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Subject: TAWHEED
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arfncool 10.06.10 - 07:03am
Definition and Categories:
Islam believes in Tawheed which is not merely monotheism i.e. belief in one God, but much more. Tawheed literally means unification i.e. as*erting oneness and is derived from the Arabic verb Wahhada which means to unite, unify or consolidate.
Tawheed can be divided into three categories.
1. Tawheed ar-Ru eeyah
2. Tawheed al-Asmaa-was-Sifaat
3. Tawheed al-Ibaadah.
A. Tawheed ar-Ru eeyah (maintaining the unity of Lordship)
The first category is Tawheed ar-Ru eeyah. Ru eeyah is derived from the root verb Rabb meaning Lord, Sustainer and Cherisher.
Therefore Tawheed-ar-Ru eeyah means maintaining the unity of Lordship. This category is based on the fundamental concept that Allah (swt) alone caused all things to exist when there was nothing. He created or originated all that exists out of nothing. He alone is the sole Creator, Cherisher, and Sustainer of the complete universe and all between it, without any need from it or for it.
B. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (maintaining the unity of Allahs name and attributes):
The second category is Tawheed al Asmaa was Sifaat which means maintaining the unity of Allahs name and attributes. This category is divided into five aspects:
(i) Allah should be referred to as described by Him and His Prophet
Allah must be referred to according to the manner in which He and His prophet have described Him without explaining His names and attributes by giving them meanings other than their obvious meanings.
(ii) Allah must be referred to as He has referred to Himself
Allah must be referred to without giving Him any new names or attributes. For example Allah may not be given the name Al-Ghaadib (the Angry One), despite the fact that He has said that He gets angry, because neither Allah nor His messenger have used this name.
(iii) Allah is referred to without giving Him the attributes of His creation
In a reference to God, we should strictly abstain from giving Him the attributes of those whom He has created. For instance in the Bible, God is portrayed as repenting for His bad thoughts in the same way as humans do when they realise their errors. This is completely against the principle of Tawheed. God does not commit any mistakes or errors and therefore never needs to repent.
The key principle when dealing with Allahs attributes is given in the Quran in Surah Ash-Shura:
There is nothing
Whatever like unto Him,
And He is the One
That hears and sees (all things).
[Al-Quran 42:11]
Hearing and seeing are human faculties. However, when attributed to the Divine Being they are without comparison, in their perfection, unlike when associated with humans who require ears, eyes, etc. and who are limited in their sight and hearing in terms of space, time, capacity, etc.
(iv) Gods creation should not be given any of His attributes
To refer to a human with the attribute of God is also against the principle of Tawheed. For example, referring to a person as one who has no beginning or end (eternal).
(v) Allahs name cannot be given to His creatures
Some Divine names in the indefinite form, like Raoof or Raheem are permissible names for men as Allah has used them for Prophets; but Ar-Raoof (the Most Pious) and Ar-Raheem (the most Merciful) can only be used if prefixed by Abd meaning slave of or servant of i.e. Abdur-Raoof or Abdur-Raheem. Similarly Abdur-Rasool (slave of the Messenger) or Abdun-Nabee (slave of the Prophet) are forbidden.
C. Tawheed al-Ibaadah (maintaining the unity of worship):
(i) Definition and meaning of Ibadaah:
Tawheed al-Ibaadah means maintaining the unity of worship or Ibaadah. Ibaadah is derived from Arabic word Abd meaning slave or servant. Thus Ibaadah means servitude and worship.
(ii) All three categories to be followed simultaneously.
Only believing in the first two categories of Tawheed without implementing Tawheed-al-Ibaadah is useless. The Quran gives the examples of Mushrikeens (idolaters) of the Prophets time who confirmed the first two aspects of Tawheed. It is mentioned in the Quran:
Say: Who is it that
Sustains you (in life)
From the sky and from the earth?
Or who is it that
Has power over hearing
And sight? And who
Is it that brings out
The living from the dead
And the dead from the living?
And who is it that
Rules and regulates all affairs?
They will soon say, Allah.
Say, Will you not then
Show piety (to Him)?
[Al-Quran 10:31]
A similar example is repeated in Surah Zukhruf of the Glorious Quran:
If thou ask them, Who
Created them, they will
Certainly say, Allah: how
Then are they deluded
Away (from the Truth)?
[Al-Quran 43:87]
The pagan Meccans knew that Allah (swt) was their Creator, Sustainer, Lord and Master. Yet they were not Muslims because they also worshipped other gods besides Allah. Allah (swt) categorised them as Kuffaar (disbelievers) and Mushrikeen (idol worshippers and those who associate partners with God).
And most of them
Believe not in Allah
Without associating (others
As partners) with Him!
[Al-Quran 12:106]
Thus Tawheed al-Ibaadah i.e. maintaining the unity of worship is the most important aspect of Tawheed. Allah (swt) alone deserves worship and He alone can grant benefit to man for his worship. *
