My research has lead me to the understanding that the ummah is divided on the issue of tawheed, i.e. monotheism or the oneness of Allah swt. How do we define the oneness of Allah swt? The answer, as a muslim, must come from how Allah defines his oneness in the Holy Quran. I have found that there are two major prevailing views amongst the ummah (excluding the minority mystical views of Wahdat-ul-Wujood (Unity of Being)). The first view amongst the ummah is that Allah is the one and only power in this world and that he does not share or delegate powers to anyone else, given certain specifically defined exceptions. These specific exceptions include the powers given to the devil to mislead us, to the angel of death to take our soul, to the angel Gabriel to deliver messages, and to prophets to receive the message and perform miracles.
The second view amongst the ummah is very similar yet has a key difference. This second view believes that Allah is one and the only power in this world is from Him, however he can delegate powers to whomever he wishes as the same above, except we can use reasonable inferences and our aqel (logic) to deduce other powers that would be delegated to prophets and saints. Despite these other powers not being specifically defined, we can deduce that these holy figures have powers, from the implied permissions granted in the Quran.
My view is that this second camp has committed a serious error in judgement. The Quran specifically warns us against assuming anyone has any powers, and further, the Quran’s theme alludes to the idea that even if these other figures have powers, you are to ignore these powers and remain Allah centric in your beliefs, your hopes, and in your needs. The second camp may argue that their views are not contrary to the reading of the Quran since certain examples can be found in the Quran where prophets or holy figures are granted powers. The first camp, which is my view, would respond by saying that would be true, except for the fact that Allah swt in the Quran banned the practice and belief of attributing any powers or worth to anyone other than Allah.
Ultimate Power, Knowledge and Dominion of Allah swt of all Matters
To illustrate my viewpoint, I will highlight certain verses from the Quran that clearly support the exclusive power and dominion of Allah:
(59:22-24)Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
(59:22-24) – هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ
These verses are self explanatory, here, Allah swt declares that he is the only god, Allah (God), who knows all things both secret and open, He states that Allah is the only ilah (god), commander of all, the source of peace, guardian of your faith, preserves your safety, all mighty, unavoidable, and supreme. To him belong the most beautiful names whether on heaven or on earth, and that we are to declare his praises. There are those in the second camp that may state, that we can also praise the prophets and saints too in this manner. I would disagree. Allah makes it clear that all praise and all power belongs to him, so we are to praise him and use the best of names for him alone.
Only Praise and Place Hope in Allah swt
(2:155-157) Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return”:-They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.
2:155-157 – أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَٰتٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُهْتَدُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
Allah swt Hears Every Single Prayer and Duaa Anyone
Here, Allah swt makes it clear that the rightly guided ones, and the ones who will receive true blessings, will be those who call out to Allah swt.
(2:186) When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
2:186 – وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
Here, again, Allah swt, makes it clear that he is close, and that he listens to every duaa. When you ask the second camp, why they call out to prophets or saints other than Allah, swt, one answer that is given is that Allah swt is too busy to bother himself with your dua, however, Allah swt here states otherwise.
Seek Forgiveness From Allah
(66:8) O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
66:8 – يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِي اللَّهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Here, Allah swt, makes it clear to the believers, that they are to repent to Allah swt, and that he may remove your misdeeds and admit you to heaven. He even mentions that if you do this, you will not disgrace the Prophet swt and the believers, but he does not say that the prophet himself or his believers will go ahead and play a part in the process of forgiveness. Nor does Allah swt say that they will listen to your duas and relay them to Allah swt.
Only One God and Put your Trust in Him Alone
(64:13) Allah! There is no god but He: and on Allah, therefore, let the Believers put their trust.
64:13 – اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Again, here Allah swt makes it clear that the believers should put their trust in Allah swt. Allah swt does not say to put your trust in any other individual to relay your prayers or help put in a good word for you.
(64:11) No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if any one believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things.
