Is Allah a personal God?

[glo]

I have had different replies from Muslims on this.

Some see Allah as a distant God - one who demands respect and obedience, one a believer approaches as a slave and servant.

Others see Allah as a personal God, who knows us and cares about us, who loves us and answers prayers.

So how does Islam see Allah? As the first, the latter or as both?

Thanks, and peace

 

[yusuf18]

islam sees allah as both above allah gave us our way of life which is islam know its up to man to take his path allah even if you dont beleve in allah /allah still feeds and he still sends down rain he still make happeness in this life yet man is ungrateful and allah loves all of us more then our OWN MOTHER but we must OBEY HIM becouse he is worthy of all praise

 

[idk]

Allah is both..

Allah's orders are to be obeyed, no matter what,
But he is also merciful, loving, kind, and closer to you than your jugular vein. Allah sees all injustice done to you, he counts your every tear and sees your most personal, inner thoughts.

Hope i helped sis x

And Allah loves all of his creation, he hates none of it, yet he hates that which they do, and the fact that some of them deny his existence.

Here are the 99 names of Allah, which describe him swt:

Allah The Greatest Name
Ar-Rahman 1 The All-Compassionate
Ar-Rahim 2 The All-Merciful
Al-Malik 3 The Absolute Ruler
Al-Quddus 4 The Pure One
As-Salam 5 The Source of Peace
Al-Mu'min 6 The Inspirer of Faith
Al-Muhaymin 7 The Guardian
Al-'Aziz 8 The Victorious
Al-Jabbar 9 The Compeller
Al-Mutakabbir 10 The Greatest
Al-Khaliq 11 The Creator
Al-Bari' 12 The Maker of Order
Al-Musawwir 13 The Shaper of Beauty
Al-Ghaffar 14 The Forgiving
Al-Qahhar 15 The Subduer
Al-Wahhab 16 The Giver of All
Ar-Razzaq 17 The Sustainer
Al-Fattah 18 The Opener
Al-'Alim 19 The Knower of All
Al-Qabid 20 The Constrictor
Al-Basit 21 The Reliever
Al-Khafid 22 The Abaser
Ar-Rafi' 23 The Exalter
Al-Mu'izz 24 The Bestower of Honors
Al-Mudhill 25 The Humiliator
As-Sami 26 The Hearer of All
Al-Basir 27 The Seer of All
Al-Hakam 28 The Judge
Al-'Adl 29 The Just
Al-Latif 30 The Subtle One
Al-Khabir 31 The All-Aware
Al-Halim 32 The Forebearing
Al-'Azim 33 The Magnificent
Al-Ghafur 34 The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
Ash-Shakur 35 The Rewarder of Thankfulness
Al-'Ali 36 The Highest
Al-Kabir 37 The Greatest
Al-Hafiz 38 The Preserver
Al-Muqit 39 The Nourisher
Al-Hasib 40 The Accounter
Al-Jalil 41 The Mighty
Al-Karim 42 The Generous
Ar-Raqib 43 The Watchful One
Al-Mujib 44 The Responder to Prayer
Al-Wasi' 45 The All-Comprehending
Al-Hakim 46 The Perfectly Wise
Al-Wadud 47 The Loving One
Al-Majíd 48 The Majestic One
Al-Ba'ith 49 The Resurrector
Ash-Shahid 50 The Witness
Al-h Haqq 51 The Truth
Al-Wakil 52 The Trustee
Al-Qawi 53 The Possessor of All Strength
Al-Matin 54 The Forceful One
Al-Wáli 55 The Governor
Al-Hamid 56 The Praised One
Al-Muhsi 57 The Appraiser
Al-Mubdi 58 The Originator
Al-Mu'id 59 The Restorer
Al-Muhyi 60 The Giver of Life
Al-Mumit 61 The Taker of Life
Al-Hayy 62 The Ever Living One
Al-Qayyum 63 The Self-Existing One
Al-Wajid 64 The Finder
Al-Májid 65 The Glorious
Al-Wahid 66 The Only One
Al-Ahad 67 The One
As-Samad 68 The Satisfier of All Needs
Al-Qadir 69 The All Powerful
Al-Muqtadir 70 The Creator of All Power
Al-Muqaddim 71 The Expediter
Al-Mu'akhkhir 72 The Delayer
Al-Awwal 73 The First
Al-Akhir 74 The Last
Az-Zahir 75 The Manifest One
Al-Batin 76 The Hidden One
Al-Walí 77 The Protecting Friend
Al-Muta'ali 78 The Supreme One
Al-Barr 79 The Doer of Good
At-Tawwib 80 The Guide to Repentance
Al-Muntaqim 81 The Avenger
Al-Afu 82 The Forgiver
Ar-Ra'uf 83 The Clement
Malik al-Mulk 84 The Owner of All
Dhul-Jalali
Wal-Ikram 85 The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
Al-Muqsit 86 The Equitable One
Al-Jami 87 The Gatherer
Al-Ghani 88 The Rich One
Al-Mughni 89 The Enricher
Al-Mani' 90 The Preventer of Harm
Ad-Darr 91 The Creator of The Harmful
An-Nafi 92 The Creator of Good
An-Nur 93 The Light
Al-Hadi 94 The Guide
Al-Badi 95 The Originator
Al-Baqi 96 The Everlasting One
Al-Warith 97 The Inheritor of All
Ar-Rashid 98 The Righteous Teacher
As-Sabur 99 The Patient One

