Many people are confused as to what, or who muslims worship. Majority of religions have an image or statue which is a depiction of their god in some form or shape; often this is a representation of the founder of that religion, to whom the followers direct their acts of worship and devotion. Hence, they assume that it is just the same for Muslims too.

To explain who muslims worship, it is necessary to explain what Islam; the religion adhered to by muslims, is. Islam is the total submission to the will of Almighty God. Keeping this definition in mind, Islam is a way of life; that has been in existence since the beginning of time, and is as old as history itself. Muhammad was not the founder of Islam, as Islam has been the religion of the Prophets and Messengers since the creation of the first man on earth. Each of the apostles submitted their will to the will of Almighty God; Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, all of them surrendered themselves to the One God, hence were all muslims.

Back to point of who Muslims worship. Some would assume muslims worship the black box in the desert (also called the Ka’bah), this is merely a point of direction for unity amongst muslims. In reality, muslims worship Allah, the One Almighty God. Allah is the proper name for God in Arabic; it refers to the Supreme Being who is unlike any of the creation, who has no partners or associates, and no daughters or sons, who resembles none. Neither was He born nor, does He give birth.

“Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah the One. The Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten and there is none like him.” (Surah Ikhlaas, 112:1-4)

The role of Muhammad (peace be upon him) was merely that of a messenger, to convey to the people the message which Allah had entrusted him with, and that is to teach the worship of Allah alone. He communicated to us the message of Allah, and the words of Allah, which are contained in the Qur’an.

Allah says in the Qur’an, “O Mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous. He who made for you the earth as a bed (spread out) and the sky a ceiling, and sent down from the sky rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know (there is nothing similar to Him).” (Al Baqarah 02:21-22)

Allah informs us, that He is our Lord, our Creator and Provider. Muslims believe that Allah possesses numerous attributes which describe His being. These attributes cannot be fully understood by our limited knowledge, nor are they similar to that of any created being. Some of these are mentioned in the Qur’an, and some double up as names.

“He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and witnessed. He is Ar-Rahman (The Entirely Merciful), Ar-Raheem, (The Especially Mericful). He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, Al-Malik (The Sovereign), Al-Quddus (The Pure), As-Salam (The source of Peace), Al-Mu’min (The Bestower of Faith), Al-Muhaymin (The Overseer), Al-Aziz (The Exalted in Might), Al-Jabbar (The Compeller), Al-Mutakabbir (The Superior). He is Allah, Al-Khaliq (The Creator), Al-Bari (The Inventor), Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner), to Him belong the best names…” (Al-Hashr 59:22-24)

These are the descriptions and Names of Allah. However, we cannot see Him in this life, until the Day of Judgement. He is beyond the limitations of time, and space. He is perfect in His attributes, with no defect, fatigue does not touch Him, nor inability. He is over all things competent and able.

Muhammad was a man who lived amongst the people, who ate food, who retired to rest. Allah, on the other hand, is unaffected by ‘human nature’ and is above the need for nourishment and reproduction. If god were to manifest himself in human form, he seizes to be a god, for Almighty God is perfect and without need, whereas humans are flawed. How can one who is need of support, support others? How can one who is lost, serve as a guide for others? How can one who is weak, and prone to maladies and poverty, be a source of strength and victory for others? How can one who is in need, give to others? Such is the nature of human kind, we are in need of support, weak, frail, prone to maladies and poverty, in need, and lost. Only a being, who is above these lowly qualities, can be a Lord for us. How can we turn our attention and devotion to men who are like ourselves? They are in need like us, lost like us, weak like us. Thus it is Allah to whom we submit, for truly He has power of all things.He gives without measure, forgives without reproach, creates without examples, sees without limits, and hears without impediments. Everything is under His command, and we are subservient to Him.

“And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth, and Allah is over all things competent.” (Surah Aal-Imran 03:189)