Explaining the fundamentals of faith

The Deen of Islam




Islam is the Deen, which Alaah has sent Mohammed (Salla Allaah Aleihi Wasallam

) with ; Allaah made it the last of religions and perfected it for His creation; He made it a completion of His Favors upon them , and chose it to be their Deen ; No other religion is accepted from any one except the Deen of Islam . Allaah تعالى says:

( ما كان محمداَ أبا أحد من رجالكم و لكن رسول الله و خاتم النبيين)

(الأحزاب ،40)



Mohammed (Salla Allaah Aleihi Wasallam) is not the father of any man among you , but he is the messenger of Allaah , and the last (end) of the prophets. ( Qua’ran :33 :40)



He also says:



( اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم و أتممت عليكم نعمتى و رضيت لكم الإسلام دينا)

( المائدة ، 30)



This day6, I have perfected your religion for you , and completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Al-Islam as your Deen. ( Qura’an :5:30)



( إن الدين عند الله الإسلام ) ( آل عمران،19)

Truly, The Deen before Allaah is Al-Islam7(Qua’aran 19)



( و من يبتغى غير الإسلام دينا فلن يقبل منه و هو فى الآخرة من الخاسرين) ( آل عمران /85)

And Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam , it will never accepted of him , and the Hereafter he will be one of the loser.(Qura’an 3:85)



Allaah تعالى ordained that mankind must submit to Him in Islam .He said addressing His Messenger (Mohammed )



(قل يا أيها الناس إنى رسول الله إليكم جميعا الذى له ملك السموات و الأرض ز لا إله إلا هو يحى و يميت ، فآمنوا بالله و رسوله النبى الأمى الذى يؤمن بالله و كلماته و أتبعوه لعلكم تهتدون ) ( الأعراف،158)

Say ( O Mohammed ) ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah – to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. La illah illa Huwa(non has the Wright to be worshipped but He.); It is He who gives life and causes death. So believe in Alaahh and His messenger (Mohammed) , the prophet who can neither read nor write , who believes in Allaah and His words8 , and follow him so that you may be guided .(Qura’an 7:158)



It is reported in Saheeh Muslim 9on the authority of Abu Hurairah , that Alaahh’s Messenger Said: “ و الذى نفس محمد بيده لا يسمع بى أحد من هذه الأمه يهودى ولا نصرانى ، ثم يموت و لم يؤمن بالذى أرسلت به إلا كان من أصحاب النار."

“By Him (Allaah ) in Whose Hand Mohammed soul’s is, there is none from amongst the Jews and Christians ( of these present nations) who hears about me and dies without believing in the message with which I have been sent (i.e Tawheed) , but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire”10



The belief in the prophet Mohammed is the attestation with full acceptance and submission , not just mere attestation , that what he brought forth is the truth. That is why Abu Taalib ( the uncle of the prophet) did not become a believer in the messenger , despite his attestation to what the prophet forth and his witness that it is the best of religions.



The Deen of Islaam embraces all of the human welfare that is comprised in the previous religions ; it is distinguished above all the religions in it’s suitability for all times , places , and nations, Allah تعالى addresses His Messenger Mohammed saying :

( و أنزلنا إليك الكتاب بالحق مصدقا لما بين يديه من الكتاب و مهيمنا عليه ) ( المائدة ،48)



And We have sent down to you ( O Mohammed ) the Book ( this Qura’an) in truth , confirming the scripture that came before it and Muhayminan ( trustworthy in highness and witness) over it ( Old Scripture) . ( Qura’an 5:48)



The suitability of the Deen means that adhering to Islaam does not contradict the welfare of the Ummah (Muslim community at large) in any place or in any time. Indeed it is its betterment. This does not mean, however, that the Deen is subjugate to every time , place and Ummah as some people like it to be.



The Deen of Islaam is the Deen of Truth, whoever truly adheres to it , Allaah guarantee him victory and makes him prevail on everyone else who doesn’t . Allaah تعالى says:

( هو الذى أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و لو كره المشركون) ( الصف ،9)



He it is Who sent His Messenger (Mohammed) with the guidance and Deen of the Truth to make it prevail over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikeen hate (it). (

Qura’an 61:9)



( و عد الله الذين آمنو منكم و عملوا الصالحات ليستخلفنهم فى الأرض كما إستخلف الذيم من قبلهم و ليمكنن لهم دينهم الذى إرتضى لهم و ليبدلنهم من بعد خوفهم أمنا يعبدوننى لا يشركون بى بى شئيا و من كفر بعد ذلك فأولئك هم الفاسقون) ( النور ، 55)



Allaah has promised, to those among you who believe, and do righteous deeds, that he will certainly grant them succession to ( the present rulers) in the land , as He granted it to those before them ; and he will grant them the authority to practice their religion , that which He has chosen for them ( i.e Islaam) . And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything ( in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are Fasiqoun( rebellious , disobedience to Allaah) . Qura’an 21:55)



The Deen of Islam is Aqeedah ( Creed) and Sharee’ah ( Legislation ) and it is perfect in both . Islaam commands:



The Tawheed and forbids Shirk ( setting associate with Allaah).
Truthfulness, and forbids lying.
Justice11 , and forbids oppression.
Trustworthiness, and forbids treachery.
Faithfulness, and forbids betrayal
To be good and dutiful to one’s parents, and forbids being disrespectful to them.
Keep ties with relatives of kinship, and forbids severing ties with them.
To have good relation to one’s neighborhood, and forbids all forms of ill-treatment to the neighbors.


