The Tao and the one Creator
Step 1 of 8
Is the Tao the same as God?
Taoist: the Tao is beyond every name and picture
Many Taoists hold that the Tao is beyond names and beyond any human picture. They say it already answers, guards the bad and sides with the good, without partiality. Religious Taoism holds that the Tao took form as Lord Lao and spoke.
The case for it
The Tao is beyond names. The book says the Tao that can be spoken of is not the lasting Tao. The name that can be named is not the lasting name. To give God names and call Him a person makes Him small.
Where it falls short
Islam agrees that no vision can grasp God (6:103). But not knowing a name is not a reason to think no one hears. God (﷾) named Himself so that we can call on Him (7:180; 17:110).