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Week 02
Day 01,02
Surahs 01-05
Allah in Himself
1. Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur’an, and:
(a) briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage. [4]
(b) briefly explain the importance of the themes in the daily living of Muslims. [4]
(a) _Main Theme: [2] Marks
• The main theme of the passage is Allah in Himself. It is taken from surah Baqarah, a madni
surah.It is also known as the verse of throne (ayat al kursi).
• It begins with the expression of the shahada (declaration of oneness of God) and elaborates
that the God is beyond human comprehension and He is free from all limitations and
weaknesses.
• He is unlike other beings because He knows everything and can do everything and enjoys
autonomy in exercising His authority. Surah al Anaam says, “To Him is due the primal origin
of the heavens and the earth…..” [6:101]
• Throne (Kursi) is a symbol of authority which means that He is the King ruling over all that
exists.No one shares His attributes and kingdom. His powers never weaken or waver.
(b) Importance: [2] Marks
• The importance of these themes is that these verses allow Muslims to learn and understand
something about God in a way relevant to them. This verse is declared by the Prophet (pbuh) as
one of the treasures of Paradise.
• He has the knowledge and power over all things, and this could make Muslims more
cautious of their practices which eliminates the possibility of shirk in practical lives and
Muslims donot look towards others for the fulfillment of their needs.
• The theme of God’s self-subsistence shows how certain attributes that affect humans do not
affect Him, for example, sleep, , slumber, fatigue etc. so they can rely entirely on Him.
• It is recited by Muslims for seeking Allah’s protection in their daily lives against all evils.
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(6:101-103)
(a) Main theme: [2] Marks
• These verses of Surah al Anaam, a makkan surah, discuss the fundamental Quranic theme of
Allah in Himself.
• It gives the message of Tauhid by expressing that God does not have partners and the
entire universe is the creation of His will and design.
• He is free from all physical relations especially wife and children. The Quran says, “He
begets not nor is He begotten.” [Ch112:V3]
• God is beyond human comprehension. Although humans cannot understand Him, He
understands everything in creation.
• God is the most powerful He is the one who has the power to help humans, and He hears
and sees all that they do, therefore they should worship Him and pray to Him to reward their
actions.
(b) Importance: [2] Marks
• These teachings emphasise the importance of tawhid for Muslims for their spiritual
purification. It also protects them from shirk in daily living.
• Mankind is asked to worship Him as only He can fulfill their needs, so Muslims should be careful
to pray and fast, etc., to fulfill their obligation to Him.
• When Muslims believe in Allah as Al-Knowing-Well Aware, they refrain from committing sins
even secretly and become fair in dealings with people.
• In a world where there are lots of distractions, this surah reminds Muslims that they should
always remember their Creator as He is the ultimate authority over their affairs .
(a)Main Theme: [2 marks]
• This verse of Surah Fussilat also known as Ha Mim was revealed during the early years in Makkah.
It discusses the theme of Allah in Himself.
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• Fussilat means “clearly spelt out message of Quran.” It is directing attention to the concept of
Tawhid (Oneness of God) by saying that God creates and controls everything; in this verse
specifically the sun and the moon.
• celestial bodies and the cycle of nature on earth are the signs of God’s power for mankind and help
them to identify our true Lord and His presence. The Quran says, “Behold! in the creation of the
heavens and the earth and the alternation of Night and Day – there are indeed signs for men of
wisdom.” (3:190)
• The order of the sun and the moon shows that God alone should be praised and worshipped and
nothing should be associated with Him. It is a negation of paganism; the sun and moon are not to
be worshipped.
(b) Importance [2 marks]
• This passage is important in daily lives of Muslims because it creates a strong link with God so
Muslims do not look up to anything/anyone else, famous people, money, etc., and they worship
only Him.
• It stops them from committing shirk by making them realise that all created things are not
permanent.
• God's signs invite Muslims to observe their environment and ponder over His signs. It creates awe
and wonder to help get closer to Him.
• Muslims in their daily lives learn from this passage that God administers all affairs. Thus, they
consider themselves humble servants of God and turn to Him for salvation through prayer, fasting
and other acts of worship.
(a) Main theme: [2] marks
• These verses of the surah ash-Shura, a makkan surah, represent the theme of God in Himself.
• These verses confirm God’s power, majesty and His ultimate authority over all that exists in this
Universe. God is the owner of everything because He created everything
• His majesty is so much that the heavens tremble and are almost ready to tear out by His glory.
Everything in the Universe acknowledges His power and supremacy by praising Him. The Quran says,
“Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”
• It further discusses that angels always glorify God’s attributes of forgiveness and mercifulness for
those who repent and request Him for their forgiveness. Humans are reliant on God’s mercy as He
is the most forgiving, the most merciful
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(b) Importance [2 marks]
• The importance here is that God tells humankind of His power and control over all things, so they
should remember that they do not have any power in comparison which in turn protects them
from arrogance.
