If i, as a jain, believe in god, is it forbidden?

Short answer: No, it is not forbidden. In Jainism, belief in a personal Creator God is not a requirement, and the tradition is often described as non-theistic in its understanding of ultimate reality. Jains focus on the path to liberation through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Key points:

• Jainism does not posit a creator god responsible for the universe. The goal is liberation (moksha) achieved by destroying karmic bonds, not by worshipping a god.
• Devas (gods) are acknowledged as powerful beings who live in higher realms, but they do not create, neither can they grant liberation. They themselves are bound by karma and are not the final authority in spiritual progress.
• Devotion in Jain practice typically centers on the Tirthankaras (supreme teachers like Mahavira) and other enlightened beings. This devotion is about respect, inspiration, and following their teachings, not about worshiping them as creators.
• Believing in a god personally is not forbidden. What matters is not clinging to a creator-frame of reference at the expense of practicing the Jain path of ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (many-sided truth), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

If you want, I can share a simple Jain view of how devotion and dharma relate to belief in gods, or point you to Jain teachings that discuss the role of devas and the Tirthankaras in more detail.