All praise is due to Allaah, we praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness; we repent to Him and seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our own selves and from our wicked deeds. Whomsoever has been guided by Allaah, none can misguide, and whomsoever has been misguided by Allaah, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allaah alone, without a partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa-sallam [1]) is Allaah’s true slave and Messenger; may Allaah bestow His Peace and Blessings on Muhammad, upon his good and pure family, and upon his noble companions and those who follow their path.
It proceeds then:
The knowledge about Tawheed [2] constitutes the most noble and necessitated knowledge, because it represents the knowledge about Allaah, His Names and Attributes, and His rights upon His bondsmen. This knowledge is the key for the way to Allaah, and it is the foundation for His legislation. That is why there is a consensus amongst all the Messengers to invite people to Tawheed. Allaah (Ta’aalaa [3]) says:
“And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa-sallam) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allaah)], so worship Me (alone and none else).” [Qur’aan 21:25] [4]
Allaah bears witness on His Wahdaniyyah: being the only true God that deserves to be worshipped alone and Who has no coequal in Himself as well as in His Names and Attributes. The angels and people of knowledge also testify for His Wahdaniyyah:
“Allaah bears witness that La ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilaaha illa Huwa, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Qur’aan 3:18]
Given this acknowledgement of the rank of Tawheed, it is therefore incumbent upon every Muslim to give proper consideration to this matter through learning, understanding, education, and conviction, in order for him to establish his Deen [5] on a sound foundation, confidence and submission that would give him the good fortune of sharing its fruits and results.
Footnotes
[1] Sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam: The Salaah and Salaam of Allaah be upon His Prophet Muhammad. The Salaah of Allaah upon Prophet Muhammad is His Praise of the Prophet to the angels who are close to (but below) Allaah, the Most High, who arose above his ‘Arsh (Throne) which is above the seven skies. The angels also praise him (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa-sallam). The Salaam is Allaah’s safeguarding of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa-sallam) from deficiencies and any kind of evil. When the Muslim says sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa-sallam, he invokes Allaah to grant His Praise and Security to the Prophet Muhammad. See Ibnul Qayyim’s Jalaa’ul Afhaam Fee Fadlis-Salaati-wa-Sallam ‘Alaa Muhammadin Khairil ‘Anaam, p.128. Published by Daar Ibn Katheer, Damascus, and Maktabat Daat At-Turaath, Al-Madeenah, 1408AH / 1988.
[2] Tawheed[/b] is maintaining the belief that Allaah is the only true God worthy of worship and that He is the true and only Rabb of everything and that He is unique in His Divine Names, Attributes and Actions. [TN]
[3] Ta’aalaa: Supremely Exalted is He. He is Exalted in His Thaat (Essence) and in His Attributes. [TN]
[4] The meanings of the Aayaat (verses) are translated into English.
[5] Deen: Is more comprehensive in its meaning that the western concept of “religion”. Every aspect of life subscribes to the revelation from Allaah. Therefore, Deen covers life in all of its various stages and complexities. [TN]
