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By : Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
Course conducted (since 1990's) in:
Course conducted (since 1990's) in:
Darul Arqam Singapore
(Muslim Converts' Association Singapore)
PERGAS
(Association of Islamic Scholars & Religious Teachers, Singapore)
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بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL.
INTRODUCTION TO TAUHIID –
(Attesting to the Oneness of God)
PREAMBLE
"IIMAN" - What is its meaning and implication?
Faith (IIMAN), from the Islamic perspective is not mere blind acceptance. It is a process of acquiring a knowledge of certainty in which we confirm with our innate nature and sense faculties especially that of reason - till we develop conviction.
Basic and most fundamental message of Islam is the KALIMATUT-TAUHIID (Statement concerning the Absolute Oneness of God), in Arabic:
لا إِلـهَ إِلاّ اللهُ
LAA-ILAA-HA-IL-LALLAAH
“There is no other god (object of worship) except Allah (God)."
The message of Islam is very simple and exact, yet profound.
It stresses upon mankind to recognize the Truth that there is only one God, the Creator, Sustainer, Cherisher of the Universe, besides Whom there is no other god. The Arabic proper noun “Allah” for God, refers to the One Supreme Being, Who is Absolute, Unique and without equal.
From the above statement, there are 2 aspects which we are required to confirm and develop Faith (iiman) in :
(1) Recognizing the existence of God; and
(2) That there is none other except Allah, the Absolute One God (i.e. He is without equal or partner; sharing with no one His Divinity, for there is none like Him) .
Islam provides us with three methods of verifying the existence of God. These methods are :
TAUQIFFIYAH i. e. by relying upon true report, which have already been ascertained as to its reliability as being authoritative – for Muslims, the using of evidence from the Qur'an (Revelation) and authenticated Ahadith (Sunnah - sayings, actions or consent of the Prophet);
FITRAH i.e. by relying upon our natural or innate human instincts, intuitions; and
AQLIIYAH i.e. by the using of the faculty of reasoning, thought process
TAUQIFFIYAH
Man cannot claim to be born with knowledge, but that knowledge is acquired. It is bestowed upon him through experience, inspiration and insight. We recognize great thinkers with their profound discoveries of the laws of the universe, and that is basically how science developed. But science is only limited to certain aspects of knowledge and cannot traverse the great mysteries of the infinite. Yet history recognizes other types of luminaries, who were people gifted with the knowledge that delves beyond the boundaries of physics into the realm of the metaphysics. They were the prophets and messenger of God sent throughout history, repeating the same message in the existence of God, and inviting mankind towards the way of submission to the One Creator of the Universe. The last of these messengers was Muhammad s.a.w. who has left behind to posterity, his teachings in the Qur'an and his Sunnah. In themselves, the Qur'an and Sunnah are the undeniable evidence of his Nubuwat (prophethood) which have been preserved in its pristine state even till the present age. He was indeed a messenger of God from Whom he received enlightenment of the profound Reality. Thus, by relying upon the authority of the Qur'an and the Sunnah itself, Muslims are convinced about the existence of God.
Note: In the
FITHRAH
Man has certain natural instincts to perceive the existence of One whom they call God. In these pure instincts (fitrah salii-ma), they lead man towards the recognition, by sense intuition that there must exist, the Almighty Being, Who overseas over his life and the entire Universe. The instinct of fear is one of the most profound. Another is that of hope; yearning towards a sense of justice and fairplay; the innate ability to appreciate what is right and wrong; inclination towards orderliness and progress; striving for perfection, etc. These pure instincts (intuitions), although they may have become dimmed or corrupted, or affected by doubts and scepticism, yet its presence in every person is undeniable and is the reason why in many communities throughout the world's history there are evidence of some form of worship to God - i.e. the notion of a Supreme Being. From the simple tribal society, to renown civilizations - evidence can be found. Although some scientists may scoffed at this because they could not satisfactorily understand them, yet they can neither prove nor disprove all of them using empirical methods. And although by relying upon innate instinct and intuition, some people may have deviated away from the belief that the Creator is One, into ascribing pantheons of deities, yet deep down in their instinct there still reverberates that only One is the Almighty Lord of all creation.
