Tawheed Part II

Introduction

Muhammad S.A.W. would go from person to person, from town to town, calling people, to accept La ilaha il’lAllah Muhammadur Rasoolullah.

The people offered him so much, from wealth, women, status and even leadership – just for one thing – To give up this call of his. WHY?

Abu Bakr R.A. in his first statements after Muhammad S.A.W. passed away, informed the people, that if you worship Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but if you worship Allah SWT, then Allah SWT never dies. WHY?

The people of that time had an understanding of what was being called to. So, when you see someone accepting the invitation, then you see yaqeen, qabool, inqiyaad, as-sidq, al-ikhlaas, and you see al-mahabbah. On the other end those who rejected it, you see the realization of this call as well, in their reactions, from threats, beatings, warnings, slander, and so forth. 

This is what we InshaAllah going to try and do: 

Reflect on whether we really, truly understand with knowledge, this statement of ours La-ilaha…… Reflecting the examples above, is not for us to merely admire them, and look up to them, but it is to seek to emulate them, “to believe as they believe” 

“We hear, and we obey” 2: 285

So, having said that, lets reflect on what Ibn Abi Talib said: “Knowledge calls out to actions, if actions don’t respond, the knowledge will leave”

Often we learn or study topics, and because we may not have structure, we may not really know, where does it fit it, in the big picture. So I ask, where does this topic of Tawhid and all it relates to, fit in? Can you see it in each of the following as the primary foundation?

• Shahaadah

• Islam

• Eemaan

• Ihsan

• Point of death

• First Question in grave

• The reason for a Mercy and forgiveness that is so great, can you imagine?

Where does the term Tawhid, come from? 

• Take a short time period to reflect on Surah Al-Ikhlaas 

• Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent Mu’aadh ibn Jabal to Yemen, he said to him: “You are going to people from among the People of the Book, so let the first thing to which you call them be belief in Allaah alone (Tawheed) [Yo’wah’hidullah]. If they accept that, then tell them that Allaah has enjoined on them five prayers every day and night. If they pray then tell them that Allaah has enjoined on them zakaah from their wealth to be taken from their rich and given to their poor. If they agree to that then take it from them but avoid the best of people’s wealth.” 

• In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): belief that Allaah is One, establishing regular prayer, paying zakaah, fasting Ramadaan and Hajj.” 

What is Tawheed? What does it mean? 

Linguistically: Tawhid is derived from the root words wa ha da. It is the verbal noun, which means unifying something or making something one or to consolidate something. 

Shar’i meaning can be said to be: the realizing and maintaining of Allaah’s one-ness in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him. 

The belief in this regard can be said to be: It is the belief that Allaah is One, without partner in His dominion and His actions (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Ulooheeyah/’Ebaadah)

It is said, that the excellence of any type of knowledge, is dependent on what it is attached to. So what is Tawheed attached to? How important is it? 

Muhammad S.A.W said to Mu’adh bin Jabal R.A.: ‘Shall I not tell you of the head of the matter, its pillar and its uppermost part?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allaah!’ He said: ‘The head of the matter is Islam/testimony of faith. The pillar is prayer and its uppermost part is Jihad”

If there is no head, then there is no life. If there is no head, then there is no Islam. In other words, if there is no head, that is, if this issue is not fulfilled properly, then the hope of attaining Paradise, can be forgotten.

This hadeeth began, “Mu’adh Ibn Jabal reported: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Tell me of an act that will take me to Paradise and keep me away from the Hellfire

In another hadeeth from Mu’adh bin Jabal, who was asked if he knew what was the right of Allah over his slaves, and what was the right of the slaves over Allah SWT, it was explained that the right of the slave over Allah SWT is that Allah SWT will not punish him if he worships Allah SWT and does not make shirk with him. 

So if his tawheed is pure, with no shirk, then he will be saved from the Fire, and will enter Jannah. 

“Verily whoever sets up partners with Allah, the Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode…” 5:72

How can this [Tawheed] be realized [A beginning InshaAllah]? 

In order to understand this we look at our shahaadah, and the Qur’an, which confer a formula for us. What formula? A formula in order to follow, so that InshaAllah we can realize Tawheed. 

The formula consists of Naf’i [Denial/rejection] and Ithbaat [Affirmation]. 

Laa ilaha = naf’i
Il’Allah = Ithbaat

Where do we find this in Al-Qur’an? 

