English Translations of

Majmooal-Fatawa of late Scholar Ibn

Bazz (R)

Second Edition By:

Sheikh `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah ibn `AbdulRahman ibn Bazz (May Allah forgive and

reward al-Firdouse to him and his parents)

He was The Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars,

and Chairman of Department of Scholarly Research and Ifta'

This English Translations are collected from

http://www.alifta.com Portal of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research

and Ifta'

This file is volume No.01 of 30

(PartNo:1,PageNo:1)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:2)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:3)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:4)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:5)

Foreword

AllpraisebetoAllah,theLordofExistence,andpeaceandblessingsbeuponourProphetMuhammad,hisfamily,Companions,andthosewhofollowtheirwayandguidanceuntiltheDayofResurrection!

HisEminenceShaykh`Abdul`Azizibn`AbdullahibnBazgavepermissiontocollecthisFatwas,articlesandlecturesinonevolumedividedintodifferentparts.Thispermissionwasgrantedinresponsetotherequestsofmanypeople,hopingthatAllah(ExaltedbeHe)extendsitsgreatacademicbenefittoall.WeimploreAllah(ExaltedbeHe)toaddittotherecordofhisgooddeedsandmakeitadisperserofdoubts.ManyMuslimsinsideandoutsidetheKingdomofSaudiArabiaattemptedtocollectanddistributetheworksofhisEminencedrivenbytheirloveandtrustinhisknowledge.

ItgivesmegreatpleasurethathisEminenceentrustedtomethetaskofsupervisingtheprocessofcollectingandpublishinghisabundantworksspreadeverywhere.IbnBaz(mayAllahprotecthimandblesshislife)devotedhimselftogoodworksandwasaccessibletopeople,extendinghisknowledgetoseekersofknowledgeandquestionersandsparingnoefforttomakecontributionstoeveryfieldinDa`wah(callingtoIslam)andteachingsinceheassumedthejudiciaryinAlKharjuntil1357A.H.ShaykhIbnBazdidnotkeepanyofhisworksinhisoffice,withtheexceptionofthingsheproducedintheperiodofhisworkattheIslamicUniversityinAlMadinahAlMunawarrah,andaftermovingtohislastjobinRiyadh.

Therefore,alargecollectionofhisworkshasnotbeenpreserved,suchashislectures,sessionsheldintheMasjid(mosque)ofRiyadhandotherMasjidsandhisFatwasandmanytalkstothepapersandradio.Beingsolarge,itisadutytocollecttheavailableworksoftheShaykhtoreviewthembeforecommittingthemtowritingandcompilingthemintobooks.ShaykhIbnBaz(mayAllahprotecthim)refusedtopublishanythingbeforereadingandapprovingitasasortoftakingprecautionsingivingFatwaandtoavoidanymistakesordistortions.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:6)

IbnBaz(mayAllahforgivehimandhisparents)suggestedtostartwiththepartpertainingto`Aqidah(creed)andcategorizeitsrelevanttopics.Nonetheless,topicsrelatedtoFiqh(Islamicjurisprudence)maycomeupinthemiddle,butherequestedtotransferthemalongwithFiqhbasedtopicsingeneraltotheirproperplaces,sincetheywerementionedasrepliestoquestionsinthepapersorthelike.IbnBazdidnotapproveofdividingthem.

HisEminencewishesthatanypersonwhohasFatwas,articlesortalksrecordedinthepastorrecently,deliversthemtoussothattheywillbepublishedafterhereviewsthem.

MayPeaceandBlessingsofAllahbeupontheProphetMuhammad,theguideandbringerofgladtidings,hisfamilyandCompanions!

MuhammadibnSa`dAlShway`ir

about:/default.aspx#1

(PartNo:1,PageNo:7)

SecondEditionIntroduction

AllpraisebetoAllahAlone!WepraiseHimandseekHisHelp!WeseekHisForgivenessandinHimweseekrefugefromtheevilswithinourselvesandfromtheevilsofourbaddeeds!WhoeverAllahguideswillnotbeledastrayandwhoeverAllahleadsastraywillnotbeguidedbyanyone!IbearwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllahandthatMuhammadisHisServantandMessengerpeaceandblessingsofAllahbeuponhim,hisfamily,companions,andallthosewhofollowthemrightlyuntiltheDayofRecompense.

Tocommence:

ThisworkincludesFatwasandarticlesthatIissuedatdifferenttimesinthepast.Icompiledthemhereinonebook,asIthinkthiswillbeofgreatbenefitformeandforabignumberofAllah'sservantswhomHewillstoreceivesuchbenefit.IaskAllahbyHisMostBeautifulNamesandSupremeAttributestoavailmeandallHisservantsthroughthispublicationbothinthisworldandintheHereafter.Truly,AllahisAllHearing,EverNear(toallthings).ThereisneithermightnorpowerexceptwithAllah!AllahAloneisSufficientforme,andHeistheBestDisposerofallmyaffairs.ItisworthmentioningthatIarrangedtheFatwasandessaysofthisbookasscholarsofIslamicJurisprudencewoulddo.Ithus,beganwithissuesof`Aqidah(creed)asitismoresignificantthanothertopics.Specialattentionwaspaidinthiseditiontoavoidthemisprintsofthepreviousone.Verily,itisAllahWhoissoughtforhelpanduponHimwerely.Healonegrantssuccess.Finally,maypeaceandblessingsbeuponourProphetMuhammad,hisfamily,andCompanions!

TheAuthor

`Abdul`AzizBin`Abdullahibn`AbdulRahmanibnBaz

MuftiofKingdomofSaudiArabia,ChairmanoftheCouncilofSeniorScholars,

andChairmanofDepartmentofScholarlyResearchandIfta'

about:/default.aspx#1

(PartNo:1,PageNo:8)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:9)

IbnBaz:ConciseBiography

Mynameis`Abdul`Azizibn`Abdullahibn`AbdulRahmanibnMuhammadibn`AbdullahAlBaz.

IwasborninRiyadhinDhulHijjah,1330A.H.Atthebeginningofmystudy,Iwasabletosee.ThenIwasafflictedwithaneyediseasein1346A.H.Atfirst,mysightweakenedandthenIlostitcompletelyinthebeginningofthemonthofMuharram1350A.H.PraisebetoAllahforthis.IinvokeAllahtocompensatemewithadeepinsightinthislifeandbestrewardintheHereafter,asHe(ExaltedbeHe)promisedthroughHisProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim).IaskofHim(ExaltedbeHe)forablessedendinthisworldandtheHereafter.

IstartedlearningwhenIwasveryyoungandmemorizedtheQur'anbeforeIreachedpuberty.IthenstartedlearningthereligiousandArabicsciencesfrommanyofthescholarsofRiyadhincludingthefollowingeminentfigures:

1ShaykhMuhammadibn`AbdulLatifibn`AbdulRahmanibnHasanibnAlShaykhMuhammadibn`AbdulWahhab(mayAllahbemercifulwiththem).

2ShaykhSalihibn`AbdulAzizibn`AbdulRahmanibnHasanibnAlShaykhMuhammadibn`AbdulWahhab,thejudgeofRiyadh(mayAllahbemercifulwiththem).

3ShaykhSa`dibnHamadibn`Atiq,thejudgeofRiyadh(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim).

4ShaykhHamadibnFaris,thetreasurerofRiyadh(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim).

5ShaykhSa`dWaqqasAlBukhary(ascholarfromMakkahAlMukarramah[mayAllahbemercifulwithhim]).IlearntfromhimthescienceofTajwid(theartofQur'anicrecitation)in1355A.H.

6HisEminence,ShaykhMuhammadibnIbrahimibn`AbdulLatifAlAlShaykh(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim).Iattendedhisclassforabouttenyearsandlearntfromhimallreligioussciencesfrom1347to1357A.H.Then,heproposedmeforthepositionofjudge.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:10)

MayAllahgivethemthebestandhighestreward!MayHebepleasedandmercifulwiththemall!

Ioccupiedanumberofpositions:

1JudgeofthedistrictofAlKharjareaforalongtimethatlastedmorethanfourteenyearsfrom13571371A.H.IwasappointedinthemonthofJumadaIIin1357andstayedtotheendof1371A.H.

2TeachingthesciencesofFiqh(Islamicjurisprudence),AlTawhid(IslamicCreedofMonotheism)andtheHadithinthescientificinstituteofRiyadhin1372A.H.,andthefacultyofShari`ah(IslamicLaw)inRiyadhafteritwasestablishedin1373A.H.Iworkedtherefornineyearsuntil1380A.H.

3In1381A.H.,IwasappointedasadeputyofthepresidentoftheIslamicUniversityinAlMadinahAlMunawwarah.Ioccupiedthispostuntil1390A.H.

4IoccupiedthepostofthepresidentoftheIslamicuniversityin1390A.H.,afterthedeathoftheformerpresidentShaykhMuhammadibnIbrahimAlAlShaykh(mayAllahbemercifulwithHim)inthemonthofRamadan,1390.Iremainedinthispositionuntil1395A.H.

5In14/10/1395A.H.,aroyaldecreewasissuedassigningmeinthepositionofGeneralChairmanoftheDepartmentsofScholarlyResearch,Ifta',Da`wah,andGuidance.Istayedinthispositionuntil1414A.H.

6In20/1/1414A.H.,aroyaldecreewasissuedappointingmeastheGeneralMuftioftheKingdomofSaudiArabiaandthePresidentoftheCouncilofSeniorScholarsandtheChairmanoftheDepartmentsofScholarlyResearchandIfta'.Iamstillinthispositionuntilnow.

IaskAllahtohelpmeandgrantmesuccessandrightjudgment.

Inthepresenttime,IalsoholdthemembershipofmanyscientificandIslamiccouncilsincluding:

(PartNo:1,PageNo:11)

1PresidentofCouncilofSeniorScholars,KingdomofSaudiArabia.

about:/default.aspx#1

2PresidentofthePermanentCommitteeforScholarlyResearchandIfta'inthecouncilmentionedabove.

3MemberandpresidentoftheConstitutionalCounciloftheMuslimWorldLeague.

4PresidentoftheInternationalSupremeCouncilofMosques.

5PresidentofIslamicFiqhAcademyinMakkahAlMukarramah,affiliatedtotheMuslimWorldLeague.

6MemberoftheSupremeCounciloftheIslamicUniversityofAlMadinahAlMunawwarah.

7MemberoftheHigherCouncilofIslamicDa`wahintheKingdomofSaudiArabia.

Asformybooks,theyinclude:

1A lFawa'idAlJaliyyahfiAlMabahithAlFardiyyah(ConciseSummaryofInheritanceIssues).

2A lTahqiqWal'IdahliKathirMinMasa'ilAlHajjwal`UmrahWalZiyarah(TawdihAlManasik)"ClarificationofmanyissuesofHajj,`Umrah(minorPilgrimage)andVisit(tothegraveoftheProphet,peacebeuponhim).

3A lTahdhirMinAlBida`(WarningagainstReligiousInnovations).Itcontainsfourusefularticles:therulingoncelebratingtheProphet'sbirthday,nightofIsra'(NightJourney)andMi`raj(AscensiontoHeaven),andthenightofthe15thofSha`ban,andtherefutationofthefalsedreamoftheservantoftheProphet'sroomwhoiscalledShaykhAhmad.

4TwoconcisetreatisesonZakah(obligatorycharity)andSawm(Fasting).

5Al'AqidahAlSahihahWamaYudadduha(AuthenticCreedandInvalidatorsofIslam).

6WujubAl'AmalbiSunnatAlRasulSallahAllah'AlaihiwaSallamwaKufrManAnkaraha(ThenecessityofactingaccordingtotheSunnahofAllah'sMessenger[peacebeuponhim]anddeemingthosewhodenyitasdisbelievers).

7Da`wahilaAllahwaAkhlaaqAlDu`ah(CallingpeopletoAllahandthemannersofthecallers).

8WujubTahkimShar`Allah(TheobligationofJudgingaccordingtoAllah'sLawandabandoningitscontraries).

9HukmAlSufurwaAlHijabwaNikahAlShighar(Unveiling,veiling,andShigharmarriage[exchangeofdaughtersorsistersformarriagewithnomandatorygifttoabridefromhergroom]).

10NaqdAlQawmiyahAl'Arabiyah(CriticizingtheArabNationalism).

11A lJawabAlMufidfiHukmAlTaswir(TheusefulanswerconcerningtherulingonPhotography).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:12)

12ShaykhMuhammadibn`AbdulWahhab(HisDa`wahandBiography).

13ThreetreatisesonSalah(Prayer):1TheManneroftheSalahoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim).2TheObligationofCongregationalSalah.3WhereshouldthepersonprayingplacehishandafterrisingfromRuku`(bowing).

14HukmAlIslamfimanTa`anafiAlQur'anawfiRsulAllahSallahAllah'AlaihiwaSallama(TherulingofIslamonwhoeverdiscreditstheQur'anortheMessengerofAllah[peacebeuponhim]).

15HashiyahMufidah'alaFathAlBari(AusefulcommentaryonFathAlBari)IcontinuedittothebookofHajj.

1 6 Treatiseonthetextualandrationalproofsoftherotationofthesunandthemotionlessnessoftheearthandthepossibilityofascensiontootherplanets.

17IqamatAlBarahin'alaHukmmanIstaghathabiGhairAllahawSaddaqaAlKahanawal'Arrafin(EstablishingtheproofsoftherulingonthosewhoseekhelpfromotherthanAllahorbelievethesoothsayersandfortunetellers).

18AlJihadfiSabilAllah(StrivingintheCauseofAllah).

19A lDurusAlMuhimmahli'AmmatAlUmmah(ImportantlessonsforthecommonpublicofIslamicnation).

20FatawaTata'alaqbiAhkamAlHajjwal'UmrahwalZiyarah(FatwasrelatedtotherulingsonHajj,UmrahandvisitingthegraveoftheProphet[peacebeuponhim]).