Man has certain natural instincts to perceive the existence of One whom they call God. In these pure instincts (fitrah salii-ma), they lead man towards the recognition, by sense intuition that there must exist, the Almighty Being, Who overseas over his life and the entire Universe. The instinct of fear is one of the most profound. Another is that of hope; yearning towards a sense of justice and fairplay; the innate ability to appreciate what is right and wrong; inclination towards orderliness and progress; striving for perfection, etc. These pure instincts (intuitions), although they may have become dimmed or corrupted, or affected by doubts and scepticism, yet its presence in every person is undeniable and is the reason why in many communities throughout the world's history there are evidence of some form of worship to God - i.e. the notion of a Supreme Being. From the simple tribal society, to renown civilizations - evidence can be found. Although some scientists may scoffed at this because they could not satisfactorily understand them, yet they can neither prove nor disprove all of them using empirical methods. And although by relying upon innate instinct and intuition, some people may have deviated away from the belief that the Creator is One, into ascribing pantheons of deities, yet deep down in their instinct there still reverberates that only One is the Almighty Lord of all creation.
وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ
وَٱلۡقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَكُونَ
“If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law); they will certainly reply "Allah." How are they then deluded away (from the truth)?”(Qur’an: Ankabut: 29: 61)قُلۡ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ تَدۡعُونَهُ ۥ
تَضَرُّعً۬ا وَخُفۡيَةً۬ لَّٮِٕنۡ أَنجَٮٰنَا مِنۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ
ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُنَجِّيكُم مِّنۡہَا وَمِن كُلِّ كَرۡبٍ۬ ثُمَّ أَنتُمۡ تُشۡرِكُونَ
قُلۡ هُوَ ٱلۡقَادِرُ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَبۡعَثَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا مِّن
فَوۡقِكُمۡ أَوۡ مِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِكُمۡ أَوۡ يَلۡبِسَكُمۡ شِيَعً۬ا وَيُذِيقَ
بَعۡضَكُم بَأۡسَ بَعۡضٍۗ ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ
يَفۡقَهُونَ وَكَذَّبَ بِهِۦ قَوۡمُكَ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّۚ قُل لَّسۡتُ عَلَيۡكُم
بِوَكِيلٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ نَبَإٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقَرٌّ۬ۚ وَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ
Say: "who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, when ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror: `if He only delivers us from these (dangers), (we vow) we shall truly show our gratitude'.?"Say: "It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!"
Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance― each from the other." See how We explain the Signs by various (symbols) that they may understand.But thy people reject this, though it is the Truth. Say: "Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs; "For every Message is a limit of time and soon shall ye know it."
(Qur'an: An'am: 6: 63-67)
Note: Atheism is a new phenomena in the history of mankind and cannot be said to be natural. It is totally against the pure instinct of man, not to believe in a supernatural being - for this would only be replacing the idea of God (the intelligent Force), with nature (an unkown entity without any will nor intelligence, yet said to be the cause) capable of creating many amazing things in this universe. Historically, atheism or agnosticism came about because of rejection of certain absurd myths attributed to God, not an absolute rejection of the idea of God.
AQLIYYAH
Unlike other religion, Islam recognizes the use of reasoning faculty, and in fact it encourages man to use them because, from the point of view of Islam, the mind or reasoning faculty is the greatest gift of God. Although reason itself cannot fathom the infinite mysteries yet it is the means by which man can verify and confirm truth. And in this very way has the Qur'an spoke to man and invite them to recognize the existence of God. It provides verifiable arguments to convince the doubters, by methods of pondering upon certain observable phenomena in ourselves and our surroundings:
أَمۡ خُلِقُواْ مِنۡ غَيۡرِ شَىۡءٍ أَمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُونَ
أَمۡ خَلَقُواْ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۚ بَل لَّا يُوقِنُونَ
“Were they created out of nothing, Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the Heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief?"
