Toheed

Tawhid - Oneness of God

The concept of Tawhid has two inseparable components.

1 - Belief in the existence of God.

2 - Belief in the absolute oneness of God.

The most basic teaching of Islam is that the universe and everything in it, such as sun, stars,

planets, moon, mountains, oceans, trees, animals, men, and billions of other material and

invisible things around the universe, have been created by Allah Taala alone without any help

from anyone. Mathematically speaking, anything other than Him and everything other than

Him is His creation.

The Holy Quran has beautifully explained the meaning of Tawhid in Surah Al-Ikhlas which is

also known as Surah Tawhid;

Say: Allah is one, the eternal God. He begot none, nor was He begotten. None is equal

to Him or like Him. (112)

This surah precisely tells us that there is none comparable or equivalent to Him. In surah ashShura, Quran tells the same fact in simple manner,

Nothing is similar to Him”. (42:11)

Existence of God.

A special branch of Islamic theology, known as Ilm-ul-Kalam, deals with this subject in full

detail. But is there any need to discuss the existence of God ? Do we discuss such plain

observation such as that we have five fingers? Do we argue such apparent things like why

there is light during the day and darkness during the night?

No, we don’t really discuss such simple matters. Then the issue of Existence of God is also

an obvious truth which doesn’t need any debate or lengthy discussion.

Quran also considers it a self-evident case.

Their messengers said; Is there a doubt about Allah, the creator of the heavens and the

earth. It is He Who invites you, in order that He may forgive you and your sins and give

you respite for a term appointed” (14:10)

Quran further shakes the frozen minds:

Is it not enough that your God is the proof of all things”?

This is a beautiful Quranic proof of the existence of God. Thus, the attentive and intelligent

people consider God to be the proof of all existing things, not the existing things to be

proof for God.

So, there should be no doubt in the existence of God and there should be no need of any

kind of serious argumentation. What we really need is to strengthen the faith in God. For this

reason Quran invites the believers to ponder in the creation of Allah.

However, we are living in an age of doubt, where people are denying the naked truths. For this

reason, we shall discuss the existence of God from various angles and at a reasonable length.

Does science prove existence of God ?

History of science tells us that man has an inborn desire to acquire knowledge. This desire

is born out of his natural urge to know about his Creator. Many scholars believe that man’s

struggle to gain knowledge began with an effor t to understand God.

All scientists believe that the basic aim of scientific researches is to know the truth. So every

sincere effort in scientific research will prove the existence of God because it is a universal truth.

Quran invites all researchers in their respective fields of specialization to ponder in the

creations of Allah in order to testify His existence and His Oneness.

And your God is one : there is no god but He; He is the beneficent, the merciful. Most surely

in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, and

the ships that run in the sea with that which profit men, and the water that Allah sends down

from the clouds, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and spreads in it all kinds of

animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heavens

and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand”. (2:163-164)

Almost every discipline of science is covered in this shor t verse of the Holy Quran. It is true.

Today, the existence of God is a common observation of all scientists working in different

fields of science.

How to prove the existence of God at school level ?

Existence of God is so obvious and visible that it can be convincingly proved at all levels.

When your chemistry teacher tells you about the structure of atom, he teaches you that

some tiny particles known as electrons, are revolving around the nucleus.

You should ask him a simple question;

Sir: Who has initiated the movement of electrons ?

Because your physics teacher has taught you that, Isaac Newton in first law of motion says,

that nothing can move unless someone makes it to move. So if electrons are moving in their

respective orbits, then who has made them to move ? Did any scientist tell you about any

kind of force which has brought these electrons into motion?

No, without any dispute everyone says  NO”.

Then, how the electrons started moving around the nucleus in their respective orbits?

The answer of this question is nothing but what we teach you in Tawhid.

He is Allah. There is no god but Him”. (20:8)

Both physics and chemistry teach you that you can not explain the structure of atom and

first law of motion completely without believing in Tawhid.

Thus every book of science and each discovery of the scientists teaches us, how great is

our Lord Who has created every thing which exists in the universe.

The human body is a marvelous creation of Allah Subhanahu taala. Every part of the body is

divinely computerized to do a specific job. For instance, heart is a tireless, powerful muscle

which works round the clock. It pumps 4.7 liters of blood throughout the body every

minute. i.e., 7,600 liters of blood in one day. Millions of pages are not enough to describe

the amazing features of the body and its accessories.

Thus, physics, chemistry and biology explicitly tell about the reality of God. Hence, science

adequately proves the existence and oneness of God.

Brain Exercise :

If we see sunlight, we affirmativly confirm the presence of sun without seeing it.

If we find a car parked in a forest, we assuredly conclude that someone has brought it here

with a definite intention. If we don’t see the owner, we will look for him. If we can’t find him

around, still we will believe that someone has brought it here.

