Lecture notes by: Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail.
(Original based on a paper written and presented in “Konvensyiun Pelajar Islam ke-2” (1409H/1988) held at Pertapis Al-Qur’an Centre, Singapore – organised by Permusi (Perstuan Muslimin Singapura). This write-up has been included in appendix of author’s “Beginners’ Manual on Islam – Textbook for new Muslim undergoing Fardhu ‘ain class”)
INTRODUCTION
Every thinking individual will have to address in himself certain fundamental questions about his existence; who is he? Why is he here, in this world? What is this existence all about? Where is he going to? In short, the ability for human to think and ponder necessitates him to search for meaning or raison d’être to his life. The meaning which is not confined just simply to the needs of food, clothing, shelter and procreation; but extends further and becomes the central basis for his every action, his very life.
ISLAMIC CONCEPT OF TAUHIID
The most profound meaning to this life which is in fact the universal truth is in the concept of attestation to the Oneness of God, referred to in the Arabic term “Tauhiid.” The recognition of which started with the history of mankind itself, propounded and reasserted throughout the ages by the prophets and messengers of God, until it blossomed and bloomed, and became established in “Al-Islam” as a perfect way of life (“Ad-Deen”) by the Last Messenger of God, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah s.a.w.
Tauhiid is the very essence, the lifeblood and living force of the religion of Islam. It is the basis from which the rest of its teachings spring forth. It was inculcated from the beginning of the first thirteen years in Prophet Muhammad’s s.a.w. early mission, and was the living force to the successes of the Muslims, until its culmination into perfection and completion.
ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَٮِٕسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ
ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ
لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬اۚ
This day have those who reject Faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me.
This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you ‘al-Islam’ as your religion.
(Qur’an: Surah al-Ma-idah: 5: 4)
The whole message of this concept, from which Islam is founded is simply but concisely expressed in the Kalimah (word):
لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ اللهُ
LAA-ILAA-HA IL-LALLAAH
(There is no god except Allah)
“Tauhiid” is the belief in the Absolute Oneness of God, Who is the Creator, Preserver, Sustainer and Nourisher of all creations. “Allah” (proper noun or name for God, in the Arabic) is Unique and only One. There is no other god except Allah. He does not have partners nor does He share His Divinity with anything or anyone. He alone is Lord and Master of the Universe and all that is contained in it are His. Nothing moves without His knowledge and His permission. He is the source of all existence. He has created mankind and has accorded fo each human being a fixed period of life in this world. He has given human, organs and faculties and has created the earth and all other things for the benefit of human.
Through His messengers and prophets, He reveals the knowledge of Himself, and the purpose of man’s creation. To help mankind to achieve that purpose, He prescribes certain codes for living which is the correct way of life. A code of life which is practical and achievable; and in harmony with the Reality (Haqiqah). Allah has also given man freedom of choice as to whether or not to follow and adopt this code as the actual basis of his life. With this freedom, mankind shall be responsible for the choice he made. And all the messengers of Allah have forewarned mankind of the Day of Requital and have repeatedly reminded mankind of the ultimate destination of this life in the Hereafter.
It is not enough for a person to say that he believes in One God. Many idolaters will tell you that they actually believe that there is only one supreme God. Yet they take on other things as gods. Islam teaches that in Tauhiid – believing in the Oneness of Allah, a person must not only acknowledge the fact that the Creator, Allah is One, but also that it is Allah alone that deserves to be worshipped and served. And the believer has to show and express this (faith) belief in his deeds and words, throughout his life.
In Islam, worship or serving Allah is called “ ‘ibaadah” and has a wide meaning. This term is derived from the word " 'abd" - meaning "slave". It is thus, not restricted only to rituals of prayers and devotions but includes servitude to Allah in every aspect of our life. Therefore a believer’s life is an acknowledgement of his belief that he worships none except Allah and shows it by obedience to the laws given by Allah. A Muslim strives to do all that which Allah has commanded and refrain from all that which Allah has forbidden; by following the complete code of life that was brought and established by the Last and Final Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillah s.a.w. Thus the Kalimah of Tauhiid is followed by the Kalimah:
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ
MUHAM-MADUR RA-SUU-LULLAAH
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Therefore the concept of Tauhiid is the essence of the teaching of Islam which motivates a Muslim to strive towards becoming a true Muslim. With this concept of Tauhiid, it develops the Muslim towards a higher level of consciousness, righteousness and piety – in his relationship with Allah, with himself and with the rest of creation – as the obedient and faithful servant and representative of Allah on this earth.
To implement Tauhiid (the attestation in the Oneness of Allah) there are three (3) important aspects that have to be realized and established, as taught by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.:
[1] Aspect of Practice – ‘Amal – which constitute ‘obedience and submission’ i.e. “Islam”.
[2] Aspect of Belief and Conviction- “iiman”.
[3] Aspect of Righteousness or Best Conduct – “ihsan”.
All three constitute the aspects that every Muslim should fulfil. One without the other is insufficient to truly realise the concept of attesting to the Oneness of Allah. For there cannot be obedience without faith; faith without obedience is meaningless; and faith and obedience must lead to best and righteous conduct – of a Muslim who truly submits to the will of Allah.
وَأُدۡخِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن
تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡہَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡۖ تَحِيَّتُہُمۡ فِيہَا سَلَـٰمٌ
أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ
أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَاۗ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ
ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ
“But those who believe and work righteousness will be admitted to Gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein for aye with the leave of their Lord: Their greeting therein will be: "Peace!"
Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable?― a goodly Word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens― It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.”
(Qur’an: Surah Ibrahim: 14: 23-25)
(to read my elaboration on the parable of the 'good word' in the above verses - click here)
........... (to be continued, insha Allah).
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