(Qur’an: Tur: 52: 35-36)
لَوۡ كَانَ فِيہِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَاۚ فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ
رَبِّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
"If there were in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been ruin in both! But glory to Allah the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!"(Qur’an : Anbiya : 21: 22)
قُل لَّوۡ كَانَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ ءَالِهَةٌ۬ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذً۬ا لَّٱبۡتَغَوۡا
إِلَىٰ ذِى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ سَبِيلاً۬
سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّ۬ا كَبِيرً۬ا
"Say: if there had been (other) gods with Him― as they say, behold, they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!Glory to him! He is high above all that they say! Exalted and Great (beyond measure)!"(Qur’an: Isra’: 17: 42-43)
مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ۬ وَمَا ڪَانَ مَعَهُ ۥ مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍۚ
إِذً۬ا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـٰهِۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ۚ
سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
“No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others!Glory to Allah (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!”(Qur’an: al-Mu’minun: 23: 91)
CONSIDERATIONS WHICH LEAD TO THE BELIEVE IN GOD'S EXISTENCE
(1) Things that we see around us are 'new' and were created. Creation must emanate from outside creation i.e. the Uncreated.
(2) Things are in constant state of motion. We cannot conceive motion to have perpetually existed without a beginning (i.e. it must start from a state of motionless).
(3) The dependability of things towards a cause or initiator. So where do all things began?
(4) The existence of a unified order in the universe. To attribute this order to random chance is most improbable without a universal will (intelligent force).
(5) The realization that for this universe to exist as it does, there must be a Sustainer. The complexity for its being sustained, and dependibility of things to other things affecting it besides itself, indicate the determination by a 'cosmic force.'
(6) Inherent preparedness in our creation, as well as in animals, plants, etc. This preparedness cannot be something evolved because without it, that animals or plants would not have any chance to begin to survive in the first place.
(7) Time and the aging factor in our Universe. This would make us ponder concerning the meta-concept of the infinity (past) and eternity (future) - the concepts of the Divine.
(8) The 'law' of probability. The computation which actually informs us (mathematically) of the utter remoteness of creation being the outcome of chance accidents.
.......... for more refer to kitaab by Allamah Jamaluddien Al Qasimy "DALAA-ILUT TAUHIED'
(4) The existence of a unified order in the universe. To attribute this order to random chance is most improbable without a universal will (intelligent force).
(5) The realization that for this universe to exist as it does, there must be a Sustainer. The complexity for its being sustained, and dependibility of things to other things affecting it besides itself, indicate the determination by a 'cosmic force.'
(6) Inherent preparedness in our creation, as well as in animals, plants, etc. This preparedness cannot be something evolved because without it, that animals or plants would not have any chance to begin to survive in the first place.
(7) Time and the aging factor in our Universe. This would make us ponder concerning the meta-concept of the infinity (past) and eternity (future) - the concepts of the Divine.
(8) The 'law' of probability. The computation which actually informs us (mathematically) of the utter remoteness of creation being the outcome of chance accidents.
.......... for more refer to kitaab by Allamah Jamaluddien Al Qasimy "DALAA-ILUT TAUHIED'
And many others which is best summed up by Muslim thinker who said:
“There are numerous ways of ascertaining the existence of Allah: as numerous as the breathes ('anfus' pl. of 'nafas' or the entity of self) of His creations."
TAUHIID - IT'S MEANING AND IMPLICATION.
The term TAUHIID is derived from Arabic word "Ahad”(Absolute One) - "Wahada" (Oneness attested) “Yuwaa-hidu" (he unify or attest to the Oneness) – “Tauhii-dan” (you attest to its' Oneness). Therefore it implies an act of attesting to the Belief in the Oneness of Allah (God) Who is the Absolute One; by first having conviction in our hearts and mind, and manifesting them in our life through words and deeds.
There are five approaches or methodology (types) of attestation – in the Islamic tradition, which Muslims are inculcated with - each having a specific expectation, as tabled below :
(1) TAUHIID AL-KHALI-QIYYAH
That we affirm and are convinced that every creation in the universe was created by One Creator, God of all the worlds – Who alone is the Uncreated Being.
(2) TAUHIID AR-RUBU-BIYYAH
Acknowledgement that the entire Universe is sustained and cherished, by the One God - Who has no equal, partner nor associates. That over all things God has power which is ever present and constantly manifested thereby.
( 3) TAUHIID AL - ULU-HIYYAH or 'UBUDIYYAH
Acknowledgement that there is only One God, Who Alone is Divine, deserving of our worship and servitude. There is no god except Him. He is Allah the Absolute, Eternal. Who has no equal nor partner. The Most besought unto Whom we rely. He Alone is deserving of our worship, and to deny every forms of associating His Divinity with anyone or anything ("shirk"). Since we know that our being created is but to fulfill a reason best known to our Maker, therefore we are to manifest our acknowledgement of this in our life through a total form of worship or servitude by following the Guidance from Him,established by the Messenger of Allah s.a.w.
