Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad and his pure
family.
Tawheed and its Types
As for Tawheed, then know - Brother and Sister
Muslim - that our it has been divided into four categories; each one dependant
on the other - the servants Eemaan not being complete until all of them
acquired.
The First Type
Tawheed ur-Ruboobiyyah
Acknowledgement and firm belief
that Allaah the Sublime is alone in
1.Creating,
2.Owning and
3.Regulating/administering the
Creation.
He has no partners in any of
these actions and they are proved for Him alone. You should also know that the disbeliever in the time of the
Messenger (sas) affirmed all of the above but this did not enter them into
Islam. The Messenger (sas) fought against them.
The evidence lies in the speech
of Allaah:
Say (O Muhammad): Who provides
for you from the sky and the Earth? Or who owns the hearing and the sight? And
who brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? And who
disposes the affairs? They will say: “Allaah”. Say: Will you then not be afraid
of Allaah’s punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allaah) [Yoonus
and also His saying:
Say: To whom belongs the Earth and whatever is
therein? If you do know!
They will say: It is Allaah’s. Say: Will you then
not remember?
Say: Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens and the
Lord of the Great Throne?
They will say: Allaah. Say: Will you then not fear
Allaah?
Say in whose hands is the sovereignty of
everything. And He protects while against Him
there is no protector, if you
do know?
They will say: (All that
belongs) to Allaah. Say: How then are you deluded from the Truth?
[Mu’minoon 23:84-89]
The Second Type
Tawheed ul-Uloohiyyah
The Unification of all the acts
of the servants, such as Supplication, taking oath and making sacrifice
(slaughter), Hope, Fear, Reliance, Aspiration, Repentance, Remorse and all
other acts of worship whether actions of the heart, tongue or limbs, for Allaah
the Exalted alone. It is regarding this second type and the forth type that
dispute arose in both the ancient times and the modern, between the messengers
and their respective communities.
The evidence lies in the speech
of Allaah:
And your Lord said: Call upon
Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship
shall surely enter Hell in humiliation. [Ghaafir 40:60]
The Third Type
Tawheed ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat
Firm belief in everything which
is found in the Book of Allaah and is reported in the Authentic Sunnah
regarding Allaah’s Names and Attributes by which Allaah has described Himself
or by which the Messenger (sas) described Him without denying any of them by
Takyeef (enquiring into their modality), or Tamtheel and Tashbeeh (likening
them to those of the creation), Ta’weel (interpreting them in a way
inconsistent with the Book of Allaah, the Authentic Sunnah and the
understanding of the Salaf), Tahreef (changing their meanings which are proved
in the above mentioned three sources), or Ta’teel (denying or negating the
meanings proven by the above mentioned three sources).
It also includes the belief
that there is nothing like unto Him and He is the Hearer, the Seer.
Allaah the Exalted said:
Say: He is Allaah, the Unique
The Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need, He neither eats
nor drinks He begets not nor is He begotten And there is none so-equal or
comparable unto Him [Ikhlaas 112]
And He also said:
And to Allaah belong the Most
Beautiful Names so call upon Him by them. And leave the company of those who
belie or deny (or utter impious speech) against His Names. They will be
requitted for what they used to do. [A’raaf 7:180]
And He also said:
There is none like unto Him and
He is the Hearer, the Seer [ TMQ 42:11]
The
Tawheed ul-Hakamia
Firm faith, acceptance and
governance by the Law of Allaah (swt) the creator and the sustainer of the
Heavens and Earth. The old scholars emphasized on this Tawheed and said it is
one of the most vital Tawheed as it establishes Islam as a State and prepares
the ground for spreading Islam and protecting the lives and wealth of the
Muslims. Ibn Tamiyyah said that a religion without a state is on its way to
disintegration/innovation. It is regarding this forth type and the above
mentioned second type that dispute arose in both the ancient times and the
modern, between the messengers and their respective communities.
Allaah (swt) says in the Quran
in various places how important the Law (Hukm) of Allah is. Allah clarifies how
he turned the Jews into Apes and swines for not obeying only one single Law of
Allaah (swt). The one’s who broke the law turned into swine and the ones who
watched and did nothing were turned into apes.
Allaah (swt) clearly revealed
that he who does not rule by what Allaah (swt) has revealed is a disbeliever
(Kafir). Allaah (swt )Says;
And whoever does not rule by
what Allaah has revealed, they are the disbelievers [TMQ
Allaah (swt) has commanded all
Muslims including rulers, to abide by Islam and to comprehensively implement
all of its rules exactly as they have been revealed; Allaah (swt) says:
do take all that the Messenger
of Allaah has brought to you, and do refrain and keep away from all that he
prohibited for you, and fear Allaah for Allaah is swift in Punishment [TMQ
59:7]
Allaah (swt) has also ordered
his messenger (saw) to rule by what He revealed; He (swt) says:
And rule between them by what
Allaah has revealed. [TMQ 5:49]
Moreover some people want to
implement the Law of Allah gradually. This is not allowed as Allah revealed
that His rules are equal and they must all be implemented without delay,
postponement or graduation, otherwise the following verse would apply to those
who do so. Allaah (swt) says;
So do you believe in some part
of the book and disbelieve in some. The penalty awaiting those who do this is
nothing but humiliation in this life and the severest of punishment on the day
of Judgement. For Allaah is aware of all you do. [TMQ 2:85]
SHIRK
THE GREATEST SIN AGAINST ALLAH
It is essential to mention here
some details of the greatest sin which will not be forgiven by Allah. This
unpardonable sin is Shirk, Shirk implies ascribing partners to Allah or ascribing
divine attributes to others besides Allah and believing that the source of
power, harm and blessings comes from another besides Allah.