Generally speaking , Islaam commands all noble morals , and forbids all ill and despicable manners; it also commands righteousness and forbids wrong. Allaaah تعالى says:



( إن الله يأمر بالعدل و الإحسان و إيتاء ذى القربى و ينهى عن الفحشاء و المنكر و البغى يعظكم لعلكم تذكرون) ( النحل ، 90)



Verily, Allaah enjoins Al-‘Adel (i.e justice and worshipping none but Allaah) and Al-Ihsan12, and giving help to kith and kin13 , and forbids Al-Fahsha14 , Al-Mankar15 , and Al-Baghy16 .(Qura’an 16:90)



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6 This Ayah ( Verse) was sent down during Hajatul Wadaa’ ( Farewell Pilgrimage) of the prophet , on the day of Arafah which was a Friday.



7 Which means that Islaam is the only Deen that Allah will accept form His slaves. See the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer for the above Ayaah.{TN}

8 Allaah’s Words includes all the Messages to the prophets : The Qura’an, The Torah the Gospel ( in their original text) , Az-zaboor , and Psalms. Also it includes , Allaah Words كن kun (be) – and he was i.e Jesus , son of Mary , peace be upon him . See M.M. Khan and M.T Al-Hilaallee’s Interpretation of the meaning of the noble Qura’an , Soorat 7 , Aayah 158. {TN}

9 Is a collection of authentic hadeeth narrations compiled by imam Muslim : Abul Hussain Muslim ibn al –Hajjaaj ibn Muslim al Quraishi an Naisaburi (202(6)-216 Hj /817(821) –875)CE) . {TN}





10 Saheeh Muslim, V.1 , Haddeth # 284

11 Justice is establishing equality between similar things and differentiating between different things. Justice is not absolute equality as generalized by some of the people when they say” The Deen of Islaam id the Deen of Quality .” . Establishing equality between different things is injustice that is not brought forth by Islaam , and the person who does that is not to be praised.” – A footnote by the author Shayekh Muhammed bin Saleh Al-Utheimeen.

12 Al-Ihsan: In This Aayah it means to patient in performing one’s duties to Allaah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunah of the prophet Mohammed



13 Degree of Kinship : First of all , your parents then your paternal uncles and aunts ( from the mother’s side) , then other relative.

14 Al-Fahshaa: All evil deeds eg; illegal sexual intercourse , disobedience tp parents , to tell lies., to steal.

15 Al-Munkar : All that is prohibited by Islaamic law: Polytheists , disbelief , and every kind of evil deeds.

16 Al-Baghy: All kind of Oppression

Arkan ul Islam

The Pillars of Islaam





Arkan Ul Islam are its basic foundations upon which it is established ; they are five , mentioned in the narration by Ibn Umar in Which the prophet said:



( بنى الإسلام على خمسة : على أن يوحد الله ( وفى رواية أخرى على خمس): شهادة ألا إله إلا الله ، و أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، و إقام الصلاة ، و إيتاء الزكاة ، و صيام رمضان ، و الحج . فقال رجل : الحج و صيام رمضان ، قال : لا صيام رمضان و الحج ، هكذا سمعته من رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم – متفق عليه – و اللفظ لمسلم.

“ Islaam is raised on five (pillars): To establish His Tawheed {and in other narration “The Shahaadah (testimony) that La illaha illa Allaah ( none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah ) and that Mohammed is Allah’s salve and Messenger}, establishment of prayers, payment of Zakaat, the fast of Ramadan , and pilgrimage to (to Makkah) . A person said ( to the narrator) ( which of the two precedes the other ) Pilgrimage or the fast of Ramadan? Upon this (the narrator) replied: No ( it is not the pilgrimage first) but the fast of Ramadan precede the pilgrimage , this is how I have heard it from Allaah’s Messenger”18



FIRST: The Shahaadah of :



لا إله إلا الله ، و أن محمدا عبده و رسوله
La ilaaha illal laah,Mohammed Rassoulul laah



Is the deceived belief expressed on the tongue as though one sees with his own eyes the certainty of his firm conviction. The fact that Shahaadah has been made as single pillar despite the multiplicity in what is being attested, because of either of the following (reasons):



The Messenger is a bearer ( of News) about Allaah تعالى . Attesting therefore , that he , the messenger is a true slave of Allah and bearer of the message ( of Islaam) is integral part of the meaning of Shahaadah ( La illaha illal laah) or



That the two testimonies la illa illal laah , and Mohammed Rassoulal laah are ( the required) bases for the rightness of deeds and their acceptances , since both , the validity and acceptance of deeds , cannot be achieved without Al-Ikhlas to Allaah ( sincere devotion of intention to Allaah alone) and Mutaba’ah ( following) of Rasooulaul laah . It is through Al-Ikhlas that the Shahaadah of la illah illa llah is realized , while through Al-Moutaba’ah of Rasoolul laah , the Shahaadah that Mohammed is Allaah’s slave and Messenger is manifested.