 

[Muezzin]

I have had different replies from Muslims on this.

Some see Allah as a distant God - one who demands respect and obedience, one a believer approaches as a slave and servant.

Others see Allah as a personal God, who knows us and cares about us, who loves us and answers prayers.

So how does Islam see Allah? As the first, the latter or as both?

Thanks, and peace

It's really both.

People may lean to one explanation over another depending on variables exclusive to them, such as their individual worldview, or just how articulate they are and how easy it is for them to communicate ideas.

 

[mattityahu]

I struggle to understand how Allah can be personal while at the same time the doctrine of Tawheed being true. For example, if Allah is fundamentally relational, who did he relate to before he created other beings? Is Allah reliant upon his creation in order to be loving, merciful, etc?

 

[Muezzin]

I struggle to understand how Allah can be personal while at the same time the doctrine of Tawheed being true.

What do you understand the doctrine of Tawheed to be?

 

[mattityahu]

Essentially pure monotheism: that Allah is the unique, indivisible God.

Yours,
M

 

[aadil77]

Yes Allah can be personal, as Allah says he is closer to us than our jugular vein. If we try to go closer to Allah through good deeds then He will come closer to us. Some (i think) of the sahaba of the prophet were given the status of 'friends of Allah', which can't get more personal.

Allah is with us all the time and I know that for certain. Sometimes if I don't set the alarm for fajr prayer, then something inside me just clicks and wakes me up automatically, which is clearly from Allah. Soo many times Allah has saved me from danger, reminded me of important things etc. Allahs favours are uncountable.

Sometimes during bad times, when Allah provides relief you truly feel that personal connection with Him, you feel that you could rely totally on Him for anything. Sometime I feel that if I was even lost in a jungle in the middle of nowhere, that I could purely rely on Allah to provide for me and protect me. Thats the personal connection I feel with Allah, sometimes you can just talk to Allah even if there is no verbal reply, you just know He is there listening.

SubhanAllah thats why nothing in this world is as valuable as that and nothing could ever make me give up this mercy from Allah. Allahu Akbar!

At the same time I know I cannot misuse this mercy from Allah and I am aware of the Might of Allah, as he is the King of Kings and rememberence of these qualities not only keeps you straight but also amazes you of the wonders of Allah.

So the answer is I see Him both ways as this way is the best, it gives you contentment and happiness but also sets you straight, preventing you from misusing His mercy.

 

[mattityahu]

I'm interested in this phrase "closer than your jugular vein". I believe this is only found in the Qur'an, 50:16, which says "We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein." The context seems to suggest that the phrase refers to Allah's omniscience and omnipresence. I'm not convinced that this teaches that Allah is personal - indeed 50:17 then says "Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording." - I don't know of any genuine loving personal relationships where one person is constantly checking up on the other to make sure the other isn't sinning against them. The ones I know of involve trust.

