What do you understand by Tawhid?

[Yasmin P]

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

[S.M.H.A.]

"The great Islamic scholar and commentator of the Holy Qur’an -the late Allamah Tabatabai (may Allah bless his soul) says:

At-Tawhid, when expanded, becomes the whole of Islam, and Islam, when condensed, At-Tawhid is acquired.”1

[Yasmin P]

13 minutes ago, S.M.H.A. said:

"The great Islamic scholar and commentator of the Holy Qur’an -the late Allamah Tabatabai (may Allah bless his soul) says:

At-Tawhid, when expanded, becomes the whole of Islam, and Islam, when condensed, At-Tawhid is acquired.”1

Thank you for your reply.  Would you mind making the connection for me?  Could not the same be said for other monotheistic religions?

What if an atheist and a monotheist lived identical lives apart from Salah, fasting, Hajj and belief in God.  Let's say the atheist gives away majority of his earnings to the homeless, does not smoke or drink etc.  What is the significance of Tawhid?

 

[S.M.H.A.]

Audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem.

Bismillah, ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim

AsSalaamu Alaykum,

I am a Layman/person like you, So my understanding is limited. In general terms, what we have been conditioned to think of Tawhid, in media[for a specific purpose]. Is very narrow definition.

Above are two general info lectures, you may benefit from them and if we have a hard time understanding something, we can look at the opposite of that particular concept. Kindly, Share your thoughts once you have reflected on them.

light[daylight] can only be understood fully and benefits comprehended, once we have experienced darkness[night].

WS

Layman.

 

[Yasmin P]

1 hour ago, S.M.H.A. said:

Audhu billahi min ash-shaitanir rajeem.

Bismillah, ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim

AsSalaamu Alaykum,

I am a Layman/person like you, So my understanding is limited. In general terms, what we have been conditioned to think of Tawhid, in media[for a specific purpose]. Is very narrow definition.

Above are two general info lectures, you may benefit from them and if we have a hard time understanding something, we can look at the opposite of that particular concept. Kindly, Share your thoughts once you have reflected on them.

light[daylight] can only be understood fully and benefits comprehended, once we have experienced darkness[night].

WS

Layman.

 

Thank you.  I'm assuming I can find these online.  I'd be happy more than happy to share my thoughts.  Thank you once again.

[S.M.H.A.]

Links were provided at the bottom of the post I referenced.

Here is it 

Forms and Levels of Tawhid and Shirk in Islam, by Br. Khalil Jaffer

http://www.al-islam.org/media/forms-and-levels-tawhid-and-shirk-islam-1-of-2

http://www.al-islam.org/media/forms-and-levels-tawhid-and-shirk-islam-2-of-2

 

[certainclarity]

7 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

Salam,

So basically you want to know what is the benefit of the believing in the oneness of Allah? Correct me if I am wrong.

Since your question is in relation to belief and what is the impact of belief in absolute Tawhid,

"ONE" of the aspects of belief in Tawheed is the occurrence of miracles beyond the ordinary, as proofs for humanity.

If we believe that prophets are humans like us, putting aside the aspect of heaven and hell which is of the domain of the here after, prophets who were humans like us, were able to perform miracles on planet earth,based on the sincere belief of concept of Tawheed.

Bringing a dead to life after 60 years, creating a full fledged bird just by clay and blowing into it,splitting the ocean, travelling the seven skies without a space suit, food coming directly from heaven, etc...

None of these are possible or even explainable by even the most renouned scientist, atheist, polytheist.

So if prophets could, there is something wrong with us, that we cannot.

This is a small scale of what true belief in Tawheed results in, from the practical point of view.

Edited March 31, 2016 by certainclarity

[Yasmin P]

20 minutes ago, certainclarity said:

Salam,

So basically you want to know what is the benefit of the believing in the oneness of Allah? Correct me if I am wrong.

Since your question is in relation to belief and what is the impact of belief in absolute Tawhid,

"ONE" of the aspects of belief in Tawheed is the occurrence of miracles beyond the ordinary, as proofs for humanity.

If we believe that prophets are humans like us, putting aside the aspect of heaven and hell which is of the domain of the here after, prophets who were humans like us, were able to perform miracles on planet earth,based on the sincere belief of concept of Tawheed.

Bringing a dead to life after 60 years, creating a full fledged bird just by clay and blowing into it,splitting the ocean, travelling the seven skies without a space suit, food coming directly from heaven, etc...

None of these are possible or even explainable by even the most renouned scientist, atheist, polytheist.

So if prophets could, there is something wrong with us, that we cannot.

This is a small scale of what true belief in Tawheed results in, from the practical point of view.

Thank you for this.  Let's just say for argument's sake that some people can accomplish these things through the help of Jinns, so what then is the essence of Tawheed?  What does it mean to believe in the oneness of Allah?  I don't think I've managed to make clear what it is I'm actually really asking.  What would that mean for me as a being that exists without concerning myself with the miracles?  The miracles were, if I understand correctly, a by product of understanding of Tawheed not the aim.  So, what is that understanding and how does that affect my existence purely at the level of existence, not the things I am able to do.  I don't know if this is making any sense?

