Bound to Reward or Punish?

Nothing happens without His will and decree, yet He is pleased with goodness and displeased with evil. His mercy ensures He does not command anything beyond one’s capacity, “لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا” (Allah does not place a burden upon any soul except to the extent of its strength)²¹.

Rewards, punishment, grace, or what is better for His servants are not obligatory upon Him (Allah Almighty) but are by His choice.

Who Has Allah Almighty Promised Paradise?

He is the absolute Master and does as He wills and commands as He wills. However, out of His grace, He has promised to admit Muslims to Paradise and, by His justice, will send disbelievers to Hell. His promises and warnings do not change.

He has also promised to forgive all sins, big or small, except for disbelief (Kufr) and polytheism (Shirk), as per His will, “إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ” (Undoubtedly, Allah does not forgive Shirk (Polytheism), and forgives anything less than Shirk for whomsoever He wills)²².

I’ve shared some key foundational beliefs in Islam, with more insights coming soon. Stay connected to deepen your understanding and strengthen your faith. Missed Foundational Islamic Beliefs: Part 2? Click here!

If you have any queries feel free to contact us. Connect through social media handles:

• X
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Telegram
• WhatsApp