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower

WHY? Because if you say, as many people say, in our time and other than this ‘Worship Allah SWT Alone’ then this leaves room for people to worship Allah SWT yet at the same time, to associate partners with Allah SWT. So the formula at hand: Negation and affirmation. “We deny, disbelieve and reject servitude to anything or anyone and we affirm, believe in and confirm that we purify our worship for Allah SWT alone.”

Example to explain: I say Arshad is standing, means that he Arshad is standing, but at the same time Shaheed could be standing, and so can Khalid and so forth. Now if I change that, and I say that No-one else is standing except Arshad, it means that only Arshad is standing.

Allah SWT says: “I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they worship Me. [Qur’aan, soorat ath-Thaariyaat (51): 56].

This is the importance and extent of Tawheed that we talking about, such that it is the essence of the purpose of us being created.

What is the understanding of Tawheed? 

The Ulema have divided tawheed. This division of Tawheed, is for the purposes of learning and not the reality, which is as explained: “The three overlap and are inseparable to such a degree that whoever omits any one aspect has failed to complete the requirements of Tawheed. The omission of any of the mentioned aspects of Tawheed is referred to as “Shirk” (lit. sharing); the association of partners with Allaah, which, in Islamic terms, is in fact idolatry”

InshaAllah you will see that: “the foundations of the components are all implied in the verses of the Qur’aan and in the explanatory statements of the Prophet (saws) and his companions”

Short overview of why the divisions were made by the Ulema of the passed. 

The categorizing of Tawheed into three or four, was done due to the situation of the muslims, such that the minds/thinking/understanding was far from that of Tawheed. Thus in order to make matters easy this categorizing was done, and is ONLY for the purposes of academia or to gain an understanding, and was not done by Muhammad S.A.W. and the Sahaabah R.A. However as it is only for academic purposes and the categorizing is not an act of ibaadah, then it does not fall under the matters called bid’ah [innovation].

A reminder, once more: “Therefore, as the categories of Tawheed are studied separately and in more depth, it must not be forgotten that they are all a part of an organic whole which is itself the foundation of a greater whole, Islaam itself.” Dr Bilal 

Categorizing of Tawheed

2 ways of categorizing that was adopted:

1] Tri-partite [3 categorise]
2] Bi-partite [2 categorise]

Tri-partite has:
• Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah
• Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah/ibaadah
• Tawheed Al-Asmaa was-Sifaat

Bipartite has:
• Knowledge and affirmation [Ruboobiyyah and Asmaa was Sifaat]
• Intention and action [Uloohiyyah]

N.B. Categorization is for the purpose of learning, and not reality, so whichever is adopted, is fine, as some may prefer this or that, as their minds work and understand. Recently a category that was previously placed under Tawheed Al Uloohiyya/Ibaadah, has been seperately categorised, due to the very same reason the original academic exercise was undertaken, due to peoples minds being so far from its reality, This category is called Tawheed Al Haakimiyyah. 

We are going to use the three categories or four as some have adopted.

Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah

From the word Rub – Recall Surah Faatihah. 

What does this mean? 

• In short, Allah SWT is the creator, sustainer, maintainer, the controller of all affairs, and the provider who does not need to be provided for. Hence He has the ultimate right to be obeyed.
• It involves the actions of Allah SWT 
• Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah is thus the oneness of Allah SWT in His actions

Some Usage of this term Rubb:

Total owner: “…leave it until its Rubb finds it….” Bukhari
The one who is obeyed: “ ….Mention me to your Rubb…” Yusuf: 42
The one who nourishes and sustains: “….And your rabaahib who live with you…” An-Nisaa: 23

Two types of Ruboobiyyah are:

• General: Lordship relating to all of creation, such that what comes from Allah SWT encompasses all under it, believer and disbeliever. Rain, Sunshine etc 
• Specific: Specific Rahmah to the believers, and is also called the Shar’i or special Ruboobiyyah. It relates to special tests, that relate to the level of taqwa, piety and obedience, or special care granted to the believers.

What are the Islamic proofs for the Lordship of Allah SWT Ruboobiyyah?

1. Creation: “Or were they created without there being anything, or are they the creators?” At-Tur: 35

2. Signs of creation: many verses were mentioned in the gathering

3. Fitrah: “And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): “Am I not your Lord?” They said: “Yes! We testify,” lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: “Verily, we have been unaware of this.” Al-A’raf: 172

4. Innate feeling of helplessness, and turning to Creator: “Say (O Muhammad ): “Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea (dangers like storms), when you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger), we shall truly be grateful.” Al-An’am: 63

5. Sending of Prophets and revealing of Books

This belief in the Lordship of Allah SWT is common between believers and disbelievers, so it helps to know that the disbelievers come to three primary proofs for the existence of a creator, and they are ontological, cosmological and theological. 

