From: bv8bv8bv8@gmail.com   
      
   Monotheism - One God   
      
      
   The religion of Islam is based on one core belief, that there is no god worthy   
   of worship but Allah.  When a person embraces Islam or a Muslim wants to renew   
   or   confirm his or her faith, they profess their belief that there is no god   
   worthy of worship    
   but Allah and that Muhammad is His final messenger.  Ashadu an la ill laha il   
   Allah wa Ashadu anna Muhammadan  Rasulullah, Saying these words, the Testimony   
   of Faith,   is the first of five pillars or foundations of the religion of   
   Islam.  Belief in God    
   is the first of six pillars of faith.[1]   
      
   Muslims believe that there is only One God.  He alone is the Sustainer and   
   Creator of the universe.  He is without partners, children, or associates. He   
   is the Most Merciful, the Most Wise, and the Most Just.  He is the all hearer,   
   all seer, and the all    
   knowing.  He is the First , He is the Last.    
      
   "Say (O Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One.  Allah-us-Samad (The    
   elf-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).    
   He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable   
   unto Him." (Quran 112)   
      
   "He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth.  How can He have children   
   when He has no wife?   He created all things and He is the All-Knower of   
   everything.  Such is Allah, your Lord!  La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right   
   to be worshipped but He),   
    the Creator of all things.  So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Trustee,   
   Disposer of affairs, Guardian, over all things.  No vision can grasp Him, but   
   His Grasp is over all vision.  He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well-   
   Acquainted with all things.   
   " (Quran 6:101-103)   
      
   This belief is sometimes called Monotheism which is derived from the Greek   
   words 'monos' meaning only and 'theos' meaning  god.  It is a relatively new   
   word in the English language and it is used to denote a supreme being Who is   
   all-powerful, the One who    
   is responsible for life, the One who rewards or punishes.  Monotheism is   
   directly opposed to Polytheism, which is belief in more than one god, and to   
   Atheism, a  disbelief in all deities.   
      
   If we were to take into consideration the general meaning of the word   
   'monotheism'  Judaism, Christianity, Islam   and  Zoroastrianism,  and some   
   Hindu philosophies  could all be included. However it is, more commonplace to   
   refer to Judaism, Christianity,   
    and Islam  as the  three monotheistic religions and group them together;   
   nonetheless, there are  glaring differences between Christianity and Islam.   
      
   The concept of a trinity inherent in most Christian denominations ostensibly   
   includes aspects of plurality.  The belief that one God is some how three   
   divinities (father, son, and holy spirit) contradicts the concept of   
   Monotheism inherent in Islam,    
   where the Oneness of God is unquestionable.  Some Christian groups, including   
   those known as Unitarians believe that God is One and cannot be God and human   
   at the same time.  They take the words of Jesus in John 17:3, "the One True   
   God" literally.     
   However, the vast majority of Christians do not share this belief.   
      
   In the religion of Islam belief in One God, without partners or associates is   
   essential.  It is the focal point of the religion and it is the essence of the   
   Quran.  The Quran calls on humankind to worship God alone and to give up   
   worshipping false gods    
   or associates.  The Quran urges us to look at the wonders of creation and   
   understand God's greatness and power, and it speaks directly of His names,   
   attributes, and actions.  The Quran commands us to reject anything that is   
   worshipped instead of, or    
   along with God.   
      
   "And I (God) created not the jinns and humankind except they should worship Me   
   (Alone)." (Quran 51:56)   
      
   Islam is often referred to as  pure monotheism.  It is not adulterated with   
   strange concepts or superstitions.  Belief in One God entails certainty.    
   Muslims  worship God alone, He has no partners, associates, or helpers.    
   Worship is directed solely to    
   God, for He is the only One worthy of worship.  There is nothing greater than   
   God Alone.   
      
   "Praise and thanks be to God, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen   
   (for His Message)!  Is God better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to   
   Him)?" (Of course, God is Better)   
      
   Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and   
   sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow   
   wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight?  It is not in your ability to   
   cause the growth of their    
   trees. Is there any god with God?  Nay, but they are a people who ascribe   
   equals (to Him)!   
      
   Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and   
   has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has   
   set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water).Is there any  god   
   with God?  Nay,    
   but most of them know not.   
      
   Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he   
   calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth,   
   generations after generations. Is there any god with God?  Little is that you   
   remember!   
      
   Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land   
   and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before   
   His Mercy (rain)?  Is there any god  with God?  High Exalted be God above all   
   that they associate    
   as partners (to Him)!   
      
    Is not He (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and   
   shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth?    
   Is there any god with God?  Say, "Bring forth your proofs, if you are   
   truthful." (Quran 27:59-64)   
      
   http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/3298/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)