If we observe the chairs and desks orderly arranged in a room, and a blackboard with chalk

and duster, we confidently assume that it is a classroom for students. We did not see the

person who has arranged it, and we do not know the person who has arranged it. But we

believe with certainty that a concerned person has done it for a definite purpose.

Now with the same eyes, if we see the moon, stars, oceans, trees, animals, and millions of

other things, and we find that all of them are serving a definite purpose in the universe, then

should we not believe that someone, who can be none but an omnipotent God, has

created them with a definite purpose.

Thus, denying God means, denying the existance of univers.

Anyone whether a top scientist, a great scholar or a highly learned person who does not

believe in the existence of God is not a wise man. Quran calls such educated people who

refuse to accept the clear signs of God as the donkey laden with books (62:5).

The Holy Quran also confirms that such people, even if they have made great contributions

in science and technology, are the great losers.

The works of those who reject their Lord may be compared to ashes which the wind

whips around on a stormy day. They can not do a thing with anything they have earned.

That is the extreme failure.” (14:18)

Quran further evaluates the worth of their works.

Those who disbelieve will find their deeds (scientific achievements) will disappear like

a mirage in a desert, the thirsty traveler thinks it as water, but when he comes near, he

finds that it is nothing. Yet he finds Allah there, who pays him back in full. Allah is prompt

in accounting” (24:39)

Like darkness on a deep sea: one wave cover up another wave, above which are

clouds, layers of darkness, one above the other: when he holds his hands, he can hardly

see it. If Allah refuses light to anyone, there is no way he can find light. (24:40)

But those who are disbelievers, Allah will render their deeds astray”. (47:8)

Many top scientists of the world do not believe in God. Does it mean that science denies

the existence of God ? Not at all.

No scientist has ever proved, and can never prove, that there is no God. In fact, for the last

200 years, all scientists of the world have been trying to disprove the existence of God by

their combined efforts, but they have been utterly unsuccessful in their attempts. For example,

They have devised different theories to prove the self-existence of the universe.

They have formulated the theory of evolution to prove the self-existence of all living species.

Firstly, none of these theories can be proved on valid scientific standards. But even if we

accept these theories as the true facts of science, the existence of God can not be denied.

The most popular theory about the origin of the universe are:

1 The Big bang theory

In big bang theory, scientists have proposed that the universe came into existence by an

explosion - called the big bang. This explosion occurred by itself 10 to 20 billion years

ago. The main part of the fire-ball was matter, chiefly hydrogen. This matter, consisting of

hydrogen and other light elements broke apart in huge clumps and became galaxies. That

is how the universe of atheists was formed.

Now let us suppose that this is a correct theory. But does it invalidate the existence of God

? No; Because a valid question arises that, how matter consisting of hydrogen, helium and

other light elements came into existence ?

So by this theory, the existence of God cannot be denied. The argument is that, one who

created the hydrogen, will be considered as the creator of the universe even if the

universe began as the result of an accidental big-bang explosion.

2 The Steady State theory

This is another forged theory to deny the existence of God. According to this theory, the

universe has always existed in its present state.

Again if we accept this theory as correct one, a question will arise that, where this matter

came from. This theory doesn’t say anything about the origin of the matter.

Thus, in these two popular theories of the West, we find very different explanations, and

none is supported by astronomical observations or sound reasoning.

To deny or invalidate the existence of God, the atheist should create a universe without any

raw material. They don’t want to do so because if they do so, they will become god

themselves as only God creates things out of nothing.

3 Organic Evolution

Similarly this Theory has also been tactfully designed to deny the existence of God.

According to this theory, popularly known as the Darwin theory of evolution, all living

species evolved from a single cell of life which lived about 3 billion years ago. i.e., All

kinds of living organism that inhabit the ear th today are the descendants of a single cell.

Again, even if we supposedly accept this theory of evolution , the existence of God

remains a valid and logical belief. Because, how a single cell came into being. i.e.,

whether we accept or reject this theory of evolution, the existence of God will remain a

valid belief.

However, if one accepts the theory of evolution, the controversy will arise only over one

issue; that millions of kinds of living creatures around the world have been created by God

as they are seen today or God has created  first a single cell and multiplied it into millions

of different kinds of living creatures.

Apparently, it seems that all different kinds of living species were created by Allah Taala as

we find them today.

Nevertheless, some useful variations and essential modifications might have been occur red

in them in a period of time to meet the immediate natural demand of their body and to fulfill

the essential requirements of the prevailing time.

This is the great mercy of Allah Subhanahu taala and an obvious sign that He is the sustainer

and the caretaker of all the creatures He has created. Allah knows the best, what a par ticular

living species needs and in what finest body structure, it can comfortably survive.

