Tawheed - The Foundation and Key to Paradise

From: MSN NicknameUmm_Amatillaah (Original Message) Sent: 5/18/2006 8:11 PM
Tawheed
The Foundation and Key to Paradise
Translated by Aboo Abdillaah Umar Bryant

Why Tawheed?

Indeed Allaah created His servants upon purity and as those who worship upon the natural Islaamic instinct in which they worship Allaah alone and do not ascribe any partners with Him. Then the devils came to them and beautified extremism and excessive behavior with righteous individuals. And they revealed to them the thought of extracting statues so once they did this they begin to worship them besides Allaah. Thus, Allaah azza wa jalla sent messengers to remind the people of the call to the oneness of Allaah. The first of them was Nuh (alayhi salaam) to the last of them, our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Allaah says,

“And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allaah)."[1]

So Tawheed is singling out Allaah The Most High in worship and leaving off worshipping other than Him.

It is the foundation of Islaam and its symbol in which Allaah will not accept any other religion from a servant.

Allaah says,

“And whoever desires another religion outside the religion of Islaam then it shall never be accepted from him”

So the agreement of Islaam shall not be firm from any individual and he is not known to be Muslim except that He singles out Allaah alone in worship. Hence, the matter of Tawheed is no doubt the most important foundation of the religion of Islaam and it is the methodology by which the Muslim lives his life, whether it is in his belief, worship, or character, the Muslim shall find happiness, success, and satisfaction. He will find comfort, ease, happiness, and success in his life.

With this Tawheed he is raised in levels and his good deeds become firmly established and his evil deeds are wiped away. Blessings are sent down and hardships are eased.

Tawheed is that which will direct the believer to the gardens of paradise.

The Virtues of Tawheed

Tawheed removes sins and it is a condition by which good deeds are accepted and Allaah has made an easy path to all doors of paradise for the one who sticks firm to it. Allaah has written that those who die upon Tawheed shall enter paradise even if he were to come before Allaah with sins the size of the entire earth. He has made all deeds and actions null and void if they are not accompanied with Tawheed.
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Whoever bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, He is alone and has no partners and that Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger and that Eesaa (alayhi salaam) is His slave and messenger and (believes in) the words that he gave to Maryam and the Rooh[2] and that the paradise is the truth and hellfire is truth then Allaah shall enter him into paradise based upon his actions"[3]

The Messenger of Allaah also said,

“Allaah has prohibited the fire for the one who says “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah” and desires with this the face of Allaah"[4]


The Pillars of Tawheed

* Worshipping Allaah alone and not ascribing any partners with Him

* Disbelief in everything that is worshipped other than Allaah The Most High from those things that are worshipped and obeyed.

Allaah The Most High says,

“Whoever disbelieves in Taaghoot and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break"[5]

The Seven Conditions of Tawheed

Know that the statement “None has the right to be worshipped except for Allaah in truth” has conditions that the one who says it should no doubt believe and abide by. If one of these conditions is not present then that individual cannot be called a Muslim.

* Knowledge of what is being said and its opposite is ignorance.
* Certainty of what is being said and its opposite is doubt
* Sincerity for what is being said and its opposite is shirk.
* Truthfulness for what is being said and its opposite is lying.
* Love for what is being said and its people.
* Combining what was said with obedience to Allaah and refraining from falling into that which is prohibited.
* Acceptance of what is being said and its opposite is rejection.

All of the above conditions should be present in the one who says the shahada. It is not sufficient that we simply go to an individual and tell him to recite the shahada as one or all of the above conditions will not be present. Thus, the importance of Tawheed and educating mankind about it is now realized.

The Meaning of Tawheed


Allaah has created His creation and has brought them into existence for termed time. It is indeed a unique, organized, and balanced creation which befits His wisdom, knowledge, will, and decree. He is the creator of everything.

He says,

"Allaah is the creator of everything”

He alone maintains, arranges, and directs all matters.

He says,

“He arranges (every) affair from the heavens to the earth"[6] And this is a reality that no one can possibly deny except by the will of Allaah. Rather the soul, instinct and subconscious of mankind bear witness to this fact.

Even the mushrikoon[7] of the past attested to this.

Allaah ta’ala says in His Book;

“And if you were to ask them who created the heavens and earth, they would say, “Allaah”

And there are many other verses of the Qur’aan in which the attestation and recognition of that which is known as Tawheed Ar-Roobubiyyah [8]are exhibited by the disbelievers.