Some of the benefits attained by the declaration of the great Shahaadah include the liberation of the heart and soul from slavery to the created, and from following paths other than the Messenger’s path.





SECOND: Regarding the establishing of Prayers: it is worshipping Allah by performing it in the right and perfect manner19 and its prescribed times. Some of it’s benefits include the openness of the chest, contentment joys and detrainment from committing sins and wrong-doing.



THIRD: The Giving of Zakaat: is devoting worship to Allaah by offering the obligatory prescribed amount charity deducted from the wealth upon which Zakaat is due. Some of it’s benefits are : purifying the self from immoral characteristics like misery , and fulfilling the needs of Islaam and Muslims.



FOURTH: Fasting: It is devoting worship to Allaah by refraining from any everything known to nullify the fast during the days of the month of Ramadan.



Fasting coaches the self to endure the relinquishment of what it likes seeking to gain the pleasure of Allaah.



FIFTH : The Hajj to the House of Allaah: is worshipping Allaah by going to the sacred House (Al-Ka’abh) to execute the rites of Hajj.

Some of the benefits includes: the training of the self to expend the physical and financial sacrifices in obedience to Allaah تعالى . This is the reason why Hajj is considered as one kind of Jihad in the cause of Allaah تعالى.



The benefits that we have mentioned above regarding the basic of Islaam , and others which we have not mentioned ,makes of this Ummah a virtues and purified Islaamic Nation adhering to Allaah through the Deen of Truth , and treats the created with justice and truthfulness . This (conclusion) holds true because the right adherence to the rest of the Islaamic laws depends upon the proper practicability of the above basic.



The status of the Ummah will thrive and prosper as long as it properly adheres to the matters of its Deen. The degree of its prosperity that may escape is proportional to the degree of abandonment of good adherence to matters of its Deen. Whoever seek san evidence for this, let him read the saying of Allah تعالى :



( و لو أن أهل القرى آمنوا و إتقوا لفتحنا عليهم بركات من السماء و الأرض و لكن كذبوا فأخزناهم بما كانوا يكسبون أفأمن أهل القرى أن يأتيهم بأسنا بياتا و هم نائمون أو أمن أهل القرى أن يأتيهم بأسنا ضحى و هم يلعبون أفأمنوا مكر الله فلا يأمن مكر الله إلا القوم الخاسرون ) ( الأعراف ، 96-99)





And if the people of the town had believed and had the Taqwa(piety fear of Allaah) certainly , We should have opened for them the blessing from the heaven and the earth , but belied ( the Messenger) . So we took (with punishment ) for what they used to earn ( polytheism and crime ,..etc) Did the people of the towns then feel secure against that coming of our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming our Punishment in the afternoon while they play? Did they feel secure against the plan of Allah . None feels secure from the plan of Allaah except the people who are lost. (Qura’an 7:96-99)



Let also examine the history of those who preceded because history is a lesson for people of thought, and an insight for anyone free from any obstructing to barrier his heart. And it is Allaahh alone who’s Help can be sought.





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18 Agreed upon hadeeth : The text is that from Saheeh Muslim

19 As detailed by the prophet Mohammed in his authentic Sunah. See for example an excellent collection of the narrations describing the prophet prayer in Shayekh Nassir-ud-Deen Al-Alnanee’s book”The Prophet’s prayer” translated into English by Suhib Hassan .England /{TN}

Belief In Allaah




The Belief in Allaah Comprises Four Matters:





First: The Belief in Existence of Allaah:





The evidence for the existence of Allaah is established by :

Fitrah
Reasoning
Ash-Shara’a22
And Al-Hiss23


1- Pertaining to the Proof of the Faitrah:



Every creature has been created in a state of belief in his creator without preceding thought or education. No one dissuades from what is necessitated by the Fitrah (i.e the belief in Allaah), except the one whose heart has been subjected to what averts it from its (natural course of) Fitrah, as the prophet Mohammed explained when he said:



" ما من مولود إلا يولد على الفطرة ، فأبواه يهوداانه أو ينصرانه أو يمجسانه"



“ Each child is born in a state of ” Fitrah” but his parents make him a Jew, or a Christian”24





2-The Evidence of “ Reasoning “: -



All of the creatures, the first and subsequent ones, must have a Creator Who brought them to existence, because they neither can bring themselves into existence, nor they could have come to exist by coincidence! The creatures could have not brought themselves to existence because a thing does not create it self –since prior to its existence it was nothing – so how could it be a creator? And it cannot accidentally bring into being, because every occurrence (novelty, etc.) must need an originator. Also because its existence in such highly magnificent order and homogenous coordination, and due to the coherent relationship between the means and the causes , and the creators with one another , it is absolutely impossible that is very being is coincidental . ( In fact) , what is ( believed) to exist as a result of coincidence , does not follow an ordered pattern at the beginning of its existence . so how could it remain to be ordered during its course of survival and development?

So if its impossible that the creatures have neither brought themselves into existence nor they did they came to exist by coincidence , then it becomes evident that they must have a creator , and He is Allaah , the Rabb of the world.