This is the Islamic explanation of the Darwin’s phrase, survival of the fittest, and the struggle

for the existence.

So, atheist scientists have exhaustively tried to create a theory just to cast-off the concept

of existence of God, but every theory proved that the denial of God is utterly unworkable.

In fact, to explain the big bang theory, steady state theory and the theory of evolution,

scientifically and rationally, scientists will have to accept the existence of God. That is why

Kepler, a great scientists of 1700s said, If there is no God, we must invent God to justify the

scientific truths and make them rationally understandable”.

Thus, the edifice of all scientific truths and established facts will crumble if one stubbornly

denies the existence of God.

The entire building of science is based on the strong foundation of Tawhid i.e., intellectually

recognizing the existence of Omnipotent being, who is none but Allah Subhanahu taala.

The rejection of Divine creator, or criminal silence on this basic issue of science is totally an

irrational attitude. It distorts the amazing beauty and rationality of natural phenomena.

The first and the most basic teaching of Islam and the true science is that, the universe and

everything in it is the creation of a Supreme immor tal being called ALLAH.

The Holy Quran educates us;

Allah is the creator of all things, and of all things He is a guardian. His are the keys of the

heavens and the earth. Those that deny His revelations shall assuredly be lost. (39:64)

Thus, the pre-requisite condition of scientific research is that,

1- Scientists must acknowledge the existence of God.

2 - Scientists should make efforts to understand the purpose of His creation.

3 - Scientists should provide the rational explanation of the natural phenomena.

4 - Scientists should invite people to worship God

41

Presented by www.ziaraat.comChapter 8

Polytheism - Shirk.

The antonym of Tawhid is Polytheism. Polytheism or Shirk means to consider anyone god

other than the true God. It is the most heinous and unforgivable crime.

Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as) has said : Among all sins, Shirk is the most sinful act.

Kinds of Shirk or Polytheism.

There are many kinds of Shirks, but the Holy Prophet (sws) has classified them into two main

categories, which are as follows.

1 - Shirk-e-Akbar.  ( Major Shirk - Open and apparent Shirk )

2 - Shirk-e-Asghar. ( Minor Shirk - Concealed or hidden Shirk )

SHIRK-E-AKBAR OR MAJOR SHIRK. [OPEN SHIRK]

Major Shirk or Shirk-e-Akbar means explicitly open polytheism.

Definition of Major Shirk.

Major Shirk is of two kinds.

1- To associate anyone with Allah Taala as His part.

2- To associate Allah’s attributes to someone as his own.

Associating Allah with someone or something as His par t means, to believe in more than one

God. i.e., two, three, and many separate gods or two, three, or many inseparable gods.

Associating Allah’s attributes to someone or something means, giving His attributes, like His

knowledge or His might, to anyone else. Or considering or por traying anyone like Him.

 Major Shirk is :

to associate Allah with someone as par t of Him,

to consider anyone like Him,

to give Allah’s attributes to anyone else,

to include anyone in the worship of Allah.

Imam Jafer Sadiq (as) has said;

If someone performs an action for Allah, and includes in it the pleasure of a human being,

then the doer of that action is a Polytheist”.

Amirul Mu’mineen Ali ibn Abi Talib(as) wrote a lengthy letter to his son Imam Hassan(as)

advising him to ask Allah alone in all desperate situations.

Imam Ali (as) writes:

.... In all your affairs resign yourself to your Allah, because you will thus be resigning yourself

to a secure shelter and a strong protector. You should ask (dua) only from your Lord

because in His hand is all the giving and depriving. Seek good (from Allah) as much as you

can....” Letter no 31 Nahjul Balagha.

(show-off).

Amirul Mu’mineen Hazrat Ali(as) says in his sermon no - 225 in Nahjul Balagha;

O Lord! You are the best Companion of those who love you; and the best source of

remedy for all who place reliance on you .... and if hardship and difficulty assail them, You

alone are their refuge.”

Translation of the Munajat of Imam Ali(as)

1- O Allah, I am asking for your protection against the day when nothing like wealth or

children will be of use and only that person will benefit who will come with a pure hear t.

2- And I am asking for your protection against the day when a wrongdoer will be biting the

back of his hand in regret and will be saying, ‘Oh, I wish I had chosen the way shown by

the Prophet of Allah.

3- And I am asking for your protection against the day when sinners will be known by their

faces, and will be taken by their hair and feet.

4- And I am asking for your protection against the Day when a father will not serve instead

of his son nor will a son be punished instead of his father for anything, since Allah has

promised thus and His promise is true.

5- And I am asking for your protection against the Day when apologizing of the wrongdoers

will not do them any good and because of that they will be cursed and will be put in

the evil abode (of Jahannum)

6- And I am asking You for your protection against the day when nobody will have control

over anybody and the power will belong to Allah (alone) that day.

