,
The Writings state that Islam was raised up to destroy idolatry:
Mohammedanism “was raised up by the Divine Providence of the Lord to destroy the
idolatries of many nations.” (Divine Providence 255)
The Quran agrees:
“If you associate others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in
vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.” (39:65; see also 4:48, 4:116, 5:72 and
21:8)
As for idolatry, the Quran specifically states that planetary objects are not
to be worshiped;
“If you asked them, ‘Who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and the
moon?’ they would surely say, ‘Allah.’ Then how are they deluded?” (29:65)
It is clear from both the Quran and the Heavenly Doctrines that the God
of the Quran is not an idolatrous god. Islamic doctrine tells us that the God of
the Quran has certain Divine Names and Attributes:
“He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the Knower of the seen and the unseen;
He is the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. He is Allah, besides Whom there is
no god; the King, the Holy One, the Peace, the Granter of Security, the Guardian over
all, the Mighty One, the Supreme, the Possessor of every Greatness; Glory be to Allah!
(High is He) above any partner that they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator,
the Maker, the Fashioner; to Him belong the most excellent of names; all that are in
the heavens and the earth glorify Him; and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” (59:2224)
Two of the most common names for God in the Quran are ar-Rahman
(the Most Merciful) and ar-Rahim (the Especially Merciful). “In the name of
God, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful” begins every chapter of the
Quran but one.
The names ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim are based on the Arabic word
rahmah. It means mercy and is related to compassion, kindness, gentleness,
tenderness, sympathy, love, caring, nourishment, kinship and family. The
primary meaning of the Arabic root word raham is womb.
The Heavenly Doctrines say much about attributes like mercy, such as
Divine Love and Wisdom 286.
The Writings indicate that the Most Merciful God of Islam must ultimately
be seen as a Man. Among many quotes in support in the Quran are:
“And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.” (55:27)
“So wait patiently for the decree of your Lord, for truly you are under Our Eyes.”
(52:48; see also 39:67 and 5:64)
The Heavenly Doctrines tell us that good Muslims do have something of
an idea of a Human Creator God. (See Spiritual Diary 5668)
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