• In their daily lives Muslims need to show humbleness like Angels who despite having magnificent
power to dispose different affairs but they fear God and seek His mercy day and night. The
obedience of angels to God can encourage humans to be obedient to God too.
• Humans should not despair of Him or give up on His mercy – even if they have sinned, they should
turn back to Him and He will forgive. They must keep trust in God who would help them in all
their problems.
• As God is merciful to humankind, they in turn should be grateful through acts of worship like
prayer,fasting etc and also try to be forgiving of others, even if they have been hurt or injured.
(a) Main Theme : [2] marks
• Surah al Ikhlas was revealed in Makkah when the Quraish asked the Prophet, “Tell us of the
ancestory of your Lord” thereupon this surah was revealed.
• It presents the fundamental Quranic theme of Allah in Himself. It explains the concept of Tauhid
for the purity of faith (ikhlas). Ahad — The Only One, the Unique means that He is the One who
was, is, and will ever remain alone.
• Samad is an important description of God as it encompasses many meanings – power,
independence, absolute, etc. It means that God is independent of all but all are dependent upon
Him and He needs nothing for His sustenance. “Allah, there is no god but He, the living, the self-
subsisting, the eternal.”(Ch 2:V255).
• He is free from all limitations of time and space. He has no partners or family, does not have anyone
to share His authority nor any children.
• It tells about God’s uniqueness in his personality attributes and actions and sums up the whole
argument by warning against the tendency of comparing Him with anyone or anything.
(b) Importance : [2] marks
• This passage is important for Muslims because it protects from different forms of Shirk so that
people do not take other people or created things as their Lord, so they should not replace God with
things like famous people/saints, or place anyone or anything alongside Him.
• It ensures they know that God does not have family, so they will avoid making the mistake of
believing in God having children or a partner, or anyone to share in His authority. It gives them
clarity and allows them to develop a relationship with God.
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• This surah is often recited by Muslims in their daily prayers after surah Fatiha. Holy Prophet
(P.B.U.H) told that this sura is equivalent to one third of Quran because the theme of tawhid is
summarised in it. It is one of the surahs of protection (Quls).
• In daily lives of Muslims this sura helps them to have clarity of faith and allows them to develop a
relationship with God through acts of worship like prayer,fasting etc .
Themes of Quran
Allah in Himself
O/N 2013
2 (a) Using passages you have studied, write about the main teachings about God in the
Qur’an. [10]
M/J 2017
2(a) Choose two from the following passages and write in detail about the various ways
in which God describes in them how He is unique: 6.101–103, 42.4-5, 112, 41.37. [10]
The passages set for special study which represent the fundamental Quranic theme of ‘God in
Himself’, give us the prefect knowledge about God’s personality, Oneness and attributes. In the first place
these passages shed light on the concept of Tawhid. It is the first and the main principle of Islamic faith. It
means that Allah is the Supreme Being, Creator, Sustainer and Master of the Universe.
Surah Baqarah (2:255) also known as the Verse of Throne (Ayat al Kursi) clearly mentions Tauhid
(Oneness of God) “Allah, there is no god but He the Living, the self-subsisting, Eternal.”
It tells us that Allah is a personality but His nature is sublime and far beyond our limited conception.
He is the ultimate reality and free from all limitations of time and space. “No slumber can seize him nor
sleep…”
Throne (Kursi) is a symbol of authority. This tells us that He is the King ruling over all that exists. In
everything is the working of God’s power, will and authority. Quran says: “then He established himself on
the throne” (10:3, 13:2)
Surah Anaam 6. 101-103
These verses of surah Anaam speak of the absolute unity and Authority of Allah over the entire universe,
being the only Creator and Protector of everything . Therefore, He alone is to be worshipped .Allah
creates on His own without any help which shows that not only the Creation ,but the plan and means of
creation are all on account of His Will .Quran says “To Him is due to primal origin of the heavens and the
earth.”
Since everything is creation of Allah, the question of His heaving a son does not arise. Allah, unlike
humans, is free from all human attributes and far superior to be in need to have children or spouse. “How
can He have a son when he has no consort.”
It is further states that human vision does not comprehend Him, but He comprehends everything of the
universe and nothing remains hidden from Him. Nothing is conceived from Him. He watches us all the
time and knows our intentions, “He created all things and He has full knowledge of all things.” Allah’s
nature is so subtle and far beyond our limited conception so as to be invisible to the physical eye and to
be imperceptible to the senses. His presence can only be felt through the manifestation of His creation
and His total control over it.