Imam continues

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Master and I  am the Slave,

and who else can be merciful to the Slave except the Master?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Owner and I am the one Owned by You. Who else can be

merciful to the Owned except the Owner?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Mighty and I am the Low,

who else can be merciful to the Low except the Mighty?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Creator and I am the Creature,

who else can be merciful to the Creature except the Creator?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Glorious and I am the Miserable,

who else can be merciful to the Miserable except the Glorious.

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Powerful and I am the Weak,

Who else can be merciful to the Weak except the Powerful?

My Lord, O  my Lord, You are the Wealthy and I am the Poor,

who else can be merciful to the Poor except the Wealthy.

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Bestower, and I am the Beggar,

who else can be merciful to the Beggar, except the Bestower?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Living, and I am the Dead,

who else can be merciful to the Dead except the Living.

My Lord, O  my Lord, You are the Eternal, and I am the Transient,

who else can be merciful to the Transient except the Eternal.

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Permanent, and I am the one

Short-lived, who else can be merciful to the Shor t-lived except the Permanent?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Provider, and I am the Blessed,

who else can be merciful to the Blessed except the Provider?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Generous, and I am the Miser,

who else can be merciful to the Miser except the Generous?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Free, and I am the Afflicted,

Who else can be merciful to the Afflicted except the Free?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Great, and I am the Insignificant

Who else can be merciful to the Insignificant except the Great?

My Lord, O my Lord, You are the Leading, and I am the Straying,

Who else can be merciful to the Straying except the Leading.

My Lord, O my Lord You are the Nourisher, and I am the Nourished,

who else can be merciful to the Nourished except the Nourisher?

My Lord, O my Lord, have mercy on me by Your Kindness, and be pleased with me by Your

generosity and Your magnanimity and Your grace. O, the Generous, and Beneficent, O the

Almighty and the Benefactor, by Your Mercy, O Most Kind.

 that his greatness lies in his servitude to Allah.

How to prove the oneness of God at school level.

If there are two gods, then there should be two different types of major systems governing

the mechanism of creation in the universe.

If there are three gods then there should be three different kinds of systems. And if there

are many gods then we should find plenty of systems.

But scientists have confirmed that they have seen only one system throughout the universe.

Let us analyze the working mechanism of the creation.

Atom is the smallest indivisible and invisible par ticle of matter. It is a unit of matter. Scientists

took 400 years just to know the secrets locked inside the atom. Still a lot of secrets are not

yet disclosed and scientists are trying day and night to know them.

Every atom in the universe is a complete sign of Divine creation. They all have a great

organization, beauty and purpose in them.

Now we know that everything is made up of atoms. All objects consist of atoms. The billions

of things we see around, natural or man-made, living or non-living, visible or invisible are

made up of atoms. They differ widely from one another only because they are made up of

different kinds of atoms or they have different arrangements of atoms.

Scientists have arranged the known atoms (elements) in the periodic table according to their

atomic numbers. The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.

It is a religious belief of all the scientists, that all atoms, which constitute billions of different

kinds of natural and synthetic compounds, have the same basic structure. i.e., all atoms have

one thing in common - they all have electrons (negatively charged par ticles) that whirl

around the nucleus and protons (positively charged par ticles) and neutrons in the nucleus

(core of the atom). They all follow the same rule of chemical combination to form billions

of different kinds of substances.

Thus, when all atoms in the universe which are the basic raw material of everything that exist

in the universe, have only one kind of machinery i.e., common working mechanism, it

convincingly  proves that they all have one and only one origin of creation. This scientific

observation which is not disputed by any atheist scientist is a clear proof of oneness of

God.

Thus Tawhid is a scientific belief of all scientists, when they are in their experimental labs, be

they Christians in their Churches, Jews in their Synagogues, Hindus in their temples and

atheists or polytheist in their imagination.

Quran also gives a very strong proof that why there should be only one God.

Had there been other gods in heavens or earth besides Allah, there would have been

confusion in both”. (21:22)

Thus, a beautiful harmony in Nature and a perfect orderliness in the universe acknowledged

by all scientists of the world is a strong proof of absolute oneness of God.

Say: I only call upon my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with Him”. (72:20)

Meaning of Tawhid

Tauhid is the main subject of the Holy Quran. The meaning of Tawhid in its simplest form is:

There is no god but Allah.

Quran has repeated this simple meaning of Tawhid in 60 different manners. Some of them

are being mentioned here.

There is no god but Allah. [37:35]

There is no god but He. [2:163]

There is no god but You [21:87]

There is no god but Me. [16:02]

Who is god except Allah. [03:61]

There is no god but the one God. [05:73]

You have no god other than Him. [07:65]

Never was with Him any other god. [23:91]

Allah is only one God. [04:171]

Your God is one God. [18:110]

Your God is only Allah. [20:98]

He is only one God. [06:19]

Your God is one God. [02:163]

Most surely your God is one. [37:04]

He: Allah, is one. [112:01]

Why Quran is repeating the same words in many different ways ?