21WujubLizumAlSunnahwaAlHazarminAlBid`ah(ObligationofadherencetoSunnahandwarningagainstinnovationinreligion).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:13)

Sound`Aqidah(Creed)anditscontrast

AllPraiseisduetoAllah,peaceandblessingsbeuponthelastProphet,hisfamilyandCompanions.

Sincesound`AqidahisthemainoriginofIslamandthebasisoftheReligion,Ifounditsuitabletomakeitthetopicofthislecture.ItiswellestablishedbytextualproofsfromtheQur'anandtheSunnahthattheactionsandsayingsofahumanbeingareonlyvalidandacceptedwhentheyarebasedonsound`Aqidah.Ifthe`Aqidahisnotsound,allactionsandsayingsarevoidasAllah(ExaltedbeHe)says: AndwhosoeverdisbelievesinFaith[i.e.intheOnenessofAllhandinalltheotherArticlesofFaithi.e.His(Allhs)Angels,HisHolyBooks,HisMessengers,theDayofResurrectionandAlQadar(DivinePreordainments)],thenfruitlessishisworkandintheHereafterhewillbeamongthelosers. Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: Andindeedithasbeenrevealedtoyou(OMuhammad),asitwastothose(AllhsMessengers)beforeyou:"IfyoujoinothersinworshipwithAllh,(then)surely(all)yourdeedswillbeinvain,andyouwillcertainlybeamongthelosers."

TherearenumerousAyahs(Qur'anicverses)onthismeaning.TheclearBookofAllahandtheSunnahoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)indicatedthatsound`AqidahistobelieveinAllah,Hisangels,(Divine)Books,HisMessengers,theHereafterandinAlQadr(DivineDecree)itsgoodandevil.Thesesixmattersarethesoundbasesof`AqidahwithwhichtheBookofAllahwasrevealedandwithwhichhisMessengerMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)wassent.Asaresultofbeliefinthesebases,onemustbelieveinotherthingsofGhayb(unseen)thatAllahandHisMessengertold.TherearesomanyproofsoftheBookofAllahandtheSunnahoftheProphetemphasizingthesesixbasessuchasAllah'ssaying: ItisnotAlBirr(piety,righteousness,andeachandeveryactofobediencetoAllh,etc.)thatyouturnyourfacestowardseastand(or)west(inprayers)butAlBirris(thequalityof)theonewhobelievesinAllh,theLastDay,theAngels,theBook,theProphets

(PartNo:1,PageNo:14)

Allahalsosays: TheMessenger(Muhammad)believesinwhathasbeensentdowntohimfromhisLord,and(sodo)thebelievers.EachonebelievesinAllh,HisAngels,HisBooks,andHisMessengers.(Theysay),"WemakenodistinctionbetweenoneanotherofHisMessengers" Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)alsosays: Oyouwhobelieve!BelieveinAllh,andHisMessenger(Muhammad),andtheBook(theQurn)whichHehassentdowntoHisMessenger,andtheScripturewhichHesentdowntothosebefore(him)andwhosoeverdisbelievesinAllh,HisAngels,HisBooks,HisMessengers,andtheLastDay,thenindeedhehasstrayedfaraway. Allahalsosays: KnowyounotthatAllhknowsallthatisintheheavenandontheearth?Verily,itis(all)intheBook(AlLauhalMahfz).VerilythatiseasyforAllh.

AsfortheauthenticHadithsprovingthesebasics,theyarenumerous.Forexample,thefamousSahih(authentic)HadithwhichisrelatedbyMusliminhisSahih(bookofauthenticHadiths)fromtheHadithofAmirAlMuminin(CommanderoftheBelievers),`UmarIbnAlKhattab(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim): JabrielaskedtheProphet(peacebeuponhim)aboutImanandhereplied:ThatyouaffirmyourfaithinAllah,inHisangels,inHisBooks,inHisProphets,intheDayofJudgment,andyouaffirmyourfaithintheDivineDecreeaboutgoodandevil... TheHadithwascompiledbyAlBukhariandMuslimwithaslightdifferenceinthenarrationfromthewayofAbuHurayrah.ItisuponthesemattersthatotherobligationsoffaiththataMuslimmustbelieveinfollowregardingtherightsofAllah,theLastDay,andthelikemattersofGhayb(theUnseen).

BelievinginAllahistobelievethatHeisthetrueGodwhoisworthyofworshipwithoutassociatingotherswithHim,becauseHeistheCreator,theBenevolent,theSustainer,theAllKnowingofpeople'ssecretsandwhattheyhavemadepublicandtheAbletorewardthegooddoersandtopunishthewrongdoersandforthisworship,Allahhascreatedbothhumanandjinn(creaturescreatedfromfire)andcommandedthemtosticktoitasHesays: AndI(Allh)creatednotthejinnandmankindexceptthattheyshouldworshipMe(Alone). Iseeknotanyprovisionfromthem(i.e.provisionforthemselvesorforMycreatures)nordoIaskthattheyshouldfeedMe(i.e.feedthemselvesorMycreatures). Verily,Allhisthe

A l lProvider,OwnerofPower,theMostStrong. Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: Omankind!WorshipyourLord(Allh),WhocreatedyouandthosewhowerebeforeyousothatyoumaybecomeAlMuttaqn(thepiousSeeV.2:2). Whohasmadetheeartharestingplaceforyou,andtheskyasacanopy,andsentdownwater(rain)fromtheskyandbroughtforththerewithfruitsasaprovisionforyou.ThendonotsetuprivalsuntoAllh(inworship)whileyouknow(thatHeAlonehastherighttobeworshipped).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:15)

AllahhassentthemessengersandrevealedtheDivineBookstoexplainthistruth,callpeopletoitandwarnpeopleagainsttheopposite.Allah(mayHebePraised)says: Andverily,WehavesentamongeveryUmmah(community,nation)aMessenger(proclaiming):WorshipAllh(Alone),andavoid(orkeepawayfrom)Tght(allfalsedeitiesi.e.donotworshipTghtbesidesAllh). Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: AndWedidnotsendanyMessengerbeforeyou(OMuhammad)butWerevealedtohim(saying):LilhaillaAna[nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutI(Allh)],soworshipMe(Aloneandnoneelse)." andHesays: (Thisis)aBook,theVerseswhereofareperfected(ineverysphereofknowledge),andthenexplainedindetailfromOne(Allh),WhoisAllWise,WellAcquainted(withall

about:/default.aspx#1

things). (Saying)worshipnonebutAllh.Verily,I(Muhammad)amuntoyoufromHimawarnerandabringer

ofgladtidings. Therealityofthisactofworshipis:tosingleoutAllahinworshipinallthatpeopledosuchassupplication,fear,hope,prayer,fasting,slaughtering,vowingaswellasotherkindsofactsofworshipsubmissivelytoHim,desiringandfearingHimwithcompletelovetoHimandsubmissivenesstoHisGreatness.MostAyahsoftheQur'anwererevealedinthisregard.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: SoworshipAllh(Alone)bydoingreligiousdeedssincerelyforAllhssakeonly. Surelythereligion(i.e.theworshipandtheobedience)isforAllhonly. andHissaying: AndyourLordhasdecreedthatyouworshipnonebutHim. andHissaying: So,callyou(OMuhammadandthebelievers)upon(orinvoke)Allhmaking(your)worshippureforHim(Alone)(byworshippingnonebutHimandbydoingreligiousdeedssincerelyforAllhssakeonlyandnottoshowoffandnottosetuprivalswithHiminworship),howevermuchthedisbelievers(intheOnenessofAllh)mayhate(it). ItisrelatedinSahihAlBukhariandSahihMuslimfromMu`adh(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said: TherightofAllahoverHisslavesisthattheyshouldworshipHimandnotassociateanythingwithHim.

FromthebasisoffaithistobelieveinthefivepillarsofIslamthatAllahhasordainedandimposedonHisservantswhichare:ThetestimonyofLaIlahaIllaAllah(ThereisnogodbutAllah)andMuhammadistheMessengerofAllah,performanceofSalah(prayers),payingZakah(obligatorycharity),fastingduringRamadanandperformingHajj(pilgrimage)tothesacredHouseofAllahforthosewhocanafforditaswellas

(PartNo:1,PageNo:16)

stickingtotheordinanceswhicharesetbytheShari`ah(Islamiclaw).ThemostimportantpillaristhetestimonythatthereisnoGodbutAllahandMuhammadistheMessengerofAllah.ThetestimonythatthereisnoGodbutAllahdemands:tosincerelyworshipAllahaloneandnegateanykindofworshiptoothersandthisisthemeaningofnoGodbutAllah,thatnooneisworthyofworshipbutAllah.SoanyonethatisworshipedotherthanAllahsuchashumans,kings,jinnorothers,theyareallworshipedfalselybecausetheOnlyOneWhoisworthyofworshipisAllahAloneasAllah(ExaltedbeHe)says: ThatisbecauseAllhHeistheTruth(theonlyTrueGodofallthatexists,WhohasnopartnersorrivalswithHim),andwhatthey(thepolytheists)invokebesidesHim,itisBtil(falsehood). WehavementionedearlierthatAllah(mayHebePraised)createdhumansandjinnforthisreasonandcommandedthemtoworshipHimandsentmessengersandrevealedtheDivineBookstothem.Soconsiderthiswellinordertoknowthevolumeofignorance,whichmanypeoplehavefallenintobyneglectingthispillartotheextentthattheyworshipothersalongwithAllahandgiveHissolerighttoothers,soAllahistheOnlyHelper.

FromthebasisofbeliefinAllahistobelievethatHeistheCreatoroftheworld,theManageroftheiraffairs,andtheirControllerbyHisKnowledgeandAbility.HeistheOwneroftheworld,theHereafter,andtheLordoftheworlds.ThereisnoCreatororLordbutHe.HesentHismessengersandrevealedtheDivineBookstoamendtheaffairsofHisservantsandtocallthemtoSalvationanduprightnessinthislifeandtheonetocome.ThereisnopartnerwithHiminworship,Allahsays: AllhistheCreatorofallthings,andHeistheWakl(Trustee,Disposerofaffairs,Guardian)overallthings. Healsosays: IndeedyourLordisAllh,WhocreatedtheheavensandtheearthinSixDays,andthenHeroseover(Istaw)theThrone(reallyinamannerthatsuitsHisMajesty).Hebringsthenightasacoverovertheday,seekingitrapidly,and(Hecreated)thesun,themoon,thestarssubjectedtoHisCommand.Surely,HisistheCreationandCommandment.BlessedisAllh,theLordoftheAlamn(mankind,jinnandallthatexists)!

(PartNo:1,PageNo:17)

AlsofromthebasicsoffaithistobelieveintheBestNamesofAllahandHishighqualitieswhicharementionedintheNobleQur'anandareauthenticallyreportedfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhim)withoutTahrif(distortionofthemeaning),Ta`til(denialofAllah'sAttributes),Takyif(questioningAllah'sAttributes)orTamthil(likeningAllah'sAttributestothoseofHisCreation).ItmustbetakenforgrantedwithoutTakyifalongwithbelievinginthesegreatmeanings,whicharetheattributesofAllah.WemustdescribeHimproperlywithoutlikeningHimtoanyofHiscreaturesasHesays: ThereisnothinglikeHimandHeistheAllHearer,theAllSeer. Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: SoputnotforwardsimilitudesforAllh(asthereisnothingsimilartoHim,norHeresemblesanything).Truly!Allhknowsandyouknownot. Thisisthe`AqidahofAhlulSunnahwalJama`ah(thoseadheringtotheSunnahandtheMuslimmainbody)oftheProphet'sCompanionsandthosewhofollowedtheminrighteousness.ItisreportedbyImamAbuAlHasanAlAsh`ary(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)inHisBook:(AlMaqalat)reportedfromthepeopleoftheHadithandAhlulSunnahandnarratedbyotherscholarsandbelievers.

A lAwza`y(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)said:AlZuhryandMakhulwereaskedaboutAyatulSifat(QuranicversesincludingAllah'sAttributes),theysaid:Believeinthemastheyare.AlWalidibnMusl im(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)said:Malik,AlAwza`y,AlLaythibnSa`dandSufyanAlThawry(MayAllahbeMercifulwiththem)wereaskedaboutAllah'sAttributesandtheyallsaid:BelieveinthemastheyarewithoutTakyif.AlAwza`y(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)said:WhenthereweremanyFollowersamongus,weusedtosay:AllahisonHisThroneandwebelieveintheHadithsofAttributeswhichwerereportedintheSunnah.WhenRabi`ahibnAbu`AbdulRahman,theteacher o f M a l i k (MayAllahbeMercifulwithhim)wasaskedaboutIstwa',hesaid:Istiwa'(Allah'srisingovertheThroneinamannerthatbefitsHim)isnotunknownandKayf(modeofdoingit)isnotperceived.Allahsentdownthemessage,theProphetconveyedthemessageandwehavetobelieveinit.WhenImamMalik(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)wasaskedaboutthis,hesaid:Istiwa'(Allah'srisingovertheThroneinamannerthatbefitsHim)

iswellknown,Kayfisunknown,believinginitisobligatory,andaskingaboutitisBid`ah(innovationinreligion)thenhesaidtothequestionerIseeanevilpersonandcommandedhimtobetakenout.ThesamemeaningwasreportedfromUm

(PartNo:1,PageNo:18)

Salamah,themotherofthebelievers(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim).ImamAbu`AbdulRahman`AbdullahibnAlMubarak(MayAllahbeMercifulwithhim)said:WebelievethatourLord(mayHebePraised)isaboveHisheavensandoverHisThroneandcreation.ThewordsoftheImamsinthisregardarenumerousandcannotallbementionedinthislecture.HewhowantstoreadaboutthisshouldrefertowhatthethepeopleoftheSunnahnarratedinthisregardsuchasthebook(ofSunnah)by`AbdullahibnImamAhmadandTawhid(monotheism)byImamMuhammadibnKhuzaymah,andthebook(ofSunnah)byAbuAlQasimAlLalika'yA lTabary,andthebook(ofSunnah)byAbuBakribnAbu`Asim,andtheletterofShaykhulIslamIbnTaymiyahtothepeopleofHamahwhichwasagreatandbeneficialanswerinwhichheexplainedthe`AqidahofAhlulSunnahandreportedmanyoftheirtalksandtextualandrationalproofsonthevalidityoftheviewofAhlulSunnahandtheinvalidityoftheviewoftheiropponentsaswellashismessagewhichiscalled(AlTadmuriyyah)inwhichheelaboratedandexplainedthe`AqidahofAhlulSunnahbythetextualandrationalevidencesandrefutedthepleasoftheopponentsinordertoshowthetruth.Herefutestheerrorinwhichthepeopleofknowledgefelloutoftheirgoodintentionandtheirwishtoknowthetruth.Allthepeople,whodisagreedwithAhlulSunnahinwhattheybelieveconcerningtheNamesandAttributesofAllahcontradictedthetextualandrationalevidences.Opencontradictioninwhattheyproveornegateisevident.

