TAWHEED (Oneness Of Allah)
Islam is
based on Five pillars and Kalima Shahadah is the central Pillar. Kalima Shahdah
entails two basic principle Tawheed and Risalah. Beltef in the Oneness of Allah
and Prophecy of Muhammad SAW.
Tawheed is
the anchor sheet of Islam, it is the core of Islam, it is what Islam stands
for, and it is the reason why Allah created us. All prophets and messengers
were sent with the message of Tawheed. And the biggest caller of Tawheed was
Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
In the Aqeedah knowledge of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat the refrence book is Aqeedatut Tahawi, of Imam Tahawi Muhaddith and Haanafi Jurist(D 321 A.H. ). Its commentry has been written by Ibn Abi Al Izz Al Damishqi (D 792 A.H.).
Importance of Tawheed
Ibn Abi Al Izz in Sharah Aqeedatut
Tahawi starts with this sentence about Importance of Tawheed. (Page No 1)
One must know that tawheed is the first matter
the prophets preached. It is the first step on the path and the first stage of
the journey to Allah. Allah stated, "We sent Noah to his people and he
said, 'My people, serve Allah; you have no other god than He" [7:59]. Hud
said similar words to his people, "Serve Allah, there is no god for you
but He" [7:65]. Salil) said to his people, "Worship Allah as you have
no god but He" [7:73]. Shu'ayb said to his people, "Worship Allah;
you have no god but He" [7:85]. Allah also says, "We sent to every
community a prophet saying, 'Worship Allah and avoid false gods" [16:36],
and, "Not a messenger did We send before you (Mul)ammad) without Our.
revealing to him that there is no god but I, so worship and serve Me" [21
:25]. The . Prophet (peace be on him) also stated, "I have been commanded
to fight people until they accept that there is no god but Allah and that
Muhammad is His prophet."} Page NO 1
He further writes (
With tawheedd one enters into Islam, and with it one
will depart from this world. The Prophet (peace be on him) said, "He whose
last words are 'There is no god except Allah,' will enter Paradise. It is,
therefore, the first duty and the last duty. tawheed is, then, the beginning of
the matter and its end. .
So everyone
should have a firm and correct belief in
Tawheed.
Categorization
of Tawheed
First It is important to be clarified that these term of classification is not from Quran and Hadith.Although meaning is fully established from Quran and Hadith.Categorisation has been done by Scholars. And there is no controversy in the use of these term. It has been done only for understanding purpose One must not get confused about there being categories, essentially all categories fall within the term of Tawheed. Rather all the categories are all connected to Allah.And simple word Tawheed also encompass all these.
Ibne Abi Al Izz has classified into two
1.
Tawheed al-ilahiyyah,
or
the belief in the unity of God the oneness of His Godhead, that Allah alone is
to be worshiped, and no one else is to be worshiped.and matters concerning to attributes of Allah .
2.
Tawheedar-rububiyyah (the oneness of
His Lordship), which states thatAllah alone create everything; and hold everything.
Some Other cholars has divided into three categories.
Some Other cholars has divided into three categories.
1.
Tawheed ul-Uluhiyyah/Ibaadah (Tawheed of Worship)
Tawheed of Worship means that all acts of worship belong to Allah alone, and no one else, all acts of worship are purely and sincerely for Allah, not for idols, not for any Prophet, not for the universe, not for anything except the one Allah.
2.
Tawheed al-Rubbubiyyah (Tawheed of Lordship)
awheed of Lordship means
that you believe that there is only one God, namely Allah, and that
there are no other gods or goddesses. It also means that all power,
creation, and such things belong to Allah alone, for instance Allah
alone is the creator of everything we see around us, and it is he who is
in full control of them, and it is he who controls life and death and
all such matters, and not anyone including our money/Position/
materialistic resources/worldpowers or any human or devine help other
than Allah else.
3.
Tawheed al-Asmaat wa-Sifaat (Tawheed
of Allah's names and Attributes).
Tawheed al-Asmaat wa-Sifaat is the Tawheed of Allah's unique and exclusive Names and Attributes, this means a Muslim affirms a Name of Allah, and affirms that this Name is unique and exclusive to Allah alone, not for anyone else, and not for anyone else to be named with.
For example one of Allah's names is the All Knowing, this Name is unique for him alone because Allah is the only one who is All Knowing, and perfect in his knowledge, there is no created being who has such an attribute. The same applies to all of Allah's names, they are unique for him alone, and not for others.
Some of the Quranic Ayats describing Tawheed.
That is Allah, your Lord! there is no god but He, the Creator of all things: then worship ye Him: and He hath power to dispose of all affairs. (6:102)
To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goeth back every affair (for decision): then worship Him, and put thy trust in Him: and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do. (11:123)
Verily your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority), regulating and governing all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave (hath been obtained). This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore serve ye: will ye not receive admonition? (10:3)
He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He above having the partners (in worship) they ascribe to Him! (16:3)
He is the Living (One): There is no god but He: Call upon Him, giving Him sincere devotion. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! (40:65)
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only (112:1)
And your Allah is One Allah: There is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. (2:163)
Your Allah is one Allah: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant. (16:22)
Behold! verily to Allah belong all creatures, in the heavens and on earth. What do they follow who worship as His "partners" other than Allah? They follow nothing but fancy, and they do nothing but lie. (10:66)
Allah created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): verily in that is a Sign for those who believe. (29:44)
To Allah belong all things in heaven and earth: verily Allah is He (that is) free of all wants, worthy of all praise. (31:26)
Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, there is no god but He: Then how ye are deluded away from the Truth! (40:62)
It is Allah Who has made the Night for you, that ye may rest therein, and the days as that which helps (you) to see. Verily Allah is full of Grace and Bounty to men: yet most men give no thanks. (40:61)
Of Allah, to Whom do belong all things in the heavens and on earth! But alas for the Unbelievers for a terrible penalty (their Unfaith will bring them)!- (14:2)
It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies, and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you. And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses; and the night and the day hath he (also) made subject to you. (14:32-33)
The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by them (7:180)
Allah's names are also beautiful and perfect:
The most beautiful names belong to Allah (7:180)
He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names (59:24)
Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names. (20:8)
Lastly, there is no one that is comparable to Allah, there is nothing like him, his names and attributes are unique to him alone:
And there is none like unto Him. (112:4)
(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees. (42:11)
JAZAKALLAH
