WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?

Question: WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?
Answer: Firstly, we start everything with the invocation: Bismi-llah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem(In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, Ever-Merciful). Three things to be noted here: (A)llah meaning the only one worthy of worship, His attribute Rahman exceedingly kind and gracious, while Raheem meaning whose kindness, mercy and graciousness is forever.Further on in the Quran, we are introduced to Allah’s other attributes: the Alive, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing, the Most-High, the Irresistible, the Wise, the Supreme, the Protector, free of all wants, He is the One who hears and sees and knows all things, and so on. And, in Chapter 112 Verse 4, we are told that there is none like Him or comparable to Him.So, we know of God not through His image, but through His attributes. He Himself chooses to remain hidden, and expects us to find/discover/acknowledge Him through His signs and attributes. By looking around at His creations, we wonder at how so much order and beauty there is, and attempt to seek the originator and creator of it all. This search leads us through the various world religions and philosophies, we read and evaluate the sacred books of different faiths, and then use God’s gift of knowledge and intellect to satisfy our heart’s desire for the truth. We muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God, guidance for mankind, confirming the message and the prophets of old, sifting out the additions/subtractions that had been made to His message (in the earlier books) over the ages, and protecting this final revelation from any changes. Thus, people are able to memorize this complete book, did so when it was revealed, and this oral tradition of memorizing the Quran has continued since the days of Prophet Mohammed to this day. All manuscripts of the Arabic Quran all across the world contain the exact same words in the exact same order. As a student of science, you may wish to check out this website: http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm Over the past few years, I have tried to answer some questions according to my understanding, and have attempted to compile them … you may wish to check out my blog: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/ There is also a list of links and books there which might be useful to you.