(4) TAUHIID AS-SIFAT
That we affirm and attest that Allah, the Unique God as having all the attributes of perfection, befitting His Majesty and Holiness, and reject all the absurd attributes which man may attribute to Him - as the rationalist (Mu'tazilites) had done imputing imperfections in God when they try to fathom the knowledge about God using the human mind, ratio. In Islam, the knowledge of Who God is, must come from God - yet it would not be knowledge absurd or antithetical to reason. Traditionally, the 13 or 20 attributes of God (sifatullaah) are taught in traditional Islamic scholarship, to counter them, using basis both from Revelation (naqliyyah) and reason (aqliyyah), as refutation towards the deviations of the rationalist - and for upholding the original creed or doctrine of the Ahl-asunnah wa al-jama'ah - of the Salafus- Soleh (the pious predecesssors).
(5) TAUHIID AL-ASMA'
That we affirm and attest that Allah is One, and has all the Beautiful Names which He has revealed and we glorify, invoke and beseech Him by These Names. Affirmations which require us also to reflect some of His attributes in ourselves, by reciprocating those godly quality in our life, such as in His Compassion, Mercy, Justice etc. so as to be deserving of His Compassion, Mercy etc. Through observing many of His Signs in nature, we reflect our belief in these Names - and try to read and confirm these attributes of His act (af'al) - of the One God - which are manifested in the Qur'an (ayaat qawliyyah) and in the whole creations and alternations of night and day (ayaat kauniyah).
The true aspiration towards being close to our Compassionate and Loving Creator, has to begin by knowing Him and with striving towards achieving His Pleasure (Mardhaa-tillah - مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ), following the path of TAUHIID. In this, Allah s.w.t. has provided the Guidance:
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ
ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَۖ
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
Say (O Muhammad): "If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger"; but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.(Qur’an: aali ‘Imran: 3: 31-32)
Thus the Concept of Tauhiid which serves as the foundation of the teachings of Islam can be accomplished by following no other way except the way shown by Allah s.w.t. through His prophets and Messengers, the Last of whom who came to supercede them all, guided by Allah's revelation to establish al-Islam as the perfected Deen, is the Messenger and the Seal of prophethood, Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah s.a.w. And there will be no other prophet after him. That is why the Kalimah of Islam is completed with :
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ
MUHAM-MADUR-RA-SUU-LULLAH
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah".
WaAllaahu a'lam.
MAY ALLAH GUIDES US ALL AND STRENGTHENS US IN OUR EFFORT TO ATTEST TO HIS ONENESS, AND MAY HE GRANTS US THE RANKS OF TRUE ATTESTORS-WITNESSES (SHUHADAA) , AND INCLUDES US AMONGST THOSE WHO ARE NEAREST TO HIM.
AA-MIN, YA-ALLAH.
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AL-AQAA’ID/‘ILM TAUHIID
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(Theology/Doctrine)
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Purpose / Objective
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Cognition of Allah (Ma’rifah)
Development of Certainty
Awareness of Truth/Reality (Haqiqah)
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AL-AQAA’ID/‘ILM TAUHIID
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(Theology/Doctrine)
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Purpose / Objective
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Cognition of Allah (Ma’rifah)
Development of Certainty
Awareness of Truth/Reality (Haqiqah)
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What is involved?
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‘Aql (reasoning/intellect)
Fitrah (Instincts & finer feelings or innate perceptions)
The Revealed knowledge (Tauqiffiy)
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What is the Effect?
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Muslim Firm conviction, strong principles,
commitment to the concept of Unity (TAUHIDIC) and
Justice of Allah (AL-‘ADL), knowledge of true purpose,
role and destiny of Man.
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Relevant knowledge:
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Languages, Logic & philosophy,
Epistemology, Biology, Botany, Chemistry,
Physical sciences, Astronomy, Geology, History,
Anthropology, Marine and Space sciences, etc.
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Sheikh Dr.Wahbah Az-Zuhaily view on Tauhiid
"Ar-Rububiyya-al-Uluhuyya-Asma-wa-Sifaat categorization.
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