AhlulSunnahwalJama`ah(thoseadheringtotheSunnahandtheMuslimmainbody)acknowledgeallthatismentionedaffirmativelybyAllahinHisbookandbytheProphet(peacebeuponhim)inhisSunnah(whateverisreportedfromtheProphet).TheyaffirmHisattributeswithoutTamthil(likeningAllah'sAttributestothoseofHisCreation)orTa`til(denialofAllah'sAttributes).Theythusescapedcontradictionsandacteduponalltherelevantevidences.ThisisthewayofAllahasmanifestedinthosewhofollowedthetruthbroughtbyHisMessengersandweresincereinseekingAllah'ssuccesstoreachthetruthandhavetheincontrovertibleevidence.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)states: Nay,Wefling(senddown)thetruth(thisQurn)againstthefalsehood(disbelief),soitdestroysit,andbehold,it(falsehood)isvanished. Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)alsosays: Andnoexampleorsimilitudedotheybring(toopposeortofindfaultinyouorinthisQurn),butWerevealtoyouthetruth(againstthatsimilitudeorexample),andthebetterexplanationthereof.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:19)

InhisFamousBookonTafsir(explanation/exegesisofthemeaningsoftheQur'an),AlHafezIbnKathir(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim)commentsonthefollowingAyahwhereAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: Indeed,yourLordisAllh,WhocreatedtheheavensandtheearthinSixDays,andthenHeroseover(Istaw)theThrone(reallyinamannerthatsuitsHisMajesty). Hewroteaverygoodwordsinthisplaceanditisusefultocitethem:"Peoplehavemanyattitudesregardingtheinterpretationofthisversebutcitingthemallisbeyondthegoalofthisbook,wejustfollowthewayofthepiousSalafsuchasMalik,AlAwza i,AlThawri,AlLaythibnSad,AlShafi i,Ahmad,IshaqibnRahawayh,andotherMuslimImamsofthepastandpresentthatistoacceptandlettheAyahpassasithascomewithoutTakyif(questioningAllah'sAttributes),Tashbih(comparison),Ta`tilorTa'wil(allegoricalinterpretation).Theliteraloutwardmeaningthatcomestothemindsofanthropomorphists(almushabbihin)isnegatedbyAllah,fornothingcreatedhasanyresemblancetoHimandHeistheAllHearer,theAllSeer.ThisisopinionoftheleadingscholarsincludingNu`aymIbnHammadAlKhuza`y,theteachero fA lBukhary,whosaid:"WhoevercomparesAllahtoHisCreationordeniestheattributesbywhichAllahhasdescribedHimselfisregardedasKafir(disbeliever).NoTashbihshouldbemadefortheattributesdescribedbyAllahorHisMessenger.WhoeveraffirmswhatismentionedintheexpressedAyahsandauthenticHadithinawaythatbefitstheMagnificenceofAllahandnegatesthepossibilityofanydefectsonthepartofAllahfollowstherightpath."EndofthequoteofIbnKathir(mayAllahbemercifulwithhim).

Asforbeliefintheangels,itinvolvesbeliefinthemgenerallyaswellasspecifically.AMuslimshouldbelievethatAllahcreatedangelstoobeyHimandbelieveinthecharacteristicsmentionedbyAllahasfollows:honouredslaves TheyspeaknotuntilHehasspoken,andtheyactonHisCommand. Heknowswhatisbeforethem,andwhatis

behindthem,andtheycannotintercedeexceptforhimwithwhomHeispleased.AndtheystandinaweforfearofHim. Therearedifferentvarietiesofangels.Everyangelhasanassignment.ThereareangelsinchargeofcarryingtheThrone,inchargeofParadiseandHellfire,andinchargeofrecordingservant'sdeeds.WemustbelieveintheangelsspecificallythosenamedbyAllahandHisMessengersuchasJibril(Gabriel),Mika'il(Michael),MalikwhoisinchargeofHellfire,andIsrafilwhoisassignedtoblowthehorn.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:20)

TheyarementionedinauthenticHadiths.Itisauthenticallynarratedfrom`Aishah(mayAllahbepleasedwithher)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)stated: Angelswerecreatedfromlight,jinnscreatedfromasmokelessflameoffire,andAdamwascreatedfromthatwhichyouhavebeentold(i.e.soundingclayliketheclayofpottery). (RelatedbyMusliminhisSahih)Moreover,beliefinthedivineBooksisanothercrucialfactorinthesound`Aqidah(creed).MuslimsmustgenerallybelieveinAllah'sbooksrevealedtoHismessengersandprophetstomanifestandcalltothetruth.He(ExaltedbeHe)states: Indeed,WehavesentOurMessengerswithclearproofs,andrevealedwiththemtheScriptureandtheBalance(justice)thatmankindmaykeepupjustice. Allahalsosays: MankindwereonecommunityandAllhsentProphetswithgladtidingsandwarnings,andwiththemHesentdowntheScriptureintruthtojudgebetweenpeopleinmatterswhereintheydiffered.

WemustbelieveintheBooksspecificallynamedbyAllahsuchastheTawrah(Torah),theInjil(Gospel),theZabur(BookrevealedtoProphetDawud[David]),andfinallytheQur'an.TheQur'anisthefinal,best,certifiedandpowerfulBook.AlongwiththeauthenticreportsnarratedfromProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)whowassenttomankindandJinn,theQur'anmustbefollowedandacteduponbyallMuslims.EverythingwasclearlyexplainedintheQur'anwhichwasrevealedtohealwhatisintheheartsandtobeaguidanceandmercyforthebelievers.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)states: AndthisisablessedBook(theQurn)whichWehavesentdown,sofollowitandfearAllh(i.e.donotdisobeyHisOrders),thatyoumayreceivemercy(i.e.besavedfromthetormentofHell). Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says: AndWehavesentdowntoyoutheBook(theQuran)asanexpositionofeverything,aguidance,amercy,andgladtidingsforthosewhohavesubmittedthemselves(toAllhasMuslims). Allahalsosays: Say(OMuhammad):"Omankind!Verily,IamsenttoyouallastheMessengerofAllhtoWhombelongsthedominionoftheheavensandtheearth.LilhaillaHuwa(nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutHe).ItisHeWhogiveslifeandcausesdeath.SobelieveinAllhandHisMessenger(Muhammad),theProphetwhocanneitherreadnorwrite(i.e.Muhammad),whobelievesinAllhandHisWords[(thisQurn),theTaurt(Torah)andtheInjeel(Gospel)andalsoAllhsWord:"Be!"andhewas,i.e. Is(Jesus)sonofMaryam(Mary),],andfollowhimsothatyoumaybeguided."

(PartNo:1,PageNo:21)

TherearemanyAyahstothiseffect.Wemustbelieveinmessengersgenerallyandspecifically.AllahsentdownmessengerstoHisservantsasbearersofgladtidings,warners,andcallerstothetruth.Whoeverpositivelyrespondstotheircallwillachievefelicitywhilethosewhorefusewillberegretful.Prophet

about:/default.aspx#1

MuhammadibnAbdullah(peacebeuponhim)istheirseal,asAllah(mayHebePraised)states: Andverily,WehavesentamongeveryUmmah(community,nation)aMessenger(proclaiming):WorshipAllh(Alone),andavoid(orkeepawayfrom)Tght(allfalsedeitiesi.e.donotworshipTghtbesidesAllh). Allahalsosays: MessengersasbearersofgoodnewsaswellasofwarninginorderthatmankindshouldhavenopleaagainstAllhafterthe(comingof)Messengers. Allahalsosays:Muhammad() isnotthefatherofanyofyourmen,butheistheMessengerofAllhandthelast(end)oftheProphets. EveryMuslimhastobelieveinthemessengersthatAllahnamedorauthenticallymentionedbytheProphetinhisHadith.AmongthesemessengersareNuh(Noah),Hud(Eber),Salih(Shaloh),Ibrahim(Abraham)andmanyothers(PeaceandblessingsofAllahbeuponthem,theirfamiliesandfollowers)!

AsforbeliefintheLastDay,whichentailsbeliefinalltheeventsthatwillhappenafterdeathandareaffirmedbyAllahandHisMessenger(peacebeuponhim).AmongtheseeventsareFitnah(trial)andthetormentorjoyinthegraveandtheeventsthatwilloccurontheDayofResurrection,suchasthereckoning,punishmentandreward,theScale,Sirat(thebridgeovertheFire),thephenomenonwhenthepagesaremadepublicandonewillbegivenhisrecordintherighthand,thelefthandorbehindhisback.ItentailsalsobeliefintheHawd(Prophet'slakeinParadise),Paradise,Hellfire,thebelievers'seeingandspeakingtoAllah(mayHebePraised)andtheotherthingsmentionedintheQur'anandSunnah.EveryMuslimhastobelieveinallthesethingsastaughtbyAllahandHisMessenger(peacebeuponhim).

WithregardtobeliefinPredestination,itinvolvesbeliefinfourthings:

First:BeliefthatAllahhasknownwhathappenedandwhatwillhappentheaffairs,sustenance,thelifetimespan,anddeedsofeveryoneandthatAllahsKnowledgeencompassesallthings.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:22)

He(mayHebePraised)says: Verily,AllhistheAllKnowerofeverything. Allahalsosays: thatyoumayknowthatAllhhaspoweroverallthings,andthatAllhsurroundsallthingsin(His)Knowledge.

Second:ThebeliefthatAllahrecordedeverythingHepredestined,asHe(mayHebePraised)states: Weknowthatwhichtheearthtakesofthem(theirdeadbodies),andwithUsisaBookpreserved(i.e.theBookofDecrees). Allahalsosays: andallthingsWehaverecordedwithnumbers(asarecord)inaClearBook. Allahalsosays: KnowyounotthatAllhknowsallthatisintheheavenandontheearth?Verily,itis(all)intheBook(AlLauhalMahfz).VerilythatiseasyforAllh.

Third:YoumustbelieveintheWillofAllah.ThebeliefthatWhateverHewills,willbeandthatwhichHedoesnot,willnotbe.Allah(mayHebePraised)states: Verily,AllhdoeswhatHewills. Allahalsosays: Verily,HisCommand,whenHeintendsathing,isonlythatHesaystoit,"Be!"anditis! Allah(mayhebeGlorified)says: Andyoucannotwillunless(itbe)thatAllhwillstheLordoftheAlamn(mankind,jinnandallthatexists).

Fourth:YoumustbelievethatAllahcreatedallthingsandthatthereisnoCreatornorLordexceptHe.Allah(mayHebePraised)states: AllhistheCreatorofallthings,andHeistheWakl(Trustee,Disposerofaffairs,Guardian)overallthings. Allahalsosays: Omankind!RemembertheGraceofAllhuponyou!IsthereanycreatorotherthanAllhwhoprovidesforyoufromthesky(rain)andtheearth?LilhaillHuwa(nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutHe).Howthenareyouturningaway(fromHim)?

