What do Muslims believe about the nature of Allah?
The characteristics of Allah as shown in the Qur'an, including Tawhid, immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy and justice.
A focused answer on the nature of Allah for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering Tawhid, immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy and justice (Adalat).
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to explain how the characteristics of Allah are shown in the Qur'an and why they matter, including Tawhid (oneness), immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy and justice (Adalat in Shi'a Islam). This belief in the nature of Allah underpins the whole of Islam.
Tawhid: the oneness of Allah
The central belief about Allah is Tawhid, the absolute oneness of God.
Tawhid is the first and greatest belief, the foundation of everything else in Islam. Because Allah is one, worship and obedience belong to Allah alone, and the gravest sin is shirk, associating partners with Allah or treating anything else as divine. Tawhid shapes Muslim worship, which is directed only to Allah, and it shapes Muslim life, since all of creation depends on the one God. The Qur'an repeatedly affirms Allah's oneness, for example in Surah 16:35 to 36, where the messengers call people to serve Allah alone.
The qualities of Allah
Each quality matters for how Muslims relate to Allah. Omnipotence means Allah created and controls the universe, so Muslims trust and submit to him (the word Islam means submission). Beneficence and mercy mean Allah cares for creation and forgives those who turn to him, which gives Muslims hope, since every chapter of the Qur'an except one opens with "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" (the Bismillah). Justice (Adalat), stressed especially in Shi'a Islam, means Allah is perfectly fair and never wrongs anyone, which underlies belief in a fair judgement. Muslims hold these qualities together: Allah's power is exercised with mercy, and his justice is the justice of a merciful Lord.
Transcendence and immanence
Muslims also describe Allah as both transcendent and immanent, which can seem opposite but are held together. Transcendence means Allah is beyond and above the universe, utterly different from creation and beyond full human understanding or imagining; this is why Islam forbids images of Allah, to protect his greatness and oneness. Immanence means Allah is also close to his creation and to believers; the Qur'an says Allah is "closer to him than his jugular vein" (Surah 50:16), hearing prayers and present in the world.
Holding both together means Muslims believe Allah is far greater than anything they can picture, yet near enough to know and respond to each person. For the exam, be precise with the terms (transcendent means beyond, immanent means near), link the qualities of Allah to worship (directed to Allah alone because of Tawhid) and to Akhirah (judgement, because Allah is just), and be ready to evaluate which quality is most important, for example weighing mercy against Tawhid and justice. A good answer notes that the qualities work together rather than competing.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 1RA0 20193 marksOutline three characteristics of Allah in Islam.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark Outline question (AO1): three accurate, distinct characteristics. Acceptable points include: Tawhid (oneness); omnipotence (all powerful); beneficence (all good and generous); mercy; justice (Adalat); transcendence (beyond the universe); immanence (close to creation). Name any three. One mark each, no development needed.
Edexcel 1RA0 20184 marksExplain two reasons why Tawhid is important for Muslims.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons. Reason one: Tawhid is the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah, the first and greatest belief, declared in the Shahadah, so it shapes all worship and life. Reason two: it means worship and obedience belong to Allah alone and that associating partners with Allah (shirk) is the worst sin. Two marks for each developed point.
Edexcel 1RA0 20225 marksExplain two Muslim beliefs about the mercy of Allah. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed beliefs plus a source. Belief one: Allah is merciful and compassionate, forgiving those who repent and turn to him. Belief two: Allah's mercy gives Muslims hope and encourages them to seek forgiveness. Support with a source: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" (the Bismillah, opening of the Qur'an), or Surah 1. The accurate source secures the fifth mark.
Edexcel 1RA0 202112 marks"The most important quality of Allah is his mercy." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Muslim teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The 12-mark Evaluate question (AO2), plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Allah's mercy is stressed throughout the Qur'an, each chapter beginning "the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful", giving hope of forgiveness, so mercy is central to the Muslim relationship with Allah. Arguments for a different view: Tawhid (oneness) is the most fundamental quality, since everything begins with the one God, and Allah's justice (Adalat) ensures fairness at judgement, so other qualities may matter more. Use specialist terms (Tawhid, mercy, justice, Adalat, omnipotence). Reach a justified conclusion weighing mercy against oneness and justice. The best answers sustain a line of reasoning.
Related dot points
- The Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam, their nature, purpose and importance.
A focused answer on the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering their nature, purpose and importance.
- The nature and importance of Risalah (prophethood) and the holy books (Kutub), including the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.
A focused answer on Risalah and the holy books for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering prophethood, the roles of the prophets, and the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.
- The nature and importance of angels (Malaikah) and of al-Qadr (predestination), and how predestination relates to human freedom and the Day of Judgement.
A focused answer on angels and predestination for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering Malaikah (Jibril, Izra'il, Mika'il) and al-Qadr, free will and the Day of Judgement.
- Muslim teachings about Akhirah (life after death), the nature of judgement, paradise and hell, and how these affect a Muslim's life today.
A focused answer on Akhirah for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering the Day of Judgement, paradise (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam), and how belief in the afterlife shapes Muslim life.
Sources & how we know this
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies A (1RA0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)