Understanding Tawhid: Essence of Islamic Faith

1. Tawhid Module 1 – Circle 8

2. What is Tawhid? Tawhid is the key central theme of Islam. The word ‘Tawhid’ means to make one. It means that Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, is only One, and that there is nothing worthy of Worship besides Him alone. ‘Obey, adore and worship Allah and associate no partner with Him…’ (Qur’an 4:36) Module 1 – Circle 8

3. What is Allah’s right? Narrated Mu’adh: I was a companion rider of the Prophet on a donkey called ‘Ufair. The Prophet asked, “O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s right on His slaves is, and what the right of His slaves on Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He said, “Allah’s right on His slaves is that they should worship Him (Alone) and should not worship any besides Him. And the slave’s right on Allah is that He should not punish him who worships none besides Him.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Should I not inform the people of this good news?” He said, “Do not inform them of it, lest they should depend on it (absolutely).”  (Bukhari) Module 1 – Circle 8

4. What is the Shahadah? The word shahadah comes from the root word shahidah, which means to witness something. The shahadah is bearing witness that there is no God worthy of Worship other than Allah. ‘And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad SAW) but We inspired him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else).’(Qur’an 21:25) Module 1 – Circle 8

5. What makes a person a Muslim? For the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad, the Shahadah is ‘I bear witness that there is no God worthy of Worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’. A single honest recitation of the Shahadah in Arabic is all that is required for a person to become a Muslim. This declaration, or statement of faith, is called the Kalima, literally "word". Recitation of the Shahadah, the "oath" or "testimony", is the most important of the Five Pillars of Islam for Muslims. Non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam do so by a public recitation of this creed. Module 1 – Circle 8

6. What did the Prophet pbuh come to teach? ‘Say (O Prophet), "I am but a mortal man like all of you. It is revealed to me that your God is the One and Only God. Hence, whoever looks forward to meeting His Sustainer, let him do works that help others, and let him admit no one as partner in the service [‘Ibadah] of his Sustainer.”’ (Qur’an 18:110) Module 1 – Circle 8

7. What is the way to true success? ‘Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.’ (Qur’an 24:55) Module 1 – Circle 8

8. Tawhid ar- Rububiyyah Tawhid ar- Rububiyyah is the belief that there is only one God for the entire universe, The One who is the Creator, Organizer, Planner, etc. And He is Allah. ‘Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah, (the) One [Ahad]’ (Qur’an 112:1) Module 1 – Circle 8

9. Tawhid al- Uloohiyyah Tawhid al- Uloohiyyah is the belief that no one has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone. Worship includes many activities such as prayer, invocations, asking for help regarding the ghaib (unseen), offering sacrifice etc.‘You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)’ (Qur’an 1:5) "Say (O Muhammad): "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." (Qur’an 6:162-163) Module 1 – Circle 8

10. Is worship restricted to Prayer? "And they were commanded not, except that they should worship Allah, making the Religion (worship) purely for Him alone, and to establish the prayer and give Zakaah." (Qur’an 98:5) "O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah) who created you and those before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)." (Qur’an 2:21) Module 1 – Circle 8

11. Tawhid al- Asmaa wa Sifaat Allah has 99 names. These are His attributes. Some names include Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and Ar-Raheem (the Most Kind). "Allah there is no god but He. To Him belong the most beautiful names"(Qur’an 20:8) Module 1 – Circle 8

12. Tawhid al- Asmaa wa Sifaat in detail 1) We must not attribute to Allah anything except of that He or His Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) attributed to Him. 2) Nothing can be attributed with the Names/Qualifications of Allah (meaning we cannot name someone "Ar-Rahman", because only Allah is "Ar-Rahman") 3) In Allah's Attributes that He gave himself and the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) attributed to Him. We have to believe in the meanings completely without changing or twisting them or likening them to any of the creations. Module 1 – Circle 8

13. What is the reward for one who adheres to Tawhid? Narrated ‘Ubada: The Prophet said, “If anyone testifies that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Apostle, and that Jesus is Allah’s Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few.” (Bukhari) Module 1 – Circle 8