AccordingtoAhlulSunnahwalJama`ah,

(PartNo:1,PageNo:23)

beliefinthesefourprincipalsasawholeisincludedinthebeliefinpredestination.However,thosewhoarepreoccupiedwithBid`ahdenysomeoftheseaspects.Furthermore,beliefinAllahinvolvesbelievingthatIman(faith)includeswordsanddeeds,increasesbyperformingactsofobedienceanddecreasesbycommittingsins.ItisimpermissibletodeclareaMuslim,whocommitsanysinotherthanShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)andKufr(disbelief)adisbelieversolongashedoesnotconsidertheactlawful.ExamplesofthesesinsincludeZina(premaritalsexualintercourseand/oradultery),robbery,Riba(usury/interest),intoxication,anddisobediencetoparentsandothermajorsins.Allah(mayHebePraised)states: Verily,AllhforgivesnotthatpartnersshouldbesetupwithHim(inworship),butHeforgivesexceptthat(anythingelse)towhomHewills

ItisauthenticallyreportedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)AllahwillgetoutofFirethosewhosehearthastheleastfaith.AnotheraspectofbeliefinAllahistoloveandhateaccordingtoAllah'spleasure,tohaveloyaltyorenmityfortheSakeofAllah.Abelievershouldloveandsupportotherbelieversandresentandbeopposedtodisbelievers.TheSahabah(theProphet'scompanions)toppedthelistofthebelieversamongthisnation.Hence,AhlulSunnahwalJama`ahlove,support,andholdthattheSahabahwerethebestofpeopleaftertheprophets,astheProphet(peacebeuponhim)stated: Thebestpeoplearethoselivinginmygeneration,andthenthosewhowillfollowthem,andthenthosewhowillfollowthelatter. (AgreeduponbyImamsAlBukhariandMuslim).TheyalsoholdthatAbuBakrAlSiddiq,`UmarAlFaruq,`UthmanDhuAlNurayn,and`AliAlMurtada(mayAllahbepleasedwithallofthem),theTenSahabahgiventhegladtidingsofenteringParadiseandtherestofSahabah(mayAllahbepleasedwithallofthem)arerespectivelytheeliteofthegenerationsofthisnation.Ah lu lSunnahwalJama`ahremainsilentregardingthedisputesthataroseamongtheSahabahknowingthattheywereMujtahids(scholarsqualifiedtoexercisejuristicefforttoinferexpertlegalrulings)whowillbedoublyrewardediftheirviewistrueandreceiveonlyasinglerewardiftheirviewisincorrect.Furthermore,theyloveandsupportthebelievinghouseholdoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)andhiswives,theMothersoftheBelievers,hopingthatAllahispleasedwiththem.Ontheotherhand,theydisavowtheapproachofA lRawafid(AdeviantIslamicsectslanderingtheCompanionsandthewivesoftheProphet)whohateandrevile

theSahabahandexceedtheproperlimitswithAhlulBayt(membersoftheProphet'sextendedMuslimfamily)placingtheminahigherrankthanthatwhichAllahhasplacedthem.TheyalsodisavowtheapproachofAlNawasib(AdeviantIslamicsectslandering`AlyibnAbuTalibandthefamilyoftheProphet)whoharmAhlulBaytwithwordsoraction.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:24)

Thecorrect`AqidahwithwhichtheMessenger(peacebeuponhim)wassentdownincludesallthatismentionedinthisbriefspeech.Thisisthe`AqidahoftheSavedSect,namely,AhlulSunnahwalJama`ah.TheProphet(peacebeuponhim)stated: AgroupofpeoplefrommyUmmahwillremainvictorious(andontherightpath),andthosewhodesertoropposethemshallnotbeabletodothemanyharmuntilAllah'sCommandisexecuted(i.e.Resurrectionisestablished). He(peacebeuponhim)alsosaid: TheJewssplitintoseventyonesects,allofwhichareinHellfireexceptonetheChristianssplitintoseventytwosects,allofwhichareinHellfireexceptoneandthisUmmahwillsplitintoseventythreesects,allofwhichareinHellfireexceptone.TheCompanionssaid:Whichsectisthat?Hesaid:ItisthatsectfollowingmyexampleandthatofmyCompanions." EveryMuslimisobligedtofollowthis`Aqidahandbewareofthosewhoopposeit.

Therearenumerouscategoriesofthosewhorejectanddeviatefromthis`Aqidah(creed).Theyinclude,amongothers,thosewhoworshipidols,angels,Awliya'(piouspeople),Jinn(creaturescreatedfromfire),trees,andstones.ThesepeoplehavenotfollowedthecalloftheMessengersofAllahrathertheystubbornlyrejectedtheircall.ThisisexactlywhatQurayshandsomeotherArabtribesdidwithProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim).Theyusedtobeseechtheirfalsegodstofulfilltheirneeds,healtheirsick,andgrantthemvictoryovertheirenemy.Theywouldalsooffersacrificestothemandmakevowsintheirnames.WhentheMessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhim)disapprovedoftheirbeliefsandcalledthemtoworshipAllahAloneandnottoassociateotherswithHiminworship,theyreplied, "Hashemadethelihah(gods)(all)intoOneIlh(GodAllh).Verily,thisisacuriousthing!" TheProphet(peacebeuponhim)continuedcallingthemtoworshipAllahAlone,warningthemagainstassociatingotherswithHiminworship,andexplainingtothemtherealityofIslam.HiseffortseventuallypaidoffwhentheyenteredAllah'sreligionincrowds.IslambecamesuperiortoallreligionsduetothehugeeffortsmadebytheMessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhim),theSahabah(CompanionsoftheProphet),andthosewhofollowedtheminrighteousness.ThesituationchangedagainafterignorancedominatedandanoverwhelmingmajorityofpeoplerevertedtotheirfoolishandignorantpracticessuchasexcessiveestimationofProphetsandtheAwliya'supplicatingandseekinghelpfromthem.ThisisinadditiontoallformsofShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship).TheydidnotunderstandthemeaningofTawhid(monotheism)astheArabdisbelieversdid.AllahistheOneWhosehelpistobesought!

(PartNo:1,PageNo:25)

TheseformsofShirkareincreasinglywidespreadamongpeopleinourpresenttimeduetoignoranceandthelongintervalbetweentheageofProphethoodandthepresenttime.

Theargumentthesepeopleputforwardisnotdifferentfromthatoftheirpredecessors,namely: TheseareourintercessorswithAllh. and WeworshipthemonlythattheymaybringusneartoAllh. AllahrefutedthisfalseclaimandmadeitcleartothemthatworshippinganythingelseotherthanHimisShirkanddisbelief.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says, AndtheyworshipbesidesAllhthingsthatharmthemnot,norprofitthem,andtheysay:TheseareourintercessorswithAllh. AllahrefutestheirclaimsbyHis(GlorifiedbeHe)saying, AndtheyworshipbesidesAllhthingsthatharmthemnot,norprofitthem,andtheysay:TheseareourintercessorswithAllh.Say:DoyouinformAllhofthatwhichHeknowsnotintheheavensandontheearth?GlorifiedandExaltedisHeaboveallthatwhichtheyassociateaspartners(withHim)! InthisAyah(Qur'anicverse),Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)clearlyindicatesthatworshippingProphets,Awliya',andothersbesidesHimismajorShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship),evenifthosewhocommititcallitbyothernames.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says, AndthosewhotakeAuliy(protectors,helpers,lords,gods)besidesHim(say):WeworshipthemonlythattheymaybringusneartoAllh. Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)refutestheirclaimssaying, Verily,Allhwilljudgebetweenthemconcerningthatwhereintheydiffer.Truly,Allhguidesnothimwhoisal iar,andadisbeliever. InthisAyah,therefore,AllahmakesitcrystalclearthattheworshiptheyoffertoanyoneotherthanHim,whetherintheformofinvocation,hope,fear,orotherwise,isdisbelief.HealsocallsthemliarswhentheyclaimthattheirfalsegodsbringthemclosertoAllah.

ThereareanumberoffalseideologiesinourpresenttimethatcontradicttheauthenticbeliefwithwhichtheMessengers(peacebeuponthem)weresent.ThesefalseideologiesarelikethebeliefsofthefollowersofMarx,Lenin,andotherswhocalltoatheismanddisbeliefandwhogivetheirbeliefsdifferentnames,suchassocialism,communism,Ba`thism,etc.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:26)

ThoseatheistsrejectallreligionsandclaimthatthereisnoGodandthatlifeisonlymatter.TheydonotbelieveintheLastDay,Paradise,andHell.Whoeverstudiestheirbookswillcertainlynoticetheirrejectionofallreligions.Undoubtedly,theirideologycontradictsthetruebeliefandthosewhofollowthesefalseideologieswillcertainlybeartheworstofconsequencesbothinthisworldandintheHereafter.OtherbeliefswhichcontradicttruebeliefincludetheSufiswhobelievethatthesocalledAwliya'areAllah'spartnersinHisruleanddispositionoftheworld'saffairs.TheygivethemnamessuchasQutb(Sufititledenotinga"PerfectMaster"),Watad(aSufititle),Ghawth(aSufititledenotinga"sourceofsuccor"),aswellasothernameswhichtheygavetotheirgods.Indeed,thisistheworstformofShirkwithrelationtoAllah'sLordshipitisevenfarworsethantheformofShirkwhichwasprevalentinPreIslamicArabia.Indeed,theArabsatthattimeassociatedpartnerswithAllahonlyinworshipnotinHisLordship.TheyusedtoassociatepartnerswithAllahinthetimeofprosperity,however,inadversitytheyusedtoworshipAllahalone.Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says, Andwhentheyembarkonaship,theyinvokeAllh,makingtheirFaithpureforHimonly:butwhenHebringsthemsafelytoland,behold,theygiveashareoftheirworshiptoothers.

TheyusedtobelieveintheLordshipofAllahalone.He(GlorifiedbeHe)says, Andifyouaskthemwhocreatedthem,theywillsurelysay:Allh. and Say(OMuhammad):"Whoprovidesforyoufromtheskyandtheearth?Orwhoownshearingandsight?Andwhobringsoutthelivingfromthedeadandbringsoutthedeadfromtheliving?Andwhodisposestheaffairs?"Theywillsay:"Allh."Say:"WillyounotthenbeafraidofAllhspunishment(forsettinguprivalsinworshipwithAllh)?" InadditiontomanyAyahstothesameeffect.

AsforthosewhocommitShirkthesedays,theyareworsethantheirpredecessorsfortworeasons:First:SomeofthemassociatepartnerswithAllahinLordship.Second:TheycommitShirkinprosperityandadversity.ThisisquiteobviousfromtheirpracticesattheshrinesofAlHusayn,AlBadawy,andotherplacesinEgypt,theshrineofAl`AydarusinAden,theshrineofAlHadyinYemen,theshrineofIbn`ArabyinAlSham(TheLevant),theshrineofAlSheikh`AbdulQadirAlJilanyinIraq,ThisisinadditiontootherwellknownshrineswhichthecommonpeopleexcessivelyrevereandhonorinawaybefittingAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)only.

about:/default.aspx#1

(PartNo:1,PageNo:27)

ThereareonlyafewpeoplewhotakegreatpainstoremindtheseignorantpeopleoftherealityofTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah/monotheism)withwhichAllahsentHisProphetMuhammad(Peacebeuponhim)aswellasthepreviousMessengers(peacebeuponthem).Truly,webelongtoAllahandtoHimisthereturn.WeaskAllah(GlorifiedbeHe)toguidethemtotheTruthandtohelpMuslimleaderscombatanduprootthisformofShirk.HeisAllHearer,EverNear(toallthings).

Again,amongthebeliefsthatcontradicttruebeliefwithregardtotheNamesandAttributesofAllaharethebeliefsheldbyA lJahmiyyah(adeviantIslamicsectdenyingsomeAttributesofAllah,claimingtheyareascribedtopeopleandcannotbeascribedtoAllah)andMu`tazilah(adeviantIslamicsectclaimingthatthosewhocommitmajorsinsareinastatebetweenbeliefanddisbelief)andtheirlikeswhodeniedAllah'sAttributes.ThesesectscompletelydenyAllah'sPerfectAttributes.TheygiveHimattributesofinanimatebeings.FarisHeabovewhattheyascribetoHim!OthersectssuchasA lAsha`irah(aMuslimgroupthatbasesitscreedalissuesonlogic)denysomeoftheAttributeswhileconfirmingothers,thuscontradictingclearlogicalaswellastextualevidence.However,AhlulSunnahwalJama`ah(thoseadheringtotheSunnahandtheMuslimmainbody)confirmedalltheNamesandAttributesthatAllahhasconfirmedforHimselfintheQur'anorthroughHisMessengerMuhammad(peacebeuponhim).TheysetHimfaraboveHiscreation,asthereisnoonewhoresemblesHiminanything.TheyrefertoallproofsintheQur'anandtheSunnahwithouttwistingthemeaningthereofintheleast.Inthisway,theyavoidedconfusionintowhichothershavefallen.ThisbeliefisthewaytosalvationandblissinthisworldandintheHereafter.ItistheStraightPathfollowedbytheSalaf(righteouspredecessors)andtheleadersofthisUmmah(Nation).TheconditionofthepresentdayMuslimswillnotberectifiedexceptbyfollowingthesamepathofthepredecessorswhoadheredtotheQur'anandtheSunnahofHisMessengerandshunnedallthatcontradictthem.

MayAllahgrantussuccess!He(GlorifiedbeHe)isSufficientforus,andHeistheBestDisposerofaffairs(forus).ThereisneithermightnorpowerexceptwithAllah!PeaceandblessingsofAllahbeuponHisServantandMessengerourProphetMuhammad,hisfamily,andhisCompanions!

(PartNo:1,PageNo:28)

TypesofTawhid

PraisebetoAllah,theLordofalltheWorlds,andthegoodendwillbeforpiouspeople.PeaceandblessingsbeuponAllah'sServant,MessengerandKhalil(belovedServant)andtheoneHetrustedwithHisrevelationandthebestofHiscreaturesourProphet,Imam(leader),andMasterMuhammadibnAbdullah,uponhisfamily,CompanionsandthosewhofollowhispathandareguidedbyhisguidanceuntiltheDayofJudgment.

IthankAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)formeetingMuslimbrothersanddearsons.IaskHim(GlorifiedbeHe)toblessthismeeting,purifyourheartsandacts,andgrantusgoodunderstandingofreligionandsteadinessonabidingbyitsrulings.MayAllahimprovetheconditionsofMuslimseverywhere,entrustthemtopiousrulers,andreformtheirleaders.IalsoaskHimtoincreasethenumberofthosewhocalltoguidanceamongstthem,forHeisAllGenerousandBountiful.

Afterwards,IwouldliketothankthosewhoareinchargeofthisuniversityUmAlQuraUniversityandofthissummercenterheadedbythehonorablebrotherhisEminenceProfessor:RashidibnRajih,theDirectoroftheUniversity,forinvitingmetothissession.IaskAllah(GlorifiedbeHe)byHisBeautifulNamesandAttributestoguideusalltowhateverincludesouruprightnessandhappinesssoonerandlater.

DearMuslimbrothersandhonorableaudiences:WeallheardwhatourstudenthasrecitedofSurahAlHashr,wehaveheardnobleAyahsincludinganexampleandreminiscence,forAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: Oyouwhobelieve!FearAllhandkeepyourdutytoHim.Andleteverypersonlooktowhathehassentforthforthemorrow,andfearAllh.Verily,AllhisAllAwareofwhatyoudo.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:29)

UptotheendoftheSurah.ItiswellknownthattheentireBookofAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)remindsofandcalltoeverygood.Itremindsofthecausesofsafetyandhappinessandsetsthelessonsofencouragementanddiscouragement.

