Arabic language predates Islam and so does the word Allah. Arabic-speaking Christians and other faith groups use the word ‘‘Allah” for God. One of the fundamental pillars in Islam is the declaration that ‘‘there is no deity worthy of worship except the One True Almighty God” (in Arabic: ‘‘La ilaha ill Allah”).

In the Holy Qur’an, we read that God is compassionate and merciful. He is kind, loving and wise. He is the Creator, the Sustainer and the Healer. He is the one who guides, the one who protects, the one who forgives. There are traditionally ninety-nine attributes that Muslims use to describe God’s nature. Some mistakenly understand that the Arabic word ‘‘Allah” is an ‘‘Arab god,” a ‘‘moon god,” or some sort of idol. Allah is the proper name of the One True God in the Arabic language used by Muslims all over the world. Allah is a name that is neither feminine nor masculine, and it cannot be made plural (unlike god, gods, goddess, etc).

Muslims believe that there is nothing in the heavens nor on earth that deserves worship except God Almighty, the One True Creator. Islam is based on the concept of Tawhid, or Unity of God. Muslims are strictly monotheistic. Islam rejects any form of idol worship.

In the Islamic understanding, God is beyond our sight and comprehension, yet at the same time ‘‘nearer to us than our jugular vein” (Qur'an 50:16). Muslims pray directly to God, with no intermediary and seek guidance from him alone, because ‘‘...God knows well the secrets of your hearts” (Qur'an 5:7). In this regard the Qur’an states (Qur'an 2:186):

‘‘When My servants ask thee concerning Me,

I am indeed close (to them).

I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me.

Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me,

that they may walk in the right way.”

In the Qur'an, people are asked to look around them for the signs of God in the natural world. The balance of the world, the rhythms of life, are ‘‘signs for those who would believe.” The universe is in perfect order: the orbits of the planets, the cycles of life and death, the seasons of the year, the mountains and the rivers, the mysteries of the human body. This order and balance are neither haphazard nor random. The world, and everything in it, has been created with a perfect plan, by the One who knows all. Islam is a natural faith, a religion of responsibility, purpose, balance, discipline and simplicity. To be a Muslim is to live your life remembering God and striving to follow his merciful guidance.