Allaah تعالى stated the above rational and decisive proof in Soorat Al-Tur , saying:



( أم خلقوا من غير شىء أم هم الخالقون) ( الطور ، 35)



Were they created by nothing , or they themselves the creators? { Qura’an 25:35} , Which means that they were neither created without a creator , nor they were the creators of themselves . It becomes clear , therefore , that their Creator is Allaah تعالى . That is why when Jubair Bin Mut’im heard Allaah’s Messenger reciting Soorat At-Tur , and when he ( the prophet) reached the Aayaat:



( أم خلقوا من غير شىء أم هم الخالقون أم خلقوا السموات و الأرض بل لا يوقنون أم هم عندهم خزائن ربك أم هم المسيطرون) ( سورة الطور ، 35-37)



Were they created by nothing , or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay , but they have no firm to believe . Or are the treasures of your Raab with them? Or are they the tyrants with authority to do as they like?25



Jubair , who was then a Mushrik ( polytheist), commented:



" كاد قلبى أن يطير ، وذلك أول ما وقر الإيمان فى قلبى " ( رواه البخارى – مفرقا)



“ My heart was about to fly (i.e upon hearing this firm argument)26 . In another separate narration, he said: “And that was the time when Eemaan was first settled in my heart”27





Let us give a parable that clarifies this matter: If some one tells you about a lofty palace , surrounded by gardens with rivers flowing in between , fully furnished with beds and mattresses, and decorated with all kinds of ornament, the basic , and the luxurious , then he says to you : “ This palace in all the of its perfection , has founded itself , or that it came to exit by coincidence , without a founder !” Immediately you will deny and reject his argument, and you will consider his talks as ridiculous. (With this in mind) is it, therefore , possible that this universe with its extended earth , skies , planets , conditions, wonderful and splendid order , could have brought itself into existence ? Or that it came to exist without a Creator?



3- The Ash-Shar’ah28 Evidence For The Existence of Allaah:



The Ash-Shar’ah is evidence for the existence of Allaah because all of the revealed Scriptures states so. The laws that address the welfare of creation and which are provided by these scriptures , constitute an evidence that they came from an All-Wise Rabb who knows about the welfare and interests of His creation. The information about the universe brought forth by the scriptures and whose manifestation testifies for their truthfulness, is a proof that came from the ( one) Raab Who is able to bring into being whatever He already informed about.



4- The “Physical” Evidence For The Existence of Allaah Comprises Two Aspects:-



One of them is that we hear and witness ( Allaah’s) response to all those who supplicate and those who are distressed and grieved. This constitutes an unequivocal evidence for the existence of Allahhتعالى . He تعالى says:



( و نوحا إذ نادى من قبل فاستجبنا له ) ( الأنبياء ، 76)



And ( remember ) Noah, when he cried ( to us) aforetime, We listened to his invocation ( Qura’an 21:76)



He تعالى says:



( إذ يستغيثون ربهم فإستجاب لهم ) ( الأنفال ، 9)



( Remember ) when you sought help from your Raab , and He answered you. ( Qura’an 8:9)



In Saheeh Al-Bukharee , it is reported that Anas bin Malik said that :







عن أنس بن مالك رضى الله عنه – قال : أصابت الناس سنة على عهد النبى صلى الله عليه و سلم فبينما النى صلى الله عليه وسلم يخطب بالناس فى يوم الجمعة ، قام إعرابى فقال : يا رسول الله ، هلك المال و جاع العيال فادع الله لنا ، فرفع يديه ، و ما نرى فى السماء قزعة ، فو الذى نفسى بيده ، ما وضعها حتى ثار السحاب أمثال الجبال ، ثم لم ينزل من منبره حتى رأيت المطر يتنازل على لحيته صلى الله عليه و سلم فمطرنا يومنا ذلك ، ومن الغد و بعد الغد ، و الذى يليه ، حتى الجمعة الأخرى. و قام ذلك اإعرابى أو قال غيره فقال : " يا رسول الله ، تهدم البناء ، و غرق المال ، فادع لنا الله ، فرفع فرفع يديه فقال " اللهم حوالينا ولا علينا ، فما يشير بيده غلى ناحية من السحاب و إلا إنفرجت"



“ Once in the lifetime of the prophet Mohammed the people were affected with drought. While the prophet was delivering the Khutba (religious talk) on a Friday, a Bedouin stood up and said” O,Allah ‘s Messenger ! Our possessions are being destroyed and the children are hungry; please invoke Allaah (for rain). So the prophet raised his hands ( invoked Allaah for rain) . At that time there was not a trace of cloud in the sky . By Him, in Whose Hands my soul is, clouds gathered like mountains, and before he got down from the pulpit , I saw the rain falling on his ( prophet) beard.. It rained that day, the next day, the third day , the fourth day till the next day. The Bedouin or another man stood up and said “ O Allaah ‘s Messenger! the houses have collapsed , our possessions and livestock have been drowned; please invoke Allaah for us ( to stop the rain). “ So the prophet raised his both his hands and said “ O Allaah ! Round about us and not on us , So in whatever direction he pointed with his hands , the clouds disappeared and cleared away…29



Responding to the invocations of the supplicant who sincerely resort to Allaah (alone) and fulfill the required condition for Ijaabah30 is a matter that is still being witnessed nowadays.



