[Slideshare]tauhid course(#5a).

““INTRODUCTION TO THE INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF TAUSTUDY OF TAUHHEED”EED”

Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adultsconducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

16 weekly class started: 27 Nov 2010 16 weekly class started: 27 Nov 2010 Every Saturday night @ 8pm – 10pmEvery Saturday night @ 8pm – 10pm

Wisma Indah, 448 Changi Road, Wisma Indah, 448 Changi Road, #02-00 next to Masjid Kassim#02-00 next to Masjid Kassim

INTRODUCING START

OF A NEW COURSE

[2]

Using curriculum he has developed especially for English-speakingUsing curriculum he has developed especially for English-speakingMuslim converts and young English-speaking Adult Muslims. Muslim converts and young English-speaking Adult Muslims.

$ِّل" 2ِع.ل2م َف+ِر.يَض+ٌة( على ُك $ِّل" َط+ل+ُب$ اْل 2ِع.ل2م َف+ِر.يَض+ٌة( على ُك َط+ل+ُب$ اْلل.م ل.مُم$ْس2 ُم$ْس2

““To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”

For further information and registration For further information and registration contact Sameer Abdul Jalilcontact Sameer Abdul Jalil (9669 8512) - or (9669 8512) - or e-mail e-mail <[email protected]><[email protected]>

IT CAN ALSO BE IT CAN ALSO BE A REFRESHER A REFRESHER COURSE FOR COURSE FOR

MUSLIM MUSLIM PARENTS, PARENTS,

EDUCATORS, IN EDUCATORS, IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY

SINGAPORE. SINGAPORE. OPEN TO ALLOPEN TO ALL

IN THE NAME OF ALLAHIN THE NAME OF ALLAHMOST COMPASIONATEMOST COMPASIONATEMOST MERCIFULMOST MERCIFUL

All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail. 2010

LESSONLESSON - #5a - #5a

PREVIOUS TOPICPREVIOUS TOPIC


From From “Tau“Tauhheed al-khaliq-qiyyah”eed al-khaliq-qiyyah” – (Oneness of – (Oneness of God, Allah, as the Creator of all creations) ; the God, Allah, as the Creator of all creations) ; the Existence of Allah is established. Existence of Allah is established.

YetYet “Tau “Tauhheed al-khaliq-qiyyah” eed al-khaliq-qiyyah” is still insufficient is still insufficient attestation of the Oneness of God (Allah) because attestation of the Oneness of God (Allah) because the idolaters also are aware of this fact that the the idolaters also are aware of this fact that the Creator is One. In spite of this, they only view God Creator is One. In spite of this, they only view God (Allah) only as the Initiator, but they imagine also (Allah) only as the Initiator, but they imagine also that the whole created universe to be free of Allah’s that the whole created universe to be free of Allah’s control after was created.control after was created.


“If thou ask them, Who Created them, they will

certainly say Allah: how then are they deluded away

(from the Truth)?“

(Qur’an: Zukhruf: 47: 89)

Their ignorance of “Their ignorance of “TauTauhheed Ar-Rubbubiyyaheed Ar-Rubbubiyyah” and ” and their absurd “their absurd “reasoningreasoning”, lead them to believe that ”, lead them to believe that this Universe is sustained by pantheons of deities this Universe is sustained by pantheons of deities (malevolent forces regarded as gods i.e. having (malevolent forces regarded as gods i.e. having divine powers, or vested with divine powers etc.)divine powers, or vested with divine powers etc.)

This is further aggravated by their tendencies to This is further aggravated by their tendencies to resort to imaginations and innovations, based on resort to imaginations and innovations, based on conjectures, guesswork and blind adherence to conjectures, guesswork and blind adherence to traditional thinking.traditional thinking.


Over time, anthropomorphic notions were ascribed Over time, anthropomorphic notions were ascribed unto their concept of god - whom they imagine to unto their concept of god - whom they imagine to behave like human. behave like human.

Thus it is that they subscribe to notion regarding Thus it is that they subscribe to notion regarding multiplicity of gods, whom they also likened like multiplicity of gods, whom they also likened like human kings - having wives, consorts and family; human kings - having wives, consorts and family; with ministers and courtiers; having feuds and with ministers and courtiers; having feuds and rebellion in the heavenly kingdom etc.rebellion in the heavenly kingdom etc.

They somewhat imagine and ‘They somewhat imagine and ‘believebelieve’, that all this ’, that all this also affect man’s life and destiny on earthalso affect man’s life and destiny on earth.


