8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

1/24

CHAPTER TWO

TAWHEED

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

2/24

Introduction-MOVIE-

Riya shirk

Types of tawheed

The Meaning

tawheed

REVIEW

CHAP TWO:

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

3/24

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

At the end of the chapter, students shouldbe able to do the following:To comprehend the meaning of Tawheed

and its importance in life.To explain the three types of Tawheed.

To comprehend the meaning of shirk.

To comprehend the roles of man in relation

to Allah.To avoid any actions that against the

Tawheed in our daily life.

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

4/24

THE DEFINITION &CATEGORIES OF TAWHEED

Literally Tawheed means "unification" (making something one) or"asserting oneness", and it comes from the Arabic verb (wahhada)which itself means to unite, unify or consolidate.

However, when the term Tawheed is used in reference to Allaah

(i.e. Tawheedullaah), it means the realizing and maintaining ofAllaah's unity in all of man's actions which directly or indirectlyrelate to Him.

The three categories of Tawheed are commonly referred to by thefollowing titles:

1. Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Lordship")2. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Allaah's

Names and Attributes")3. Tawheed al-'Ebaadah (lit. "Maintaining the Unity of Allaah's

Worship")

Islamic StudiesIslamic Studies

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

5/24

1) Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah

This category is based on the fundamental

concept that Allaah alone caused all things to existwhen there was nothing; He sustains andmaintains creation without any need from it or forit; and He is the sole Lord of the universe and itsinhabitants without any real challenge to His

sovereignty.In Arabic the word used to describe this creator-sustainer quality is Ruboobeeyah which is derivedfrom the root "Rabb" (Lord).The basis for the Ruboobeeyah concept can be

found in many Qur'anic verses. "Allaah created all things and He Is the agent on whichall things depend."

"And Allaah created you all and whatever you do." "It was not you who threw, when you threw, but it was

Allaah who threw."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

6/24

Everything that man conceives as good fortune and misfortune aremerely events predestined by Allaah as part of the tests of this life.

The incidents follow patterns set only by Allaah. Allaah has said in theQur'aan,

"O Believers! Surely there Is In your wives and children an enemy foryou, so beware of them."

That is, within the good things of this life there are severe tests ofone's faith in God. Likewise, in the terrible events of life there lies test

as is mentioned in the verse,"Surely We will test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth and life and

the fruits of your work, so give glad tidings to those who are patient.

Sometimes the patterns are recognizable, as in the case of cause andeffect relationships, and sometimes they are not.

God has explained that the wisdom behind these apparentirregularities is often beyond man's immediate comprehension due tohis limited scope of knowledge."Perhaps you may dislike something which is really good for you or like something bad for

you, but Allaah knows (what is best for you), and you do not."

Cont

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

7/24

2) Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat

How He and

His Prophet (S.A.W.) have describedHimwithout explaining away His names and

attributes

Allaah as He has referred to Himself withoutgiving Him any new names or attributes

without giving Him theattributes of His creation

man not be given the attributes of Allaah

cannot be given to His creation unless

preceded by the prefix 'Abd

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

8/24

Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat

This category of Tawheed has five main aspects:1. For the unity of Allaah's names and attributes to be maintained in the

first aspect, Allaah must be referred to according to how He and HisProphet (saws) have described Himwithout explaining away His namesand attributes by giving them meanings other than their obviousmeanings.

"Allaah is angry with them, curses them and has prepared for them an evilend."

Thus, anger is one of God's attributes. It is incorrect to say that Hisanger must mean His punishment since anger is a sign of weakness inman and, as such, not befitting of Allaah. What Allaah has stated shouldbe accepted with the qualification that His anger is not like humananger, based on Allaah's statement, "There is nothing like him".

2. The second aspect of Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat involves referringto Allaah as He has referred to Himself without giving Him any newnames or attributes. For example, Allaah may not be given the name al-Ghaadib (the Angry one), in spite of the fact that He has said that Hegets angry, because neither Allaah nor His messenger has used this

name.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

9/24

Cont

3. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat Allaah is referred to withoutgiving Him the attributes of His creation. For example, it isclaimed in the Bible and Torah that Allaah spent the first sixdays creating the universe then slept on the seventh. It isman who tires after heavy work and needs sleep torecuperate.

"There is nothing like Him and He is hearer and seer of all."

4. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat requires that man not be giventhe attributes of Allaah. For example, in the New TestamentPaul takes the figure of Melchizedek, king of Salem, from theTorah (Genesis 14:18-20) and gives both him and Jesus thedivine attribute of having no beginning or end.

5. Maintaining the unity of Allaah's names also means thatAllaah's names in the definite form cannot be given to Hiscreation unless preceded by the prefix 'Abd meaning "slaveof" or "servant of'.