Even with this affirmation of Ar-Roobubiyyah, this did not enter them into Islaam nor was their blood and wealth safe. Rather it was and is an argument against them for their lack of sincerity in worshipping Allaah alone and for worshipping other than Him.

Indeed Allaah sent messengers to call the people to single Him out alone in their worship and to leave off worshipping false gods. This noble call is known as Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah or singling out Allaah alone in worship. It is the main purpose for which all of creation was created

Indeed Allaah says,

“And I have not created mankind nor jinn except that they should worship me”

So the age old question of those lost in an abyss of confusion and loneliness is answered; “Why are we here?, What is my purpose?” We are here to worship Allaah and Allaah alone.

Worship is to do everything that Allaah is pleased with from statements on the tongue, actions with the body parts, whether done in secret or in public such as du’aa, prayer, slaughter, hope, fear, seeking aid with Allaah alone, asking of Allaah alone, and the like.

All acts of worship are prescribed by the Book of Allaah and the authentic Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). That which is not present is not considered worship rather is considered innovation in the religion and every innovation is rejected.

Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah was the area in which the Quraish of the past and many disbelievers of today reject.[9] Once they understood that “None has the right to be worshipped in truth except for Allaah alone” they begin to fight call and its people severly.

They said,

“Has he made the aaliha (gods) (all) into One Ilaah (God - Allaah). Verily, this is a curious thing!"[10]

It is clear that if Allaah The Most High is alone in His creation, majesty, and arrangement or in Ar-Roobubiyyah likewise He is one in His worship or Al-Uloohiyyah.

If He is one in Ar-Roobubiyyah and Al-Uloohiyyah then He is no doubt one in His names and attributes. Hence, it is not befitting for anyone to describe any of His creation with attributes that belong solely to Allaah alone. Likewise it is not befitting for anyone to resemble Allaah to any of His creation rather it is upon us to believe in that which has come to us by way of the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), be it a name or attribute of Allaah The Most High.

We affirm these names and attributes without any distortion, misinterpretation, resembling them to that of His creation, and without saying, thinking, reflecting “how”.

This category of Tawheed is known as Tawheed Al-Asmaa was Sifaat.[11] So whoever alleges that benefit or harm is from other than Allaah then he has committed shirk and we seek Allaah’s refuge from this for he has indeed resembled Allaah to his creation in this regard. He is one who has indeed made a false interpretation of the Most Excellent Names and Attributes of Allaah and has indeed thought evil thought of His lord The Most High, The All Hearer.

Allaah says,

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer"[12]

And He says,

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him by them"[13]

And He says,

“Do you know of any who is similar to Him?"[14]


Footnotes
[1] An-Nahl - 36
[2] The angel Jabreel
[3] Agreed upon
[4] Agreed upon - This hadeeth does not mean that anyone can simply say the shahada and be granted paradise rather the individual must follow the seven conditions of the kalimah
[5] Al-Baqarah - 256
[6] As-Sajdah - 5
[7] Those who ascribe partners to Allaah, whether they be from the disbelievers or muslims.
[8] Singling out Allaah alone in His actions.
[9] Whether they be from the Jews and Christians or from the muslims entrenched in all forms of shirk around the muslim world.
[10] Saad - 5
[11] Singling out Allaah alone in His names and attributes
[12] Ash-Shoora -11
[13] Al-‘Araaf - 180
[14] Maryam - 65

www.salafyoun.com

From: MSN NicknameUmm_Amatillaah Sent: 5/18/2006 8:11 PM

Tawheed
The Foundation and Key to Paradise
Continuation...



How To Remain Firm Upon Tawheed


· Learn it and study such that you may have thorough knowledge of it as Allaah ta’ala says,

“Know that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allaah”

And the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Whoever Allaah wants good for then he gives him understanding in the religion

· Implementing it in openly and secretly. Indeed Allaah says,

“By Al-'Asr (the time). -- Verily! Man is in loss, -- Except those who believe (in Islaamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'roof المعروف)which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar المنكر)which Allaah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah's Cause during preaching His religion of Islaamic Monotheism or Jihaad, etc.).”[15]

It is an essential principle in Islaam to accompany knowledge with actions. The muslim upon the truth does not merely have belief rather he has belief and actions. Belief void of any actions is not the methodology in which Allaah has set forth for mankind. For this reason, you find many verses resembling the final verse of Sooratul ‘Asr that accompany belief with actions.