The second aspect is that the signs of the prophets which is called Mu’jizaaat (Miracles) and which people see or hear about, constitute and irrevocable evidence for the existence of the One who dispatched them: that’s Allah تعالى. Certainly these matters ( Mu’jizzat ) are beyond the capability of mankind and that Allaah manifests them to help and support His Messengers. For example, the Sign given to Musa when Allaah commanded him to strike the sea with stick. He strokes it and the sea parted into twelve dry roads separated by water, which become like a huge mountain. Allaah تعالى saya:



( فأوحينا إلى موسى أن أضرب بعصاك البحر فأنفلق فكان كل فرق كالطود العظيم ) ( الشعراء ، 63)



Then We inspired Musa (saying) : “ Strike the sea with your stick.” And it parted , and each separate part (of that sea water) become like a huge , firm mass of a mountain. (Qura’aan 26:63)



Another Example is the sign given to Eesaa ( Jesus) by which he was able to bring life to the dead and bring forth the dead from their graves by Allaah’s Leave . Allaah spoke about him saying :



( و أوحى الموتى بإذن الله ) ( آل عمران ،49)



And I bring the dead to life by Allaah’s Leave . ( Qura’aan 3:49)



( و إذ تخرج الموتى بإذنى) ( المائدة ، 110)

And When you brought forth the dead by My permission. ( Quraa’an 5:110)



A third example is that Prophet Mohammed when the tribe of Qureish asked him to show them a sign ( a miracle as a proof of his prophet hood)31 He ( the prophet) pointed to the moon and ( behold!) it split asunder and the people saw it. Regarding the ( sign) Allaah تعالى said :



( إقتربت الساعة و إنشق القمر و إن يروا آية يعرضوا و يقولوا سحر مستمر) ( القمر ، 1-2)



The Hour has drawn near , and the moon has been cleft, and they see a sign , they turn away , and say: “This is continuous magic.” ( Quraa’an 54:1-2)



All of these physical signs (Miracles) which Allaah تعالى puts into effect to help and support His Messengers constitutes an irrevocable proof for His existence.





Second: Belief in Allaah’s Ruboobiyyah:



Which means to believe that Allah is the only Rabb without a partner or a helper.



The Rabb is the One to Whom belongs the creation, kingdom and command; There is no Creator but Allaah ; No Malik ( Possessor) except Him,32 and there is no Command but His. He, Most High , says:



( ألا له الخلق و الأمر) ( الأعراف ،54)



He is the Creation and Commandment .( Quraa’n 7:54)



Allaah also Said :



( ذلكم الله ربكم له الملك و الذين تدعون من دونه ما يملكون من قطمير) ( فاطر ،13)

“Such is Allaah your Rab ; He is the Kingdom . And those , whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him , own not even a Qanteer ( the thin member of date stone.)33” Qura’aan 35:13)



It is not known that any one had denied the Ruboobiyyah of Allaah سبحانه except an arrogant who does not believe what he says , like what happened to the Pharaoh he said to his people :



( أنا ربكم الأعلى ) ( النازعات ، 24)



I am your rabb , most high. ( Quraa’aan 79:24)



And:



( يا أيها الملأ ما علمت لكم من إله غيرى) ( القصص ، 38)



O chiefs! I know not that you have an Ilaah ( a god)other than me .(Quraa’an 28:38)



What he said was not a matter of conviction . Allaah تعالى said :



( و جحدوا بها و إستيقنتها أنفسهم ظلما و علوا فانظر كيف كان عاقبة المفسدين) ( النمل ، 14)



And they belied then ( the Aayaat: proofs, evidence , verses, lessons, signs, revelations,etc.) wrongfully and arrogantly , through their ownselves were convinced threrof. { i.e the Ayaat are from Allaah and Musa is the Messenger of Allaah in truth , but they disliked to obey Musa , and hated to believe in his Message of Tawheed.}( Qura’aan 16:14)



Allaah related what Musa told the Pharaoh:



( لقد علمت ما أنزل هؤلاء إلا رب السموات و الأرض بصائر و إنى لأظنك يا فرعون مثبورا)( الإسراء،102)



“ ( Musa said: “Verily, you know that these sign have been sent down by none but the Rabb of the heavens and the earth as clear ( evidence i.e proofs of Allaah’s Oneness and His Omnipotence etc.) And I think you are , indeed , O Pharaoh doomed to destruction ( away from all good!)”( Quraa’an17:102)



For this reason the Mushrikeen (the pagan Arabs) used to acknowledge the Ruboobiyyah of Allaah تعالى despite committing Shrik in His Ruboobiyyah . Allaah تعالى said:



( قل لمن الأرض و من فيهما إن كنتم تعلمون سيقولون لله قل أفلا تزكرون قل من رب السموات السبع و رب العرش العظيم سيقولون لله قل أفلا تعقلون قل من بيده ملكوت كل شىء و هو يجير و لا يجار عليه إن كنتم تعلمون سيقولون لله قل فأنى تسحرون) ( المؤمنون ، 89-84)



Say : “ Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know !’

They will say: ‘ It is Allaah’s! ‘ Will you not then remember?”

Say:’ Who is ( the) Rabb of the seven heavens, and (the) Rabb of the Great Arsh (throne)?”