Surah Fussilat 41.37
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This passage speaks of the cosmic sign of the universe as the great signs of Allah’s lordship, authority,
wisdom and power. These signs are not to be worshipped. Instead, by pondering over them one can
understand the reality of Allah’s Greatness and creative power. People have repeatedly been told in the
Quran that natural objects on earth and sley are creation of Allah with no power or authority .Night and
day are not conflicting power but are both creations of Allah. Allah is the sole cause and the source of all
that exits and whatever exits is a sign of His creative power. The objectives in this verse is to express the
glory of Allah and His exclusive worthiness for worship in the minds of the human beings. This verse
invites people to look over the wondrous creation of Allah and believe in Him. Quran says, “Behold! In
the creation of the heavens and earth and the alternation of night and day there are indeed signs for
men of understanding”
The cycle of the night and day clearly points to the fact that sun and moon are not the objects of divine
power, but are helpless and powerless objects . They are moving according to the law of Almighty Allah .
So Allah alone should be worshipped and not the things which he has created which are actually subservient
to His commands. Thus these passage reflect that Allah is unique in His attributes and power. He alone is
worthy of worship and praise.
Surah ash Shura 42. 4-5
This passage highlights Allah’s total authority and ownership. All that is in the heaven and on the earth is
the exclusive property of Allah and He has full authority and controls to deal with it in any manner He
wants. He is the Master and Owner of the earth and heavens and everything contained in them, in any
form whatsoever, and no one else has any part or share in His ownership, His attributes and His Power. It
is said in Quran, “His are all things in the heavens and on earth.”
Allah’s glory and praise is so majestic that even the magnificent heavens tremble before His Might and
Splendour above them and are almost ready to burst asunder by His glory . “The heavens are almost rent
asunder from above them.” The angels, who are noble and pure beings glorify Allah. They look after the
safety of all beings on earth and pray to Allah for their forgiveness .They reflect on one side on Allah’s
glory and praise and on the other, to His forgiveness and mercy.
As all humans beings are weak and are liable to err and sin , Allah has willed upon Himself the law of
grace and mercy. Allah is forgiving and Merciful is clear from the fact that people persist in transgressing
His commands and rejecting His message, yet He mercifully goes on giving them respite so that they may
realize their mistakes and come to the right path. The Quran says, “He has inscribed for Himself (the
rule of ) Mercy.”
Surah Ikhlas 112
The name of this sura is Ikhlas meaning “Purity of faith” which is core matter because faith in the absolute
unity of Allah is the foundation of Islam. Allah is one, without any hint of plurality, He has no one to share
in His lordship, neither in His essence or His attributes. He is the only one to whom worship is due, all
other things or being are His creatures and in no way resemble Him are comparable to Him in rank,
attributes work or power “Say, He is Allah, the one and only.”
Allah is Eternal and Immortal without beginning or end , not limited by time or place or circumstances. He
is absolute no sustained or dependent on any other person or thing whereas all other are dependent on
Him for beginning as well as their continued existence. “Allah, the eternal, absolute.”
This sura negates the concept of polytheism and destroys all assumptions of family relations of Allah
when it is said, “He begets not nor is He begotten.”And there remains no room for confusion in this
regard the Quran says , “No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him.”
The fact that Allah is matchless and unique in every respect beyond the range of human imagination
explains why any attempt at depicting Him by means of figures or symbols must be denial of truth. “And
there is none like him.”
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2(b) In your opinion, why should Muslims try to understand God’s
attributes? Give reason(s) for your answer. [4]
• It is extremely important for Muslims to understand God’s personality and attributes because
now a days, many Muslims are becoming detached from God.
• Learning about God’s attributes allows them to have an understanding of Him which increases
their understanding of the world around them, or their faith, etc.
• Because God is beyond humankind’s knowledge/perception, understanding Him through
what He says about Himself in the Qur’an allows humans to know why God is important to
them in their lives.
• Knowing God gives substance, reason, and purpose to our worship. Once we know him, it
makes perfect sense to worship him.
• We understand our relationship with God more clearly when we see not only how he
differs from us, but also how we can relate to him in spite of that.
2.b) “The Qur’an is not as relevant to Muslims now as it was 1400 years ago.”
Give two reasons to agree or disagree with this statement. [4]
• I strongly disagree with this statement as Quran is meant for the guidance of all mankind and
its teachings will never be outdated or irrelevant.
• These teachings are universal and eternal i.e for mankind and for all ages and disciplines. For
example, the following command about honesty in business dealings is for all mankind till the
dayof judgement , “Give full measure when you measure and weigh with the balance that is
straight.”
• Moreover, It helps Muslim to understand the duties to their Creator and therefore, it’s a link
between God and Muslims. It guides Muslims in beliefs and practices and guarantees
successful in this world and in the Hereafter. For example, the pillars of Islam i.e prayer, fasting,
zakat etc areprimarily the rights of Allah but at the same time these acts of worship develop a
sense of responsibility and brotherhood being a part of Muslim community.