· Calling to Tawheed firstly before calling to any other aspect of the religion.

This is clear from the authentic hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) when he said to Mu’aadh,

“Verily you are going to the people of the book (Jews and Christians) so let the first thing you call them to be the declaration that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allaah”[16]

We see from the guidance of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that Tawheed is the most important matter that people should be called to first. Therefore we know for certain that all calls, groups, parties and ideologies that do not center their da’wah upon oneness of Allaah and repelling that which opposes it are false deviant calls.

· Patience upon the impending trials and tribulations.

Allaah says,

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.”[17]

· Loving Tawheed, its people and those that call to it. Having the utmost loyalty for them where ever they may be.

Allaah says,

“The believers, men and women, are Auliyaa' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another”[18]

· Despising the people of disbelief and those who ascribe partners with Allaah, disavowing them, and refraining from them until they believe in Allaah alone and no longer ascribe partners with Him.

We say to those who have forgotten their covenant with Allaah and ascribe partners to Him the same as Ibraheem and his followers said.

Allaah says,

“Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allaah Alone," except the saying of Ibraheem (Abraham) to his father: "Verily, I will ask for forgiveness (from Allaah) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allaah[] ." Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return,”[19]

· Uniting the entire nation upon Tawheed without fearing the rebuke of the rebukers.

Indeed Allaah ta’ala says,

“Hold on tight to the rope of Allaah and do not divide”

It is essential that the Muslims understand that this nation shall not be united except by way of Tawheed. We will never come together upon shirk, innovation, and differing.


The Effects of Tawheed and its Rewards


1. Whoever remains firm upon Tawheed in statement and in actions, openly and secretly, shall enter into paradise without any recompense or punishment.

2. With Tawheed, sins are forgiven and evil deeds are wiped out.

3. Tawheed relieves ones anguishes and removes hardships in this world and in the hereafter.

4. Tawheed is the only means of attaining the pleasure of Allaah and His rewards.

5. Tawheed brings safety, guidance, and success in this life and the next.

6. Tawheed protects one from being sent to the hellfire for an eternity.

7. Tawheed is the reason by which ones worship is accepted. If one has shirk in his worship to Allaah then his actions are not accepted.

8. Tawheed makes it easier for the muslim to do good deeds and stay away from that which Allaah has forbade.

9. Tawheed helps the muslim remove depression and sadness and makes him happier dependant on the amount of good or evil he has done.

10. Tawheed frees the muslim from worshipping other than Allaah.

11. Tawheed is the only means of attaining aid and assistance from Allaah and the only means of becoming and remaining established in the earth.

12. Allaah The Most High and Supreme defends the people of Tawheed.

13. Tawheed brings about uprightness of the people and nations.

These are the virtues of Tawheed and implementing. The opposite can be said for those who oppose Tawheed and its people.[20]


Enemies of Tawheed

1. Those who disbelieve in anything that Allaah has revealed to Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)

2. Whoever rejects singling out Allaah alone in His actions and claims that all life originates from a Darwinist theory.

3. Whoever believes that the righteous people have the power to share in Allaah’s arrangement of creation.

4. Whoever exaggerates regarding righteous individuals and believes that they have the ability to bring harm or benefit outside of the permission of Allaah.

5. Whoever faces the graves of righteous individuals making du’aa, prayer, slaughtering, circling the graves , and any other act of worship that is solely for Allaah alone.

6. Those who involve themselves in sorcery, black magic, voodoo, spells, chants and other wicked liars who claim to have knowledge of the unseen and the divine decree and allege they can benefit or harm mankind with that knowledge.

7. Those who slander and insult Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) or the religion of Islaam.

8. The people of innovation and heresy.

We ask Allaah to unite the Muslims upon Tawheed and to keep us firm upon it. We ask him to protect us from all ideologies, methodologies, and ideas that oppose Tawheed.

Footnotes

[15] Al-‘Asr
[16] Bukhaaree
[17] Al-Ankaboot - 2
[18] At-Tawbah - 71
[19] Al-Mumtahinnah - 4
[20] Whether they be from the disbelievers or innovating muslims