 

[czgibson]

Greetings,

I'm interested in this phrase "closer than your jugular vein". I believe this is only found in the Qur'an, 50:16, which says "We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein." The context seems to suggest that the phrase refers to Allah's omniscience and omnipresence.

I've been told before on the forum that Muslims don't believe Allah is omnipresent. That's obviously open to correction from anyone who knows more about it than I do.

As for the main topic - I have a hard enough time understanding what people mean when they talk about god. Start talking about a personal god and I have no idea what is being referred to.

Peace

 

[aadil77]

I'm interested in this phrase "closer than your jugular vein". I believe this is only found in the Qur'an, 50:16, which says "We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein." The context seems to suggest that the phrase refers to Allah's omniscience and omnipresence. I'm not convinced that this teaches that Allah is personal - indeed 50:17 then says "Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording." - I don't know of any genuine loving personal relationships where one person is constantly checking up on the other to make sure the other isn't sinning against them. The ones I know of involve trust.

Allah has told of his closeness through that verse, so its up to you to make it 'personal'. He is there for us, we just need to reach out a hand to build on that relationship.

I don't know what the angels have to do with it, no one claimed anything like that

 

[mattityahu]

Using the definition of omnipresence as "being able to be present anywhere in the space-time universe" it is essentially a consequence of omnipotence, which I doubt many Muslims disagree with?

 

[GreyKode]

I'm interested in this phrase "closer than your jugular vein". I believe this is only found in the Qur'an, 50:16, which says "We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein." The context seems to suggest that the phrase refers to Allah's omniscience and omnipresence. I'm not convinced that this teaches that Allah is personal - indeed 50:17 then says "Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording." - I don't know of any genuine loving personal relationships where one person is constantly checking up on the other to make sure the other isn't sinning against them. The ones I know of involve trust.

There are other verses that indicate how ALLAH is close.
I donnow the number of the verse maybe someone can help you but it says
"And if my slaves ask you(mohammed) about me tell them that I am close and I listen to the prayers of one who calls upon me, so let them call upon me and believe in me that they may succeed"

I don't know of any genuine loving personal relationships where one person is constantly checking up on the other to make sure the other isn't sinning against them. The ones I know of involve trust

What do you mean by personal, like he's your friend, you can be upset from him and then expect him to come and say I am sorry.

 

[GreyKode]

Using the definition of omnipresence as "being able to be present anywhere in the space-time universe" it is essentially a consequence of omnipotence, which I doubt many Muslims disagree with?

Not necessarily, IMHO GOD is beyond time and space.

 

[mattityahu]

Does God being beyond time and space contradict his being able to enter into time and space?? :S

Not necessarily, IMHO GOD is beyond time and space.

 

[czgibson]

Greetings,

Using the definition of omnipresence as "being able to be present anywhere in the space-time universe" it is essentially a consequence of omnipotence, which I doubt many Muslims disagree with?

Good point.

I was confused then and I remain confused today. Is there anyone here who can clarify whether or not omnipresence is in fact a characteristic of Allah according to Muslim belief?

Peace

 

[GreyKode]

Does his omnipotence stop him from turning into a mouse? (This is a serious question)

 

[mattityahu]

There are other verses that indicate how ALLAH is close.
I donnow the number of the verse maybe someone can help you but it says
"And if my slaves ask you(mohammed) about me tell them that I am close and I listen to the prayers of one who calls upon me, so let them call upon me and believe in me that they may succeed"



What do you mean by personal, like he's your friend, you can be upset from him and then expect him to come and say I am sorry.

Friendship would be a fair description of "personal relationship." Comforting one another is an obvious expression of friendship.