They will say : ‘Allaah .’ Say:’Will you not then fear Allaah ( Believe in His Oneness , obey Him,beliwve in the Resurrection and Recompense for each and every good or bad deed)’.Say:’ In Whose Hand is the soverginity of every thing ( i.e treasures of each and everything ?) And He protest (all) , while against Whom there is no protector34 “ if you know .’They will say :” All that belongs to Allaah.” Say:’ How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth”? Qura’aan 23:84-89



He تعالى also said:



( ولئن سألتهم من خلق السماوات و الأرض ليقولن خلقهن العزيز العليم) ( الزخرف ،9)



“ And indeed if you ask them, “ Who has created the heavens and the earth “? They will say:” They will surely say: “ Mighty, the all-knower created them.” ( Qura’aan 43:9)



He further said:



( و لئن سألتهم من خلقكم ليقولن الله فأنى يؤفكون) ( الزخرف ،87)



“ And if you ask them who created them , they will surely say:”Allaah”. How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allaah Who created them”? ( Qura’’an43:87)

The Command of ar-Rabb ( Allaah) comprises both Al-Kawnee ( Universal) and the Ash-Shar’ee ( Legal or Judicial) Commands. Just as He is the One Who runs the affairs of the universe, Ruling it as He wants and in accordance with what is necessitated by His Wisdom, He is also Judge Who Rules it by means of Legislations that deals with Ibadaat35 and Laws governing all forms of Mu’aamalaat 36 , in conformity with His Wisdom.



So, whoever sets up a legislator besides Allaah in Ibaadaat or a judge in Mu’aamaalaat , commits Shirik and does not ascertain the Eaman.





Third: Belief in Allaah’s Uloohiyyah:





It is the belief that Allaah Alone is the true Ilah , who has no partner or associate. The Ilah means Al-Ma’looh i.e Al-Ma’bood , the only true God who deserves to be worshipped out of love and magnification . Allaah تعالى said:



( و إلهكم إله واحد لا إله إلا هو الرحمن الرحيم ) ( البقرة ، 163)



And your Ilah is one Ilah , لا إله إلا هو La Illah illa Huwa ( There is no true God worthy of worship but He, ) Al-Rahman , ) Whose Mercy encompasses everything) , the Most Merciful . (Qura’an 2:163)



He تعالى also said:



( شهد الله أنه لا إله إلا هو والملائكة و أولو العلم قائما بالقسط لا إله إلا هو العزيز الحكيم ) ( آل عمران ،18)



Allaah bears witness that LaIlla Illah Huwa( none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angles, and those having knowledge ( also give this witness) ; ( He is always) maintaining His creation in justice . La illahillal Huwa, the All-Mighty , The All-Wise ( Qura’an 3:18)



All that is being taken as an ilaah worshipped as god besides Allah , its Uloohiyyah is false. Allaah تعالى says:



( و ذلك بأن الله هو الحق و إن ما يدعون من دونه هو الباطل و أن الله هو العلى الكبير) ( الحج ،62)



That is because Allaah –He is the truth (the only True God of all that exist , Who has no partner or rivals with Him) , and those besides Him whom they ( the polytheists) invoke-they are but Baatil (vain Falsehood ) . And verily, Allaah ,-He is the Most High , The Most great.) ( Qura’an 22:66)

Calling them aaliha (gods) does not entitle them to the right of Uloohiyyah .Allaah تعالى said describing the pagan deities of Al-laat , Al-‘Uz-zaam , and Minaat that:



( إن هى إلا أسماء سميتموها أنتم و أباؤكم ما أنزل الله بها من سلطان) ( النجم ، 23)



They are but names which you have named ,- yoou and your fathers – for which Allaah sent down no authority . ( Qura’aan 53:23)37



He ( Allaah) told us that Yusuf said to his two companions of the jail :





( أأرباب متفرقون خير أم الله الواحد القهار ما تعبدون من دونه إلا أسماء سميتموها أنتم و أباؤكم ما أنزل الله بها من سلطان) ( يوسف ، 39-40)



O two companions of prison ! Are many different arbab ( lords) better or Allah , the one , Al-Qahhar ?38 you do not worship besides Him but only names which have named ( forged) , you and your fathers , for which Allah has sent down no authority. ( Qura’an 12:39-40)



For this reason, the Messengers, may that Salaat and Sallam for Allah be upon them , used to say to their respective nations:



( أعبدوا الله ما لكم من إله غيره) ( الأعراف ،59،60،73،85) ( هود ، 50،61،84) ( المؤمنون، 23،32)



Worship Allaah ! You have no other Illah ( God) but Him.( Qura’an 7:59,60,73,85;11:50,61,84,;23,32)



The Mushrikeen , however , refused and set up gods as rivals to Allaah , worshipping them besides Allaah , and seeking their support and help. Allaah تعالى invalidated their acts by two proofs:



First: There is not any Divine Quality in the gods they worshipped besides Allaah. These gods are created and can not create and extend neither benefit to their worshippers nor can award off harm from them ; they can neither give them life nor cause them death ; they possess nothing from the heavens and have no share in it . Allaah تعالى said:



( و اتخذوا من دونه آلهة لا يخلقون شيئا و هم يخلقون و لا يملكون لإنفسهم ضرا و لا نفعا و لا يملكون موتا و لا حياة و لا نشورا) ( الفرقان ، 3)



