A Journey Through Reason and Revelation

An exploration of the Islamic concept of God, designed for thoughtful seekers of all backgrounds – whether you’re coming from a Christian tradition, a secular worldview or are simply curious.

Islam invites every human being to ask questions and reflect deeply. Unlike blind faith or inherited dogma, belief in Islam is meant to emerge through sincere reflection, rational inquiry, and heartfelt recognition of the truth. The Qur’an says:

إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason.

Surah Ali’Imran (Quran 3:190)

 

God in Islam: Absolute, Loving and Near

In Islam we use the Arabic word for God – Allah

Allah is the very same God worshipped by Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Allah is not a man, nor a force, nor a mystery but the Only True God, eternal and unmatched. He is:

• Al-Rahman (The Most Merciful)
• Al-Adl (The Most Just)
• Al-Haqq (The Truth)
• Al-Wadud (The Most Loving)

These are just a few of His 99 names, each describing a perfect attribute. Allah is intimately aware of and involved in your life. [link to Qadr]

 

Pure Monotheism

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah – One ˹and Indivisible˺;
Allah – the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺.
He has never had offspring, nor was He born.
And there is none comparable to Him.
Surah Al-Ikhlas (Quran 112:1-4)

This short chapter, memorised by over a billion Muslims, refutes all ideas of God becoming man, or having children. It is the most concise yet profound definition of God in any scripture.

 

Not Blind Faith – But Reflective Belief

The first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not “Obey,” but “Read!”

وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ءَايَـٰتٌۭ لِّلْمُوقِنِينَ

وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

There are ˹countless˺ signs on earth for those with sure faith, as there are within yourselves. Can you not see?
Surah Adh-Dhariyat (Quran 51:20-21)

Islam teaches that the entire universe is a book of signs pointing to God:

• The precise laws of physics
• The design of DNA
• The formation of stars and galaxies
• The human need for meaning, love, and justice

These signs are not coincidences — they are invitations to seek the Source.

 

Atheism and the Longing for Meaning

Even those who reject religion often continue to search: What is the purpose of life? Why do we yearn for truth and justice? Where does morality come from?

Islam holds that these are not meaningless instincts, but echoes of the soul’s innate knowledge of God. The Qur’an says every soul was created with a natural awareness (fitrah) of its Creator. This is why even in secular societies, people still seek awe in nature, feel guilt over injustice, and desire something greater.

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

So be steadfast in faith in all uprightness ˹O Prophet˺—the natural Way of Allah which He has instilled in ˹all˺ people. Let there be no change in this creation of Allah. That is the Straight Way, but most people do not know.

Surah Ar-Rum (Quran 30:30)

 

The Christian Connection

Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) as a great prophet, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary – who is the most revered woman in Islam, with a full chapter (Surah Maryam) named after her.

However, Islam rejects the idea that Jesus is divine. He never claimed to be God. In fact, he prayed to God, submitted to God and told others to worship God alone:

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Deuteronomy 6:4

Islam, Christianity and Judaism all began with the message of one God, but over time, we believe the message was altered. The final revelation, the Qur’an, restores the original, unchanged call to pure monotheism.

 

A Summary

God is One

Eternal, without beginning or end, unlike anything in creation.

Islam encourages reason

– Islam does not expect blind faith.

Every soul is born with awareness of God

– Signs of His existence are everywhere.

Jesus was a prophet

– He called people to worship the One True God.

If you’re seeking meaning, purpose, or clarity, Islam warmly invites you to explore, reflect and reconnect with your Creator.

 

 

 

Last edited:

Saad Dastagir
[email protected]
08/08/2025