ASH-SHIRK
POLYTHEISM AND ITS VARIOUS
MANIFESTATIONS
Definition: Shirk basically is
polytheism, i.e., the worship of others along with Allâh. It also implies
attributing divine attributes to any other besides Allâh. It particularly
implies associating partners in worship with Allâh or to believe that the
source of power, harm or blessings is from others besides Allâh.
Ash-Shirk-al-Akbar
(The major Shirk)
The major and serious
polytheistic form has five aspects
Shirk-ad-Du’â’, (invocation) This aspect implies invoking,
supplicating or praying to other deities besides Allâh. (e.g. This does not only
imply to worshiping idols but also the act of imploring to pirs/priests etc.
for anything)
All-Mighty Allâh says:
“And when they embark on a
ship, they invoke Allâh, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings
them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.”
(V.29:65)
Shirk-al-Niyyah wal-Iradah wal-Qasd. This aspect implies
intentions, purpose and determination in acts of worship or religious deeds not
for the sake of Allâh but directed towards other deities. (e.g. Charity for the
sake of prominence and popularity)
All-Mighty Allâh says:
“Whosoever desires the life of
the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of ) their
deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for
whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they
did therein. And of on effect is that which they used to do.” (V.11:15,16)
Shirk-at-Tâ’a. This aspect implies rendering obedience to any authority
against the Order of Allâh. (e.g. The act of accepting laws of the Kuffar or
the Taghut (monarchy, democracy, socialism etc.) or any government not ruling
exactly according to the Shahria. This is probably one of the most widely
spread shirk which we are not even aware of)
All-Mighty Allâh says:
“They (Jews and Christians)
took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allâh (by obeying
them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own
desires without being ordered by Allâh), and (they also took as their lord)
Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded
(in the Torah and the Gospel) to worship none but One Ilâh (God-Allâh), Lâ
ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory
be to Him, (far ablve is He) from having the partners they associate (with
Him).” (V. 9:31).
Once, while Allâh’s Messenger
was reciting the above Verse, Adî bin Hâtim said, “ O Allâh’s Prophet! They do
not worship them (rabbis and monks).” Allâh’s Messenger said, “ They certainly
do. They (i.e. rabbis and monks) made legal things illegal, and illegal things
legal, and they (i.e. Jews and Christians) followed them; and by doing so they
really worshipped them.” Narrated by Ahmad , At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Jarir). (
Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 10, Page No. 114)
Shirk-al-Muhabbah. This implies showing the love which is due to
Allâh alone, to others than Him. (e.g. the act of accepting and loving the
norms of a rock star / fashion designer etc. over the laws and principles of
Allah and his Prophet [SAW])
All-Mighty Allâh says:
“And of mankind are some who
take (for worship) others besides Allâh as reveals (to Allâh). They love them
as they love Allâh. But those who believe, love Allâh more (than anything
else). If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment,
that all power belongs to Allâh and that Allâh is Severe in punishment.”
(V.2:165).
Shirk-al-Hakimia.
This implies making or working for the establishment or preservation of the
laws other than the laws of Allah. (e.g. Governments ruling with laws other
than the laws of Allah)
All-Mighty Allah says:
“And those who do not rule with
that which Allah has revealed, are indeed the Kaffiroon. [TMQ 5:44]”
“Do they then seek after a
judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is
assured, can give Better judgment then Allah?” (
“Follow what has been sent down
to you from your Lord and follow no masters other than Him; little do you
remember.” (7:3)
“Whatever the Messenger gives
you, take it, and whatever He forbids you of, abstain from it; and fear Allah.”
(59:7)
“And verily, this is my
straight path so follow it, and do not follow other paths, least they take you
away from his path. This he has ordered for you that you may become pious.”
(6:153)
“But no! by thy Lord, they will
not become believers until they make thee judge in their disputes and do not
afterwards find difficulty in thy decisions, but surrender in full submission.”
(4:65)
Ash-Shirk-al-Asghar, Ar-Riya’
(The minor Shirk, i.e. acts performed to show off), Any act of
worship or any religious deed done in order to gain praise, fame or for worldly
purposes, falls under this minor form.
All-Mighty Allâh says:
“ Say (o Muhammad): ‘I am only
a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh
(God—i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work
righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.’”
(V.18:110)
Ash-Shirk-al-Khafi.
(The inconspicuous Shirk). The type implies being inwardly
dissatisfied with the inevitable condition that has been ordained for one by
Allâh; conscientiously lamenting that had you done or not done such and such or
had you approached such you would have had a better status, etc.
The Noble Prophet Muhammad
said:
Ash-Shirk-al-Khafi in the
Muslim nation is more inconspicuous than the creeping of black ant on black
rock in the pitch-darkness of the night.” And this inconspicuous Shirk is
expiated by saying thrice the following sentences within a day and a night: “O
Allâh ! I take Your refuge from that I should ascribe anything as partner in
Your worship, being conscious of that, and I beg Your pardon for that sin which
I am not aware of.”