This is just to make it very clear that the message of Tawhid is very simple, understandable,

easily graspable and readily perceivable.

It is also to wash out completely all kinds of suspicions and doubts about the existence of

God and leaves no room for anyone to pollute his mind with the filth of polytheism and

agnosticism.

After these awakening phrases, Quran then offers an unquestionable evidence and a most

powerful proof of Tawhid - The Divine witness:

Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and so do  the angels and, men of

immense knowledge. He is the Executor of justice, the only God, the Mighty, the Wise”.

(3:18)

In the above verse of the Holy Quran, Allah, Who knows everything, and Who speaks

nothing but truth, and nothing is hidden from His sight, is testifying Himself His Existence and

His absolute Oneness:

The signatory of Divine witness are the most pure and steadfast souls - The loyal angles and

the most knowledgeable men. This is the most authentic witness of Tawhid.

ÃŽn the light of such awareness and watchfulness, a man of average intellect can see God

through his mind’s eye.

The Rules of Tawhid

Tawhid is the edifice of our faith on which the whole building of Islam stands.

A slightest error in the understanding of Tawhid is fatal. The first and foremost duty of every

Muslim is to make sure by all sincere efforts that he is not committing shirk in anyway or in

any form. Because Shirk in its minutest form is a deadly Poison which can destroy us

completely. As mentioned above, Allah Subhanahu taala has cautioned the everlasting ill

effects of Shirk.

One can remain free from Shirk if he strictly follows the Rules of Tawhid, laid down by the

Holy Prophet (sws) and Imams (as).

There are four important rules or aspects of Tawhid. We can not be a true Muslim until we

fulfill all these four conditions of Tawhid.

First Condition - To believe in the absolute oneness of Allah.

To reject all things being considered as god and to believe in absolute oneness of God. This

is the literal translation of Shahadah.

There is no god but Allah.

Thus, the first condition of Tawhid tells us the following truth. We must bear in our mind to

reflect this aspect of Tawhid in all our thoughts and actions.

a - Allah is Self-Dependent.

He is a Being Who is not dependent on any other being in anyway. Everything depends on

Him and needs His help for his survival or to do anything for himself or for anyone else.

To elaborate this fact further in the light of the teachings of our Imam, we believe that;

The prophets can not show miracle without His permission.

The doctors can not save the life of any person by their own power.

The scientists can not discover the secrets of Nature without His  backing.

The engineers can not design airplane, spacecraft, computers or anything without His aid.

The pilots can not fly the airplanes, spacecraft and rockets without His support.

Quran reflects:

Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the everlasting, the Self-subsisting by Whom

all subsist ; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and

whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His

permission. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they can not

comprehend anything out of His knowledge except He pleases, His knowledge extends

over the heavens and the earth, and the control of the universe is not fatiguing for Him,

and He is the Most High, the Great”. (2:255)

Thus, to do any small thing or big thing, anyone and everyone needs His help.

This quality of Allah is expressed in His name, GHANI, meaning absolutely independent of

everything.

Thus, He is absolutely independent of everything, and everything totally depends upon Him.

Quran confirms this fact in the following verse.

O men, it is you who stand in need of Allah. As for Allah, He is above all needs, worthy

of praise”. (35:15)

All those who are in the heavens and in the earth ask of Him, every moment He is in a

state (of glory).” (55:29)

b - Allah alone is the creator

The second aspect of this rule is that, Allah is the sole creator of everything that exist in any

form whether visible or invisible, material or immaterial, liquid or solid, or gas. He is the only

creator and ultimate source of all the existing things.

Thus, all things are from Him and He is not from anything.

The scientists have confirmed this truth by experiments and they call it Law of conversion of

mass, which states

Matter can neither be created nor be destroyed but can be transformed into different forms.

This means that,

No one [EXCEPT ALLAH] can create milk and sugar (sugarcane) but men can transform

them into chocolate, ice cream and other sweets.

No one [EXCEPT ALLAH] can create gold, iron, copper, aluminum or any other element

of the periodic table but men can use them to manufacture cars, helicopters, and

thousands of other sophisticated machines and billions of things.

No one [EXCEPT ALLAH] can create or destroy men, animals, plants, mountains, and

oceans but man can transfigure them.

precisely, [EXCEPT ALLAH] no one can create anything from nothing but can make

something from anything.

Quran confirms this fact in absolute terms.

Say : Allah is the creator of everything.”  (13:16)

Thus Allah is the Creator, and everything else is His creation.

