Belief in Allaah is the first of the six pillars of faith which also include belief in the Angels, the Divine Books, the Prophets, the Last Day which is the Day of Resurrection, and belief in Predestination whether it be good or evil.

Belief in Allaah, Glorified be He, means that a believer believes that this universe has only one Lord, Allaah the Exalted. It is He Who created this great universe with its rivers, seas, mountains, trees, animals and birds. We believe in Allaah and love Him because He created us as well as the entire universe around us.

We can see the creatures of Allaah but we cannot see Allaah in this world. All the creatures of this world are simply proof of the existence, ability and greatness of Allaah. We benefit from many things that we do not see, but we can perceive their effect and influence on other things. For example, we do not see the air but we feel it when there is a breeze and when it moves the leaves of the trees. We also do not see electricity but we perceive its effect on the lights or the machines we operate. Such things are recognized by the mind even though they are not seen by the eye.

Allaah Says (what means): {No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well Acquainted with all things.} [Quran: 6: 103].

Allaah is only One. He has no partners in His Kingdom. The universe is run according to an accurate system that indicates the Oneness of the Great Creator.

Allaah Says (what means): {Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)): "He is Allaah, (the) One. Allaah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.} [Quran: 112: 1-4].  

If this universe has more than one Lord, such Lords would disagree, each of them aiming at superiority which would lead to the disintegration of the system of the universe and so life would be ruined.

Allaah Says (what means): {No son (or offspring or children) did Allaah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allaah above all that they attribute to Him!}[Quran: 23:91].

Belief in Allaah is an instinctive feeling that every creature has in the depths of his/her heart and it is led to by his/her conscience. When a person faces difficulties, he/she has to seek help from Allaah, the Great Creator, and pray for His assistance to overcome such difficulties and worries.

All the creatures in the universe indicate the existence of Allaah, the Almighty Creator. Man feels the existence of Allaah and has a deep instinctive belief in Him.

Allaah Says (what means): {So set you (O Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam,) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allaah Alone) Allaah's Fitrah (i.e. Allaah's Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq­illah (i.e. the Religion of Allaah Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.}[Quran: 30:30].

Belief in Allaah is an instinct in the human soul that is never obliterated except in the hearts of those who oppose this instinct out of arrogance and haughtiness. The human mind believes in the existence of Allaah but it is incapable of perceiving His Essence, because He, the Almighty, is, as He Says (What means):  {The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs). There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.}[Quran: 42: 11].

Where is Allaah?

The earth has an oval shape and it is surrounded with an unlimited extended space. The earth on which billions of people live and which has mountains, rivers, trees, birds and animals seems to be no more than a minute area in the vastness of space.

When we want to invoke Allaah, we raise our hands towards the heavens. If you ask any person where Allaah is, he/she will answer immediately: in heaven.

Allaah inculcated this fact in man’s instinct, conscience, and mind. Allaah, the Almighty, is in heaven but His Knowledge encompasses everything and every place. There is nothing like unto Him.

During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, a man had a flock of sheep and a maid-servant who tended it. One day, a wolf snatched away an ewe from the flock. The man was angry and slapped the maid-servant harshly. He regretted his action and hurried to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and told him what had happened.

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him: Bring her to me.

When the man brought her, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to her: Where is Allaah?

She said: He is in heaven. He said: Who am I? She said: You are the Messenger of Allaah.

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to the man: Set her free! She is a believing woman. [Muslim]

Allaah sees us

Allaah, the Almighty, sees us all the time, hears whatever we say, and knows whatever actions we do and whatever feelings or ideas we harbor in our hearts and minds. For this reason, we always do what pleases Allaah. When, for example, we tell the truth, we do so because Allaah sees and hears us.

We love Allaah and obey Him

Allaah, the Exalted, created all human beings from one father and one mother: Aadam and Eve. Allaah created all creatures in the universe to support human beings and make them happy.

All human beings – regardless of their different colors and ethnic backgrounds– originate from one father and they have only one Lord. They must be grateful to Allaah for His endless bounties and they are required to obey all His commands. Allaah wants all goodness for them because it is He Who created them. Allaah does not command them to do anything bad and He never prohibits anything unless it is harmful for them.

When we perfect our work and become sincere in every action, we do so because Allaah sees us and knows all about our deeds. We like Allaah to watch all our good deeds which we do in obedience to His commands seeking nearness to Him.

`Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: "Allaah likes you to perfect the work you do."[ Al-Bayhaqi]

Allaah is the Creator

Allaah created this great universe according to perfect planning and a highly accurate system. The harmony that exists among the different elements and creatures of the universe,

indicates the superb wisdom and unparalleled power of Allaah, the Creator, Who initiated life.

For example, the sun rotates in an accurate system and day and night alternate in a precise order and have done so ever since they were created.

The same thing applies to the earth on which we live. It is ever moving and is inhabited by all types of living creatures such as plants, animals, and birds. There are creatures everywhere in the deep seas and oceans and on the top of mountains and trees.

