The Meaning Of 'Allah'

Allah is the Name of the Lord, the Exalted. It is said that Allah is the Greatest Name of Allah, because it is referred to when describing Allah by the various attributes. For instance, Allah said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-Hashr(59), verse:

22. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen* and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

23. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory to be Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.

24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all thing, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names**. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

Hence, Allah mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-A'raf(7), verse:

180. And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah**, so call on Him by them...

and in Surah Al-Isra(17), verse:

110. Say (O Muhammad s.a.w.) : "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for Him belong the Best Names**...

* Narrated Ibn 'Umar r.a. : The Prophet s.a.w. said, "The keys of the Unseen are five and none knows them but Allah : (1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allah; (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); and (5) None knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah". [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 7379]

** Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a. : Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred less one, and whoever complies with (believes in) their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr (One) and loves Al-Witr. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 6410]

Finding True God

The Story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s.

See Al-Quran, Surah Al-An'am(6), verse:

75. Thus did we show Ibrahim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.

76. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: "This is my lord". But when it set, he said: "I like not those that set".

77. When he saw the moon rising up, he said: "This is my lord". But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the people who went astray".

78. When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is my lord. This is greater". But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allah)".

79. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshiping none but Allah Alone), and I am not of Al-Mushrikun (the idolaters, polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, pagans)".

The Story of Zaid bin 'Amr bin Nufail

Narrated Ibn 'Umar r.a. : Zaid bin 'Amr bin Nufail went to Sham, enquiring about a True Religion to follow. He met a Jewish religious scholar and asked him about their religion. He said, "I intend to embrace your religion, so tell me something about it". The Jew said, "You will not embrace our religion unless you receive your share of Allah's Anger". Zaid said, "I do not run except from Allah's Anger, and I will never bear a bit of it if I have the power to avoid it. Can you tell me of some other religion?". He said, "I do not know any other religion except the Hanif (Islamic Monotheism)," Zaid enquired, "What is Hanif?". He said, "Hanif is the religion of (the Prophet) Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. who was neither a Jew nor a Christian, and he used to worship none but Allah (Alone) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)". Then Zaid went out and met a Christian religious scholar and told him the same as before. The Christian said, "You will not embrace our religion unless you get a share of Allah's Curse". Zaid replied, "I do not run except from Allah's Curse, and I will never bear any of Allah's Curse and His Anger if I have the power to avoid them. Will you tell me of some other religion?". He replied, "I do not know any other religion except Hanif (Islamic Monotheism)". Zaid enquired, "What is Hanif?". He said, "Hanif is the religion of (the Prophet) Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s. who was neither a Jew nor a Christian, and he used to worship none but Allah (Alone) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)". When Zaid heard their statement about (the religion of) Ibrahim (Abraham) a.s., he left the place, and when he came out, he raised both his hands and said, "O Allah! I make You my Witness that I am on the religion of Ibrahim (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)". [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 3827]

Allah s.w.t said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah(2), verse :

130. And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

131. When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)'.

Also in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah(2), verse:

136. Say (O Muslim): "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us* and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat (the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub), and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)."

* Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a. : The people of the Scripture (Jews) used to recite the Taurat (Torah) in Ibrani (Hebrew) and they used to explain it in Arabic to the Muslims. On that Allah's Messenger s.a.w. said, "Do not believe the people of the Scripture or disbelieve them, but say :- 'We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us...' "(Al-Quran, 2:136) [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no 4485]

As a conclusion, let us look at this...

Al-Quran, Surah Al-A'raf(7) verse:

54. Indeed, your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earths in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exist)!.