Three categories of Allah’s Attributes

The Holy Quran and ahadith refer to over one hundred attributes of Allah. Islam stresses the need to have firm belief in them and to act accordingly. The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) advises in one of his Ahadith: “Follow the attributes of Allah.” All these attributes may be roughly divided into three categories as follows:

Attributes peculiar to Allah alone

These are attributes peculiar to Allah alone and not related in any way to His Creatures. For example:

اَلْحَیُّ

The Living

اَلقَادِرُ

The Possessor of power and authority;

اَلْمَاجِدُ

The Noble

Attributes concerning the creation of the universe

These attributes are related to the creation of the universe and indicate the relationship between Allah and His creatures and His attitude towards them. For example:

اَلْخَالِقُ

The Creator

اَلْمَالِکُ

The Sovereign

Attributes concerning the actions of His creatures

These attributes come into operation as a result of the good or bad actions of such of Allah’s creatures as are endowed with will. For example:

اَلرَّؤُوْفُ

The Compassionate

اَلْعَفُوُّ

The Pardoner

اَلرَّحِیۡمُ

The Merciful;