Allaah, the Almighty, created them all and He manages their affairs and He gives to some and refrains from giving to others.

Allaah is the Omnipotent

The Omnipotence of the Great Creator is evident in His magnificent creatures. In this life, there are many proofs and indications that show the Omnipotence of Allaah. For example, the high mountains stabilize the earth while it rotates. The faraway sun provides us with both light and heat. Flowers with multiple bright colors, from which emanates magnificent fragrances that we smell. All the plants and trees around us are cultivated in one land and irrigated with the same type of water but they produce fruits that are different in taste, smell, shape, and color.

Allaah is the Provider.

Allaah, the Almighty, provides all His creatures with whatever they need whether they are human beings, animals, birds, or plants. Even the weakest and smallest of all creatures are provided with their means of living which guarantees their existence and continuity in life.

Allaah is Merciful towards His creatures

Allaah is Merciful towards all His creatures. His Mercy encompasses all creatures including the smallest and minutest of creatures because it is He Who created them and it is He Who cares for them.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that he heard Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: "Allaah created mercy in one hundred parts, retained with Him ninety-nine parts, and sent down one part to the earth. Thanks to this one part that there is mutual love among the creation so much that an animal may move away its hoof from its young offspring, fearing that it might harm it." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

One of the aspects of Allaah's Mercy cultivated in the hearts of His creatures is the mother's affection towards her child. A mother usually cares for her child when he/she is a baby, she spends many nights taking care of him/her and she looks after him until he/she is old.

Another aspect is the mercy among all creatures. The old are compassionate towards the young, the strong supports the weak, the able help the needy, and all creatures cooperate together.

The most Beautiful Names of Allaah

Allaah, the Almighty, has many Beautiful Names and Attributes worthy of His Grandeur. We remember Allaah by mentioning these Names as a means of worshiping Allaah.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: "Allaah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allaah is witr (One) and loves 'the witr' (i.e. odd numbers)." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

 Allaah Says (what means): {And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.} [Quran 7:180]

The most Beautiful Names of Allaah are:

Allaah, Al-Ahad (the One), Al-A'laa (the Most High), Al-Akram (the Bounteous), Al-Ilaah (the Lord), Al-Awwal (the First), Al-Aakhir (the Last), Ath-Thaahir (the Evident), Al-Baatin (the Immanent), Al-Baari' (the Evolver), Al-Barr (the Beneficent), Al-Baseer (the All-Seeing), At-Tawwaab (the Exonerating), Al-Jabbaar (the Compeller), Al-Haafith (the Protector), Al-Haseeb (the Sufficer), Al-Hafeeth (the Maintainer), Al-Hafiyy (the Most Gracious), Al-Haqq (the Verity), Al-Mubeen (the Manifest), Al-Hakeem (the All-Wise), Al- Haleem (the Clement), Al-Hameed (the Laudable), Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living), Al-QAyyoom (the Dominating), Al-Khabeer (the Well-Acquainted), Al-Khaaliq (the Creator), Al-Khallaaq (the All-Creating), Ar-Ra'oof (the Truthful), Ar-Rahmaan (the Merciful), Ar-Raheem (the Compassionate), Ar-Razzaaq (the Giver of Livelihood), Ar-Raqeeb (the Vigilant), As-Salaam (the Consummate), As-Samee' (The One that Heareth), Ash-Shaakir (the All-Thankful), Ash-Shaheed (the Witness), As-Samad (the Absolute), Al-'Aalim (the All-Knowing), Al-'Azeez (the Almighty), Al-'Atheem (the Supreme), Al-'Afoww (the Oft-Pardoning), Al-'Aleem (the All-Knowing), Al-'Aliyy (the Sublime), Al-Gaffaar (the Oft-Forgiving), Al-Ghaniyy (the Self-Sufficient), Al-Fattaah (the Revealer), Al-Qaadir (the Potent), Al-Qaahir (the Irresistible), Al-Quddoos (the Holy), Al-Qadeer (the All-Powerful), Al-Qareeb (the All-Near), Al-Qahhaar (the Vanquisher), Al-Kabeer (the Great), He is above all comprehension, the Guardian, the Transcendent, the Proud, the Puissant, the Glorious, the Fashioner, the Omnipotent, the Sustainer, the Sovereign, the Masterful, the One, the Inheritor, the All-Embracing, the Benevolent, the Advocate, the Protector, the Bestower, the Judge, the Ever-Living, the Lord, and the Munificent.

A Muslim benefits from the most Beautiful Names of Allaah by understanding their meanings, feeling them in his heart and conscience and seeking their effect in his life and manners. He should also try to imitate their good qualities. He needs to glorify them so that they will lead to filling his heart with fear of Allaah and being conscious of Him in secret and in public. A Muslim should seek to acquire the characteristics of such Names and Attributes such as mercy and justice until he becomes an Allaah-fearing slave.