Thus,allMuslimsshouldcontemplateandunderstandit.Theyoughttoreciteitfrequentlytoknowthecommandsandprohibitions.AMu'min(believer)becomesawareofAllah'srulingstoabidebythecommandsandavoidprohibitions.

ForAllah'sBookincludeslightandguidancetoeverygoodandwarningagainsteveryevil.Italsoincludesthecalltogoodmoralsandacts.Italsowarnsagainstbadmannersandactions.Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says: Verily,thisQurnguidestothatwhichismostjustandright Thatistosaythewayandpathwhichismostguided,uprighted,andreformed.Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says: Say:Itisforthosewhobelieve,aguideandahealing." Allahalsosays: (Thisis)aBook(theQurn)whichWehavesentdowntoyou,fullofblessings,thattheymayponderoveritsVerses,andthatmenofunderstandingmayremember. Allahalsosays: thisQurnhasbeenrevealedtomethatImaytherewithwarnyouandwhomsoeveritmayreach. Thus,Allah'sBookincludesguidance,light,example,andreminiscence.

Therefore,myadvicetomyself,allpeople,andwhoeverhearsorisinformedofmyspeechistogivemuchcaretothisgreatBook,foritisthemostnobleandhonorableBook.ItistheLastBookrevealedfromheaven.WhoevercontemplatesandunderstandsitseekingtoknowguidanceandtruthwillbegrantedsuccessandguidancebyAllah.

ThemostimportantthingcomprisedinthisgreatBookisthedeclarationofAllah'sRightoverHisServantsandviceversa.ThisisthemainissuediscussedintheQur'andeclaringAllah'sRight(GlorifiedbeHe)overHisservantstobesincerelyworshippedalonewithdevotion.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:30)

TheQur'analsowarnsagainstthemajorshirk(AssociatingothersinworshipwithAllah),unforgivensins,andotherkindsofKufr(disbelief)anddeviation.

IfapersonwillgetnogoodofponderingonthisGreatBookbutthisnecessaryknowledge,itwouldbeagreatwelfareandbounty.Howthenwhenitincludesindicationtoeverygoodandwarnsagainsteveryevilasmentionedabove.

Then,nexttotheQur'an,apersonshouldcareforthetheSunnah(whateverisreportedfromtheProphet),foritisthesecondsourceandthesecondrevelation.ItalsoincludestheexplanationofAllah'sBookandtheindicationtowhatevermightbehiddenofHisWords(GlorifiedbeHe),foritinterpretsAllah'sBook.He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: AndWehavealsosentdownuntoyou(OMuhammad)theDhikr[reminderandtheadvice(i.e.theQurn)],thatyoumayexplainclearlytomenwhatissentdowntothem,andthattheymaygivethought. Allahalsosays: AndWehavenotsentdowntheBook(theQuran)toyou(OMuhammad),except

about:/default.aspx#1

thatyoumayexplainclearlyuntothemthosethingsinwhichtheydiffer ThenobleQur'anwasrevealedtoguidepeopletothewelfare,directthemtothepathofsafety,andwarnthemagainstloss.AllahhasordainedHisProphet(peacebeuponhim)toclarifyforpeoplewhatwasrevealedtothemandtodescribewhateverwasvaguetothem.Thus,he(peacebeuponthem)continuedtocallpeople,explaintothemtheinstructionsofAllah'sBookandwarnthemagainstitsprohibitions.However,theintervalbetweentheProphet'smissionanddeathwastwentythreeyears,whichwerefullofDa`wah(calltoAllah),clarification,encouragement,andwarninguntilhe(peacebeuponhim)passedaway.

Mylecturetonightdiscussesthemostsignificantissue:the`AqidahTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah/monotheism),anditscontrast.

TawhidisthethingforwhichAllahhadsentmessengers,revealedtheBooks,andcreatedmanandJinn(creaturescreatedfromfire).Allotherrulingscomenexttoit.Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says: AndI(Allh)creatednotthejinnandmankindexceptthattheyshouldworshipMe(Alone). ThismeanstosingleHimoutwithworship.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:31)

TheywerenotcreatedHaphazardlytojusteat,drink,liveinpalaces,digrivers,planttrees,oranyotherworldlymissionsbuttheywerecreatedtoworshiptheirLord,glorifyHim,abidebyHisCommands,forbidHisProhibitions,applyHisHudud(pl.ofHadordainedpunishmentforviolatingAllahsLaw),directpeopletoHim,andguidethemtoHisRight(overthem).

AllahcreatedsuchbountiesforthemtoutilizeinobeyingHim.He(ExaltedbeHe)says: HeitisWhocreatedforyouallthatisonearth. He(GlorifiedbeHe)alsosays: Andhassubjectedtoyouallthatisintheheavensandallthatisintheearth Thus,Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)hassentdowntherain,madetheriversflow,facilitatedvariouskindsofprovisionsandbountiestosupportpeopleinobeyingHim,andtoactasasourceofsupplytothemduringtheirlives,soastoestablishtheproofonthemandblockthewaytoexcuses,Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: Andverily,WehavesentamongeveryUmmah(community,nation)aMessenger(proclaiming):WorshipAllh(Alone),andavoid(orkeepawayfrom)Tght(allfalsedeitiesi.e.donotworshipTghtbesidesAllh). And AndWedidnotsendanyMessengerbeforeyou(OMuhammad)butWerevealedtohim(saying):LilhaillaAna[nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutI(Allh)],soworshipMe(Aloneandnoneelse)." Allahalsosays: Andask(OMuhammadthoseofOurMessengerswhomWesentbeforeyou:"DidWeeverappointlihh(gods)tobeworshippedbesidesthe(MostGracious(Allh)?" He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)alsosays AndyourLordhasdecreedthatyouworshipnonebutHim. AndinSurahAlFatihah You(Alone)weworship,andYou(Alone)weaskforhelp(foreachandeverything).

InadditiontootherAyahs(Qur'anicverse)indicatingthatHe(GlorifiedbeHe)createdhumanbeingstoworshipHimalone,ordainedthemtodothis,andsentdownthemessengerstocalltothismatterandclarifyittopeople.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:32)

Therefore,peopleofknowledgebeingthesuccessorsofmessengersshouldclarifythisgreatmattertopeople,forthisshouldbethegreatestrequirement.Moreover,theutmostcareshouldbegiventoit,forwhenapersonconvertstoIslam,whatevercomesafterwillbesubsequenttoit.IfTawhidwerenotpure,aMukallaf(personmeetingtheconditionstobeheldlegallyaccountablefortheiractions)wouldnotbenefitfromhisactionsandsayings,Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: ButiftheyhadjoinedinworshipotherswithAllh,allthattheyusedtodowouldhavebeenofnobenefittothem. Allahalsosays: AndWeshallturntowhateverdeedsthey(disbelievers,polytheists,sinners)did,andWeshallmakesuchdeedsasscatteredfloatingparticlesofdust. Healsosays: Andindeedithasbeenrevealedtoyou(OMuhammad),asitwastothose(AllhsMessengers)beforeyou:"IfyoujoinothersinworshipwithAllh,(then)surely(all)yourdeedswillbeinvain,andyouwillcertainlybeamongthelosers." TherearesomanyAyahstothesameeffect.

ThismeaningisemphasizedintheresidenceoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)inMakkahfortenyearscallingpeopletoworshipAllahalonebeforeevenSalahandotheractsofworshipwereprescribed,thesetenyearswererifewithcallingtoTawhid,abandoningShirk,desertingidols,andclarifyingthatbothHumanandJinn(creaturescreatedfromfire)shouldworshipAllahaloneandabandonshirkadoptedbytheirparentsandancestors.

ThisiswhyHeraculesthekingofRomehadaskedAbuSufyanibnHarbduringthetrucewhilehewasamongstagroupcomingfromQurayshtotradeinPalestine.ThiscoincidedwithHeracules'adventtoAlQuds.Sowhenhewasinformedaboutthem,heorderedthattheywouldbebroughttohimtoaskthemaboutwhattheyknewaboutthisProphetwhomhehadheardof.Thistookplaceduringthetruce.However,ThisgroupwasheadedbyAbuSufyanibnHarb.HeaskedthemabouthimandhisclaimtobeaProphet?!

HethenorderedthatAbuSufyanwouldbebroughtandseatedinthefront(Heracules).Hecommandedthathiscompanionsshouldbeinthebackandthenhetoldhistranslatortotellthemthathe(Heracules)wouldaskhim(AbuSufyan)andifheliedtheyshouldtellhimthetruth.

Afterwards,heaskedabouttheProphet(peacebeuponhim)andothervariousthingsmentionedinSahihAlBukhariandotherbooks.HeaskedhimaboutmanyissuesincludingtheessenceoftheProphet'smission(peacebeuponhim).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:33)

TheyrepliedthathecalledthemtoworshipAllahalone,abandontheirfathers'religion,toofferSalah,behonest,maintainthetiesofkinship,andbevirtuous.

Asthen,hetoldthem:"Ifhewaslikeyousaid,thenhisrulewouldextendtillRomeitself."Thiswaswhathappened,forAllahhadgrantedMuslimstheruleoverAlSham(theLevant),removedtheRomansfromtheirway,grantedHisprophetsuccess,andsupportedhisparty.

WhatismeanthereisthatthisoriginisagreatonebutwhenpeopleneglecteditexceptthosetowhomAllahhasbeenmercifultheyfellintomajorshirk.TheyclaimtoembraceIslamanddisavowwhoeverdeemstheopposite,theyfallintosuchshirkbecauseoftheirignoranceofthissignificantorigin,fortheyhavetakentheirdeadpeopleasgodstobeworshippedotherthanAllahtheycircumambulatetheirgraves,appealtothem,askthemtohealtheirpatients,meettheirneeds,andprovidethemvictoryovertheirenemies.Theycometosayafterthat:Thisisnotshirk.ItisasortofhonoringtherighteousandseekingtheirintercessionbeforeAllah.TheyalsoclaimthatapersonshouldnotinvokeAllahdirectlybutthisshouldbedonethroughtheAwliya'(piouspeople)whoactlikemediatorstotheLord,justastheministersaretotheirkings,likeningAllahtoHisCreatures,andworshippingthemotherthanHim.MayAllahsaveus!

Thisisattributabletoignoranceandlackofknowledgeofthisgreatorigin.Therefore,thosewhoworshipAlBadawy,shaykh`AbdulQadir,AlHusayn,andothersaredistressedforthisreason.TheyhavenotrecognizedthetruthofTawhid,orthecallofthemessengers,andthingshavebeendubiousforthem,leadingthemtofallintoshirkandenjoyingit.NotonlythatbuttheyhavealsoconsideredthistobeasortofpietyanddrawingclosertoAllahanddisavowedwhoeverdeniedtheiracts.Itisrarelyfoundascholarwhoisconversantwiththsigreatgreatorigin.Indeed,apersonmaybecalledascholarwhileglorifyingthegraves,callingtheirinhabitants,appealingandvowingtothem,etc.

Asforthetruescholars,thoseofSunnahandTawhid,theyareinconsiderableinnumber.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:34)

Accordingly,itisthedutyofthestudentsatthisuniversityandallotherIslamicuniversitiestoguardthisoriginandprotectitwellsothattheycanactascallerstoguidanceandpromotersofthetruthtoexplaintopeopletherealityofthereligionthatAllahsentHisProphet(peacebeuponhim)andothermessengerswith.

ThisspeechthatIamdeliveringtoyounowisconcernedwiththetypesofTawhidandshirk.ForTawhidmeanstoprofesstheunityofAllahandadmitthatthereisnootherassociatewithhiminHisLordship,Names,Attributes,Divinity,andWorship.He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)isOneevenifpeoplehavenotprofessedthis.Thus,singlingoutAllahwithworshipiscalledTawhid,foraservantwillbeworshippingAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)alonewhentheybelieveinthisandactaccordinglydevotingworshipandcalltoHim(GlorifiedbeHe)alone.AtrueservantalsobelievethatAllahistheDisposerofallaffairs,theCreatorofallcreatures,theOwneroftheBeautifulNamesandPerfectAttributes,andthatHeistheOnlyOnethathastherighttobeworshipped..

Indetails,therearethreecategoriesofTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah):

TawhidulRububiyyah(OnenessofAllah'sLordship)TawhidulUluhiyyah(OnenessofWorship)andTawhidulAsma'walSifat(OnenessofAllah'sNamesandAttributes).Mushriks(oneswhoassociatesotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)didnotdenyTawhidulRububiyyah,butthishadnotledthemtoembraceIslambecausetheydidnotdedicatetheactsofworshipexclusivelytoAllah.Also,theydidadmitTawhidulUluhiyyahthoughtheybelievedthatAllahistheCreator,theProviderandtheirLord.HavingrefusedtodedicateworshiptoAllahAlone,theProphet(peacebeuponhim)engagedinfightingthemtoenforcethemtomakeworshipexclusivetoAllahAlone.

TawhidulRububiyyahsignifiestheconfirmationoftheactionsofAllah,Hismanaginganddisposingoftheaffairsoftheuniverse.Inotherwords,apersontestifiesthatAllahistheCreator,theProvider,theManager,andDisposerofallaffairs.HegivesandwithholdsdegradesandupgradeshonorsandhumiliatesgiveslifeandcausesdeathandovereverythingisCompetent.

TheMushriksconfirmedalltheseactions.Allah(mayHebePraised)says: Andifyouaskthemwhocreatedthem,theywillsurelysay:Allh.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:35)

He(mayHebePraised)says: Andifyou(OMuhammad)askthem:"Whohascreatedtheheavensandtheearth,"theywillcertainlysay:"Allh." He(ExaltedbeHe)says: Say(OMuhammad):"Whoprovidesforyoufromtheskyandtheearth?Orwhoownshearingandsight?Andwhobringsoutthelivingfromthedeadandbringsoutthedeadfromtheliving?Andwhodisposestheaffairs?"Theywillsay:"Allh."Say:"WillyounotthenbeafraidofAllhspunishment(forsettinguprivalsinworshipwithAllh)?"