In this way even if we see any beautiful thing or any marvelous man-made thing, we should

glorify Allah as He is the creator of man. The incredible miracles of science and technology

are the manifestation of Allah’s eminence. We should glorify Allah Subhanahu Taala, when we

see the miracles of science and technology.

Similarly, if we see any great personality and his incredible achievements, then we should

glorify Allah, Who is the creator of that great man.

Quran tells the story of Hazrat Sulaiman in which we find this lesson.

He (Prophet Sulaiman) said, O Chiefs: which of you can bring me her throne ( of Queen

Bilqees ) before they come to me in submission.” (27:38)

In response to Hazrat Sulaiman’s request, Quran fur ther tells;

Said one person who had knowledge of the Book: I will bring it to you within the

twinkling of any eye.” (27:40)

The person who said this was Asif-e-Barqiya, the Prime Minister of King Sulaiman (as).

According to this statement, he said, he can bring the throne of Bilqees in less than a

second. Quran confirms;

Then when Sulaiman saw the (throne was) placed before him.”

As he said, the throne of Bilqis was there, just in front of Hazrat Sulaiman (as), which he

brought in less than a second.

Now, what was the reaction of Hazrat Sulaiman(as) when he saw this incredible

achievement of his Prime Minister ?

Did he say any word in praise of his Prime Minister, who did the job and brought the throne

from a far distance in just less than a second ? NO.

Not at all. Quran tells that immediately after seeing the throne there,

He (Sulaiman) said: This is by the grace of my Lord., to test me whether I am grateful

or ungrateful.” (27:40)

Hazrat Sulaiman considered the incredible achievement of his Prime Minister, a great favor

of Allah and accordingly thanked Him and praised Him and not the man who apparently did

it. Then he further generalized all human achievements as the favors of Allah and said:

And if anyone is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul, but if any is

ungrateful, truly, My Lord is free of all needs, Supreme in Honor”. (27:40)

Thus, the important lesson which we can get from this true story of Quran is that, we should

not be impressed by the person who performs any great achievement or we should not

feel proud if we do any great service. In all cases, we should glorify Allah and we should

thank Allah, as He is the One Who deserves for that. It is because, He is the creator of man,

and He is the One Who provides the oppor tunity to someone to do any incredible thing.

So, He is the One who should be glorified and thanked for His favor.

Those who do not realize this fact are the most ignorant, thankless and cheap people. Most

of the scientists and great people of the world who are known for their great achievements

are among these cheap people.

Similarly, many ignorant people worship great people because they do not realize the Divine

Power behind these great people.

History reveals that whenever, the Chief Commander of the faithful, Hazrat Ali, killed any

strong kafir in the battle field, he always said Allah-o-Akbar. i.e. clearly acknowledging the

Divine Power, glorifying His Might, and thanking His great favor.

Second Condition - Allah alone is the prime source of all blessings

a - Complete trust in God

We must believe that the ultimate result of everything is in Allah’s hands only.

Quran reflects:

And to Allah go back all questions for decision.” (22:76)

NO pilot can say for sure that he will reach to his destination safely.

Yuri Gagarin, a highly experienced Soviet air force pilot and the first cosmonaut who

circled the earth at the height of 327 kilometers in space (in April 12, 1961) at a speed of

27000 kph, died in a plane crash.

Hundreds of airplane which take off at every minute land safely to their destination only by

the Grace of All-Mighty Allah.

Presented by www.ziaraat.comCHAPTER 9      basic beliefs of islam

Surely, He guides you in the darkness of land and sea and sends the wind as heralds of

glad tidings (no airplane can fly without enough air), going before His mercy. (can there

be another) god besides Allah? High is Allah above that they associate with Him”. (27:63)

NO surgeon can say with certainty that his surgical operation will save the life of the patient.

It is a common medical practice in all major surgery cases that, the  patient or his guardian

must sign a paper before the surgical operation, saying, in case of death the surgeon will

not be held responsible. This is a medical tradition that explicitly confirms that life and

death is in Allah’s hand and all Surgeons and Doctors do confess that they do not know

for sure the outcome of their effor ts.

NO one, be he the President of the most powerful country or the richest person of the

world, can say that he will cer tainly do a particular work, though he has all the means and

power to do it.

NO one can help anyone without the help of Allah. Every moment in the life of a man is a

testimony of this fact. The history of mankind acknowledges this truth.

NO one except Allah, has the absolute knowledge of anything.

Say : None in the heavens or on the earth, except Allah knows what is hidden, nor they

can perceive when they shall be raised up.” (27:65)

Thus, the success and the ultimate fate of everything depends on Allah’s will and Mercy.

Quran educates;

Say : He is (Allah) Most Gracious: we have believed in Him, and on Him have we put

our trust:” (67:29)

b - Absolute Submission to Allah.