Edited March 31, 2016 by Yasmin P
badly worded

[certainclarity]

I understood what you mentioned, but I wanted to understand what exactly are you looking to understand, Hence in my statement I mentioned, specific miracles which are the " practical proof of Tawheed.

Also I specifically mentioned, miracles that cannot be accomplished thru jinns, but as you said argument sake, let's say it could be done.

Humans cannot live without " knowing " now this knowing could be the very basic of knowings such as knowing the techniques of hunting to survive to knowing if there is a creator or creators or no creator at all.

The very reason  that you created this post, is to know and understand, and if you get to understand and know , it will give you a sense of " satisfaction "

Scientists can be locked into their minds and books for years just to know and understand the universe and planets.

Why? Because there is pleasure in knowing. From the very basic to the most complex. No one does any thing if there is no benefit.

One seeks the pleasure of the mind while other seek the pleasures of material. One "focuses" to the pleasure of understanding material with the mind , the other, seeks and "focuses" the pleasure of understanding the creator of the mind.

The ultimate aim of Islam is to know the creator of the creations of existence. As an example the best expression we can use is " The focal point ."

If you read the hadiths about Tawheed in al- Kafi you will understand what is being said, is extremely unique to true monotheism.

The mind level of prophets is based on their capacity to be able to handle and stand the understanding of Tawheed , and knowing Allah.

The highest capacity was of the last prophet ( pbuh ).

However in Tawheed this knowing and knowledge is given by Allah, the one main source, one focus,in polytheism there would have to be two sources, and if there are two sources, one source will contradict the other atleast in one aspect, and the result of two is confusion not focus.

Even For humans to truely understand something we require focus, and focus is concentration, and concentration is like an arrow pointed towards the Bulls eye.

In atheism the source of knowledge is themselves, hence full of assumptions ,theories, and limited.

This is a very deep topic and has many levels to it.

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2016 by certainclarity

[Enlightened Follower]

10 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

One philosphy, one path, one life, no distracrtions, one God.

[Enlightened Follower]

3 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

Thank you for this.  Let's just say for argument's sake that some people can accomplish these things through the help of Jinns, so what then is the essence of Tawheed?  What does it mean to believe in the oneness of Allah?  I don't think I've managed to make clear what it is I'm actually really asking.  What would that mean for me as a being that exists without concerning myself with the miracles?  The miracles were, if I understand correctly, a by product of understanding of Tawheed not the aim.  So, what is that understanding and how does that affect my existence purely at the level of existence, not the things I am able to do.  I don't know if this is making any sense?

Tawhid is the encompassment of all the life and existence in front of you all things are in their essence one even if they have multiple parts they all are a part of the same one universe.

[Enlightened Follower]

5 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

Thank you for your reply.  Would you mind making the connection for me?  Could not the same be said for other monotheistic religions?

What if an atheist and a monotheist lived identical lives apart from Salah, fasting, Hajj and belief in God.  Let's say the atheist gives away majority of his earnings to the homeless, does not smoke or drink etc.  What is the significance of Tawhid?

 

Tawhid gives meaning to his actions, the atheist could furnish and treat a chocolate bunny nicely as well but according to his or her perspective the only difference between the human being and chocolate bunny are a rearrangement of carbon compounds.

Where as the person believing in Tawhid is honoring an existence/essence greater than himself.

[Enlightened Follower]

3 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

Thank you for this.  Let's just say for argument's sake that some people can accomplish these things through the help of Jinns, so what then is the essence of Tawheed?  What does it mean to believe in the oneness of Allah?  I don't think I've managed to make clear what it is I'm actually really asking.  What would that mean for me as a being that exists without concerning myself with the miracles?  The miracles were, if I understand correctly, a by product of understanding of Tawheed not the aim.  So, what is that understanding and how does that affect my existence purely at the level of existence, not the things I am able to do.  I don't know if this is making any sense?

On the level or plain of existence there is always an aspect of existence which is much greater in meaning and wholeness than ourselves this is what Tawhid represents. It is akin to what the Hindus and Buddhists recite when they are meditating and saying  "Om"(their form of dhikr).

[S.M.H.A.]

 

Understanding True Tawhid requires a proper understanding of (Wilayat of Ahl al-Bayt (as)).

*****

Hadith Silsilat al-Dhahab in Neyshabur

Hadith Silsilat al-Dhahab (Golden Chain)3 in Neyshabur

People of Neyshabur were eagerly looking forward to seeing Imam al-Ridha (as). At his arrival they asked him to stay on for a while longer so they could better see the charming and dignified countenance of the Prophet (S)'s grandson. Having dressed quite simply, the holy Imam (as) stood before the people.

Upon seeing the Imam (as), those people let out a cheerful chanting. When Imam al-Ridha (as) began to speak, two of the hadith memorizers named Abudhar‘a and Muhammad b. Aslam bade people to keep silent, and restated the graceful and elegant words of the holy Imam (as) loudly enough for all to hear. Imam al-Ridha (as) expressed a hadith regarding the unity and oneness of the Exalted Allah as follows:

“The statement La illaha illa Allah is My strong fortress, whoever says it will enter this fortress, and if he enters it, he will be safeguarded from the punishment of the Judgment Day.” And then, when his retinue were about to set off, he looked out of the camel litter. People found out that the Imam (as) intended to say something. Once again silence prevailed, and then Imam al-Ridha (as) concluded the above hadith by the following words:

“But yet on some conditions, and I am one of the conditions”.