Islamic Studies

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

10/24

3) Tawheed al-'EbaadahTawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah and Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat must be

accompanied by their complement, Tawheed al-'Ebaadah, in order forTawheed to be considered complete according to Islaam.

This point is substantiated by the fact that Allaah Himself has related inclear terms that the Mushrikoon (idolators) of the Prophet's timeconfirmed many aspects of the first two forms of Tawheed. In theQur'aan Allaah tells the Prophet (saws) to say to the pagans:

"Say: 'Who is it that gives you all sustenance from the sky and earth,governs sight and hearing, brings forth life from dead (matter) and deathfrom the living, and plans the affairs of man?' They will all say 'Allaah'."

Allaah said:

"Most of them do not believe in Allaah except while joining partners toHim."

Mujaahid's commentary on this verse was as follows: Theirbelief in Allaahrepresented by their statement,

Allaah created us

provides for us

takes our lives

didnot stop them from worshipping other gods alongwithAllaah."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

11/24

Cont

Some pagan Makkans even believed in the Resurrectionand the Judgement and others in predestination (Qadar).Ample evidence of their belief can be found in pre-Islamicpoetry.In spite of the Makkans' confessions of Tawheedand theirknowledge of Allaah, Allaah classified them as disbelievers

(Kuffaar) and pagans (Mushrikoon) simply because theyworshipped other gods along with their worship of Allaah.Allaah said:Consequently, the most important aspect of Tawheedis thatof Tawheed al-'Ebaadah, maintaining the unity of Allaah'sworship.

All forms of worship must be directed only to Allaahbecause He alone deserves worship, and it is Healone who can grant benefit to man as a result of Hisworship.Furthermore, there is no need for any form of intercessor orintermediary between man and God

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

12/24

ContThat purpose is, as was previously mentioned: the worship of

God ('Ebaadah) and the main message of the prophets was toworship God alone, Tawheed al-'Ebaadah.

Consequently, the gravest sin is Shirk, the worship of othersinstead of Allaah or along with Allaah.

In Soorah al-Faatihah, which every Muslim is required torecite in his or her prayers at least seventeen times daily, versefour reads,

"You alone do we worship and from You alone do we seekhelp".

Allaah said:

"When My servants ask you (O Muhammad) about Me (tellthem), 'Verily I am close (to them), I listen to the prayer of everyone who calls on Me. So let them respond to Me and believe In

Me in order that they may he guided aright.

The confirmation of Tawheed al-'Ebaadahconverselynecessitates the denial of all forms of intercession or

association of partners with Allaah.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

13/24

Cont

Worship ('Ebaadah) in the Islamic view, includes more than justfasting, paying Zakaah, Hajj and animal sacrifices. It includesemotions like love, trust, and fear, all of which have degrees whichshould only be directed to God.

Allaah has addressed these emotions and warned againstexcesses in them as follows:

"There are among men those who take (for worship) others besidesAllaah as equals to Him. They love them as they should only love

Allaah. But those who believe have a much greater love ofAllaah..."

"Will you not fight people who broke their oaths, plotted to expelthe messenger and were the first to (attack) you? Do you fearthem? Allaah has more right to be feared if you are truly believers."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

14/24

ContSince the term 'Ebaadahmeans total obedience and Allaah is considered

the ultimate Lawgiver

the implementation of secular legal systems not based on divine law(Sharee'ah) is an act of disbelief in the divine law and belief in thecorrectness of such systems, such a belief constitutes a form ofworshipping other than Allaah (Shirk). Allaah said in the Qur'aan:

"Those who do not rule by what Allaah has revealed are disbelievers(Kaafiroon). "

On one occasion, the Prophet's companion'Adee ibn Haatim, who was aconvert from Christianity, heard the Prophet (saws) recite the Qur'anic

verse, "They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allaah,"so he said: 'Surely we did not worship them,'The Prophet (saws) turnedto him and said 'Did they not make forbidden (Haraam) what Allaah hadmade allowable (Halaal), and you all made it Haraam, and did they notmake Halaal what Allaah made Haraam and you all made it Halaal?' Hereplied, 'We certainly did.' The Prophet (saws) then said, 'That was how

you worshipped them'."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

15/24

REVIEW:TAWHEED

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

16/24

THE CATEGORIES OF SHIRK

The study of Tawheedcannot be considered completewithout a careful analysis of its opposite, Shirk.Allaah said in the Qur'aan:

"Surely Allaah will not forgive the association of partners

(Shirk) with Him, but He forgives (sins) less than that ofwhomever He wishes."

Because the sin of Shirk denies the very purpose of man'screation, it is to God the gravest of sins; the unforgivablesin.

