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Lesson 4: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah

2014-01-29T09:41:00.002-08:00

Lesson 4: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah

1. Text:

النَّوْعُ الْأَوَّلُ : تَوْحِيدُ الرُّبُوبِيَّةِ. وَهُوَ : تَوْحِيدُ اللَّهِ بِأَفْعَالِهِ.
وَقَدْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ الْكُفَّارُ عَلَى زَمَنِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَمْ يُدْخِلْهُمْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ وَقَاتَلَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَاسْتَحَلَّ دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ.
وَالدَّلِيلُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى:
قُلْ مَنْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَمَّنْ يَمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَمَنْ يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَمَنْ يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ فَسَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُ فَقُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
وَقَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى:
قُلْ لِمَنِ الْأَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ قُلْ مَنْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ قُلْ مَنْ بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ فَأَنَّى تُسْحَرُونَ

2. Translation:

The first type is: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah. It is to single out Allah in His actions.

The disbelievers at the time of the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) affirmed it, but it did not put them into the fold of Islam. And the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fought against them and made their blood and wealth permissible.

And the proof is the word of Allah, the exalted:

Say, “Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Or who controls hearing and sight and who brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and who arranges [every] matter?" They will say, "Allah," so say, "Then will you not fear Him?" [Noble Qur’an 10:31]

And the word of Allah, the exalted:

Say, [O Muhammad], "To whom belongs the earth and whoever is in it, if you should know?" They will say, "To Allah." Say, "Then will you not remember?" Say, "Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne?" They will say, "[They belong] to Allah." Say, "Then will you not fear Him?" Say, "In whose hand is the realm of all things – and He protects while none can protect against Him – if you should know?" They will say, "[All belongs] to Allah." Say, "Then how are you deluded?" [Noble Qur’an 23:84-89]

3. Explanation:

In the previous lesson we studied about Tawhid and its types. We studied that Tawhid is of three types, namely:

Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah,
Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah, and
Tawhid al-Asma’ was-Sifat.

Now in this lesson we will insha Allah study about the first type of Tawhid, which is Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah.

If you have landed here directly we recommend you to start reading from the 1st lesson

Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah means to single out Allah in His actions. Singling out Allah in His actions means, to believe that Allah is the creator, sustainer, giver of life and death, etc. which are the actions of Allah. The disbelievers, when the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to them, were believing in Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah. But this belief of theirs did not bring any advantage for them, because they did not divert all the types of worship only to Allah. So if anyone believes that it is Allah who has created him, and cherishing him, and if he doesn’t worship only Allah, then he is a mushrik.

4. Questions:

What is the meaning of singling out Allah in His actions?
Which type of Tawhid did the disbelievers of Makkah believe at the time of Prophet (peace be upon him)?
What is the proof that they believed in Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah?
If a person believes in Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah and doesn’t divert all types of worship to Allah alone, can he be called as a Muslim? Why?

Lesson 3: Tawhid and its types

2014-01-24T06:47:00.000-08:00

Lesson 3: Tawhid and its types

1. Text:

وَالتَّوْحِيدُ هُوَ إِفْرَادُ اللَّهِ بِالْعِبَادَةِ، وَهُوَ دِينُ الرُّسُلِ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِ إِلَى عِبَادِهِ، قَالَ تَعَالَى:
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ.
وَهُوَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَنْوَاعٍ: تَوْحِيدُ الرُّبُوبِيَّةِ، وَتَوْحِيدُ الْأُلُوهِيَّةِ، وَتَوْحِيدُ الْأَسْمَاءِ وَالصِّفَاتِ.

2. Translation:

Tawhid is to single out Allah in worship. It is the religion of the messengers, whom Allah sent with it to His slaves. Allah, the exalted, says:

"And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid Taghut."

It is of three types: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah, Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah and Tawhid al-Asma' was-Sifat.

3. Explanation:

In the previous lesson we studied the meaning and definition of worship.