By this Divine Hadith,4 the holy Imam (as) intended to state three points:

Firstly, by naming his ancestors who had each quoted the hadith from the previous ones back to the Holy Prophet (S) who had himself heard it through the trusted Gabriel from the Exalted Lord, he could remind people of his honorable ancestors who were all Shi‘ite Imams and rightful Caliphs of the true path.

Secondly, to remind people of monotheism and theology, which are the cornerstones of all beliefs and contentions to avert them from getting duped by illegitimate rulers, taghuts, and the tyrannical bullies.

Thirdly, real and non-idolatrous monotheism and theology free from hypocrisy requires and accompanies theWilayat of Ahl al-Bayt (as), and that unless a just leadership is not set up in the Muslims' community, the idols and pseudo-idols and the illegitimate rulers will not allow Divine Unity turn in the right path.

Historically, it is recorded that when writing down this hadith, the eager people were so prepared that they had in their disposal 24 thousand pen-holders to be used in writing the precious words of the Holy Prophet (S)'s descendent.5

http://www.al-islam.org/fourteen-luminaries-islam-ahmad-ahmadi-birjandi/tenth-infallible-hadhrat-imam-ali-b-musa-al-ridha#hadith-silsilat-al-dhahab-neyshabur

[StrugglingForTheLight]

Salam

From what I understand, Tawheed is what justifies the truth of creation. That is without Tawheed, things would not be created in truth. That is to say, we get our reality from a perfect observer who sees things as they truly are because they are as they are as far as they are relate to him (and no one can see the absolute essence).  The Quran points to this in the verse "Is he who is an upholder regarding every souls of what it has earned....". 

Basically no lesser being then the absolute being can do this.  It takes a perfect observer to make every soul inherit it's action.

Furthermore is the aspect of when we do evil, what are we going against. The Quran talks about the name of God by which people are reckoned, perish, or do praiseworthy deeds.

The name of God connects our vision of good with an real living being. This living being being the source of the goodness, is ultimately what we are going against if we do evil. There is different levels of evil, and all of them are to the degree they go against the sanctity of God's Names.

Atheists for example acknowledge "goodness" but often see it as a subjective feeling with no living reality or a biological created software in our minds.

When a person believes goodness, justice, the beauty of it, all doesn't have an absolute living existence, he in reality disbelieves in the nature of these things. He belittles the sanctity of it, and even becomes hostile towards it's reality "who do we need God for morality..." etc, while these things in reality all point to the Divine.

God is the light of all light, he is inside everything but without being merged into them neither being separate from them.

It is said in some hadiths there is no greater faith then to love for God's sake, but what does this mean? It's to see the value of beings derived from the value of God, to love things for the sake of God.

There is more to be said.  The sanctity of God's right is higher then all other rights. And his value is more then other then value. Hence it's a favour that he has given us doors to his knowledge. The truth of his knowledge however is given in a way that it truly is knowledge because it's derive from his self-knowledge, and self-witnessing.

That is why Quran in Suratal Auli-Imran says "God witnesses that there is no God but he, and the Angels, and those possessing knowledge".

God knows he is One absolute reality, that he is the all-life, the living one by which all things exist...the true nature of existence by which there can be no existence with him.

We been given this spiritual knowledge and to go against it also breaks the divine order meant for humanity.

That is to say, God sent Prophets with his revelations that humanity may have a connection with God and obey him. We are to unite on his obedience. Submit to his commands.

When we deny the Prophets, we go against the divine order he has brought through his revelations. 

When we disobey those who possess the authority from humanity, we are going against the best people on earth who are trying to establish justice and unite humanity upon it.

When we go against Tawheed, we are giving reign to ignorance to rule. With Tawheed, we look towards real guidance that is connected to the ultimate wise being.

Who is more worthiest to be followed?

Everyone can impose opinions by falsehood if we don't unite on Tawheed and submit to God's guidance.

God is the best judge for a people who are sure. We are divided, and everyone judges one another....but who are we going to listen to? People's opinions in which the more eloquent they sound the more incline we are to their conjecture.

God on the other hand brings the best and most truthful judgement, and we are to judge by what he reveals.

He manifests what we differ upon and what we should unite upon.

God wants us to see how great he is by acknowledging how great his favour is. His favour is tied with sanctity of his names and inward kingdom. If we want to measure well being physically, psychologically, etc, none of this is created in this world perfectly. He could of created a better world. But if we believe in the unseen nature of patience, fortitude, serenity, courage, the beauty and honour in all the virtues that we are tried with respect to this world, we can see an opportunity we are given.

But the truth is this needs appreciating the nature of God as a one has the right to try his servants. This is something most Atheists can never accept. They call God the worse of things, because, they apply the rights humans have upon one another to God.

God has the right to test us but no other being has the right to test us through the evils of this world then God. 

We have to acknowledge that this right is unique to God. The Atheist will say special pleading or what not, but it's one the things we been given knowledge of through his name.