Myth and superstitions were regarded as ‘Myth and superstitions were regarded as ‘TruthTruth’; ’; conjectures and age-old belief accepted without conjectures and age-old belief accepted without question. Absurd notions e.g. God Incarnating as question. Absurd notions e.g. God Incarnating as man, indwelling, and other pantheistic creed etc. man, indwelling, and other pantheistic creed etc. are accepted blindly, even though self-evidently, are accepted blindly, even though self-evidently, they are contradictory or antithetical to reason.they are contradictory or antithetical to reason.

Thus, with so much uncertainty about ‘Thus, with so much uncertainty about ‘RealityReality,’ but ,’ but fearful of the imagined effect from these malignant fearful of the imagined effect from these malignant ‘forces’ (real or imagined), man is forever to ‘forces’ (real or imagined), man is forever to appease the myriads of ‘appease the myriads of ‘deitiesdeities’ and seek their ’ and seek their respective protections. respective protections.


Trees, stones, mountains, rivers, animals, man, Trees, stones, mountains, rivers, animals, man, spirits, grave and totems, even amulets and idols spirits, grave and totems, even amulets and idols fashioned by their own hands are regarded as fashioned by their own hands are regarded as having divine ‘having divine ‘powerspowers’ and somehow possessing ’ and somehow possessing God-like qualities. God-like qualities.

This situation is described in the Holy Qur’an as This situation is described in the Holy Qur’an as being in “being in “ZulumatZulumat” ( “” ( “DarknessDarkness or or IgnoranceIgnorance, and , and injusticeinjustice” ” ).).


Their ignorance of Who God is (i.e. the concept of Their ignorance of Who God is (i.e. the concept of the Divinity – the Divinity – uluhiyyahuluhiyyah), and compounded with ), and compounded with their materialistic tendencies, led them towards their materialistic tendencies, led them towards SHIRKSHIRK – which can be defined as: – which can be defined as:

شِركشِرك ““falsely setting up or ascribing partners to God, from falsely setting up or ascribing partners to God, from

amongst the tangible objects or imaginary things in amongst the tangible objects or imaginary things in creation or mind, which they regard to be also creation or mind, which they regard to be also ‘Divine’ and directing to it, as object of their worship ‘Divine’ and directing to it, as object of their worship ((ma’budma’bud).”).”


They mistakenly assumed that the Supreme God They mistakenly assumed that the Supreme God (Allah) to be distant from man and totally removed (Allah) to be distant from man and totally removed from this terrestrial existence, or that His Power is from this terrestrial existence, or that His Power is somehow lacking in this terrestrial world.somehow lacking in this terrestrial world.

Thus, they are attributing falsehood to Allah by Thus, they are attributing falsehood to Allah by denying many of His Absolute power over all of denying many of His Absolute power over all of creations and the entire universe.creations and the entire universe.Human arrogance and self-conceit occasionally Human arrogance and self-conceit occasionally surface to usurp the place of the Divine, by surface to usurp the place of the Divine, by blasphemy in denying God’s Infinite Omnipotence.blasphemy in denying God’s Infinite Omnipotence.


“ “And the Jews say: ‘Allah's hand is shackled! ‘And the Jews say: ‘Allah's hand is shackled! ‘ It is their own hands that are shackled; and rejected It is their own hands that are shackled; and rejected (by Allah and be they cursed) because of their assertion (by Allah and be they cursed) because of their assertion (blasphemy) they utter. He (Allah) dispenses (bounty) (blasphemy) they utter. He (Allah) dispenses (bounty) as He wills. “as He wills. “

((Qur’an: Maa-idah: 5: 64Qur’an: Maa-idah: 5: 64))

Thus according to their thinking, man must be Thus according to their thinking, man must be subjected to other ‘subjected to other ‘deitiesdeities’ here, whom they ’ here, whom they erroneously believe, to have powers independent of erroneously believe, to have powers independent of Allah, or as though sharing in the divinity of Allah. Allah, or as though sharing in the divinity of Allah.

Even the so called ‘Even the so called ‘atheistsatheists’, are in fact making ’, are in fact making themselves and their desires, to be the God – the themselves and their desires, to be the God – the entity that they are in fact ‘entity that they are in fact ‘servingserving’ as religiously as ’ as religiously as any worshippers of God.any worshippers of God.


