It is said that a person who knows Allah will be saved. Many people say Allah’s name and recite prayers. What is meant by knowing Allah?

Question: It is said that a person who knows Allah will be saved. Many people say Allah’s name and recite prayers. What is meant by knowing Allah?
ANSWER
A person is not considered to have known Allah by only uttering His name or saying prayers. For example, the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitâb), too, utter His name. Wahhâbîs say, “Allah is in the sky (never!).” Some other people, on the other hand, believe nature to be the creator, and they say “Allah” only when they fall into trouble. They do not believe Allah to be the sole Creator and Owner of Absolute Power. Therefore, they are not deemed to have known Allah.

Knowing Him is to believe in the six fundamental principles expressed in the Âmantu in the same way as they are communicated by our religion. Knowing is to love and obey. Those who defy and disbelieve His commandments and prohibitions are not considered to have known Him. If a disobedient person—for instance, a person who does not perform five daily namâzes—says, “I know Allah,” this is mendacity.