And we been given knowledge that no one but the absolute being can try us with respect to all this, and no can forgive all sins but him.

Tawheed is acknowledging the greatest gift we been given which is the light of God's face and his great name that connects us to him.

When we belittle this knowledge, and value others on par with the ultimate being, we are denying the nature of existence, the nature of goodness, the nature of honor.

We cannot by our own whims decide what it means to be a good human being or chose a leader or guide and say he is righteous. Rather by God's secret of his holy names, he chooses from his servants those who he tried with respect to love to him and found them the strongest in love and reverence towards him, and it's up to him to manifest those for us to follow.

Humanity is need of leaders and guides. It's just mean their stubborn nature to want to pick their own leaders and guides, rather then submit to the leaders and guides appointed by God and mix falsehood with truth, rather then following only what they have knowledge of.

The way of Tawheed is that it has practical implications in enlightenment of guidance. Guidance is not simply practical ways to act in real life, although that is important, it's connecting us to real higher states we are meant to travel on.

That and recognize the light of humanity is actually a human being who God gives light through to all, to believers it's brighter then the sun at midday and to disbelievers, they see it so dimly and fuzzy while being immersed in darkness. The light of that human being and God is so connected, that we constantly are connected to glorification of God through this human being. 

However if we say there is no such connection, we become confused, in which we never look to be guided by God but rather look to ourselves. The problem is within ourselves, there is as much if not more misguidance then guidance. Our thoughts are wrong often as they are right. 

That is why awakening to the true nature of the universe, in which, we are to glorify God through the light of his face, and that face of God is our leader we will be called to on the day of judgement, our leader and guide, has such a sublime experience, the design that every generation has a guide with them, is of God's sublime design.

Recognizing this design is only through appreciating God's holy Names and great light. The Quran came to point to this, but most of humanity is stubborn to the spiritual nature of the Imam and the spiritual world. They refuse to look towards the true kingdom..."will they not look towards the malakut of the heavens and the earth and of what God has created..."

What they measure existence by is not what is true existence, neither of God nor his creation which is closely tied to his glory and majesty.

Aside from this, is the fact, without Tawheed and constantly praying to God as means of weapons against the dark forces, we begin to lose our will. Our will becomes a play thing in the hands of dark forces. They begin to control our lives, and we have little "willful" acts, but rather our acts become acts of weakness, in which we submit to overpowering suggestions and inspirations of the unclean enemy of humanity, the dark one, Iblis.

God purposely allowed this to happen, so that he can see which one of us will turn to him often and constantly seek refuge in him. To see who will awaken to the manifest enemy and try to live a sincere life knowing there are enemies trying to overpower us.

Those who deny Tawheed, can never see the beauty in the design. They can't see it, because the beauty is again all about how sincere we are to the absolute being. They don't see the sanctity of God's Names and the beauty that can come out of in the trial. Because the beauty is all about how sincere we are to Tawheed. Tawheed means to value God in a way that you know no other being deserve a value close to it. 

Atheist who don't value God end up valuing lesser beings with the highest value in their souls. They value themselves, and others, and begin to devalue God saying "so what if he exists, why does he want us to worship him and stroke his ego".

We don't see the nature of deeds right now, but, the truth, is when people go against the knowledge of Tawheed and are insincere to God, they deny all things that point to him, guide to him, and go against his design for humanity. 

They spread corruption and darkness thereby, and think little of what they do as evil. They have no fear of God and become bold against him.

The best of his servants also have a light of the right of God's Tawheed. They being upon a path from him and towards him, in which God calls the path his own, also have a sanctity tied towards Him. The believers attachment to these servants also have a right that is a light of that light.

Naturally without Tawheed, his sincere best servants cannot be recognized, neither those attached to them and their light would be recognized, and all this happens while people follow unjust leaders.

 

[A1 BOSS]

The ceiling of pioussness will always be higher for a mo'min. The virtues taught by the Holy Prophets, and Imams as given by Allah are non existent in any other religion. 

 

 

[S.M.H.A.]

9 hours ago, Yasmin P said:

 What does it mean to believe in the oneness of Allah?

So, what is that understanding and how does that affect my existence purely at the level of existence, not the things I am able to do.  I don't know if this is making any sense?

 

This might help.

"So, Iblis had neither any defect in the principle of belief in Allah’s being the Creator, or in belief in Allah’s Lordship in creation and nor in belief in ma’ad. But still he falls so much! Why? Because he does not believe in Allah’s Lordship in Law-giving (Divine legislation) and docs not regard Allah’s command to be obeyed unquestionably, unless Allah’s command would be consistent with (Ibis’s) own thought and desire." 2

http://www.al-islam.org/tawhid-or-monotheism-muhammad-taqi-misbah-yazdi/part-1-tawhid-value-system-islam#position-lordship-divine-legislation-and-required-level-tawhid

[Yasmin P]

On 4/1/2016 at 5:59 AM, StrugglingForTheLight said:

Salam

From what I understand, Tawheed is what justifies the truth of creation. That is without Tawheed, things would not be created in truth. That is to say, we get our reality from a perfect observer who sees things as they truly are because they are as they are as far as they are relate to him (and no one can see the absolute essence).  The Quran points to this in the verse "Is he who is an upholder regarding every souls of what it has earned....". .....................................................................................Naturally without Tawheed, his sincere best servants cannot be recognized, neither those attached to them and their light would be recognized, and all this happens while people follow unjust leaders.