“ “Have you ever considered (the kind of man) who Have you ever considered (the kind of man) who

makes his own desires as his deitiesmakes his own desires as his deities? Could you then (O ? Could you then (O

Prophet) be held responsible for them?”Prophet) be held responsible for them?”

((Qur’an: Furqan: 25: 43Qur’an: Furqan: 25: 43))

Some others may sense, that by directing their Some others may sense, that by directing their servitude or worship to other ‘servitude or worship to other ‘deitiesdeities’, this may in ’, this may in fact contradict monotheism. fact contradict monotheism.

Yet they try to ‘Yet they try to ‘rationaliserationalise’ away this contradiction ’ away this contradiction by claiming that they believe that these ‘by claiming that they believe that these ‘deitiesdeities’ are ’ are only as mediators or intercessors to the Supreme only as mediators or intercessors to the Supreme God (Allah) – sort of smaller ‘God (Allah) – sort of smaller ‘godsgods’ etc. but ’ etc. but nevertheless they also regard as Divine. nevertheless they also regard as Divine.


“ “Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those

who take for protectors other than Allah (say): "We only

serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah.”

((Qur’an: Zumar: 39: 3Qur’an: Zumar: 39: 3))


Although they acknowledge the existence of the Although they acknowledge the existence of the True God, the One Supreme Being (Allah), but God True God, the One Supreme Being (Allah), but God to them is only as the Creator, Initiator, the First to them is only as the Creator, Initiator, the First Cause (but Whom they imagine to being totally Cause (but Whom they imagine to being totally distant from them) and detached from this world. distant from them) and detached from this world.

Actually Allah (God) cannot be regarded to only be Actually Allah (God) cannot be regarded to only be transcendent, but must also be immanenttranscendent, but must also be immanent - for our - for our notion of space and time, near and far, cannot be notion of space and time, near and far, cannot be applied to Allah (God) Who is the Creator of space applied to Allah (God) Who is the Creator of space and time – and cannot be bound by it.and time – and cannot be bound by it.


Allah’s existence (Allah’s existence (wujudwujud), cannot be liken like the ), cannot be liken like the existence of this creation – for He is Eternal and existence of this creation – for He is Eternal and Absolute, Who has power over all things, the Absolute, Who has power over all things, the Irresistible, the Unfathomable yet All-Aware.Irresistible, the Unfathomable yet All-Aware.

Due to this error, their object of worship is diverted Due to this error, their object of worship is diverted towards other than the One true God (Allah) which towards other than the One true God (Allah) which they attribute as having Divine powers, managing they attribute as having Divine powers, managing the world independently of Allah. the world independently of Allah.


Their understanding of Allah’s Existence and Divine Their understanding of Allah’s Existence and Divine Attributes, may be seriously flawed.Attributes, may be seriously flawed.

Although Allah’s existence cannot be grasp by any Although Allah’s existence cannot be grasp by any vision, but they can be correctly conceived through vision, but they can be correctly conceived through knowledge (knowledge (ma’rifatma’rifat). ).

Also, man’s materialistic tendencies further Also, man’s materialistic tendencies further accentuated the misconception of Allah being accentuated the misconception of Allah being absent or remote.absent or remote.


But because they sense the presence of other But because they sense the presence of other unseen power and order i.e. regarding how this unseen power and order i.e. regarding how this Universe is being sustained, nurtured and controlled Universe is being sustained, nurtured and controlled - thus they blindly subscribe to mythical and - thus they blindly subscribe to mythical and imaginings of frightened and ignorant humans, and imaginings of frightened and ignorant humans, and believe in the many ‘believe in the many ‘other godsother gods’ (lesser or equal to ’ (lesser or equal to Allah).Allah).

Or, they may innovate with the absurd notion of Or, they may innovate with the absurd notion of ‘‘incarnationincarnation’ – i.e. God taking the form of creation.’ – i.e. God taking the form of creation.


Even the idolaters accept that there is only One Even the idolaters accept that there is only One Creator : “Creator : “TauTauhheed Al-Kha-liqqiyyaheed Al-Kha-liqqiyyah”. ”.

Yet, this is incomplete attestation to Oneness of Yet, this is incomplete attestation to Oneness of Allah, because Allah is also the Only One Who is Allah, because Allah is also the Only One Who is Lord, Sustainer of the worlds – “Lord, Sustainer of the worlds – “Robb-al-’aa-la-Robb-al-’aa-la-meen”.meen”.