Quran confirms;

Whatever beings there are in the heavens and in the earth do prostrate themselves

before Allah, some do willingly and some by force, so do their shadows morning and

evening.” (13:15)

We should show absolute loyalty to Allah only or to whom He commands. Allah should be

the sole and ultimate object of our love, loyalty, and obedience. We should love and show

obedience to any other thing or person only under His commandments.

Thus, the love and obedience of prophets, imams, and parents should be for the sake of

Allah.

If the love of the Prophet or Imam is not for the sake of Allah, then it has no value in the eyes

of the Holy Prophet (sws) and the Holy Imams. The love of Imam, and attachment and

devotion with him must be the outcome of Allah’s love.

Thus, if we strongly feel in our heart, that our love for Prophet and Imams is bringing us nearer

to Allah, then it is the greatest ibadat and highly commendable act. But, if that is not the case,

then all show of love for the Prophet or Imam, is nothing but the high waves of emotions.

The Holy Quran quotes the great wordings of Prophet Ibrahim (as ) in the following verse.

Ibrahim said : I have set my face earnestly to Him who has created the Heavens and the

earth. I am not a pagan. My prayers and my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for

Allah, the Lord of the universe. He has no partner. So have I been commanded, and I am

the first to submit to Him”. (6:79, 163-164)

This has also been the Sunnat of the Prophet (sws) and Imams and the righteous and his true

followers.

Third Condition - Allah alone has the absolute command over everything

We must believe in:

a - Sovereignty of God

All systems working in the universe is the work of Allah alone and no one can upset them

without His will. And if anything goes wrong in the working systems, it is He alone, Who can

control it.

The earth with a mass of 6,600,000,000,000,000,000,000 shor t tons, has three simultaneous

motions,

spinning around on its own axis,

travels around the sun,

moves through the Milky Way with the rest of the solar system. A slight change in the

velocity of the earth or its distance from the sun can throw it either into the deep space

or right into the sun.

There are more than 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. stars only in our galaxy,

the Milky Way. These stars, like sun, have planets and satellites moving in their respective

orbits. Then there are more than 100 billion galaxies moving in the universe. Allah Subhanahu

taala is controlling  the movements of all these heavenly bodies.

Verily Allah keeps the heavens and the earth from falling ( keeps the planets, satellites,

and stars into their respective orbits), and if they move away from their orbits, there is

none except Allah Who can again bring them back into their right positions.” ( 35:41)

Blessed be He in whose hands is all sovereignty: He has power over all things.” (67:1)

b - Absolute oneness of God

He alone is the sustainer of the whole universe. He has no par tner in His work.

There are more than 2,000,000,000,000,000,000 different kinds of living species on this

planet earth. All these creatures of Allah Subhanahu taala live on the ear th’s surface or close

to the surface - underground, underwater, or in the atmosphere. All of them have different

kinds of requirements and different survival conditions. Allah (swt) provides all of them

everything they need in appropriate quantities.

And We have provided therein means of subsistence-for you and for those for whose

sustenance you are not responsible. And there is not a thing (on earth or in its

underground), but its (source and ) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us, and We only

sent down in due and ascertainable measures.” (15:20-21)

c- All power and ability to do any work by anyone belongs to Him.

The great achievements of the Prophets and Imams or great scientific works of scientists are

due to His grace.

(HE) taught man that which he knew not.” (96:5)

Men, bear in mind Allah’s goodness towards you. Is there any other creator who

provides you from heavens and earth. There is no god but Him. How then can you turn

away.” (35:2)

He bestowed wisdom on Luqman.” (31:12)

Lord, You have given me power and taught me the science of interpreting the dreams.

You are the creator of the heavens and the earth.” (12:101)

Thus, to praise anything means to glorify Him.

Muslims are taught by the Holy Prophet (sws) to glorify Allah, when they succeed in any

great achievement.

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (1:2)

The Holy Quran explains this condition of Tawhid very clearly in the following verse.

All praise is due to Allah who has taken no spouse nor a child. He has no partner in His

act of governing, nor has He a helper to help Him out of weakness. Therefore glorify Him

a great deal.” (17:111)

Thus, when we read about the universe which contains billions of galaxies, each galaxy

containing billions of stars, bigger than the sun, we should say  -  ALLAH - O - AKBAR.

When we read about the incredible things in biology, chemistry, physics, botany, zoology,

and many other branches of science, we should  constantly say: - ALHUMD - O - LILLAH.

when we read or hear the unthinkable achievements of Prophets, Imams, and other grand

personalities, we should say from the bottom of our hear t: -  SUBHAN ALLAH.