 

Thank you so much for this.  It has helped to clear the fog somewhat. 

Edited April 1, 2016 by starlight
cut down long quote

[Yasmin P]

Thank you to all who've replied.  It was very kind of you all to take the time and trouble and I am truly grateful.

[Ibn Matta]

Salaamu 'Alaykum

Bismillaah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem

 

Tawheed basically refers to a kind of oneness of Allaah in terms of our 'Aqidah. Of course its a lot more detailed than that and insha allaah I'll do my best in explaining it. It is arguably the most important and basic teaching of Islam, its the real fundamental point of the Da'wah of Rasool Allaah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wa salim) and is the most concurrent theme in the Qur'an

Tawheed can be summarised in roughly 3 categories:

 

Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah

Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah

Tawheed al-'Asma wa Sifaat

 

Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah

This is essentially believing Allaah is your Creator, Lord, Sustainer and also that he is totally unique in however way he describes himself (but that is a totally different topic for another time). It is probably the most widely understood and to a great extent the most obvious of all the categories of Tawheed and I don't really need to quote verses as its quite self-explanatory and the verses referring to it are many and well known. Interestingly it is important to note that the Mushrikoon believed in Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah as the Qur'an says:

 

Surat al-Mu'minoon, Verses 84-89

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?"

 

Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah

 On the contrary this is arguably the most misunderstood category of Tawheed. It is sometimes referred to as Tawheed al-'Ibadah for reasons that will become obvious and this is because it means to single out Allah in worship ('Ibadah). This is summarised by the phrase La ilaha ila Allaah (There is nothing worthy of worship but Allaah), there are two parts of this phrase: negation and affirmation. The first part "La ilaha" negates any shirk through worshipping false idols, and the second part "ila Allaah" affirms that only Allah should be worshipped. Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah is really what all the Prophets called to as the Qur'an tells us:

 

Surat an-Nahl, Verse 36

And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (any entity other than Allah that has worship directed to it)." And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.

 

So it is a great shame that not many Muslims have a great deal of knowledge about this vital part of Tawheed. It is important to note that Allah does not forgive Shirk

 

Surat an-Nisa, Verse 48

Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

 

Tawheed al-'Asma wa Sifaat

This is that you affirm all of Allah's attributes and descriptions as they come down to us

[Ibn Matta]

On ‎31‎/‎03‎/‎2016 at 3:33 PM, Yasmin P said:

Thank you for your reply.  Would you mind making the connection for me?  Could not the same be said for other monotheistic religions?

What if an atheist and a monotheist lived identical lives apart from Salah, fasting, Hajj and belief in God.  Let's say the atheist gives away majority of his earnings to the homeless, does not smoke or drink etc.  What is the significance of Tawhid?

 

Think about it like this. They are carrying out tasks of 'Ibadah, but for what? The Christian for the Trinity. The Jew for Uzair and Allaah. The Zororastrians for their Ahura Mazda fire deities. Muslims do this for Allaah's sake. This is what makes us unique and singles us out as people of truth and true monotheism. Making partners with Allaah is deviant and misguiding as they will do acts of worship to deities that are non-existant making it futile. But all Humans will be rewarded for their khayr and if the truth was not available to them then they will likely be rewarded.

[bacchante1015]

On 3/31/2016 at 0:59 PM, Yasmin P said:

Thank you for this.  Let's just say for argument's sake that some people can accomplish these things through the help of Jinns, so what then is the essence of Tawheed?  What does it mean to believe in the oneness of Allah?  I don't think I've managed to make clear what it is I'm actually really asking.  What would that mean for me as a being that exists without concerning myself with the miracles?  The miracles were, if I understand correctly, a by product of understanding of Tawheed not the aim.  So, what is that understanding and how does that affect my existence purely at the level of existence, not the things I am able to do.  I don't know if this is making any sense?

Salam my dear, your question is making a lot of sense. I used to identify as a pantheist before I fully re-embraced Islam again and for me, the oneness of God has always meant that the plurality of all that existed and exists in the universe, has to, by default of cause and effect, extend to one cause, or one reality that is unconditioned in every sense. Everything emanating from this reality is contingent upon the oneness or wholeness of the first and ultimate reality. I believe everything and even the absence of everything is permeated by the essence of this ultimate reality. Tawheed is not a concept that was introduced by our 3 faiths of the book. No, it's quite ancient, explicitly introduced by Lao Tzu and his Taoist teachings. The human mind naturally gravitates to a source that began all, that cannot be questioned, assigned with attributes, or what have you, because it is above all all, but within all. It is agreeable to the human disposition to say that everything we see or seem has a purpose. An atheist, though pious in every way, maintains a faith that relies on the affirmation that this world and everything about it came from nothing, which can reduce life to nothing more than a sequence of empirical data. This affirmation also allows for so many consequences that can viably justify a volatile lifestyle, as in "without God, all is permissible." An atheistic world view has the potential to assume that we are responsible for each our moral framework that is profanely executed and isn't divinely appointed. Meaning what? Meaning, anyone with a sharp volition can project their version of morality onto the world. Imagine the horror, if everyone thought this way. If everyone deified their ego, the world would be in absolute chaos, more so than it is now. Compassion/empathy, for example, seems to me a universal standard that is prevalent as such in every region of the world. However, it fails to mean much when I do not believe that compassion is contingent upon a unicity that connects us all. That unicity is bound by the belief in an ultimate reality, in a God, in one God, that aligns our horizontal reality with a vertical purpose. Even Hindus who are considered "polytheists" believe in an ultimate reality, that can easily be understood as God. They call this indefinable and transcendent source, Brahman. This Brahman, is one and cannot be anything other than one. It is the culmination of everything and nothing, the synthesizer of all. And the Hindus who escape the cycle of reincarnation through enlightenment, get to finally return to Brahman and be one with Him. I hope this makes sense because I feel like I'm not explaining it clearly.