Thus we Muslims are to attest to Oneness of Allah, Thus we Muslims are to attest to Oneness of Allah, also in His being the only Lord, Sustainer and also in His being the only Lord, Sustainer and Cherisher (Cherisher (Rub-bubiyyahRub-bubiyyah).).

Allah is not merely the Creator (Initiator) only, as Allah is not merely the Creator (Initiator) only, as the ‘the ‘First CauseFirst Cause’ ’ asserted by the asserted by the Greek philosopher Greek philosopher (and (and Mu’taziliteMu’tazilite), who believed that Allah’s ), who believed that Allah’s knowledge and power over what He has created, is knowledge and power over what He has created, is limited (general, not detail etc.) limited (general, not detail etc.)


“ “TauTauhheed Ar-Rubbubiyyaheed Ar-Rubbubiyyah”, the realisation that ”, the realisation that Allah is the Absolute One Who is Lord, the Sustainer Allah is the Absolute One Who is Lord, the Sustainer and Nourisher of all the Worldsand Nourisher of all the Worlds, we are to accept , we are to accept that Allah (God) transcends all others which are but that Allah (God) transcends all others which are but His creations - because everything else in this His creations - because everything else in this Universe is dependent and ever-subservient to His Universe is dependent and ever-subservient to His Will. Will.

Nothing can move nor has any ability without Allah, Nothing can move nor has any ability without Allah, who Alone is the Irresistible, the Lord Supreme. who Alone is the Irresistible, the Lord Supreme. Over all things Allah has Power, Whose knowledge Over all things Allah has Power, Whose knowledge encompasses all things.encompasses all things.


And Allah being “And Allah being “RobbRobb” (Lord, Sustainer), surely is ” (Lord, Sustainer), surely is never ‘never ‘absentabsent’ yet no vision can encompass Him.’ yet no vision can encompass Him.

Although we know of the existence of ‘Although we know of the existence of ‘cause and cause and effecteffect’ within creation, yet these are merely relative ’ within creation, yet these are merely relative potentials in creations accorded by Allah – not potentials in creations accorded by Allah – not absolute and independent of Allah s.w.t. absolute and independent of Allah s.w.t.

Even those in the spiritual realms e.g. Angels, are Even those in the spiritual realms e.g. Angels, are but mere creations, having no divine power. but mere creations, having no divine power. Allah is the Only Divine Being.Allah is the Only Divine Being.


BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD – WHO ALONE IS THE – WHO ALONE IS THE CREATOR DIVINE.CREATOR DIVINE.

( al-khaliq-qiyyah ) )

This is not unique to Muslims. Even pagan worshippers and idolaters acknowledge this.


BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD – WHO ALONE IS THE – WHO ALONE IS THE CREATOR DIVINE.CREATOR DIVINE.

( al-khaliq-qiyyah ) )

This is not unique to Muslims. Even pagan worshippers and idolaters acknowledge this.

BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD – WHO ALONE IS THE – WHO ALONE IS THE SUSTAINER DIVINE. SUSTAINER DIVINE.

( ar-rub-bubiyyah )

This is where Muslims differ with pagan worshippers, idolaters and unbelievers, because they erroneously ascribe to others besides Allah. similar ‘Divine’ roles in the Sustainment of this universe.


It can be discern that people’s idea or knowledge that God exist, generally pertains to Him being the Creator.But, when we further consider God’s role in the universe and man’s life, differences occur.Those who deny Him as the only Absolute Sustainer, Cherisher of the universe, would inadvertently be ascribing to others this divine role.

BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD – BELIEVE IN THE ONE GOD – WHO ALONE IS THE DIVINE. WHO ALONE IS THE DIVINE.

( al-uluhiyyah )


Therefore, because some people’s knowledge of Therefore, because some people’s knowledge of God may still be ambiguous, they need to have clear God may still be ambiguous, they need to have clear understanding of what we mean by “understanding of what we mean by “Divinity and Divinity and the concept of the Divinethe concept of the Divine” termed – ” termed – UluhiyyahUluhiyyah..

That in regard to God being “Divine” (That in regard to God being “Divine” (ILAAHILAAH) – there ) – there is only One, Who alone is the Divine, without is only One, Who alone is the Divine, without associates or partners.associates or partners.

This is termed – This is termed – TAUTAUHHEED AL-ULUHIYYAHEED AL-ULUHIYYAH..


TO CONTINUETO CONTINUE


[Slideshare]tauhid course(#5a).

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