TheseAyahs(Qur'anicverses)showthattheyconfirmsuchfactsbutthisconfirmationdidnotdrivethemtodedicateactsofworshipexclusivelytoAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe).Instead,theysetuprivalswithHimandclaimedthattheywereintercessorswhowillbringthemclosertoAllah.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: AndtheyworshipbesidesAllhthingsthatharmthemnot,norprofitthem,andtheysay:TheseareourintercessorswithAllh. Allah(mayHebePraised)repliedtothemsaying: AndtheyworshipbesidesAllhthingsthatharmthemnot,norprofitthem,andtheysay:TheseareourintercessorswithAllh.Say:DoyouinformAllhofthatwhichHeknowsnotintheheavensandontheearth?GlorifiedandExaltedisHeaboveallthatwhichtheyassociateaspartners(withHim)! Allah(mayHebePraised)doesnothaveapartnerintheheavensoronearthHeistheOne,theSole,theIndependent,andtheEverlasting(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)Whoisworthyofworship.Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: SoworshipAllh(Alone)bydoingreligiousdeedssincerelyforAllhssakeonly. Surelythereligion(i.e.theworshipandtheobedience)isforAllhonly. Also,He(mayHebePraised)says: AndthosewhotakeAuliy(protectors,helpers,lords,gods)besidesHim(say):WeworshipthemonlythattheymaybringusneartoAllh. ItimpliesthattheydidnotworshipotherswithAllahbecausetheycauseharmorbringaboutbenefitorbecausetheycreate,provide,ordisposetheaffairstheyonlyworshippedotherstobringthemnearertoAllahandintercedewithHimontheirbehalf.IntheAyahmentionedaboveinSurah(Qur'anicchapter)Yunus,theystated: TheseareourintercessorswithAllh.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:36)

Now,itbecomesclearthattheMushriksdidnotbelievethattheirdeitiesbringaboutbenefitorcauseharmgivelifeorcausedeathprovidesustenanceorwithholdit.Rather,theyworshippedthemtoactasintercessorsontheirbehalfandbringthemclosertoAllah.MushriksinthepastdidnotworshipAlLat,Al`Uzza,Manat,Jesus,MaryorrighteouspeoplebecausetheybringaboutbenefitorcauseharmbuttheyworshippedthembecausetheywishfortheirintercessionandthattheybringthemneartoAllah.Nevertheless,AllahdescribedthemwithShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)inHissaying: AndtheyworshipbesidesAllhthingsthatharmthemnot,norprofitthem,andtheysay:TheseareourintercessorswithAl lh. Say: DoyouinformAllhofthatwhichHeknowsnotintheheavensandontheearth?GlorifiedandExaltedisHeaboveallthatwhichtheyassociateaspartners(withHim)! TheAyahofSurahAlZumarreads: Verily,Allhwilljudgebetweenthemconcerningthatwhereintheydiffer.Truly,Allhguidesnothimwhoisaliar,andadisbeliever. HecalledthemdisbelieversandliarswhentheyclaimedthattheyworshipthemonlythattheymaybringthemneartoAllah.AllahstatedthattheyareliarsintheclaimthattheirdeitiesbringthemneartoAllah,andjudgedthemasdisbelieversastheydedicateactsofworship,suchasslaughteringanimals,makingvows,seekingreliefandtheliketothem.

TheProphet(peacebeuponhim)invitedthemfortenyearssaying: Opeople,say:"ThereisnoonehastherighttobeworshippedbutAllah,"toprosper. Mostofthemturnedawayfromhim,exceptafew,andconcludedtokillhim.Allahsavedhimfromtheirevilplotsandhe(peacebeuponhim)migratedtoMadinahwhereheestablishedtheShari`ah(Islamiclaw)ofAllahandcalledpeopletoHim.HiscallwaswelcomedbyAlAnsar(mayAllahbepleasedwiththem)andtheymadeJihadwithhimincollaborationwithAlMuhajirunwhomigratedfromQurayshandelsewhereuntilAllahmadehisreligionprevailandHisWordreignsupreme,whilehumiliatingthedisbelievers.

about:/default.aspx#1

Tawhidu lRububiyyahisthecategorythattheMushriksconfirmedi.e.beliefintheOnenessofAllah'sactionsincludingcreation,providingsustenance,planning,givinglife,causingdeath,andotheractionsasstatedabove.

ThiscategoryofTawhidstandsasrefutingevidenceagainstthemandtheirrejectionofdedicatingworshipsolelytoAllahsincetheformernecessitatesandtestifiestothelatter.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:37)

Therefore,Allahmadetheirconfirmationofthatcategoryrefutingevidenceagainstthemsaying: Say:WillyounotthenbeafraidofAllhspunishment(forsettinguprivalsinworshipwithAllh)? IntheotherAyahs,Allahcondemnedthemthattheydidnotreflectorreceivereminders.

WhoeverdeeplycontemplatesTawhidulRububiyyahthattheyconfirmedwillconcludethattheOneWhohassuchqualitiesissurelytheOneWorthyofworshipaslongasHeistheCreator,theProvider,andtheOneWhogiveslife,causesdeath,gives,withholdsanddisposestheaffairs.KnowingthatAllahistheOmniscientandtheOmnipotent,howcanapersondedicatehisworshiptoanyoneotherthanHim?HowcanapersonhopeforrewardorfearfromanyoneotherthanHim?Butthedisbelieversdonotunderstand.Shaitn(Satan)hasoverpoweredthem.SohehasmadethemforgettheremembranceofAllh.TheyarethepartyofShaitn(Satan).Verily,itisthepartyofShaitan(Satan)thatwillbethelosers! Allahspokeaboutthehypocritessaying: Theyaredeaf,dumb,andblind,sotheyreturnnot(totheRightPath). Allah(mayHebePraised)saysaboutthosewhofollowedthesameway: Andsurely,WehavecreatedmanyofthejinnandmankindforHell.Theyhaveheartswherewiththeyunderstandnot,andtheyhaveeyeswherewiththeyseenot,andtheyhaveearswherewiththeyhearnot(thetruth).Theyarelikecattle,nayevenmoreastraythose!Theyaretheheedlessones. Thosepeopleareverilyheedless.TheyareevenmoreastraythancattleasAllahdescribedtheminclearAyahsandproofs,buttheydidnotunderstandorheedthem.TheypersistedintheirKufr(disbelief)anderrorandfoughthiminthebattleofBadr,Uhud,andtheTrenchortheConfederates.TheydidnotbenefitfromtheclearAyahsorgiveuptheirheedlessnessandrejection.ToAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)belongstheUtmostWisdomandIncontrovertibleEvidence.

Later,Allah(mayHebePraised)madeHisProphettriumphant,supportedHisreligion,anddefeatedtheenemies,sotheProphet(peacebeuponhim)invadedthemonthedayof

(PartNo:1,PageNo:38)

ofOpeningofMakkah.AllahgavehimvictoryandmadehimconquertheirlandsafterwhichpeopleembracedIslaminmultitude.Atthispoint,Allah'sMessengerannouncedTawhidulUluhiyyahthatpeopleacceptedandadoptedthetruth.ThenHawazinandthepeopleofAlTa'ifresistedhimbutAllahmadehimprevailoverthemandshatteredtheirunity.Moreover,theProphet(peacebeuponhim)seizedtheirwomen,children,andpropertiesandrewardedHisProphet(peacebeuponhim)andHisbelievingslaveswiththegoodendandvictoryallpraisebetoAllah.

ThesecondcategoryisTawhidulAsma'walSifat,whichalsopertainstoTawhidulRububiyyah.TheMushriksconfirmedandgraspedthiscategorysinceTawhidulRububiyyahnecessitatesit.Inotherwords,theOneWhoistheCreator,theProviderofsustenance,andtheProprietorofeverythinginevitablydeservesalltheBeautifulNamesandPerfectAttributes.HeisPerfectinHisBeing,Names,AttributesandActionsHehasnopartnerorequalandnovisioncangraspHimandHeisAllHearer,AllKnower.Allah(mayHebePraised)says: ThereisnothinglikeHimandHeistheAllHearer,theAllSeer. He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)alsosays: Say(OMuhammad):"HeisAllh,(the)One. "AllhusSamad()[AllhtheSelfSufficientMaster,Whomallcreaturesneed,(Heneithereatsnordrinks)]. "Hebegetsnot,norwasHebegotten.

"AndthereisnonecoequalorcomparableuntoHim." DisbelieversknowtheirLordbyhisNamesandAttributes.SomeofthemhaughtilydeniedtheNameofAlRahman(theMostGracious),sothatAllah(mayHebePraised)beliedthemsaying: ThushaveWesentyou(OMuhammad)toacommunitybeforewhomothercommunitieshavepassedaway,inorderthatyoumightreciteuntothemwhatWehaverevealedtoyou,whiletheydisbelieveintheMostGracious(Allh)Say:"HeismyLord!LilhaillHuwa(nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutHe)!InHimismytrust,andtoHimwillbemyreturnwithrepentance."

ThethirdcategoryisbelievingintheOnenessofAllah'sworship,whichimpliesthemeaningof"LaIlahIllaAllah."ItmeansnoneistrulyworthyofworshipbutAllah.ThistenetnegatesallformsofworshipfromanyoneandaffirmsthemtoAllahAlone(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe).

ItisthefoundationandessenceofIslamtowhichtheProphet(peacebeuponhim)calledhispeopleandhisuncleAbuTalib,whorefusedtoembraceIslamanddiedbelievinginthereligionofhispeople.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:39)

AllahexpoundedthemeaningofthistenetinvariouspartsoftheQur'an.Forinstance,Allah(mayHebePraised)says: AndyourIlh(God)isOneIlh(GodAllh),LilhaillaHuwa(thereisnonewhohastherighttobeworshippedbutHe),theMostGracious,theMostMerciful. He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)alsosays: AndyourLordhasdecreedthatyouworshipnonebutHim. He(ExaltedbeHe)says: You(Alone)weworship,andYou(Alone)weaskforhelp(foreachandeverything). Hesays: Andtheywerecommandednot,butthattheyshouldworshipAllh,andworshipnonebutHimAlone(abstainingfromascribingpartnerstoHim) TherearemanyAyahstothateffectandallofthemexplainthemeaningofthiswordemphasizingtheinvalidityofworshippinganyoneotherthanAllahandconfirmingthatworshipisonlytoAllahAlone(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe).InSurahAlHajj,Allah(mayHebePraised)says: ThatisbecauseAllhHeistheTruth(theonlyTrueGodofallthatexists,WhohasnopartnersorrivalswithHim),andwhatthey(the

polytheists)invokebesidesHim,itisBtil(falsehood).Andverily,AllhHeistheMostHigh,theMostGreat. InSurahLuqman,Healsosays: ThatisbecauseAllh,HeistheTruth,andthatwhichtheyinvokebesidesHimisAlBtil(falsehood,Satanandallotherfalsedeities)andthatAllh,HeistheMostHigh,theMostGreat.

Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)istheTruthandtohimbelongstheWordofTruth.HisWorshipisthetrueoneworshippingothersisnot.AMuslimshouldseekrelieffromAllahAlone,makevowsforHim,puthistrustinHim,askHimforrecovery,circumambulateHisAncientHouseandsoon.AllahistheTruthandHisreligionisthetruthaswell.ApersonwhoperfectlycomprehendsandmaintainssuchthreecategoriesofTawhidandappliestheirmeaningswillrealizethatAllah,indeed,istheOneWhoisworthyofworshipAlone,andnobodyelse.Also,apersonwhoneglectsoneofthemhasneglectedthemall.Thisisbecausethethreecategoriesaretotallyinseparable.ApersonisnotdeemedMuslimuntilhebelievesinthemaltogether.WhoeverdeniestheNamesandAttributesofAllahbelievesinnoreligionwhoeverclaimsanotherpartnerdisposingtheaffairsoftheuniversewithAllahisadisbelieverandMushrik(onewhoassociatesotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)intheLordshipofAllahaccordingtotheIjma`(consensus)ofscholars.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:40)

WhoeverconfirmsbothTawhidulRububiyyahandTawhidulAsma'walSifatbutdoesnotworshipAllahAlone,associatingwithHimotherslikeashaykh,aprophet,anangel,ajinni,astar,anidolorthelike,commitsShirkanddisbelievesinAllah(mayHebePraised).TawhidulRububiyyahandTawhidulAsma'walSifatwillnotavailhimuntilhebelievesinthethirdcategory,i.e.hemustbelievethatAllahistheCreator,theProviderofsustenanceandtheControllerofallaffairs.Inthemeantime,hemustconfirmwhatthepolytheistsdidnotbelieveinandmustbelievethatAllah(mayHebePraised)incomparablypossessestheBeautifulNamesandAttributeswithnopartner.Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: Say(OMuhammad):"HeisAllh,(the)One. "AllhusSamad()[AllhtheSelfSufficientMaster,Whomallcreaturesneed,(Heneithereatsnordrinks)]. "Hebegetsnot,norwasHebegotten. "Andthereis

nonecoequalorcomparableuntoHim." He(mayHebePraised)alsosays: SoputnotforwardsimilitudesforAllh(asthereisnothingsimilartoHim,norHeresemblesanything).Truly!Allhknowsandyouknownot. Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: ThereisnothinglikeHimandHeistheAllHearer,theAllSeer.

