Answer
Short Answer: Muslims believe the following about God (Allah):
- Allah is Unique and nothing is like unto Him.
- Allah cannot have a son. Allah has no incarnates.
- Allah is completely different from His creatures.
- Allah does not belong to any kind or race.
- Allah cannot marry or have children.
- Allah is Eternal, Immortal, and Everlasting.
- Allah cannot be perceived by anyone.
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Salam,
Thank you for your question.
Thank you also for your interest to have a clear understanding of the Muslim creed.
Muslims believe the following about God (Allah):
- Allah is Unique and nothing is like unto Him.
- Allah cannot have a son. Allah has no incarnates.
- Allah is completely different from His creatures.
- Allah does not belong to any kind or race.
- Allah cannot marry or have children.
- Allah is Eternal, Immortal, and Everlasting.
- Allah cannot be perceived by anyone.
The following Quranic verses argue for the Divinity and Oneness of Allah. These verses have clear-cut answer to the most common misconception about God’s incarnate nature.
“Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” (Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4)
“The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. Say, ‘Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing?’” (Al-Ma’idah 5:75-76)
“That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute. It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is. [Jesus said], ‘And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.’ Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved – from the scene of a tremendous Day.” (Maryam 19:34-37)
“They say, ‘Allah has taken a son.’ Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him, Unique Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” (Al-Baqarah 2:116-117)
“They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary. Say, ‘Then who could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, or his mother or everyone on the earth?’ And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:17)
“[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing. That is Allah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things. Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.” (Al-An`am 6:101-103)
“Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they describe [concerning Him]. [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, so high is He above what they associate [with Him].” (Al-Mu’minun 23:91-92)
With regard to the verses you referred to in your question, they read what means:
“[Mention] when Moses said to his family, “Indeed, I have perceived a fire. I will bring you from there information or will bring you a burning torch that you may warm yourselves. But when he came to it, he was called, “Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. And exalted is Allah, Lord of the worlds. O Moses, indeed it is I – Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (An-Naml 27-7-9)
Commentators have differed over the interpretation of the words “Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it.” Some claim that the word at the fire stand for Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and the words whoever is around it is purported for the angels.
Other scholars gave a total opposite interpretation. The words at the fire stand for the angels and the words whoever is around it stand for Prophet Moses.
On the other hand, some other scholars said that the phrase at the fire is meant for Allah Himself. It is obvious that fire is created by Allah and the incarnation cannot be taken to mean that Allah had transfigured into the fire as many idol-worshippers believe in transfiguration of God in their idols.
This is absolutely against the concept of tawhid (Oneness of Allah). All it means is manifestation, like the reflection in the mirror. The image is manifested in the mirror but it is not transfigured in it. What is seen in the mirror is outside it, having its own entity.
It is also quite evident that this manifestation, which is also called refulgence, was not the refulgence of Allah. This refulgence was figurative and not real. (Ma`arif al-Quran by Mufti Mohammed Shafi)
In order that there would not appear here any misconception concerning materiality of Allah, at the end of the verse, the sentence: “And exalted is Allah, Lord of the worlds” makes it clear that He is free from any defect, deficiency, materiality, and material accidents.
Again a voice was heard which addressed Moses, saying: O Moses, indeed it is I – Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
This sentence was for the sake that no doubt might remain in Moses’ mind and he would know that it was the Lord of the Worlds Who was speaking with him, not the flaming brand, nor the tree, the Lord Who does not fail, Who is Mighty and Who is the Possessor of Wisdom and Device. (An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Quran)
I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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