Understanding Islamic Monotheism: Beliefs, Practices, and Impact
Islam: An Illustration of Monotheism
Conception of God
Monotheism
Islam centers around the belief in one God, Allah, who is perfect, clement, and merciful. Ninety-nine epithets express this perfection, including “First and Last,” “Mighty,” “Protector,” “Forgiving,” and “Immutable.” The one-hundredth name has no specific expression, alluding to humanity’s inability to grasp Allah’s essence, emphasizing His absolute transcendence. This monotheism excludes the Christian concept of a trinity. Jesus Christ, according to Islamic doctrine, is a messenger of God, not God himself. The Quran (5:75) states, “There is no god but one God…The Messiah, son of Mary, is but a messenger, before whom other messengers have lived.”
Creator
Allah is the creator of all things. “Everything that is not Allah is his creature.” Influenced by Christian theology, Allah’s actions are categorized as ad intra (internal acts like love and anger) and ad extra (external acts like creation and providence). Allah’s creatures are divided into spiritual beings (angels, demons, and “geniuses”—intermediate beings between angels and humans, who can be good or bad depending on their conversion to Islam) and physical beings (all other creations).
Remunerative Function and Revelation
Allah has a remunerative function and has revealed himself to humanity since its inception through successive alliances. The final message was delivered through the Prophet Muhammad.
Anthropological Impact
Creation and Destiny
Humans, created by Allah, are the most perfect physical creatures, destined for either heaven or hell. The creation narrative of Adam, made from clay, describes Allah commanding angels to prostrate before him. Iblis, an angel who refused, was cursed and expelled from paradise.
Free Will vs. Predestination
While Islamic doctrine emphasizes predestination, Muhammad also stressed the importance of good works, which, though not inherently saving, are pleasing to Allah. This has led to differing schools of thought within Islam: the Jabariyah, who affirm determinism, and the Qadariyah, who attempt to reconcile human freedom with Allah’s decree.
Submission and Equality
Salvation is achieved through absolute faith and submission to Allah’s will. “Islam” means “submission,” and “Muslim” means “one who submits.” This involves submitting one’s understanding and will to Allah. All believers are equal before Allah, and the brotherhood of Muslims transcends blood ties.
Resurrection, Judgment, and Salvation
Humans, composed of body and soul, will be resurrected. Following the “questioning of the grave” by two angels, Allah will judge each person based on their actions and intentions. Salvation is also expressed as “success” or “prosperity,” but ultimately as “safety” or “protection” in God. Muslim eschatology, influenced by Christian teachings, describes eternal salvation and damnation, with corresponding rewards and punishments. Some Islamic streams interpret the Quran literally, while others favor allegorical interpretations.
The Existence of Evil
Muslims believe in the existence of evil angels and the devil.
Truth and Revelation
Sources of Truth
Allah’s message is contained in the Quran (written word) and the Sunnah (oral tradition). “Quran” means “intoned recitation.”
Authorship and Interpretation
The Quran’s author is Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the Archangel Gabriel in Arabic. It draws from Jewish and Christian scriptures, as well as Arabian traditions. Muhammad received the final revelation. Islam lacks a single infallible authority for interpreting the Quran, except for the Ijma, or consensus of the entire Islamic community, which is rarely invoked. Free examination is encouraged.
Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy requires faith in Allah, His Prophet, the Quran, its fundamental principles, the afterlife, and divine reward and punishment.
Moral Action
Guidance and Law
Moral action is guided by the Quran and the Sunnah. Muslim law is considered divinely dictated, and its violation is both a sin and a legal infraction. Islam encompasses religion, culture, and all aspects of life.
Duties and Rights
Worshiping Allah, showing gratitude, obedience, and avoiding anything that contradicts His divinity are paramount. These duties are considered God’s rights.
Five Pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam are: prayer five times a day, zakat (alms-giving), fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca, and the profession of faith (including jihad, understood as both inner struggle and the expansion of Islam).
Muhammad as a Model
Muhammad serves as a model for Muslims. The Sunnah, based on his words, actions, and gestures, provides guidance not explicitly covered in the Quran.
Worship and Practices
Submission and Reward
Worship requires voluntary submission to Allah’s will through prayer and rituals. Good deeds are rewarded in paradise, while unbelievers are punished in hell. Faith is linked to works.
Becoming a Muslim
Reciting the formula “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet” with sincere intent is sufficient to become a Muslim.
Sufism
Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam focused on achieving union with Allah through purification (repentance, conversion, and inner struggle) and “resemblance” with the deity. Sufi descriptions of paradise emphasize intellectual and spiritual rewards rather than sensory pleasures.