WHY! QURAN REFLECTS:

The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a

thing but celebrates His praise. But you do not  understand their glorification. truly, He

is Ever forbearing, oft-forgiving.” (17:44)

Fourth Condition - None other than Allah can be worshipped

The three above conditions of Tawhid were theoretical i.e., one has to believe that way. But

the fourth condition is a practical one, i.e., worship.

To believe in Tawhid means :

to worship Allah alone and

to reject everyone else for worshipping.

Precisely, none other than Allah can be worshipped. Allah alone deserves to be obeyed

unconditionally and given in to total submission, both by mind and action.

Practically,

we must not bow down to anyone except Allah.

we must not prostrate to anyone except Allah.

we must not kneel down to anyone except Allah

Basically, both Sajda and Ruku shows the greatness of man, that his status is so high that he

can not bow down or kneel down to anyone except Allah.  Sajda raises the position of man

to its highest level. Salat, which is a practical show of total submission to Allah, is therefore,

known as Me’raj ul-Mo’min.

Thus, the essence of the fourth rule of Tauhid is that, nothing must be made a par tner to Him

in any form in any kind of worship whether formal worship like salat or personal

supplications (Du’a).

All prophets and Imams taught us that we should worship none, but ALLAH. We should ask

help from Allah as He alone is the source of everything.

Not a messenger did We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to him :

that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” (21:25)

Imam Ali (as) educates his followers:

Put faith in Allah, Seek His protection, Direct your prayers, request (hajaat), and

supplications to Him and Him alone. Ask as much of His favors as you can, know that Allah

owns the treasures of heaven and the ear th. Not only He has given permission to ask for His

mercy and favours, but also He has promised to listen to your prayers. He has not appointed

guards to prevent your prayers reaching Him. Invoke His help in difficulties and distress.

Implore Him to grant you long life and sound health. pray to Him for prosperity.

Think over it that by simply granting you the privilege of praying for His favors and mercy, He

has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. Whenever you are in need, pray and He

gives His favors and blessings.”

Imam Zainul Abideen (as), our four th Imam, has taught his  duas in Sahifa -

e - Sajjadiya, that they should not ask their haajaat to anyone except Allah. He desperately

calls Allah in his duas:

Praise to Allah to Whom I address my supplications and not to any other than Him., and

if I were to address other than Him I will be disappointed in my supplication. Praise to

Allah to whom I turn in hope and not anyone other than Him, and if I were to turn in

hope to anyone other than Him, shattered will be my hopes.

O Allah ! You are my Master and I am your slave, and it is only proper that a slave calls

upon his master and no slave has a master full of generosity like you. Praise to Allah, I

do not supplicate other than Him, and if I were to supplicate other than him, my

supplication will not be answered.”

Amir al- Mu’minin Imam Ali (as) wrote a letter to his son on his return from the battle of Siffin,

a year before his martyrdom. In this precious letter Imam has unveiled the truth about his

Lord which no one can perceive by his own wisdom. Imam writes:

Know that He Who owns the treasures of the heaven and the ear th has permitted you to

pray to Him and has promised you acceptance of the prayer.

He has commanded you to beg from Him in order that He may give you and to seek His

mercy in order that He may have mercy on you.

He has not placed anything between you and Him that may veil Him from you.

He has not required you to get a mediator for you to Him, and if you err, He has not

prevented you from repentance.

He does not hasten  with punishment.

He does not humiliate you when you deserve for humiliation.

He has not been harsh in accepting repentance.

He does not severely question you about your sin.

Whenever you call Him He hears your call.

You place before Him your needs, unveil yourself before Him,

complain to Him of your worries, beseech Him to remove your troubles, seek His help in

your affairs and ask from the treasures of His mercy that which no one else has power to

give, namely length of life, health of body, and increase in sustenance.

He has placed the keys of His treasures in your hands in the sense that He has shown you

the way to ask Him. Therefore, whenever you wish to open the doors of His favors with

prayer, and let the abundant rains of His mercy fall on you.”

Each and every word of this letter is a powerful missile against Shirk. Each sentence of

Imam’s letter deserves hours of pondering. It contains basic principle of Tawhid and the true

interpretation of monotheism.

Thus, according to the teachings of Imam Ali (as), the sum and substance of Tawhid is that

there is no god but Allah - the absolute power, present everywhere, independent of

everything, the sole creator, designer and sustainer of all existing things ( visible, invisible,

past and future ).

He is one supreme being to whom belongs all power and authority and everything else in

the universe is the manifestation of His power and wisdom. We should follow His

commandments fully and should show total submission to Him alone.

Anything else is shirk (polytheism). If we trust anyone or ask anything from anyone, thinking

him independent of Allah, then it is shirk.

We should have a strong belief that: bir th, life, health, death, prosperoity and well-being, allin-all, are absolutely in Allah’s hand. We must ask any of these things from Allah, as He alone

has the absolute power to do whatever He wishes to do.