Thethirdcategory,whichisbeliefintheOnenessoftheworshipofAllah,symbolizesthemeaningofLaillahaillaAllah.Itisthebasicprincipleoftheprophets'mission,becausetheMushriksdidnotdenytheothertwocategoriesofTawhidasstatedabove.TheydeniedtheOnenessofAllah'sworship.Therefore,whentheProphet(peacebeuponhim)askedthemtosayLailahaillaAllah,theysaid: "Hashemadethelihah(gods)(all)intoOneIlh(GodAllh).Verily,thisisacuriousthing!" Theyalsosaid: And(they)said:"Arewegoingtoabandonourlihah(gods)forthesakeofamadpoet?" Beforethat,Allah(mayHebePraised)saysaboutthem: Truly,whenitwassaidtothem:Lilhaillallh"(nonehastherighttobeworshippedbutAllh),"theypuffedthemselvesupwithpride(i.e.deniedit). And

(they)said:"Arewegoingtoabandonourlihah(gods)forthesakeofamadpoet?" Allahbeliedtheirclaimssaying: Nay!he(Muhammad) hascomewiththetruth(i.e.AllhsreligionIslmicMonotheismandthisQurn)andheconfirmstheMessengers(beforehimwhobroughtAllhsreligionIslmicMonotheism).

ItisOnenessofAllah'sWorshipthattheearlierpolytheistsdeniedandthecurrentpolytheistsdenyanddisbelievein.TheyworshipothersalongwithAllah,suchas

(PartNo:1,PageNo:41)

trees,stones,idols,andpiousandrighteouspeople.Theyevenseekrelieffromthem,makevowsforthem,slaughteranimalsintheirnamesalongwiththeevilactsthatworshippersofthegraves,idols,stonesandthelikepractice.Bydoingso,theyareMushriksanddisbelievers.Theirsinswillnotbeforgiven,iftheydieinsuchastate.Allah(mayHebePraised)says: Verily,AllhforgivesnotthatpartnersshouldbesetupwithHim(inworship),butHeforgivesexceptthat(anythingelse)towhomHewills He(mayHebePraised)says: ButiftheyhadjoinedinworshipotherswithAllh,allthattheyusedtodowouldhavebeenofnobenefittothem. He(mayHebePraised)says:Verily,whosoeversetsuppartners(inworship)withAllh,thenAllhhasforbiddenParadisetohim,andtheFirewillbehisabode.AndfortheZlimn(polytheistsandwrongdoers)therearenohelpers.

AMuslimmustfulfillthiskindofTawhidanddedicatehisworshiptoAllahAlone,associatingnopartnerwithHim.Hemustkeepsteadfastonandcalltothatmakingitthebasisforhisloyaltyandanimositytowardsothers.PeoplecommitShirkduetoignoranceandmisunderstandingofthisTawhidandthinkthattheyareguided.Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)relatesthissaying: surelytheytooktheShaytn(devils)asAuliy (protectorsandhelpers)insteadofAllh,andthinkthattheyareguided. HealsosaysregardingtheChristiansandthosewhoarelikethem: Say(OMuhammad):"ShallWetellyouthegreatestlosersinrespectof(their)deeds? "Thosewhoseeffortshavebeenwastedinthislifewhiletheythoughtthattheywereacquiringgoodbytheirdeeds. Duetohisignoranceandcollapseofhisheart,thedisbelieverfalselythinksheisdoingrighteousnesswhileinfactheworships,supplicatesto,seeksrelieffrom,slaughtersanimalsandmakesvowsforpeopleotherthanAllah.Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)speaksaboutthem,saying: Ordoyouthinkthatmostofthemhearorunderstand?Theyareonlylikecattlenay,theyareevenfartherastrayfromthePath(i.e.evenworsethancattle). He(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)alsosays: Andsurely,WehavecreatedmanyofthejinnandmankindforHell.Theyhaveheartswherewiththeyunderstandnot Thus,itisobligatoryon

(PartNo:1,PageNo:42)

thescholarsandseekersofknowledgetogivemuchcaretosuchkindofTawhid,becausemanypeopleare

ignorantofit.Hence,theycommitactsthatcontradictit.

PraisebetoAllah,theothertwocategoriesareveryclear.However,manypeoplebecomedubiousabouttheOnenessofAllah'sWorshipduetothegreatdealofdoubtsthatenemiesofAllahcastonpeople.Nevertheless,itisalsoclearforthosewhomAllahendowedwithinsight,becausetheyarebaselessfalseclaims.

ThetruthisunquestionablyobviousitisobligatorytodedicateactsofworshiptoAllahAlone,andnobodyelse.Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: So,callyou(OMuhammadandthebelievers)upon(orinvoke)Allhmaking(your)worshippureforHim(Alone)(byworshippingnonebutHimandbydoingreligiousdeedssincerelyforAl lhssakeonlyandnottoshowoffandnottosetuprivalswithHiminworship),howevermuchthedisbelievers(intheOnenessofAllh)mayhate(it). He(mayHebePraisedandGlorified)says: soinvokenotanyonealongwithAllh. He(mayHebePraised)alsosays: "AndinvokenotbesidesAllh,anysuchthatwillneitherprofityounorharmyou,butif(incase)youdidso,youshallcertainlybeoneoftheZlimn(polytheistsandwrongdoers)." Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: SuchisAllh,yourLordHisisthekingdom.Andthose,whomyouinvokeorcalluponinsteadofHim,ownnotevenaQitmr(thethinmembraneoverthedatestone). Ifyouinvoke(orcallupon)them,theyhearnotyourcallandif(incase)theyweretohear,theycouldnotgrantit(yourrequest)toyou.AndontheDayofResurrection,theywilldisownyourworshippingthem.Andnonecaninformyou(OMuhammad)likeHimWhoistheAllKnower(ofeverything). He(mayHebePraised)says: Andwhoeverinvokes(orworships),besidesAllh,anyotherilh(god),ofwhomhehasnoproofthenhisreckoningisonlywithhisLord.Surely!A lKfirn(thedisbelieversinAllhandintheOnenessofAllh,polytheists,pagans,idolaters)willnotbesuccessful. TherearenumerousAyahsstressingtheobligationofbeingsinceretoAllahAloneinworshipandthatdedicatingworshiptoanyoneotherthanAllahisShirkandKufr.Also,ifanyonebelievesthatahumanbeingoraninanimateobjectmaybeworshipped,hewillbeadisbelieverevenifhehimselfdoesnotworshipit.Likewise,ifhebelievesthatanidol,Gabriel,theProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim),Shaykh,`AbdulQadirAlJilany,AlBadawy,AlHusaynor`AlyibnAbuTalibifhebelievesthat

(PartNo:1,PageNo:43)

anyofthemisworthyofworshiporthatthereisnoharminsupplicatingorseekingrelieffromanyofthemalongwithAllah,hewillbedisbelieverevenifhedoesnotcommitanysin.

IfapersonbelievesthattheyknowtheGhayb(theUnseen)ordisposetheaffairsoftheuniverse,hewillbeadisbelieveraccordingtoallscholars.ThecasebecomesmoreseriousifhesupplicatesthemapartfromAllahorseeksrelieffromthemormakesavowforthem,hewillbecommittingmajorShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship).

Thesamerulingappliestoapersonwhoprostrates,offersSalah(prayer),orobservesSawm(fasting)fortheirsake.WeimploreAllahtograntussafetyfromthat.

Shirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)istheoppositeofTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah/monotheism).Shirkisofthreekinds,butactuallyitisoftwokinds:MajorShirkandMinorShirk.

MajorShirk:ItinvolvesthedevotionofallorsomeactsofIbadah(worship)toanyoneoranythingotherthanAllah.ItalsoinvolvesabstinencefromperformingsomeoftheMa lumminaddinbiddarurah(necessarilyknownreligiousprinciples)ordainedbyAllah,suchasofferingSalah(Prayer)andobservingSawm(Fast)inRamadan,ordenialofsomemattersprohibitedbyAllah,whichfallundertheMalumminaddinbiddarurah,suchasZina(premaritalsexualintercourseand/oradultery),drinkingKhamr(intoxicant)andthelike.ItmayinvolveobediencetoahumaninviolatingtheCommandsoftheCreatoranddeemingthisviolationasHalal(lawful),orobeyinganymanorwoman,whetherapresident,aminister,ascientistorothers,inopposingtheReligionofAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe).Certainly,everythingthatinvolvesdevotinganypartofworshiptoanyoneotherthanAllah,suchassupplicatingtoAwliya(piouspeople),seekingtheirassistanceormakingvowstothem,orinvolvesdeeminglawfulwhatAllahhasprohibitedorannullingwhatAllahhasordainedsuchasbelievingthatSalah,Sawm,Hajjinspiteofcapabilitytoperformit,orZakah(obligatorycharity)arenotobligatoryorabsolutelyimpermissible,allthisconstitutesMajorKufr(disbelief)andMajorShirk,becausethisisasortofcontradictingAllahandHisMessenger(peacebeuponhim).

Consequently,whoeverdeemslawfulwhatAllahhasprohibitedfromtheMalumminaddinbiddarurahsuchasZina,Khamrandundutifulnesstoparentsorbelievesinthepermissibilityofbanditry,sodomy,Riba(usury/interest)orthelikeoftheactsthatarewellknowntobeprohibitedbyauthorityoftheNas(IslamictextfromtheQuranortheSunnah)andIjma(consensusofscholars)isunanimouslyaKafir(disbeliever)

(PartNo:1,PageNo:44)

mayAllahsafeguardusandwillcomeunderthesamerulingasthosewhocommitactsofMajorShirk.

Thesamerulingappliestoanyonewhomocksandridiculesreligion,theywillbeguiltyofmajorKufr(disbelief),asAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: Say:"WasitatAllh(),andHisAyt(proofs,evidence,verses,lessons,signs,revelations)andHisMessenger()thatyouweremocking?" Makenoexcuseyou

disbelievedafteryouhadbelieved. ThesameappliestomakinglittleofanymatterglorifiedbyAllahoutofcontemptanddisdain,suchasirreverencetotheMushaf(Quranbook),urinatingoverit,steppingonit,sittingonitorthelikethedoerofthisisaKafir(disbeliever)byIjma,becausebydoingsotheybelittleanddisdainAllahHimself(GlorifiedbeHe).TheQuranistheWordofAllah(ExaltedbeHe).AnyonewhobelittlestheQuranisbelittlingAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe).Scholarshaveexplainedsuchissuesunderthechapterof"TheRulingontheMurtad(apostatefromIslam)".IneachoftheFourMadhhabs(Hanafy,Maliky,Shafiy,andHanbaly)theyconductedachaptercalled"ChapteroftheRulingontheMurtad",inwhichtheyexplainedalltypesofKufr(disbelief)andDalal(deviationfromwhatisright).Itisactuallyanoteworthychapter,especiallyinthistimewheremanytypesofRiddah(apostasy)havespreadoutandmanypeopleareconfusedaboutsuchmatters.Therefore,ifsomeonepaysdueattentiontothischapter,theywillknowthenullifiersofIslam,actsleadingtoRiddahandtypesofKufrandDalal.

Theothertype:MinorShirkaretheactsestablishedbytheIslamictextsofQuranandSunnahasfallingundertheterm"Shirk",butstilltheydonottantamounttomajorShirk.TheyarecalledminorShirk,suchasRiya (doinggooddeedsforshow)andseekingreputation,aswhenrecitingtheQuran,offeringSalahorcallingtothePathofAllahandthelikeforthesakeofshowingoff.ItisauthenticallyreportedthattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, ThethingthatIfearmostforyouisminorShirk.Theysaid,OMessengerofAllah!WhatisminorShirk? Hesaid,Riya . Truly,Allah(mayHebeBlessedandExalted)shallsayontheDaytheservantsshallberecompensedfortheirdeeds,Gotothoseforwhomyouwereshowingoffwithyourdeedsinworldlylifeandseeifyoucanfindwiththemrecompense. (RelatedbyImamAhmadwithauthenticIsnad[chainofnarrators]ontheauthorityofMahmudibnLabidAlAshhalyAlAnsary[mayAllahbepleasedwithhim])ItwasalsonarratedbyAlTabarany,AlBaihaqyandsomeothernarratorsasHadithMursal(aHadithwithnoCompanionoftheProphetinthechainofnarration)ontheauthorityofMahmud,whowaspreviouslymentioned.Thisnarrator,Mahmud,wasayoungSahaby(CompanionoftheProphet)whodidnothearanyHadithfromtheProphet(peacebeuponhim).ButtheHadithMursalnarratedbytheSahabah(CompanionsoftheProphet)areSahih(authentic)andusedasevidencebythescholarsandsomescholarsreportedthisasaconsensus.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:45)

AnexampleforthatkindofShirkiswhenaServant(ofAllah)says,"WhatAllahwillsandsoandsowills","WereitnotforAllahandsoandso",or"ThisisfromAllahandsoandso".

AllthisisconsideredminorShirkaccordingtotheHadithnarratedbyAbuDawud,withanauthenticIsnad,fromHudhayfah(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, Donotsay,WhatAllahwillsandsoandsowills,butsay,WhatAllahwills,thenafterwardswhatsoandsowills.