They have taken besides Him other gods that created nothing but are themselves created , and posses neither hurt nor benefit to themselves , and possess no power ( of causing) death , nor ( of Giving) life , nor of raising the dead. ( Qura’an 25:3)



Allaah تعالى also said:



( قل أدعوا الذين زعمتم من دون الله لا يملكون مثقال ذرة فى السماوات و لا فى الأرض و ما لهم فيهما من شرك وماله منهم من ظهير و لا تنفع الشفاعة إلا لمن أذن له ) ( سبأ ، 22-23)



Say: ( O Muhammed to those polytheists , pagan, etc.) “ Call upon those whom you asset ( to be associated god) besides Allah , thy possess not even the weight of small ant,-neither in heavens or on the earth , nor have they any share in either , nor there is for Him any supporter from among them. Intercession with Him profits not , except for him Whom He permits. ( Qura’an 34:22-23)





( أيشركون ما لا يخلق شيئا و هم يخلقون و لا يستطيعون لهم نصرا و لا أنفسهم ينصرون) ( الأعراف ، 191-192)



Do they attribute as partners to Allaah those who created nothing but they themselves are created? No help they can give them , nor can they help themselves. ( Qura’an 7: 191-192)



If this is the situation with those gods , then worshipping them as gods besides Allaah is the utmost of foolishness and falsehood..



Second: Those Mushrikeen used confess that Allaah تعالىِ Alone is Ar-Rabb Al-Lhaaliq ( the Ceator) in Whose Hand is the sovergintiy of everything and He protect ( all) , While against Whom there is no protector .39 This ( confession) necessitates that they should have attested that He is the only True Illah Worthy of Worship ( Uloohiyyah) as they have done with his Ruboobiyyah ( when they took Him as their only Rabb). In this regard Allaah تعالى said:



( يا أيها الناس اعبدوا ربكم الذى خلقكم و الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون الذى جعل لكم الأرض فراشا و السماء بناء و أنزل من السماء ماء فأخرج به من الثمرات رزقا لكم فلا تجعلوا لله أندادا و أنتم تعلمون) ( البقرة ، 21-22)



O mankind! Worship your Rab ( Allaah) , Who Created you and those before you so that you may become pious. Who has made the earth a resting place and the sky as a canopy , and sent down rain from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allaah ( in worship) while you know. ( that He alone has the right to be worshipped)



Also He said:

( و لئن سألتهم من خلقهم ايقولن الله فأنى يؤفكون) ( الزخرف،87)



And if you ask them who created them , they will surely say: “ Allaah”. How then they turned away ( from the worship of Allaah , Who created them )? ( Qura’an 43:87)



( قل من يرزقكم من السماء و الأرض أمن يملك السمع و الأبصار و من يخرج الحى من الميت و يخرج الميت من الحى و من يدبر الأمر فسيقولون الله فقل أفلا تتقون* فذلكم الله ربكم الحق فماذا بعد الحق إلا الضلال فأنى تصرفون) ( يونس ، 31-33)



Say : Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? Or Who owns hearing and sight? Who brings out living from the dead and the dead from the living? And Who disposes the affairs? They will say : “Allaah” Will you not then be afraid of Allaah’s Punishment ( for worshipping other than Him)?” such is Allaah , you Rabb , in truth. So apart of Truth, what (remains) but error? So how then you are turned away? ( Qura’an 10:31-32)



Fourth: Belief in Allaah’s Names and Sifat (Attributes):



It means to affirm the Names and Attributes, which Allaah affirmed to Him self in His Book, and in the Sunnah of His Messenger in the way that best fits Him without



Tahreef (distortion of the meaning)

Ta’teel (negating the meaning)

Takyeef (assigning a manner to any attribute) or

Tamtheel(drawing parallels to Allaah)





Allaah تعالى said:



( و لله الأسماء الحسنى فادعوه بها وذروا الذين يلحدون فى أسمائه سيجزون ما كانوا يعملون) ( الأعراف ، 180)



And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong tho Allaah , so call Him by them , leave the company of those who belie or deny ( or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do . ( Qura’an 7 :180)



He also Said:





( و له المثل الأعلى فى السماوات و الأرض و هو العزيز الحكيم ) ( الروم ،27)





He is the highest description ( i.e none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth . And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. ( Qura’an 30:27)



( ليس كمثله شىء و هو السميع البصير) ( الشورى ،11)

And there is nothing like unto Him , and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer . ( Qura’an 42:11)



Two sects went astray regarding this matter:





The First Sects: Al-Mu’atlah , who negated all or some of allaah’s Names and Atributes claiming that affirming Allaah’s Names and Sifaat necessitated Tashbeeh ( drawing similarities between Allaah and His creation)! This claim is surely false in many respects , including:



First: it necessitates false obligations like contradiction in the word of Allaah , far from every imperfection. This is because Allaah affirmed the Names and Attributes to Himself and negated the likeness of anything unto Him. Had its affirmation necessitate the Tashbeeh , then it would imply contradiction in the speech of Allaah and that its parts refute one another.

