Understanding ‘Ilah’

deity except Him” ( .) ال الٰہ اال ھو This is because, if there were another deity, that deity would either possess sovereignty or not. Therefore, if more than one center of power existed in the universe, conflict between them would be unavoidable, as stated in the Quran, “Had there been in them [the heavens and the earth] gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined” (Quran, 21:22). This is impossible. If the second deity lacked sovereignty, it would be incomplete and thus unworthy of being called a deity. Therefore, the evidence proves that only God possesses sovereignty, making it necessary to declare there is only one God and deity for all creation. There is no other God or deity besides Him. (Tafsir al-Kabir, Vol. 26, p. 425) In the third verse, from Chapter Al-Furqan, the words “He has no partner in sovereignty” ( مل یکن له شریک فی ) امللک appear. In the book, this is translated as, “In governance, He has no partner.” However, there is no reference here to social or political rule. The relevant portion of the verse is as follows: Blessed be He who has revealed the book of criterion to His servant that he may warn the nations. Sovereign of the heavens and the earth, who has begotten no children and who