Now in this lesson, insha Allah, we’re going to study about Tawhid and its types.

If you have landed here directly we recommend you to start reading from the 1st lesson

What is the meaning of Tawhid?

Tawhid is a verbal noun (masdar) derived from the Arabic verb wahhada-yawahhidu (وحد يوحد) which means to single out.

In Islam, the meaning of Tawhid is to single out Allah in worship. Singling out Allah in worship means diverting all the types of worships only to Allah. A person will not become a muwahhid (one who is in tawhid) until he diverts all types of worship only to Allah.

It is the mercy of Allah upon His slaves, that He sent messengers to guide mankind and to explain them the straight path. All of the messengers invited people towards tawhid and prohibited them from shirk.

There are three types of Tawhid. They are:

Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah.
Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah.
Tawhid al-Asma’ was-Sifat.

Insha Allah, we'll study these types in the later lessons.

4. Questions:

What is the meaning of Tawhid?
Mention the types of Tawhid.
When will a person become a Muwahhid?

Please click here to move to the next lesson.

Biography of Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abdul Wahhab

2014-01-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

He was the Imaam, the Shaykh, Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab ibn Sulaymaan ibn 'Alee ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Raashid ibn Burayd ibn Muhammad ibn Mushrif ibn 'Umar, from a branch of the tribe of Banoo Tameem.

This scholar was born in the town of 'Unayzah in the year 1115 H in a household known for knowledge, nobility and attachment to the religion. His father was an eminent scholar, and his grandfather was the scholar of Najd in his time. He himself memorized the Qur'aan before reaching the age of ten, and studied fiqh (details of Islamic law and practice) of which he learned a great deal. Indeed his father was greatly pleased at the strength of his memory. He devoted a great deal of time to studying the books of tafseer (explanation of the Qur'aan) and hadeeth (the sayings and actions of the Prophet). He sought knowledge day and night and he used to memorise the books of the various branches of Islamic knowledge. He also travelled throughout Najd and to Makkah and studied the books of knowledge with the scholars. Then he travelled to al-Madeenah and studied under the scholars there. From them was the great scholar Shaykh 'Abdullah ibn Ibraaheem ash-Shammaree. He also studied under his son who was well versed in the laws of inheritance, Ibraaheem ash-Shammaree, the author of al-'Adhbul-Faa'id fee Sharh Alfiyyatil Faraa'id. It was they who introduced him to the famous scholar of hadeeth Muhammad Hayaat as-Sindee. With him he studied the sciences of hadeeth and sciences related to its narrators. He also granted him permission (ijaazah) to narrate the source books of hadeeth.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab (may Allaah, the Most High, have mercy upon him) was granted deep understanding and a very high degree of intelligence by Allaah, and he devoted his time to research, study and writing. He used to record and remember whatever points of benefit he came across whilst reading and researching and he never grew tired of writing. Indeed he transcribed many of the works of Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahumullaah) and many valuable manuscripts written in his own handwriting are preserved in various museums. After the death of his father he himself openly called to the Salafee da'wah, to singling out Allaah with all worship and all that is His due, to the rejection of all evil, and he opposed the innovators who directed worship to the graves. He was aided, strengthened and his call to the truth was made widespread through the help of the Aal Sa'ood.

He also published many beneficial works, from them: The outstanding and valuable work entitled: Kitaabut-tawheed, which has been printed many times; every time an edition is sold out it is reprinted. Also Kashfush-Shubuhaat, al-Kabaa’ir, Mukhtasarul-Insaaf, ash-SharhuUKabeer, Mukhtasar Zaadil-Ma'aad, and he has a large number of Fataawaa (religious rulings) and treatises, which have been collected under the title: Majmoo 'ah Muallafaat al-Imaam Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab, under the supervision of Imaam Muhammad ibn Sa'ud University.

He died in the year 1206 H. May Allaah cover him in mercy and reward him well for his services to Islaam and the Muslims. Indeed Allaah is the One who hears and responds to supplications. All praise and thanks are for Allaah - and may Allaah send praises and blessings of peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, upon his family, true followers, and upon all his Companions.

By Fahd ibn Naasir as-Sulaymaan, from the book 'Expalanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islam'.

Lesson 2: What is worship?

2014-01-14T03:10:00.004-08:00

Lesson 2: What is worship?

1. Text:

الْعِبَادَةُ: اسْمٌ جَامِعٌ لِكُلِّ مَا يُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَيَرْضَاهُ مِنَ الْأَقْوَالِ وَالْأَعْمَالِ الظَّاهِرَةِ وَالْبَاطِنَةِ.
وَيَكُونُ تَحْقِيقُ الْعِبَادَةِ بِطَاعَةِ اللَّهِ بِامْتِثَالِ أَوَامِرِهِ وَاجْتِنَابِ نَوَاهِيهِ.

2. Translation:

Worhip (ibadah) is: a comprehensive name for all that Allah loves and becomes contended with, from the speeches and actions, both outwardly and inwardly.

The actualization of worship is done by obeying Allah, by abiding His commands and abstaining His prohibitions.

3. Explanation:

In the previous lesson we studied that all worships should be diverted only to Allah. We also studied that if anyone diverts any type of worship to other than Allah, then he is a mushrik. If he dies in the same state without making sincere tawbah his destination is jahannam and jannah (paradise) is prohibited for him.

Now in this lesson, insha Allah, we're going to study something about worship.

If you have landed here directly we recommend you to start reading from the 1st lesson

What is worship?

Ibadah (worship) is a verbal noun (masdar) derived from the verb abada-ya’budu (عبد يعبد), which means to worship.

In Islamic terminology, the definition of ibadah (worship) is:

اسْمٌ جَامِعٌ لِكُلِّ مَا يُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَيَرْضَاهُ مِنَ الْأَقْوَالِ وَالْأَعْمَالِ الظَّاهِرَةِ وَالْبَاطِنَةِ

“A comprehensive name for all that Allah loves and becomes contended with, from the speeches and actions, both outwardly and inwardly.”

There are many types of ibadah. Some of them are outward. For eg.: prayer, supplication, sacrifice, doing good to parents, connecting the blood relationships, co-operating upon righteousness and piety, performing jihad in the way of Allah, enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, etc. Similarly, some of them are inward. For eg.: love, fear, dread, hope, etc.

All the worships should be diverted only to Allah, because Allah, the exalted, says:

وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” [Qur’an 98:5]

4. Questions:

Sort the outward worships from the inward worships:
- [hajj, tawakkul (relying on Allah), du’a (supplication), salat (prayer), khawf (fearing Allah), jihad in the way of Allah]
Define worship. What can be called a worship?
Complete the following:
- The actualization of worship is done by obeying Allah, by ________________ and abstaining _________________.

Please click here to move to the next lesson.

Lesson 1: The Purpose of Creation

2014-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Lesson 1 : The Purpose of Creation

1. Text:

فَاعْلَمْ –رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى- أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ لِيَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا يُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا. وَالدَّلِيلُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

2. Translation:

Know –may Allah, the exalted, show mercy upon you- that Allah, the exalted, created the creation so that they (mankind and jinn) worship Him and not ascribe any partners to Him. The proof is the word of Allah, the exalted:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Qur’an 51:56]

3. Explanation:

Everything in this world is created for a purpose. Everything in this world exists for a purpose. There’s nothing in this world which is out of purpose. We can hold or point to anything in this world and ask, “What’s the purpose of it?” Immediately we get an answer. For example, if we hold a pen in our hand and ask, “What’s the purpose of this pen?” Soon we get an answer, “The purpose is to write.” So the pen is created with some purpose. Similarly you may ask, “What’s the purpose of writing this lesson?” Because this lesson also has a purpose behind it.

If you have landed here directly we recommend you to read the introduction for this class

Similarly the sun, moon, mountains, trees, animals etc. everything has a purpose behind it. They are created for some or other reasons.

So if everything has a purpose behind it, then what is the purpose behind the creation of man? Why was man created? What is the reason for it? After all, why do man exist in this world?

People may have different opinions. The opinions may differ from person to person, place to place and time to time. Some may say the purpose is to achieve something. Some may say to rule, to love, to sing, to dance etc. Others may say to eat, to drink, to enjoy, to have sex and so on. So everyone accepts that there is a purpose behind the creation of man.

Let’s come to the Islamic point of view. What’s the purpose behind the creation of man? Why was man created? The answer is: to worship Allah. Allah did not create the jinn and the mankind except they must worship Him. So according to Islam, the purpose of creation is to worship Allah alone.

Worshiping Allah alone means to divert all types of worship (ibadah) only to Allah. If anyone diverts any of the worship to other than Allah, then he has ascribed partners with Allah. He has committed the biggest crime which is shirk. If he dies on the same state without making sincere tawbah (repentance) the reward for him is jahannam (hell) and he will reside there forever and ever. Because Allah, the exalted, says:

إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ

“Indeed, he who ascribes partners with Allah – Allah has forbidden him paradise, and his refuge is the fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.” [Qur’an 5:72]

4. Questions:

What is the purpose behind the creation of man?
Eating, drinking is necessary for living? Are we created for that?
Who is a Mushrik? What is his destination?
What is the rule if a person diverts any one of the following worships to other than Allah?
- [Salat (prayer), Du’a (supplication), Khawf (fear), Zab’h (sacrifice), Tawaf (circumambulation)].

Please click here to move to the next lesson.

Introduction to Basic Level Tawhid Class 1

2014-01-13T02:44:00.001-08:00

Tawhid occupies a very prominent place in Islam. It’s mandatory to study Tawhid because it’s the heart and essence of Islam. It consolidates in the heart, matters of Aqidah (creed) and Iman (belief), which are considered as the basic foundation on which the life of a person is established. Moreover, worship, deeds and characters of a person are all judged and rewarded if only they are based on the correct Aqidah and Iman.

With the grace of Allah, Sub’hanahu wa Ta’ala, the Aqidah of Islam is very clear and easy to understand. Human nature easily accepts it. A person, even if he is still young or illiterate, can easily grasp and comprehend it.

However, the simplicity of lessons and arrangement of subjects in a beautiful manner, will surely help people to comprehend and understand the subject well. Shaykhul Islam Muhammad Ibn 'Abdul Wahhab (Rahimahullah) wrote several essays on the subject of Tawhid to teach people the important features of Tawhid and Iman in such a manner that it had a tremendous effect in cleansing the hearts of the people by correcting their wrong beliefs and planting the correct Aqidah in their hearts and thereby promoting them towards good deeds and prohibiting them from wrong deeds.

Read the Short Biography of Shaykhul Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (Rahimahullah)

In this class of basic level of Tawhid, Insha Allah, we are going to study the basic tenets of Islam from the essays written by the Shaykh. This class consists 13 lessons. We kindly request you to read the whole lesson carefully and try to understand the lesson completely and then try to answer the questions. You should move to the next lesson only if you are completely comfortable with the previous lesson. You can comment on the lesson using the comment box and try to explain what you understood from the lesson. You can even contact us if you are unable to understand the lesson.

Finally, the basic qualification for studying this level is that you should know to read and write Arabic and some basics of Islam.

The lessons of this Class are as follows:

The Purpose of Creation.
What is worship?
Tawhid and its types.
Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah.
Tawheed-ul-Uloohiyyah.
Tawheed-ul-Asmaa’i-was-Sifaat.
The Messengers of Allah.
The First Obligation upon Mankind.
The True Belief.
The Biggest Taaghoot.
Non-Islamic Judgement.
Claiming the Knowledge of Unseen.
Rejecting the Taaghoot.