Second: It is not necessary that “ agreement in Name40 “ or “ in an Attribute” between two things obligates likeness between them. Indeed you see two people in a state of agreement where each is hearing, seeing, and speaking human. In no way this necessitate likeness in the human values, nor in hearing, sight, and speech. You see that animals have hands, legs and eyes . This kind of agreement does not necessitate that their hands, legs and eyes like each other. If this distinction in the agreement in Names and qualities amongst the created things is clear, then the distinction between the Creator and the created thing is greater and more evident.





The Second Sect: The Mushabbiha who affirm Allaah’s Names and Attributes but make Tashbeeh ( draw similarities ) between Allaah and His Creation , claiming that this is what is necessitated by the meaning of the texts on the ground that Allaah تعالى addresses the ‘ Ibaad ( mankind) according to their understanding ! such a claim is false in many respects, including:



First: The Mushaabaha: Likeness of Allaah to His creation is a false concept that is negated by the Shar’a as well as reasoning. Thus it is impossible that a false matter is necessitated by the text of the Qura’an and Sunah.

Second: Allaah addressed mankind according to their understanding of the basic meanings of His Names and Attributes. However, the knowledge of the essence and true nature of meanings regarding His Thaat ( Essence) and Sifaat exclusively belongs to Allaah Alone. So if Allaah affirms to Him self that He is All-Hearer, then the Hearing is known from the understanding of basic meaning, which is the comprehension of voices. However, the essence of this meaning with respect to the Hearing of Allaah تعالى is unknown because the essence of hearing is distinct even amongst the created. Certainly, the distinction between the hearing of the created and that of the Creator is greater and more evident.



It is known that if Allaah mentioned about Him self that He Istawaa ‘ala Al-‘Arsh41 , then the Istiwaa’ according to the basic meaning is known ( means: ascendance) , however , the manner ( the ‘how’) of his ascension above His “Arsh is unknown , because the essence of the Istiwaa’ amongst the creatures is distinct . The Istaa’ on firmly stable chair is not the same as that on the saddle of an unyielding and easily frightened camel. When this is distinct with respect to the creatures, than it greater and more evident between the Creator and the creatures.



The belief in Allaah تعالى according to what we have described above yields great benefits to the believers:



First: The true manifestation of the Tawheed of Allaah تعالى such that there is no attachment to other than Him in hope and worship.

Second: the perfect love, magnification and exaltation of Allah تعالى as obligated by His Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes.

Third: Manifesting His worship by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbade.







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22 Revealed text of the Qura’an and Sunah

23lit: sensory perception, sensation. It pertains to the evidence about Allaah’s existence . Al-Hiss means, that which is perceptible through the sense.{TN}

24 Related by Immam Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh , V.8,pp.389-90

25 Qura’an 52:35-37

26 Saheeh Al-Bukharee , V.6, pp.336-358 , Hadeeth # 377

27 Saheeh Al-Bukharee , V.5, pp.236 , Hadeeth # 358

28 Al-sh-Shar’a : Islaamic Texts and Legislations in the Qura’aan and Sunah

29 Saheeh Al-Bukharee,V.2 , Hadeeth #55.

30 Ijaabah: Answering the Dua’a of the supplicant by Allaah.{TN}

31 Naraated Annas “ The people of Makkah asked Mohammed to show them ( the miracle) of the cleaving of the moon “ Saheeh – Al-Bukharee,V.6 , Hadeeth #360

32 Allaah , Most Creator , is the Possessor of every possessor . He permits whom He wishes to possess. Allaah possess all the treasures of the heavens and the earth .All the good is in His hand , He gives whom He wishes . Everything is in need of Allaah.{TN}

33 This is great Aayah is reminder for those who invoke upon dead or the absent person(s) seeking help and refuge in them, that those whom you seek and call upon instead of Allah don’t posses even a Qanteer. They can not help themselves let alone those who call upon them .Those who seek refuge or intercession through the righteous in their graves have not correctly estimate Allaah as the One who gives and takes , the One who provides and sustains , the One who loves to be invoked alone.

34 If Allaah saves anyoone none can publish or harm him , and if Allah punishes or harm anyone none can save him {Tafseer Al-Qurtabee.V12,p.145}

35 Ibadaat: Acts of Worship done sincerely for Allah’s sake and in accordance with evidence from Quraa’an (or) authentic Sunah{TN}

36 Mu’aamaalaat : All forms of mutual relations , treatment, procedures, behavior, conducts ( towards others,) and interactions including social , business , transactions.

37 Allaah said that Hud told his people : ( أتجادلوننى فى أسماء سميتموها أنتم و أباؤكم ما أنزل الله بها من سلطان ) ( ألأعراف ، 71) Disputes you with me over names which you have named – and your fathers , with no authority from Allaah ? ( Qura’an 7:71)

38 Allaah is Al-Gaahar : He subdued all creatures and all the elements of the loftiest and lowest world; nothing occurs or moves without His Permission . Everything of His creation is in need of Him. His Irresistibility is linked to His Perfect Living , Power , And Ability. {TN}

39 If Allaah saves anyone none can punish or harm him , and if Allaah punish or harm anyone none can save him . See the translation of the Meaning of the Noble Qura’an by Al-Hilaleee and Khaan , Soraat Al-Mo’minoon , Ayaah 88, quoting from Tafseer Al-Qurtabee, v.12

40 There are many Names that are common between Allaah and His creature

41 Istawaa ‘ala Al-Arsh : Ascended above the Throne