[Enlightened Follower]

11 hours ago, bacchante1015 said:

Salam my dear, your question is making a lot of sense. I used to identify as a pantheist before I fully re-embraced Islam again and for me, the oneness of God has always meant that the plurality of all that existed and exists in the universe, has to, by default of cause and effect, extend to one cause, or one reality that is unconditioned in every sense. Everything emanating from this reality is contingent upon the oneness or wholeness of the first and ultimate reality. I believe everything and even the absence of everything is permeated by the essence of this ultimate reality. Tawheed is not a concept that was introduced by our 3 faiths of the book. No, it's quite ancient, explicitly introduced by Lao Tzu and his Taoist teachings. The human mind naturally gravitates to a source that began all, that cannot be questioned, assigned with attributes, or what have you, because it is above all all, but within all. It is agreeable to the human disposition to say that everything we see or seem has a purpose. An atheist, though pious in every way, maintains a faith that relies on the affirmation that this world and everything about it came from nothing, which can reduce life to nothing more than a sequence of empirical data. This affirmation also allows for so many consequences that can viably justify a volatile lifestyle, as in "without God, all is permissible." An atheistic world view has the potential to assume that we are responsible for each our moral framework that is profanely executed and isn't divinely appointed. Meaning what? Meaning, anyone with a sharp volition can project their version of morality onto the world. Imagine the horror, if everyone thought this way. If everyone deified their ego, the world would be in absolute chaos, more so than it is now. Compassion/empathy, for example, seems to me a universal standard that is prevalent as such in every region of the world. However, it fails to mean much when I do not believe that compassion is contingent upon a unicity that connects us all. That unicity is bound by the belief in an ultimate reality, in a God, in one God, that aligns our horizontal reality with a vertical purpose. Even Hindus who are considered "polytheists" believe in an ultimate reality, that can easily be understood as God. They call this indefinable and transcendent source, Brahman. This Brahman, is one and cannot be anything other than one. It is the culmination of everything and nothing, the synthesizer of all. And the Hindus who escape the cycle of reincarnation through enlightenment, get to finally return to Brahman and be one with Him. I hope this makes sense because I feel like I'm not explaining it clearly.

Envision it this way God is reality with a consciousness. There is only one reality don't you agree?

[eThErEaL]

On March 31, 2016 at 5:35 AM, Yasmin P said:

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

I really LOVE your question! 

Tawhid is the assertion that there is a unifying principle of reality, or that ultimate reality is absolutely One.  In other words, ultimately everything is One and that there is nothing but Oneness.  To see a fragmented reality is illusory.  Tawhid should also be understood as a universal, self-evident, and timeless message.  Basically, tawhid is not a message privy to the Muslims.  

Now the requirement for asserting absolute Oneness is to do so absolutely (that is to say, with one's entire being and not partially).  A person who asserts the absolute Oneness of reality in an absolute fashion has replaced the self with The One.  Let's ponder on the following Hadith Qudsiy and then ask yourself what is the difference between an Atheist, a polytheist, and a muwahid.  

"And the slave never ceases to grow closer to Me by supererogatory activities until I love him. And when I love him I am his hearing that he hears by, and the sight that he sees by, and his hand that grips with, and his legs that he walks on. If he asks Me I will give and if he seeks My refuge I will give him refuge."

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BornShia]

On 3/31/2016 at 1:35 PM, Yasmin P said:

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

At philosophical level all religions believe in Tawhid and it is the definition of Tawhid which leads to all these wars in the world. The Hindu believe in One God, and then they believe in TriMurti, so does the Christians believe in One God, and then they believe in Trinity.

The Shia say that they definition of Tawhid is the best and that they believe in One God. Ask any Tafkiri and Wahhabi, why they kill all those Shias. And, then we have the Trinity of ibn Taymiyyah such as:

1. Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah

2. Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah

3. Tawheed al-'Asma wa Sifaat

At a lower level you might look into Ayatollah Kamal al-Hyderai who gives the defines"

1. Wahid (One)

2. Ahad ((Say, He is Allah, (Who is) Ahad)) Chapter 112

At the highest level you might want to look into Mulla Sadra, who Ayatollah Khomeini considered to be his teacher. Light and Shadows.

