Why only one God? Could He not create another God like Himself?

The implication here is that the existence of dual or plural deities is possible and hence probable in the view of a polytheist. however, if the questioner claims that god can create another like himself, we ask, "how can this created being be god, who created all things, when it has itself been created? how can it be like god since it has a beginning, whereas god has existed from eternity? in reality, the phrase "create another god" is an erroneous contradiction because the mere fact that something is created means that it cannot be god. it is obviously illogical and irrational to say that something is god and cannot be god simultaneously.

The other implication in this question is that if we answer, "he cannot," then the power of god must be limited, negating his divinity. these suggestions are not valid because the absolute and unlimited power of god pertains to what is rationally possible and not what is rationally impossible. so when we say no, which is correct, it does not mean that the power of god is limited. rather, it affirms the perfection of his power, meaning that he is not incapable of doing anything that is rationally possible.

Our minds cannot grasp the extent of his power, nor can our imaginations. therefore, we must admit our inability to contain the essence and nature of god within the limits of our intellect.

What is the purpose of worship, and why should people worship at all?

The idea of servitude has become distasteful to the modern secular mindset which concerns itself with individual liberties. some might say that humanity has no need to worship, and that doing so compromises freedom. they forget, however, that absolute freedom is neither possible nor even desirable for all members of a society, and that is why every social order has its laws and restrictions.

Studies in human psychology confirm that man is a worshipper by instinct, that worship is instilled in him as part of his nature, and that he tends to direct it to whatever he considers worthy - other human beings, revered customs or superstitions, materialist ideologies, or his own personal inclinations. an object of worship is that to which one devotes the greatest portion of his thought and effort. so one either worships god or he worships something other than him - along with him or instead of him. the worship of god alone is liberating in that it frees one from servitude to all else.

Many people misunderstand the concept of worship, assuming that it is merely the practice of certain rituals. but in reality it includes everything done seeking the acceptance of the one worshipped. according to islam, the worship of god means willing obedience to his orders and prohibitions which, besides prayer and other religious obligations, include the fulfillment of promises and agreements, honesty and precision in work, teaching and counseling, encouraging righteousness, assisting others, opposing injustice and so on.

Worship is the right of the creator upon his creation. it is based on the perception that everything was brought into existence by god and is dependent upon him in whose hand is life and death, benefit and harm, and the outcome of every matter. further, it is based on the knowledge that man is an accountable being in need of god's continuing guidance and acceptance. islam confirms that although it is his divine right, god does not gain anything from the worship of his servants, nor is he harmed by their refusal. he ordains worship for the benefit of the worshipper himself, and this benefit is obtained by him or her in both this life and the next. when a believer understands that our creator and sustainer deserves to be worshipped, he wants to do so because of his gratitude and love for his lord and because it is inherently right and correct.

If Islam opposes idol worship, why do Muslims pray to a square structure?

The simple cube-shaped stone building located in makkah is called the ka'bah or the sacred house. it is the point toward which muslims face when they pray. although muslims face the direction of ka'bah during prayer, they do not worship it. muslims worship and pray only to god.

The ka'bah was built by the prophet abraham and his son ishmael in response to god's command over 4,000 years ago. abraham consecrated the house for the worship of the one true god and invited all of humanity to visit it for that purpose. even today muslims who are physically and financially able are required to make a pilgrimage to it once in a lifetime. the ka'bah has remained at the center of a continuous tradition of worship and devotion up to the present day, symbolic of permanence, constancy and renewal.

There were periods in human history during which mankind deviated from the monotheism taught by god's prophets. before the advent of muhammad, religion among the arabs had degenerated into polytheism and paganism, and makkah was completely submerged in idolatry; some 360 idols had been placed in and around the ka'bah to be worshipped there along with god. prophet muhammad was sent to restore to mankind the pure monotheism taught by all the messengers of god and reinstate the worship of him alone. this he accomplished, and the ka'bah was finally cleared of all manmade deities.

Among the ancient religious rites particular to the ka'bah is walking around it. this suggests the integrating and unifying power of monotheism in human life and how a muslim's existence should revolve around a pure devotion to god. the ka'bah symbolizes the unity of all true religion, the brotherhood of all the prophets, and the essential consistency of their message.

When muslims pray facing toward this single central point, they are reminded of their common purpose and long-term goal. even when standing directly before the ka'bah in prayer, one is not to look at it but rather at the ground before him. the spiritual focus is on god alone and never upon any created object.

Do Muslims worship God or Allah?

One of the biggest misconceptions about islam concerns the name "Allaah." some people believe that Muslims worship a different god than Christians, Jews and others, and some missionary organizations distribute literature in English in which they say such things as: "allah is the god of the Muslims" and "Muhammad told people to believe in the god, allah." they thus imply and reinforce the idea that "Allaah" is some sort of false deity.

This is totally incorrect because "Allaah" is the same word that arabic-speaking christians and jews use for god. if you pick up an arabic bible, you will find the word "Allaah" wherever "God" is used in English. "Allaah" is also the proper name of god. therefore, Muslims use the name "Allaah" even when they speak other languages.

"Allaah" is a special word. it indicates the only entity in existence who truly possesses the qualities of divinity and lordship, the creator and sustainer of the heavens and earth. it is the name of the only being worthy of worship, the one upon whom all creation is dependant at every moment. this name belongs to god alone and no one else.

"Allaah" is the only word in the arabic language equivalent to "God" with a capital "G." it is also a unique word grammatically since it cannot be made plural or given a masculine or feminine gender. this is consistent with the Islamic concept of god. in English and other languages the word "God" can be used in various forms such as "God," "Gods" or "Goddess," all with different connotations and meanings. the only difference between "God" (meaning a false god or any object of worship) and "god" (meaning the one true god) is a capital "g." thus, a more accurate translation of "Allaah" might be "the one and only true god."

But there is another important point, which is that Islam is particularly concerned with the correct concept of god.

Someone can have an erroneous concept of him whether he uses the name ''Allaah" or the word "God." followers of previous religions gradually deviated from the original pure belief in god due to the fact that their scriptures were not adequately protected from loss and alteration. none of these are still available for study in their original form or language.

But this is not true of the last divinely revealed message, the Qur'an. hence, the accurate concept of god can be found therein.

Don't all World Religions have Similar Objectives?

There are many areas in which religions agree, but there are also significant theological and practical differences between them. undeniably, one will find in every religion expressions of wisdom, high moral values, warnings against evil, and promotion of good works. but what distinguishes Islam from other faiths is that it goes beyond simply urging people to be generous and morally upright. Islam identifies human problems and prescribes practical solutions to them, both individually and collectively.

Although there are a variety of religious communities in the world, each of them content with its own version of "the truth," islam represents the completion of divinely revealed religion and the finalized legal code for mankind. for this reason the qur'an states:

"verily, the religion in the sight of God is islam." [1]

The divine messages revealed prior to that of prophet muhammad all called for the worship of god alone and contained some legislation. however, each of them was addressed to a specific people at a specific period of time in order to remedy particular problems and circumstances such as moral degeneration, economic injustices and excessive materialism, misuse of power and political oppression. the final message of islam addresses these same social evils but as part of a comprehensive program for the amendment, reform and benefit of every nation, community and individual that will exist until the end of the world.

The prophethood of muhammad launched an era in which divine guidance became openly universal, more comprehensive in scope, and precisely detailed. the responsibility for man's fate and moral well-being depends completely on his own free choice and willing initiative to respond to the invitation of his creator.

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Footnotes:

[1] 3:19.          ان الدين عند الله الاسلام  
                     Verily, The Religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam