Explanation Kitaab ut Tawheed – Part 1
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
We are learning about Aqeedah which is a beautiful subject to learn about and the more you understand it you will find it to be a cure for your heart. If you want to feel peace of heart and comfortable and connected to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى then we must to study Aqeedah.
We are studying the book of Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, Kitaab ut Tawheed. As the scholars say it is like a part of Sahih Al Bukhari and it is one of the best books written on the subject of Aqeedah. We take our creed and religion from only two sources: the Quran and the authentic hadeeth, upon the understanding of the Sahaba (companions ).
We are going to explain the book “Fath Al Majeed Sharh Al Kitaab ut Tawheed”. This is the explanation of Shaikh Abdur Rahman Aal-Sheikh, and we will take benefits from the books of Shaikh Mohammad Ibn Saleh al Uthaymeen and Sheikh Saleh Aal-Sheikh in their explanation of Kitab At-Tawheed.
What is Aqeedah?
Aqeedah comes from Uqdah which means “tie a knot”, like when you take a rope and firmly tie a knot at one of its ends. This is ascertained belief in your heart firmly , so you make a knot and tie it firmly upon your belief. For example, if your name is Zainab and someone comes and tells you otherwise , that you are not Zainab then you will firmly reply ‘I am Zainab” I believe in this firmly. So aqeeda is firm belief in all what Allah subhanahu wa taala has revealed through the Quran or the authentic sunnah.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى will ask us about this Aqeedah, and we ask Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to grant us the correct and true belief in Himself and all His religion. This is the best worship of the heart and this is the base for establishing all of our acts of worship upon.
The Shaikh starts with “Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem”.
When we say Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem, we are asking for Allah’s mercy and it is through this mercy we will then be able to understand, comprehend, love and live by this Aqeedah. The Shaikh said ‘expose yourself to the mercy of Allah, ask for this special mercy that Allah grants us the correct Aqeedah of Tawheed and to live by it.
That is why the Shaikh said that this book is very important as you will need it in each and every aspect of your life. We need to apply this knowledge to our life, live by it and teach it to everyone. We need to act upon the very aim of our existence.
“Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem” we ask Allah for His mercy to open our hearts to understand Tawheed and correct Aqeedah.
Bismillah – means I am asking the aid of Allah , the scholar is asking Allah’s aid and support to write and explain.
The shaikh also says “Alhumdulillah..” Al Hamd is to praise Allah with love and glorification for His beautiful and perfect names, attributes and acts and for His continued provisions and bounties , and all praise is to Allah .
Our prophet Muhammad’s name also means “praised” and he is praised for his truthfulness and all his good attributes, but who granted him these good attributes? Allah, so all praise deserves to Allah .
Shaikh Saleh Ala Shaikh then mentions the difference between Al Hamd and Ash Shukr.
He said, “when we say ‘Alhumdulillah’ all praise to Allah, we need to realise that we are praising Allah with love and glorification for five major matters:
1- His Ruboobiyah: Allah is the only Rabb, Creator, Provider. There is no creator except Him, no one will manage the affairs of everything except Him, no one owns this dominion except Allah. So He is praised and glorified because He is the only Rabb.
2- That Allah is the only Diety “Ilaah” who truthfully deserves to be worshipped.
3- We praise Allah for His Beautiful and Perfect names and attributes which no one resembles.
4- We praise Allah for His legislations and for His commands, it is very important for us to appreciate the greatness, justice and beauty of Allah’s legislations, the do’s and don’ts that Allah commanded us with to be truthful, to do justice, and to be merciful with one another. How, for example Allah has protected our minds by prohibiting alcohol, and protected our wealth by prohibiting gambling and ribaa by making them haram. We praise Allah for the beauty of Islam which Allah made a religion for us. Alhumdulillah for revealing the book, the Quran. We say Alhumdulillah that the words of Allah are between our hands and we are able to recite His words easily. Alhumdulillah for the Quran and for sending His messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) to show us the way.
If you ponder on ‘Allah umma lakal hamd’ for His Rububiyyah, Uluhiyyah, Asma wa Siffat, and for His commands, the religion, the messenger, the book. This will open the heart of the believers to various types of knowledge, to love Islam, to love the rulings and legislations, and to understand the wisdom behind the various rulings. That’s why people of knowledge are those who should praise Allah the most, they should say Alhumdulillah feeling it and knowing what they are saying. Why? Because they are able to know about Allah.
5- We praise Allah for His creation and our fate. Anything which occurs in this universe we say ‘Allah umma lakal hamd’. If a dear person died we say ‘Allah umma lakal hamd’. I found a job ‘Allah umma lakal hamd’, I lost my job ‘Allah umma lakal hamd’. For each and everything that happens to us we say Alhumdulillah.. that is why the Prophet said “Alhumdulillahi Ala kulli haal”.”
The Shaikh explains, usually people don’t say Alhumdulillah except if they received a bounty from Allah and they are in a good state such as, good health, having healthy children, having wealth or being saved from harm and trials. They say this Hamd only in the Khair (good) and in the bounties they are receiving. But those whom Allah chose they understand Allah with reference to His Names and Attributes, they know that Allah is the all wise and all knowledgeable and are able to feel this Hamd and realize it more than any other people. These are the people of knowledge- those who are able to say Alhumdulillah when they lose, when oppressed, shattered, or sick. These are the people who really understand and realize that whatever is happening is also worthy to praise Allah for. We praise Allah for giving us and also praise Allah for taking from us. He gives us with His Hamd, Mercy, Justice, Wisdom and deprives us with His Knowledge, Justice and Wisdom. That is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to say Alhumdulillah in both goodness and hardship.
The Shaikh says, we say Alhumdulillah to the Creator, for His beauty, His Strength, for His wisdom, knowledge and power. We say Alhumdulillah for this beautiful religion, for this beautiful legislation, for everything Allah decrees for us and everything He decrees for this universe.
Whenever we say Alhumdulillah we have to realize it in the heart and if we are not able to because the belief in your heart and your Iman is contrary – then practise this act of being grateful and praising Allah in every situation, even if it seems unnatural at first. Start thinking of the meaning of Alhumdulillah from your heart.
Then the Shaikh says “SallAllahu Ala Muhammad”, what is the meaning of SallAllahu? This means to ask Allah to praise the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the presence of angels. As for Salatil Malaika, they ask Allah to forgive the believers they make dua for the believers.
When we say ‘SallAllah u Ala Muhammad wa Ala Ali Muhammad’, this includes his family Abdul Mutallib, Al Hashim and Ahlul Bayt and includes his companions and everyone who followed the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمand his Sunnah.
When we say Ala Alihi wa Sahbihi wa, we mean his family and companion or anyone who accepted Islam and saw the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he was alive even if it was for one minute, be it child or adult. The levels of companions differ so Allah chose them to hold responsibility of this religion through conveying and preserving this religion for us and for this might task Allah only chose the best of people among the Ummah.
Kitaab at-Tawheed:
What is the meaning of Kitaab? Kataba is comes from kateeba a group of soldiers or a small army. So grouping and compiling words is called Kitaab.
There are two types of Tawheed and they are very much related.
First type – The Tawheed of Knowledge
Acknowledging, confirming and establishing that Allah is the only Creator, Provider and Sustainer.
To affirm this knowledge. To know about Allah and that only He can benefit, He is the sole Creator and the only one who can cause benefit or harm, reward or punish. To know that destiny and provisions are within the hands of Allah . To confirm that Allah is the only One who can benefit, cure, and save us from the hellfire. Everyone is in the Hands of Allah and power of Allah and everything belongs to Allah , owned by Allah . No one can do anything except with the permission of Allah .
Second type – The tawheed of aim and goal.
This is to single out your aim, what you aim at and whom you want to please, the reason you are doing this, what your intention is about this. That is Tawheed al Uluhiyyah. The result of affirming this.
Whom should I ask for aid? Whom should I fear or please? Who will I take refuge in? who to rely upon? This is Tawheed al Uluhiyyah.
So, Tawheed ar Rububiyyah is to confirm the actions about Allah. To know and confirm that Allah is the only Provider, Creator, Sustainer and to know and to confirm ( Al Ma’rifa) this knowledge. It is related to belief.
Tawheed of the aim is related to our acts: the reason behind our acts- Why and for whom we pray, give charity, be truthful? What do we aim from this? This is the Tawheed of Aim. We do these acts in the aim for pleasing Allah and for reward from Allah , So tawheed Al-Ulooheya is related to my acts , the act by which we worship Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , by giving charity, by praying etc. this worship is only for Allah. We do various types of worship aiming to please only Allah.
Proof of Tawheed Knowledge “al Ma’rifa” related to Rububiyyah in Quran.
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٢) ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ (٣) مَـٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ (٤)
All praise and thanks be to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) – [Surah Al Fatiha: 1-3]
Ayat al Kursi – Surah Baqarah 255 is also a verse for Rububiyyah and Asma wa Siffat.
Surah Ikhlas is Tawheed Rububiyyah only. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is telling us about Himself.
Proof of Tawheed al Talab wal Qasb in Quran.
إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ (٥)
You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
[Surah Al Fatiha 1: 5]
لَآ أَعۡبُدُ مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ (٢)
“I worship not that which you worship” [Surah Al Kafiroon – 2]
This verse is telling us about Uluhiyyah.
The messengers came to establish Tawheed al Uluhiyyah. If someone who confirms that Allah is the only Creator, only Provider and only Sustainer. They affirm this and confirm all of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى ’s Names and Attributes. Will this be enough to enter into Islam? No, We will not be under Tawheed and under people who Allah is pleased with except until we certify that ‘No one is worthy of worship except Allah ’.
Because the Kuffar of Makkah they confirmed that Allah is the only one who creates and confirmed Tawheed ar Rububiyyah.
قُل لِّمَنِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَن فِيهَآ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (٨٤) سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِۚ قُلۡ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ (٨٥)
Say: “Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!”. They will say: “It is Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى ‘s!” Say: “Will you not then remember?” [Surah Mumineen 23: 84- 85]
وَمَا يُؤۡمِنُ أَڪۡثَرُهُم بِٱللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشۡرِكُونَ (١٠٦)
And most of them believe not in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى except that they attribute partners unto Him [i.e. they are Mushrikun –polytheists]. – [Surah Yusuf 12: 106]
They believed in Tawheed Rububiyyah but they had shirk in the worship of Allah , they worshipped Allah but also worshipped idols.
So knowing Maa’rifa and Asma wa Siffat is not enough, the messengers came to establish Tawheed al Talab wal Qasb Tawheed al Uluhiyyah. To single out Allah with all acts of worship.
Some say Tawheed is three parts Rububiyyah, Uluhiyyah and Asma wa Siffat. But actually Asma wa Siffat is a part of Rububiyyah. The scholars had to add an additional category because of the deviated people who make bidah with Asma wa Siffat. During the time of the Sahaba no one categorized Tawheed into Rububiyyah, Uluhiyyah and Asma wa Siffat as they never needed to but after the bidah spread about denying and destorting the meanings of Names and Attributes of Allah the scholars had to write to explain the truth more easily to the common people.
Linguistically Tawheed comes from Wahhada to make something one. For example, I am going to write with one blue pen, no other pen except the blue pen. Or only Umm Abdullah will speak today. Here I am making it one pen, one speaker.
The one I worship is only One, to worship no one except Allah , make your Diety only One. This is Tawheed.
Rububiyyah – is related to the acts of Allah
Uluhiyyah – is related to the acts of the slaves.
The meaning of the word Al Uluhiyyah comes from Alhah, Ya’lah, Al Uluhah is when you worship with love and glorification. if you worship with love and with glorification and you pray, make sujud, repent and confess that you have wronged regarding the Rights of Allah . If you do all these with love and glorification then this is Uluhah , worshiping Allah with love and glorification.
Love is the most important factor, that your worship is based on, that you love Allah . Allah created our hearts in a way where love makes one eager and happy to do any act.
For example: If a husband is good to his wife , extremely generous and gentle then she will love him and she can stand for hours to cook for him the dishes that he loves to eat or to iron his shirts. She might enjoy each and every act she does for him. It becomes easy for her to do because She loves him and therefore finds these tasks easy.
However, what if she hates her husband because he is very bad to her or very strict and insulting, then she is not enjoying what she is doing for him. She will not love cooking for him even if she actually loves cooking.
So what about Allah , with all His beautiful and perfect Names and attributes! His Mercy and love and bounties, excusing us and forbearing and being gentle with us and guiding us, hearing our dua and responding to us. Doesn’t Allah deserve that we pray to Him with love, read Quran with love, learn Aqeedah with love, being good to husband and parents for His sake. Uluhiyyah cannot be established without love, it has to happen with love and glorification.
Allah loves us to love him, to obey Him with love , so we need to know about Allah in order to love Him, the more you know about Allah the more you will love Him. We love Him through His Names and Attributes, through the Quran, legislations, commands.
There is a difference between Uluhiyyah and Ibaadah. Al Uluhah is more than Ibadah, some people worship Allah with fear. Ibaadha however is to surrender and obey. Love is more important than fear and hope. Love comes first and fear and hope come together, because we fear Allah through loving Him. The scholars say Love is like the head of the bird and fear and hope are like wings. One of the wings is not strong then it will fall. And sometimes when we sin then it is necessary to increase the fear in our heart so increase the fear more to restrain from committing a sin, and by doing acts like giving charity, prayer or visiting the sick we keep high hope for a reward of Allah . But, love has no limits.
This is a edited transcribed class given by Zayneb al Kateb to her students. To join please visit (ONLY SISTERS)