About Heaven and Hell, they belong to Allah Only and no one else.

The second principle of Shia after Tawhid is that Allah is Just. Not only we can repent in this life, owe can repent in afterlife too. Allah says that when He Created mankind, He Prescribed Mercy on Himself. 

 

 

[QiiQii]

Also Tawhid is the basis upon which our relationship with others and the world is governed. It is through belief in the Oneness of Allah that we recognise each other and everything else in this world and the universe as pertaining to Him. It establishes a means for us to treat each other using the universal laws by which Allah S.W.T. runs the world and the universe. It also governs our thoughts and interactions with ourselves, other human beings and things using virtue as an adjudicating criteria with the Masoomeen having oversight over its implementation due to their elevated status with Allah S.W.T. 

All living creatures affirm and manifest this because it forms the essence based upon which everything exists. Even the creatures that disobey and disbelieve Allah S.W.T. cannot help but affirm his oneness through the concept of Tawheed because it is just so intrinsic that no one can escape it. It is central to everything that Allah S.W.T. has created.

It also forms the basis of the mercy of Allah S.W.T. that surrounds and covers everything and through which his creation is sustained. It is a means of attaining peace and harmony with ourselves and all that Allah S.W.T. has created and the only true basis of achieving it.

 

P.S. it has been very enriching reading everyone's post in this thread. Thank you for starting this.

[S.M.H.A.]

Satan replies to his slave

"..At the end of the book, Muntakhabut Tawarikh, it is quoted from a great scholar of Isfahan that he said: In one of the villages of Isfahan, a man was passing through the last moments of his life. I was called at his bedside. So I went and told him to say, “There is no god except Allah”. The bedridden man repeated it.

Suddenly came a voice from the left side of that room, “My slave tells the truth.” I asked the man to recite “O Allah!” again came the voice, “Here I am, My servant.” There was someone who replied to the bedridden person and when I asked, “Who are you?” The reply was, “This man was my slave all his life. He was serving me. He is my devoted servant.” Then he was asked, “Who are you?” “I am Satan,” came the reply.

Thus when this man said, “My God”, he actually meant the one he had worshipped all his life, that is the Satan. May dust fall on the head of the one who calls his enemy his deity.
What does Quran say:
 
And when they are cast into a narrow place in it, bound, they shall there call out for destruction. (25:13)"

https://www.al-islam.org/the-heart-of-the-quran-commentary-of-sura-yasin-ayatullah-dastaghaib/ayat-no-60-61#satan-replies-his-slave

*****

https://www.al-islam.org/hadith-al-thaqalayn-a-study-of-its-tawatur

[eThErEaL]

On June 12, 2016 at 11:28 AM, BornShia said:

At philosophical level all religions believe in Tawhid and it is the definition of Tawhid which leads to all these wars in the world. The Hindu believe in One God, and then they believe in TriMurti, so does the Christians believe in One God, and then they believe in Trinity.

The Shia say that they definition of Tawhid is the best and that they believe in One God. Ask any Tafkiri and Wahhabi, why they kill all those Shias. And, then we have the Trinity of ibn Taymiyyah such as:

1. Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah

2. Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah

3. Tawheed al-'Asma wa Sifaat

At a lower level you might look into Ayatollah Kamal al-Hyderai who gives the defines"

1. Wahid (One)

2. Ahad ((Say, He is Allah, (Who is) Ahad)) Chapter 112

At the highest level you might want to look into Mulla Sadra, who Ayatollah Khomeini considered to be his teacher. Light and Shadows.

About Heaven and Hell, they belong to Allah Only and no one else.

The second principle of Shia after Tawhid is that Allah is Just. Not only we can repent in this life, owe can repent in afterlife too. Allah says that when He Created mankind, He Prescribed Mercy on Himself. 

 

 

As a reply to what you said, some non-Shia can say, "Shias believe in one God but then they do shirk by attributing supernatural, god like powers to their Imams."  

But we Shias know better right?  We know we are not doing Shirk right? Maybe it is because some of us don't accept some of the collected hadith of Kulayni that talk about the Imam's first creation and their cosmological function, or maybe it is because some of us tried to reconcile those Hadith with our understanding of tawhid? Either way we Shias believe Shiaism has the purest form of Tawhid and that those other people who accuse us of Shirk have simply misunderstood "Shiasm". 

My question to you is, why do we Shias think we have the right say about other religions what others say about us by saying things like:

"Hindus and Christians believe in One God but then they they have their own versions of a trinity"

This is nothing but a PURE misunderstanding of their religions.   

 

Edited June 13, 2016 by eThErEaL

[BornShia]

20 hours ago, eThErEaL said:

As a reply to what you said, some non-Shia can say, "Shias believe in one God but then they do shirk by attributing supernatural, god like powers to their Imams."  

But we Shias know better right?  We know we are not doing Shirk right? Maybe it is because some of us don't accept some of the collected hadith of Kulayni that talk about the Imam's first creation and their cosmological function, or maybe it is because some of us tried to reconcile those Hadith with our understanding of tawhid? Either way we Shias believe Shiaism has the purest form of Tawhid and that those other people who accuse us of Shirk have simply misunderstood "Shiasm". 

