Concept of GOD in Islam And the transformational effects in you and the society

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is conception God has been a main source of religious conflicts and hatred in

the history of mankind. Misconception of God also creates complexities in the belief system of human mind and adversely affects peace and happiness of individuals and society. Let us examine the concept of God in Islam and how it can create positive transformational effects in individuals and society (the related Quranic verse and reference number is given next to each of these concepts)

Your God is indeed one

(37:4)

Concept of multiple Gods creates multiple divisions in the society and breeds the thinking of ‘we’ and ‘they’. Oneness of God is central to Islamic way of life. This concept unites the entire human beings in to a single family. Everyone’s God is the same. This concept creates tremendous positive transformational effect on individuals and societies. Hatred is replaced by love for all. At an individual level, faith in a single God creates intimate direct connection with the all powerful, most merciful, most forgiving and most caring single God. This brings peace and calmness to mind and helps to lead a stress free life. Concept of multiple Gods creates confusions and complexities.

God is formless

(112:4)

God is formless in Islamic faith. None / Nothing in this world are similar or comparable to God. The formless god represents a spiritual ideal that transcends physical limitations and attributes represented by deities, any objects of material world or avatars. The formless god is transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternally pervades everything, everywhere in the universe and whatever is beyond. This concept of formless God creates tremendous intellectual and spiritual freedom and harmony in individuals and society. Associating God and sacredness with objects of natural world have hindered human civilizations to explore natural world and beyond. The concept of formless, single God also helps to eliminate superstitions Deities create class divisions / casts and creeds in the society. The concept that God’s presence is everywhere and near to everyone without any discrimination eliminates the need of any God men, Avatars and intermediaries. A formless God allows for individuals to form a personal connection to their understanding of divinity and spirituality. This can be empowering and help individuals feel a deeper sense of connection to their beliefs and purpose in their lives. A formless God can be seen as an inclusive force that extends beyond traditional religious boundaries. It can offer a way for people of different faiths and backgrounds to connect with a higher power that is not limited by deity, dogma or doctrine. God is most loving and merciful and most forgiving

(16:18)

Among the many beautiful names and attributes by which God is described in Islam, AlRahman (the Most Gracious) and Al-Rahim (the Most Merciful) are often mentioned together in the Quran. Chapters in Quran begin mentioning these attributes. They indicate that God is the source of all grace, love and mercy, and that He bestows them abundantly on His creation. God's love and mercy encompasses everything, and He is most forgiving to all those who sincerely repent. The concept of God as most forgiving and merciful in Islam also inspires Muslims to emulate these attributes in their own lives. Muslims are encouraged to be forgiving and merciful towards others. Muslims begin everything they do mentioning these attributes of God. Love and compassion should be integral part of all thoughts and actions of the believers. This concept has tremendous transformational effect on individuals and society by building a loving, compassionate, sharing and caring society instead of indifferent, selfish and materialistic society.

The most righteous are the most noble and most honorable to God ُ ‫َّللا أَتْقَا‬ ِ َّ ‫إِ َّن أَ ْك َر َم ُك ْم ِع ْن َد‬ )49:13( ‫ك ْم‬ All human beings are equal. The only criteria for honor and nobility is their righteousness. This concept is central to Islamic faith. This concept is a universal principle that applies to all people, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or status. Righteousness is not measured by outward appearances, but by the purity of the heart and the sincerity of the actions. Righteousness is not limited to performing rituals or following norms, but it encompasses being kind, compassionate, honest, just, humble and principle centered. Righteousness is not only a personal virtue, but a social responsibility that requires standing up for truth, justice, and peace. Righteousness is the best way to attain God's pleasure and His mercy and acceptance in this life and the hereafter.

Accountability The concept of God as most forgiving and merciful in Islam also reflects His wisdom and justice. God knows what is best for His servants, and He does not burden them beyond their capacity. He tests them with trials and tribulations, but also provides them with guidance and support. He does not punish them for what they do not know or intend, but rather educates them and clarifies their responsibilities. He does not impose His will on them, but rather gives them free choice and accountability. He does not expect perfection from them, but rather appreciates their efforts and sincerity. God is near

Citizens Advice in Gateshead. “Burnout has been an issue, so the four-day week has given them space to decompress: we’ve had people spend their extra day off with their children, take forest walks and monetise their hobbies.” Employers on the trial also say a truncated workweek has boosted productivity and output. “When people enjoy having an extra day off, that creates better work-life balance which, in turn, makes people happier and less stressed,” says Claire Daniels, CEO of Leeds-based digital marketing agency Trio Media. “And happier people perform better at work.” Yet, despite these headline-grabbing results, the trial didn’t work for every business. Some firms abandoned the experiment; others haven’t yet made the move to adopt the format full-time. Even those firms continuing with reduced hours are navigating new challenges arising from shortened workweeks. Though this reflects a small portion of the trial’s participants, it means the four-day workweek isn’t an automatic solution for all.

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Many businesses need to operate five days per week, which means it's harder to reduce staff days, or they need to hire extra workers for coverage (Credit: Getty Images) ‘We couldn’t afford to give staff one day off every week’ In June 2022, Mark Roderick’s engineering and industrial supplies company Allcap joined the UK four-day workweek trial. After operating at full tilt through the pandemic, the managing director of the Gloucester-based firm hoped that the six-month pilot programme would mean being able to offer his 40-strong team extra rest days. “We rushed it through the business,” says Roderick. “We joined the programme late, and knew it would be a challenge implementing it across five sites. But we wanted to be able to give our staff time off during the summer.” Rather than offer workers a three-day weekend like most of the 61 companies on the scheme, Allcap employees would have one workday off every fortnight. “We’re a trading business – customers call up all the time for manufacturing and construction components,” says Roderick. “We were already on a slightly reduced headcount, so we couldn’t afford to give staff one day off every week.”