READING: GOD IN THE QUR'AN
As Verse 24
of the Chapter of the Gathering states: "To Him belong the Most
Beautiful Names." The Quran contains diverse descriptions of the Names
and Attributes of God, some of which we will read today.
Indeed, lists
of 99 Most Beautiful Names have been compiled and memorized by Muslims
in response to the hadith (saying) of the Prophet Muhammad:
Abu Huraira
reported Prophet Muhammad as saying: Verily, there are ninety-nine names
for Allah. He who enumerates them would get into Paradise. (Sahih
Muslim – Book 35 Hadith 6476) (A full list of 99 Names can be found here.)
The
multiplicity of Names shows that God is one and yet has multiple
aspects, or relates to us in multiple ways. These Names are sometimes
categorized into Names of Beauty, Names of Majesty, and Names of
Perfection.
For our first readings from
the Quran, we will look at selections of verses that provide teachings
on the nature of God. We will then ask you to make 3 lists of Names or
descriptions of God, categorizing them by into Names or descriptions of
Beauty, Names or descriptions of Majesty, and Names or descriptions of
Perfection. There is no single correct classification, so feel free to
make the classification as makes most sense to you.
As you familiarize yourself with the concept of the Names and Attributes of God, this contemporary music rendition by Sami Yusuf of the Asma ul-Husna,
or the Beautiful Names of God, provides a glimpse into the manner in
which these Names can be invoked by Muslims in a devotional context.
The Chapter of Sincerity (112)
1. SAY: "He is the One God:2. "God the Eternal, the Uncaused Cause of All Being. (Allah-us-Samad)3. "He begets not, and neither is He begotten;4. "and there is nothing that could be compared with Him.
The Chapter of Light (24), Verse 35 (Known as 'the Verse of Light')
35. God
is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is,
as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed]
in glass, the glass [shining] like a radiant star; [a lamp] lit from a
blessed tree - an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west -
the oil whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh give light [of
itself] even though fire had not touched it: light upon light!
God guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] God propounds parables unto men, since God [alone] has full knowledge of all things.
The Chapter of the Cow (2), Verse 255 (Known as 'the Throne Verse')
255. GOD - there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave?He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save that which He wills [them to attain].His eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. And he alone is truly exalted, tremendous.
The Chapter of the Gathering (59), Verses 21-24
21. HAD WE bestowed this Qur'an from on high upon a mountain, thou wouldst indeed see it humbling itself, breaking asunder for awe of God...And [all] such parables We propound unto men, so that they might [learn to] think.22. GOD IS HE save whom there is no deity: the One who knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being's perception, as well as all that can be witnessed by a creature's senses or mind:~ He, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace.23. God is He save whom there is no deity: the Sovereign Supreme, the Holy, the One with whom all salvation rests, the Giver of Faith, the One who determines what is true and false, the Almighty, the One who subdues wrong and restores right, the One to whom all greatness belongs!Utterly remote is God, in His limitless glory, from anything to which men may ascribe a share in His divinity!24. He is God, the Creator, the Maker who shapes all forms and appearances!His [alone] are the attributes of perfection. All that is in the heavens and on earth extols His limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise!
The Chapter of The Iron (57), Verses 1-3
1. ALL THAT IS in the heavens and on earth extols God's limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise!
2. His is the dominion over the heavens and the earth; He grants life and deals death; and He has the power to will anything.
3. He is the First and the Last, and the Outward as well as the Inward: and He has full knowledge of everything.