My question to you is, why do we Shias think we have the right say about other religions what others say about us by saying things like:

"Hindus and Christians believe in One God but then they they have their own versions of a trinity"

This is nothing but a PURE misunderstanding of their religions.   

 

You got it.

It is the definition of Monotheism which leads to all wars in the world. Every religions/sects thinks that their definition of Monotheism is correct while the others is wrong, even though all religions/sects believe in Monotheism.

[bacchante1015]

On 5/16/2016 at 10:46 PM, Enlightened Follower said:

Envision it this way God is reality with a consciousness. There is only one reality don't you agree?

@Enlightened Follower yes! such a beautiful way to think of Him.

[Ali6]

On 3/31/2016 at 5:35 AM, Yasmin P said:

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

This is how I look at it. If heaven is closeness to God and hell is remoteness to God, then people who don't believe in God or associate divinity to creation are not fit for heaven. 

[Hazara.Fighter]

Wasalam Brother
Tawhid
The Oneness of God in Islam

Muslims believe, above all else, that Allah, or God, is One without partners who share in His divinity. There are three traditional categories of Tawhid. The categories overlap, but help us to understand and purify our own faith and worship.

Oneness of lordship

Muslims believe that Allah caused all things to exist. Allah is the only One Who created and maintains all things. Allah is not in need of help or assistance in His Lordship over creation. Muslims reject any suggestion that Allah has partners who share in His actions.
On this point, the Quran says:

"Say: 'Who is it that provides you with sustenance out of heaven and earth, or who is it that has full power over [your] hearing and sight? And who is it that brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of that which is alive? And who is it that governs all that exists?" And they will [surely] answer: "[It is] God." (10:31)

PEACE

[DigitalUmmah]

On 31/3/2016 at 10:35 AM, Yasmin P said:

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

lets stick with the quran. 

heaven is not the sole property of the muslims. for example:

[2.62] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.

and:

[5.69] Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.

also, hell is not the property of the non muslims. we believe that muslims can go to hell. 

so this is a complicated issue.

in your example above, each individual will be judged according to their environment, their intentions, their actions and the amount of evidence regarding to islam they received. Allah is just. if a native living in the amazon jungle never even knew there is a planet beyond the trees died, would Allah send him to hell for not being a muslim and praying 5 times a day? impossible! 

Allah says numerous times in the quran:

[3.182] This is for what your own hands have sent before and because Allah is not in the least unjust to the servants.

and:

[3.161] And it is not attributable to a prophet that he should act unfaithfully; and he who acts unfaithfully shall bring that in respect of which he has acted unfaithfully on the day of resurrection; then shall every soul be paid back fully what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.

and:

[4.40] Surely Allah does not do injustice to the weight of an atom, and if it is a good deed He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.

and:

[99.7] So. he who has done an atom's weight of good shall see it
[99.8] And he who has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it.

and:

[34.3] And those who disbelieve say: The hour shall not come upon us. Say: Yea! by my Lord, the Knower of the unseen, it shall certainly come upon you; not the weight of an atom becomes absent from Him, in the heavens or in the earth, and neither less than that nor greater, but (all) is in a clear book

those non muslims who go to hell, are those who have received the full message of islam, accepted its truth in their hearts, but still rejected it. this obviously does not count for every single non muslim ever born. 

 

 

[Reza4academics]

On ۱۳۹۵/۱/۱۲ ه‍.ش. at 2:05 PM, Yasmin P said:

Salam,

I'm really struggling to understand what is so important about Tawhid.  How does it affect the way you live your life? I'd be interested to know how this translates into your day to day life. 

Consider, for example, a number of individuals, one an atheist, one a pantheist, one a polytheist and one a monotheist but they all live pretty much the same lives as regards their dealings with other people, so what is it about Tawhid that belief in this places one individual in heaven while another who doesn't believe in hell?

 

 

Wa alaykum salam..,

Its a really interesting question. a question many people often reflect upon. what is the major difference between me ( as a believer in the concept of tawheed) and others ( non believers in this concept).

the conclusion Ive come to is that it makes a big difference in the way we perceive things in our day to day life. the way you go around doing your daily activities, the way you conduct in private and in public. in short your life is guided by divine laws as opposed to those who do not believe in tawheed. others also have laws as we humans have a tendency to do things in law and order ( therfore now a days we see the concept of new world order) just that they are not divine. and if you are to say that tawheed is followed by the people of the book as well then what distinguishes us from them? i would say that even if we are to assume that they're tawheed is identical to us it still needs to be debated as to which one is better so that we can follow that tawheed in our lives. and if they are absolutely identical then it doesnt make a difference which ever you followe will lead you to success. as its sole path having different names (a claim which is highly debatable.)

sorry trying to keep it short, do not hesitate if you require further clarification.

 

[Shabbar-E-Shabbir]

In existence, there are two perspectives - an inward (what you are) and an outward one (what everything else is). My current thinking on Tawhid is that it breaks the barrier between your inward self and your outer world ultimately leaving you as one with everything in existence.

Everyone's pain is your pain. Everyone's joy is your joy. You become the hand of mercy through which others are cared for and nurtured.