Shirk literally means partnership, sharing or associating,but Islamically it refers to the act of assigning partners toAllaah in whatever form it may take.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

17/24

Shirk in Ruboobeeyah

This category of Shirkrefers to either the beliefthat others share Allaah's Lordship over creationas His equal or near equal, or to the belief thatthere exists no Lord over creation at all.1.Shirk by Association

Beliefs which fall under this sub-category are ones in which amain God or Supreme Being over creation is recognized,however His dominion is shared by other lesser gods, spirits,mortals, heavenly bodies or earthly objects. Such beliefsystems are commonly referred to by theologians andphilosophers as either monotheistic (having one God) or

polytheistic (having more than one God).According to Islaam, all of these systems are polytheistic andmany represent various degrees in the degeneration ofdivinely revealed religious systems all of which were

originally based on Tawheed.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

18/24

Shirk in Ruboobeeyah

2. Shirk by NegationThis sub-category represents the various philosophies andideologies which deny the existence of God either explicitly orimplicitly. That is, in some cases God's non-existence isstated (Atheism), while in other cases His existence isclaimed, but the way in which He is conceived actually denies

His existence (Pantheism).There are a few ancient religious "systems" in which Goddoes not exist, foremost among them is the system attributedto Gautama Buddha. Buddhism, a reformist movement inHinduism opposed to the caste system, was founded in the6th century BC.

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries a number ofEuropean philosophers asserted the non-existence of God inwhat became know as the "death of God philosophy".

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

19/24

Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat

1. Shirk by Humanization

In this aspect of Shirkin al-Asmaa was-Sifaat, Allaahis given the form and qualities of human beings andanimals. Due to man's superiority over animals, thehuman form is more commonly used by idolaters torepresent God in creation. Consequently, the imageof the Creator is often painted, moulded or carved in

the shape of human beings possessing the physicalfeatures of those who worship them.

2. Shirk by Deification (Sacred)This form of Shirkin al-Asmaa was-Sifaatrelates tocases where created beings or things are given orclaim Allaah's names or His attributes. For example,

it was the practice of the ancient Arabs to worshipidols whose names were derived from the names ofAllaah.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

20/24

Shirk In al-'Ebaadah

1. Ash-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk)This form of Shirk occurs when any act of worship is directedto other than Allaah.

It represents the most obvious form of idolatry which theprophets were specifically sent by Allaah to call the masses ofmankind away from.

This concept is supported by Allaah's statement in theQur'aan:

"Surely we have sent to every nation a messenger saying,worship Allaah and avoid Taaghoot (false gods)"

Taaghoot actually means anything which is worshipped alongwith Allaah or instead of Allaah.

For example, love is a form of worship which, in itsperfection, should only be directed to Allaah. In Islam, the loveof God is expressed by total obedience to Him. Allah said:

"Say: If you love Allaah, follow me and Allaah will love you."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

21/24

Shirk In al-'Ebaadah

1. Ash-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk) contAllaah said in the Quran:"Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allaah,"

If man allows the love of anything or anyone to comebetween himself and Allaah, then he has worshipped thatthing. In this way, money can become one's god or even

one's desires could become a god. The Prophet (saws) said,"The worshipper of the Dirham will always be miserable"and Allaah said in the Qur'aan

"Have you not seen the one who takes his desires as hisgod?"

Much emphasis has been placed on the evils of Shirk in

'Ebaadah (worship) because it contradicts the very purposeof creation as expressed in Allaah's statement:

"I have not created Jinn or mankind except for myworship."90

Major Shirk represents the greatest act of rebellion againstthe Lord of the Universe, and is thus the ultimate sin.

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

22/24

Shirk In al-'Ebaadah

2. Ash-Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk)Mabmood ibn Lubayd reported, "Allaah's messenger(saws) said: "The thing I fear for you the most isash-Shirkal-Asghar (minor shirk)."The companions asked "Oh!messenger of Allaah, what is minor Shirk?" He replied "Ar-Riyaa (showing off), for verily Allaah will say on the Day ofResurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Goto those for whom you wereshowing off in the materialworldand see if you can find any reward from them.

Mahmood ibn Lubayd also said, "The Prophet (saws)came out and announced, 'O people, beware of secretShirk!' The people asked, 'O messenger of Allaah, what issecretShirk?' He replied, 'When a man gets up to pray andstrives to beautify his prayer because people are looking athim; that is secretShirk.'"

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

23/24

Ar-Riyaa

Riyaais the practise of performing any of the various forms

of worship in order to be seen and praised by people. Thissin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds andbrings on the one who commits it a serious punishment.

It is really significant to the believers whose goal is tomake all of the acts of their lives religious acts dedicated to

God.

The chance of committing Riyaais great because it is sohidden. It only involves the simple act of changing one'sintention. The motivating forces behind it are also verystrong.

Ibn 'Abbaas alluded to this reality when he said, "Shirk ismore hidden than a black ant creeping on a black stone inthe middle of a moonless night."

I

S

L

A

M

IC

S

T

UD

I

E

S

8/3/2019 Aqeedah 2011

24/24

Q&Asession