I find it interesting that Allah's listening to prayers is conditional on "calling upon" him (which means worship, does it not?). It's also conditional on "believing in him" - seems odd that this is mentioned as you would think it implicitly obvious that you believe in someone when you talk to them. "That they may succeed" suggests that the type of prayer in this verse has the function of asking for something good to happen to them - so essentially the verse means "if you believe in Allah and worship Him then he will listen to what you are asking for and you may get it". Overall it all seems quite impersonal and basically practical. But I would be interested in a different exegesis of the verse.

Yours,
M

 

[جوري]

time is an attribute of God, Time belongs to him.. there is evidence of time existing before the big bang, so we have been told in numerous articles..

This might shed light on your query:



Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 43
Whoever Curses Time Wrongs Allah
Allah (swt ), says:

" And they say: "There is nothing but our life in this world: We die and we live and nothing destroys us except time." And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture" (Qur'an 45:24)
​

Allah (swt ), Most Glorified, Most High, informs us in this verse about the disbelieving dahris1 from among the Arabs and others, who do not believe in any life, save the life of this world, nor in the Rabb and Creator, Allah (swt ), Most High. They believe that nothing causes death except the passage of time. Then Allah (swt ), Most Glorified, Most High, refutes their claims, saying that they have absolutely no evidence for what they claim, but instead, depend upon surmise and their own vain opinions.
Benefits Derived From This Verse

1. That attributing good or evil to the passage of time is a sign of atheism.
2. Confirmation of a life after death for mankind.
3. That ad-dahr (time) is not one of Allah's Names.
​

Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of the Chapter
That the verse rejects those who attribute events to time, for they commit a great wrong against Allah (swt ).
Relevance of This Verse to the Subject of Tawheed
That it rejects those who attribute events to time, because in so doing, they are ascribing a partner to Allah (swt ), for it is He, Alone Who decrees what will be and what will not be.

..ooOOoo..​

It is authentically reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra ) that the Prophet (saas ) said: "Allah (swt ), Most Blessed, Most High, says: "The son of Adam wrongs Me: He curses time, though I am time: In My Hands are all things and I cause the night to follow the day." 2 In another narration, He (saas ) says: "Do not curse time, for verily, time is Allah (swt )."
Allah (swt ), Most Glorified, Most High informs us in this Hadith Qudsi, that man commits a great wrong against Allah (swt ) when he curses time and attributes the occurrence of events to it, for Allah (swt ) is the Rabb of time and the Disposer of affairs and it is by His Qadr that events take place. Therefore to curse time is to curse the Owner of time.
In the second narration, the Prophet (saas ) forbids us from cursing time, saying that Allah (swt ) is the Owner of time and the Disposer of it and all events and affairs, and this is confirmation of what was reported in the preceding Hadith Qudsi.
Benefits Derived From This Hadith

1. The forbiddance of cursing time.
2. That no actions may be attributed to time.
​

Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of the Chapter
That it proves that to curse time is to commit a great wrong against Allah (swt ).
Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of Tawheed
That the Hadithproves that cursing time is a great wrong against Allah (swt ), because those who do so believe that it is time which causes events to take place and this is shirk in Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah, for it is Allah (swt ), Alone Who determines events.
Footnotes
1. Dahris: An atheistic sect among the Arabs, their views are widely held in the West today: There is no God, no Resurrection, no punishment, no reward etc., etc.

2. Narrated by Bukhari.

 

[GreyKode]

Here's the exegesis:

When the companions of the prophet (pbuh) asked him about ALLAH, Is he far or near?
Can he hear us? etc etc..

So this verse was revealed to the prophet muhammad(pbuh) essentially to tell them what they need to know about his nature, That just keep your trust in him and always be aware of him watching over your actions, and call upon him and he will not turn you down.

Allah's listening to prayers is conditional on "calling upon" him

Calling here implies so many things, for example You have to believe in him and obey him, but if you are stubborn and arrogant and not submitting to his will then why would ALLAH(swt) grant you prayers.

It's also conditional on "believing in him" - seems odd that this is mentioned as you would think it implicitly obvious that you believe in someone when you talk to them.

, obviously, but it means to believe in him will all your heart and mind, not just words, to trust his judgement and obey him in all aspects.