ThisincludesalsotheHadithnarratedbyAlNasayfromQutailahthat AJewcametotheProphet(peacebeuponhim)andsaid, YoucommitShirk,asyousay,WhatAllahwillsandwhatyouwill.Youalsosay,BytheKabah(whenyouswear).Therefore,theProphet(peacebeuponhim)orderedthem,whenevertheyneededtoswear,tosay,BytheLordoftheKabahandtosay,WhatAllahwills,thenafterwardswhatyouwill. AccordingtoanotherreportbyAlNasayontheauthorityofIbn

about:/default.aspx#1

Abbas(mayAllahbepleasedwiththemboth)that AmanoncesaidtotheProphet(peacebeuponhim),OMessengerofAllah!WhateverAllahwillsandyouwill.He(peacebeuponhim)said,HaveyoumademeanequaltoAllah!ItiswhateverAllahalonewil ls. IncludedalsoistheauthenticallyreportedinterpretationofIbnAbbas(mayAllahbepleasedwiththemboth)fortheSayingofAllah(ExaltedbeHe), ThendonotsetuprivalsuntoAllh(inworship)whileyouknow(thatHeAlonehastherighttobeworshipped). inwhichhe(IbnAbbas)said:ShirkinthisUmmah(nationbasedononecreed)ismoresubtlethanthecreepingofantsonablackrockinthedarknessofnight.Onefallsintoitbysaying,ByAllahandbyyourlife,Osoandso,andbymylife.Also,whenonesays,Haditnotbeenforthedog,thethieveswouldhaveattackedus,orwhenonesays,Haditnotbeenforducksinthehouse,thethieveswouldhaveentered.Moreover,whenonesays,WhatAllahwillsandyouwillandHaditnotbeenfortheHelpofAllahandthehelpofsoandso.SodonotmentionsoandsowithAllah,becauseallthesesayingsincludeShirk.(RelatedbyIbnAbuHatimwithanauthenticIsnad)

SuchsayingsandthelikefallunderminorShirk,whichalsoincludesswearingbyanyoneoranythingotherthanAllahsuchasswearingbytheKabah,theProphets,Amanah(honesty),thelifeofsoandso,thehonorofsoandsoandothers.AlltheseareactsofminorShirk,basedontheHadithauthenticallyreportedintheMusnad(Hadithcompilation)withanauthenticIsnadontheauthorityofUmarIbnAlKhattab(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, AnyonewhoswearsbyotherthanAllahhascommittedShirk(associatedotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorinworship). ItwasnarratedbyImamAhmad,AbuDawudandAtTirmidhy(mayAllahbemercifultothem)withanauthenticIsnadfromIbnUmar(mayAllahbepleasedwiththemboth)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, AnyonewhoswearsbyotherthanAllahhascommittedKufr(disbelief)orShirk(associatedotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorinworship).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:46)

Thenarratormightbedoubtfulabouttheexactletter,whetheritwas"or"or"and"itmightbealsothat"or"iswiththemeaningof"and",sothemeaningwillbe"hascommittedKufrandShirk".Inthisrespect,wementiontheHadithnarratedbytheTwoShaykhs(i.e.AlBukhariandMuslim)fromUmar(mayAllahbepleasedwithhim)thattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, AnyonewhohastotakeanoathshouldswearbyAllahorelseremainsilent. TherearemanyHadithsinthisrespect.

ThesearesometypesofminorShirk,buttheymayinvolvemajorShirkdependingontheintentionoftheonewhoswears.IftheonewhoswearsbytheProphet,AlBadawyorshaykhsoandso,intendstoequateshimwithAllah,invokeshimbesidesAllah,believesthathehasanypowerinthisuniverseasAllahorthelike,thensuchactsandAqidah(creed)oftheirsaremajorShirk.IfsomeoneswearsbyanythingotherthanAllahanddoesnothavesuchintentionsandbeliefs,buttheysayitoutofhabit,withnosuchintentions,thiswillbeconsideredminorShirk.

ThereisanotherkindofSkirkcalledShirkKhafy(hiddenShirk).SomescholarsclasseditasthethirdtypeofShirkgivingevidencetosupportitfromtheHadithnarratedbyAbuSa idAlKhudrythattheProphet(peacebeuponhim)said, ShouldInotinformyouofwhatIfearmoreforyouthanAlMasihulDajjal(theAntichrist)?Thepeoplesaid,Yes,OMessengerofAllah.He(peacebeuponhim)said,ItisthehiddenShirkapersonstandsupinSalah(Prayer)andtriestomakeitperfectwhenherealizesthatothersarelookingathim. (RelatedbyImamAhmad)

Asamatteroffact,thisisnotathirdtypebutitfallsundertheminorShirk.Itmaybehidden,becausetheintentionlieswithintheheartjustasdescribedinthepreviousHadith.Otherexamples,whensomeonerecitesQuranperfectlyoutofRiya,propagatesvirtueandpreventsviceoutofRiya,fightsintheCauseofAllahoutofRiyaorthelike.

ItmaybeconsideredhiddenShirkintermsofthelegalrulingonsometypesofpeoplelikethosementionedinthepreviousHadithofIbn Abbas(mayAllahbepleasedwiththem).ThehiddenShirkcanalsobemajorShirkeventhoughitishidden,suchasthebeliefofhypocrites.Theyshowoffinfrontofpeoplewiththeirapparentdeeds,yettheydonotrevealtheirhiddenKufr(disbelief).ThisisclarifiedintheSayingofAllah(ExaltedbeHe): Verily,thehypocritesseektodeceiveAllh,butitisHeWhodeceivesthem.AndwhentheystandupforAsSalt(theprayer),theystandwithlazinessandtobeseenofmen,andtheydonotrememberAllhbutlittle. (Theyare)swayingbetweenthisandthat,belongingneithertothesenortothose

(PartNo:1,PageNo:47)

TherearemanyAyahsconcerningtheirKufrandRiya,mayAllahsafeguardus!

Accordingly,thehiddenShirkisrelatedtotheprevioustwotypes:majorShirkandminorShirk,evenifitiscalled"Khafy(hidden)",asShirkcanbehiddenandcanbeobvious.

ShirkJaly(obviousShirk)ismanifestedin:invokingthedead,seekingtheirhelp,vowingforthemandthelike.

ShirkKhafyis:whatremainshiddenintheheartsofthehypocriteswhoofferSalahalongwithpeopleandobserveSawmwithpeople,whileinwardlytheyarereallyKafirs(disbelievers).Theybelieveinthepermissibilityofworshipingidolsandsculptures,andsoactuallytheyembracethereligionofMushriks(thosewhoassociateotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship).ThisistherealityofthehiddenShirk,becauseitliesdeepinthehearts.

TheminorhiddenShirkisrepresentedinactslikerecitingtheQuran,offeringSalah,givingoutSadaqah(voluntarycharity)andthelikeseekingpraisefrompeople.ThisishiddenShirk,butitisminor.

Thus,itbecomesclearthatShirkisoftwotypes:majorandminorandeachofthemcanbehidden.ItcanbemajorhiddenShirk,suchasthatofthehypocrites.ItcanbeminorhiddenShirk,suchastheactsofthosewhocommitRiyaintheirSalah,Sadaqah,supplicationtoAllah,propagationofvirtueandpreventionofviceorthelike.

EachMumin(believer)shouldbewareofsuchactsandabstainfromthesetypes,especiallymajorShirk.ItisthemostgrievoussintobecommittedagainstAllahandthegravestcrimeahumancancommit.RegardingthistypeofShirk,Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)says: ButiftheyhadjoinedinworshipotherswithAllh,allthattheyusedtodowouldhavebeenofnobenefittothem. Verily,whosoeversetsuppartners(inworship)withAllh,thenAllhhasforbiddenParadisetohim,andtheFirewillbehisabode. and: Verily,AllhforgivesnotthatpartnersshouldbesetupwithHim(inworship),butHeforgivesexceptthat(anythingelse)towhomHewills

(PartNo:1,PageNo:48)

Consequently,whoeverdieswhilecommittingactsofmajorShirk,theywillabsolutelybeoneofthedwellersofHellfire,forbiddenfromenteringParadise,andwilleternallyabideinHellfire.WeseekrefugewithAllahfromthis(punishment).

RegardingminorShirk,itisoneofthegravestofmajorsinsandthosewhocommititareextremelyendangered.TheymaybeforgivenforcommittingactsofminorShirkbythepreponderanceoftheirgooddeeds.Otherwise,theymaybepunishedforthisbybeingadmittedintotheFireforsometime,buttheywillnotabidethereeternallyastheKafirs.MinorShirkneitherenjoinseternaldwellingintheHellfirenornullifiesgooddeeds,butitnullifiestheactsassociatedwithit.

MinorShirknullifiestheactsassociatedwithit.Forexample,ifsomeoneoffersSalahoutofRiya(doinggooddeedsforshow),theywillnotberewardedforitrather,theywillbepunishedforsuchasin.

IfsomeonerecitesQuranoutofRiya,theywillnotberewardedforitrather,theywillbepunishedforsuchasin.MinorShirkisunlikemajorShirkandmajorKufr(disbelief)astheynullifyallgooddeeds.Allah(ExaltedbeHe)says: ButiftheyhadjoinedinworshipotherswithAllh,allthattheyusedtodowouldhavebeenofnobenefittothem.

Itisthedutyofeverymanandwoman,everyscholarandstudentandeveryMuslimtopaymuchattentionandponderonthismatter.Thus,theyshouldknowtheessenceofTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah)anditstypes,therealityofShirkanditstwotypesmajorandminor,taketheinitiativetorepenttoAllahsincerelyfromtheactsofmajororminorShirktheymayhavecommitted.TheyshouldabidebyTawhid,holdfasttotherightpath,adheretotheobedienceofAllahandpayAllahHisduerights.Tawhidhasrightstobedone,suchascarryingoutFaridahs(obligatoryacts)andabstainingfromtheprohibitions.TheyshouldalsoabstainfromalltypesofShirk,bothminorandmajor.

MajorShirkisagainstTawhidandisabsolutelyagainstIslam.MinorShirkisagainstthedutifulperfectionofonesIslamtherefore,Muslimsshouldabstainfrombothofthem.

Weshouldallbearthismatterinourminds,learnaboutitwellandwarnpeopleagainstitcarefullyandclearly.Thus,aMuslimbecomesfullyawareofallsuchgravematters.

(PartNo:1,PageNo:49)

WeaskAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)toguideyouandustousefulknowledgeandgooddeeds,grantallMuslimsandustheabilitytounderstandandsticktoHisreligion,supportHisReligionandelevateHisWord.MayAllahmakeusrightlyguidedpeople.MaypeaceandblessingsbeuponourProphetMuhammad,hisfamily,hisCompanionsandthosewhorightlyfollowhimuntiltheDayofResurrection!

[Weusedtoreceivequestionsaboutimportantissueseachlecture.IhavebeenaskedmanyquestionsbuthereImentionthequestionsrelatedtoTawhid(beliefintheOnenessofAllah)]:

Q:Aninquirersays:MayAllahgrantyouallgoodnessforyourperfectlessonsandmayAllahputtherewardsforsuchagooddeedinyourMizan(theScalesforweighingdeeds)!Myquestionis:HowcanweknowtherealityofTawhidinbelief,behavioranddeed?

A : ThewaytothisismadeeasyBihamdiAllah(bythePraiseofAllah).EverybelieverneedtosearchtheirdeedsandobligethemselvestoadheretoAlHaqq(theTruth)andbeinfluencedbythosewhopracticewhatIslampreaches.AMuslimmustfollowthestraightpathtobeliefintheOnenessofAllahandbeingfaithfultoHim.Theymustcommitthemselvestoabidebythatpathandcallotherstoit.Consequently,theyfirmlystanduponthetruepathanditspursuitbecomesacharacteristicinherentinthemafterthattheycanneverbeaffectedbythosewhowanttohinderthemfromthatpathormakethemdoubtfulaboutit.

ItisveryimportantforaMuslimtopaycarefulattentiontothismatter,callthemselvestoaccountfortheirdeedsandhavegoodknowledgeaboutitinordernottobeconfusedorgetmisledbythosewhospreaddoubtfulmatters.

about:/default.aspx#1

Q2:InsomeIslamiccountries,wenoticethattherearepeoplewhocircumambulatearoundgravesnotknowingthatthisiswrong.WhatisthereligiousrulingonthosepeopleandcanweconsiderthemMushriks(thosewhoassociateotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship)?

A : Thereligiousrulingonanypersonwhosupplicatestoidols,asksthemforhelpandthelikeisobviouslydecided.ThisactismajorKufr(disbelief),unlessthedoerofitassumesthattheircircumambulationaroundgravesisdevotedtotheworshipofAllah(ExaltedbeHe)justaswhentheycircumambulatearoundtheKa bahoutofwrongbeliefinthepermissibilityofcircumambulatingaroundthegraves.IftheydonotmeanbythisacttodrawthemselvesclosertotheirdwellersrathertheymeantodrawclosertoAllahAlone,insuchacasethedoerisconsideredaMubtadi (onewhointroducesinnovationsinreligion),notaKafir(disbeliever).CircumambulatingaroundgravesisacondemnedBidah(innovationinreligion)justlikeofferingSalah(Prayer)atthegraves.AllsuchactsaremeansleadingtoKufr.Inmostcases, peoplewhoworshipatgravesaimatdrawingclosertotheir dwellersbycircumambulatingaroundthem.Theysacrificeanimalsandvowfortheirsakeinordertodrawclosertothem.SuchactsaremajorShirk(associatingotherswithAllahinHisDivinityorworship).

(PartNo:1,PageNo:50)

AnyonewhodieswhilepersistingindoingsuchactsisaKafir,i.e.theyshouldneitherbewashednorhavetheFuneralPrayerperformedforthemorbeburiedinMuslimsgraveyard.IntheHereaftertheircaseisforAllah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe)tojudge.IftheyareoneofthosetowhomDawah(callingtoIslam)hasnotreached,theywillhavethesamerulingasthatofAhlulFatrah(thosetowhomDawahhasnotreachedinanuncorruptedmanner).TheevidenceforthisisdrawnfromwhathappenedtotheProphets(peacebeuponhim)mother,asshediedbeforeshewitnessedtheeraofprophethoodwhileembracingthereligionofherpeople.TheProphet(peacebeuponhim)askedthePermissionofhisLordtoseekforgivenessforhismother,buthe(peacebeuponhim)wasnotpermittedtoaskforgivenessforherbecauseshediedwhileembracingthereligionofJahiliyyah(preIslamictimeofignorance)andsowashisfather.WhentheProphet(peacebeuponhim)wasaskedbysomepersonabouthisfather,hesaid: VerilymyfatherandyourfatherareintheFire. HisfatherdiedinJahiliyyahwhileembracingthereligionofhispeople,sohewasjudgedasaKafir(disbeliever).ButanyonewhohasnotreceivedtheDawahinthelifeofthisworldanddiedwhileignorantofAlHaqq(theTruth)willbetriedontheDayofResurrectionaccordingtothesoundestopinionofsch