64:11 – مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Here, Allah tells us that no calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah, and if anyone believes in Allah, his heart will be guided, and Allah knows all things.
Everyone and Everything Praises Allah swt, you should too
(64:1) Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of Allah: to Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs praise: and He has power over all things.
64:1 – يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Here, Allah states that all in the heavens and on earth, declare the praises and glory to Allah, and to him belongs praise and power over all things. This makes you wonder why us human will spend our time in mosques declaring the power and praises over individuals other than Allah swt.
Allah swt has knowledge of All matters big or small
(58:7)Seest thou not that Allah doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth? There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes the fourth among them, – Nor between five but He makes the sixth,- nor between fewer nor more, but He is in their midst, wheresoever they be: In the end will He tell them the truth of their conduct, on the Day of Judgment. For Allah has full knowledge of all things.
(58:7) – أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَا أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Here, Allah swt declares that He knows all things on heaven and earth, and there are no secrets that he does not know. Again, Allah swt emphasizes this point because on the road to polytheism is the notion that Allah swt is to mighty and grand to bother himself with the small matters of our daily life. And that Allah swt will delegate our affairs to the prophets or saints that he assigned to us who will report to him. This is simply an idea that the Quran debunks over and over again. Here is another example of how Allah swt is involved even in the tinest matters:
“O my son!” (said Luqman), “If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).
31:16 – يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍۢ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍۢ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
Here, Allah swt makes it clear that even a worthless mustard seed, that is hidden inside a worthless rock, that is anywhere in the skies, land or sea, Allah knows of it, is informed of it, and will take account of it. Should you believe that Allah swt simply has knowledge of everything but cannot be bothered to intervene in our trivial matter unless we go through an intermediary, Allah has this verse (amongst many others):
Or, Who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? (Can there be another) god besides Allah?- High is Allah above what they associate with Him!
27:63 – أَمَّن يَهْدِيكُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَمَن يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ تَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Allah swt here communicates to us that he is the invisible hand that guides us, provides for us, and gives us mercy – whether we ask for it or not. Though of course Allah swt also states he will provide pursuant to our duaas in addition to this.
All matters are taken account of by Allah
(57:22) No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: That is truly easy for Allah:
57:22 – مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
Allah in fact has power to create the future before it even happens. This is the power to Allah swt.
Laws of Nature Do Not exist except through Allah’s Permission – which he can revoke on a case by case basis
(56:64-65) Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment,
56:64 – لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ حُطَـٰمًۭا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ ءَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلزَّٰرِعُونَ
Here, and in this surah, Allah swt makes it clear that he makes the crops grow, and he also makes the rain fall. And that he has the power to destroy your crops leaving you without anything.
(67:19-21) Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing. Nay, who is there that can help you, (even as) an army, besides (Allah) Most Merciful? In nothing but delusion are the Unbelievers. Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).
67:19 – أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّۢ وَنُفُورٍ أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌۭ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ ٢٠أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيرٌ
Again, here Allah swt makes it clear that he makes everything function in real time in our nature. This is not physics but Allah swt that makes everything function. Allah makes it clear none can help you other than him, and that the unbelievers are in a delusion if they think otherwise. That all sustenance comes from Allah swt.
The second camp may state, we know all of this, and we agree, that does not make us polytheists or sinners. I would respond, did the mishrekeen (polytheists) of Mecca believe they were polytheists? Do Christians believe they are polytheists? No, the Quran makes it clear that these groups all thought they were worshipping Allah swt. I am not passing judgement on anyone being a polytheist or an unbeliever, because I believe Allah makes it clear that we all will lack true faith in One God and the majority of us will meet Allah swt with some shirk. Polytheism does not only need to come from glorifying and asking from help from saints, it can also come from placing hope, faith, or praise in anyone or anything other than Allah swt (like physics for example).
The concept of polytheism or shirk and how we are directed to worship will be discussed in the next article.
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