The Concept of God in Islam.

1. Concept of God
By Syed Zaid Aftab

2. Concept of God
Beliefs:
Monotheism
Polytheism
Atheism

3. Monotheism:
 Latin based term : MONO - One , THEISM – God
 Is defined as belief in the existence of One God or in the
oneness of God
 The Oxford dictionary gives a more restricted definition: “
Belief in One personal and transcendent God” (Transcendence
refers to the aspect of God’s nature & power which is wholly
independent of the material universe beyond all physical laws)

4. Examples of Monotheism:
 Islam , Christianity & Judaism are major religions.
 Followers of each practice Monotheism , a belief in One God.
Islam :
 Any one who submits to the will of God can be considered a Muslim.
Beliefs :
 Allah
 Angels
 Quran
 Last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAW)
 Day of Judgement
Pillars :
 Declaration of faith (Shahada)
 Prayer (Salat)
 Fasting in the month of Ramadan (Siyam)
 Charity (Zakat)
 Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) continued

5. Examples of Monotheism:
What else do the have Common ?
All three believe in one god (monotheistic).
 They all started in Southwest Asia.
 They can trace their roots to Hazrat Abrahim (AS) as the father of their faith.
 Jerusalem is the holiest city in the world for Jews and Christians, and
the third holiest city for Muslims after Makkah & Medina.
 All three have an important messenger and book of teachings.

6. Polytheism:
 Latin based term : POLY - More , THEISM – God
 Belief in, or worship of, multiple deities or Gods.
 Gods are conceived as complex personages of greater or
lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires & stories.
 The Gods are not always Omnipotent or Omniscient; rather,
they are often portrayed as similar to humans in their
personality traits but with additional individual powers,
abilities, knowledge or perceptions.

7. Examples of Polytheism:
 Hinduism, Buddhism, Sumerian Gods, The Egyptian Gods, The
ancient Greek religion, The Yoruba Orisha, The Aztec Gods &
many others.
Hinduism :
 Collection of beliefs that developed over thousands of years
(combo of Arayan beliefs w/native beliefs).
 Brahman is most divine spirit
 Holy Men, GURUS, are spiritual teachers. They interpret the
religion.
 Sacred Books Vedas/Upanishads
 Liberation from desires and suffering Moksha.
 Reincarnation based on Karma and Darma
 Caste System (ex Brahmin)

8. Atheism:
 Latin based term : A - No , THEISM – God
 Lack of belief in God and/or the belief that there is no God.
 There is no God or Devil
 There is no such thing as a Sin.
 Evolution is a scientific fact.
 God didn't create people, People created God.
 Ethics and morals are relative
 Atheist have a very limited scope of knowledge since they
only accept things, which they can see with their eyes.

9. Examples of Atheism:
There are six types of Atheist:
 Intellectual Atheist / Agnostic
 Activist
 Seeker Agnostic
 Anti-Theist
 Non-Theist
 Ritual Atheist
The theory known as the “Big-Bang” which represented that no God created
The world but it was created through the methods of Science. This theory was
followed by many Atheist Scientist and teen agers.