At the end of the Day Allah SWT is the only true Power as was often repeated by Muhammad S.A.W. “La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah” (There is no movement nor power except by Allaah’s will).

To what extent and to what degree is Allah SWT the only true Power?

Let’s try to gain some insight into who we are talking about – this will InshaAllah enable us to understand the extent and degree.

We learn about Allah SWT through His actions like creating, giving life, taking life, controlling all matters, sustaining everything and not being in need of anyone or anything, maintaining all of that. Allah SWT is the owner [Al-Malik] , the Mighty [Al-Aziz], The Wise [Al-Hakeem], The All-Knower, The All-Seer, The All-Hearer.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ.هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاء وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ.لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الأمُورُ.يُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

“Whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the All-Mighty, All-Wise. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, It is He Who gives life and causes death; and He is Able to do all things. He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All-Knower of everything. He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawa (rose over) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And to Allah return all the matters (for decision). He merges night into day, and merges day into night, and He has full knowledge of whatsoever is in the breasts.” Al-Hadid: 1-6

• Allah SWT is the creator 
• Again Allah SWT is the owner of all up above and all down below, and everything from the lowest to the highest point – beyond which we do not ask about, for Allah SWT is the first and the last.

تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى.الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى.لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى.وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى.اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى

“A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you (O Muhammad ) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah! La ilahla illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.” Ta-Ha: 4-8

Allah SWT is Ar-Rahmaan, Ar-Raheem, Al-Malik, Al-Qud’doos, As-Salaam, Al-Mu’min, Al-Muhaymin, Al-Azeez, Al-Jab’baar, Al-Mutakab’bir, Al-Khaaliq, Al-Baari, Al-Mosow’wir, Al-Hakeem. Indeed there is none like Allah SWT, to whom belongs the Most beautiful names and attributes. 

This is Allah SWT!

Allah SWT is in control of every single matter know, or unknown, apparent or hidden, from what is within the depth of the hearts of every single human being to the smallest atom in the universe, through to knowing and controlling the fall of every single leaf at any and every given instant. “La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah”

“Allaah created all things and He Is the agent on which all things depend.”

“And Allaah created you all and whatever you do.” 

“It was not you who threw, when you threw, but it was Allaah who threw.”

“And no calamity strikes except by Allaah’s permission.” 

The Prophet (saws) further elaborated on this concept saying, “Be aware that if the whole of mankind gathered together in order to do something to help you, they would only be able to do something for you which Allaah had already written for you. Likewise, if the whole of mankind gathered together to harm you, they would only be able to do something to harm you which Allaah had already written to happen to you”

From whispering between two people, nay, of a man to himself, through to whatever emanates from the depth of the earth, through to every single leaf that falls, in any given second, in the world, “Nothing happens in creation except what He allows to happen”

So, we think of good fortune and misfortune, yet the reality of either, is that they are tests. 

“O Believers! Surely there Is In your wives and children an enemy for you, so beware of them.” 

That is, within the good things of this life there are severe tests of one’s faith in God. Likewise, in the terrible events of life there lies test as is mentioned in the verse,

“Surely We will test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth and life and the fruits of your work, so give glad tidings to those who are patient.” 

So, we do things, and we get a result. We decide upon a certain action, we then pursue that action, and we get a result, bad sometimes and good other times. 

“Perhaps you may dislike something which is really good for you or like something bad for you, but Allaah knows (what is best for you), and you do not.” 

Apparently evil events in human lives sometimes turn out to be for the best and apparently good things which people desire turn out to be harmful. 

Consequently, man’s realm of influence in the course of events which make up his life is limited to the mental choice between options presented to him and not the actual results of his choice. In other words “man proposes and God disposes”

Points of thought of the extent and degree and the Ruboobiyyah of Allah SWT: 

“O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. “ Al-Hajj: 73

Nothing happens, except that it is under the control of Allah SWT, and our realm of influence is within the choices we make, at every single juncture in life. 

I conclude, with a point of thought and a question to be answered in the next part of this series, InshaAllah:

Is this belief, the belief in Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyya, the belief that enters us into Islam, and distinguishes us from the mushrik and kaafir?

Your brother in Islam