Description of Tauheed:

Polytheism (Shirk) is generally widespread among people and the concept of Monotheism is in scarcity. Many people who claim to be the bearers of Faith do not understand the meanings of Tauhid and Shirk- (Monotheism and polytheism). Apparently they are Muslims, but they are unconsciously involved in the acts of Shirk. Therefore, first we should try to understand the meanings of Tauhid (Monotheism) and Shirk (polytheism) so that we may know about their advantages and disadvantages as directed by Qur'an and Sunnah.

The acts leading to polytheism:

In difficult times and situations people call upon saints, Prophets, Imams, martyrs, angels and fairies for assistance; make their vows to them, invoke them for the fulfillment of their wishes and even make so-called offerings to them so that their wishes may come true.. Someone raises a plait of hair in the name of a deity, someone slaughters an animal in their names, someone invokes them in a distressed situation and someone swears an oath in their names.

This means that the way non-Muslims treat their Gods and Goddesses, so-called Muslims also give exactly a similar treatment to the Prophets, saints, , martyrs, angels and fairies. Despite committing all the above sinful acts, they still claim to be Muslims. As Allah has rightfully said: "And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him." (V.12: 106) Those who profess to have Faith in Allah while their actions reeking of polytheism:

It means that the majority of people who outwardly profess to have faith in Almighty Allah are in fact entangled in the quagmire of polytheism. If someone questions them as to why are they involved in Shirk while evincing faith in Allah, they answer by saying that we are not committing an act of polytheism, neigh we cherish a tremendous amount of love for the prophets and saints and we are none but their true devotees.

Had we considered them on an equal status with Allah, it would have been 'an act of Shirk', but we merely consider them the slaves and creatures of Allah, Who had vested in them an authority and given them the capability to the effect that they manipulate the matters concerning this world by the Will of Allah. Therefore calling upon them for help is calling upon Allah for His Help. These people are dear ones to Allah and therefore are free to do whatever they like.

These are our advocates who will intercede with Allah on our behalf. Meeting them makes one meet his Cherisher and calling upon them makes us near to Allah. The more we recognize their greatness and pay our respect to them, the more we shall be drawn towards Allah. In addition to all this, they make a lot of other absurd and baseless statements.

The verdict of Qur'an: 

The sole reason for all the above- incongruities is that people have forsaken Qur'an and Hadith and exercise their own judgments in the matters concerning Shar’iah by applying their own intellect, pursue myths and superstitions, and try to justify their erroneous customs and traditions by presenting insubstantial evidence. If they had the knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith, they would have known that even the pagans among the used to employ similar kind of arguments before the prophet (peace be upon him). Allah's wrath befell them as He declared liars in one of the Qur'anic verses:  "And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with Allah.' Say: Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth? Glorified and exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners with Him!" (V.10: 18)

None but Allah is the Capable:

The objects, which the polytheists offer their worship to, are absolutely powerless. They possess no capability of either benefiting anybody or inflicting any harm on someone. As to their notion that they will intercede with Allah on their behalf, is nothing but a mere fallacy for the simple reason that Allah did not inform them about any such thing.

Do they profess to be more knowledgeable than Allah in regard to the matters of this world and the heavens in what they believe to be their mediators with Allah on their behalf!' Thus, we know that there is no such mediator in this universe who, on the basis of people's belief or disbelief in them, can either benefit or harm someone.

Even the intercession of the Prophets and saints itself is governed by Allah. Nothing happens if someone calls upon them in distress. Furthermore, we are warned that whoever worships someone as his intercessor, is also a 'Mushrik' as stated by Allah in this verse: "And those who take Auliya (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say):'We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.' Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever." (V.39:3)

N one is the supporter other than Allah:

The fact is that Allah is very close to a human being but the human beings themselves got distracted from this basic truth and coined a fallacious concept believing that an idol shall draw us near Allah and thus took such idols to be their mediators.

These are the people who shamelessly turned down the bounty of Allah that it is He who listens to everyone directly and fulfills everyone's desires. Instead of turning to Allah, they started directing their prayers and invocations towards the so-called deities other than Allah for the fulfillment of their wishes.

To make the matters worse, these people also wished to be near to Allah by employing erroneous and wrong methods. How could these ingrates and untruthful people be guided on the Right Path? The more they tread on this crooked path, the more shall they be driven away from the Right Path.

None is the sustainer other than Allah:

This clarifies that whosoever worships the so called deities in the hope that worshipping them shall make him nearer to Allah, is none but a polytheist, an accomplished liar and the one who rejects the bounty of Allah. Allah states in one of the Qur'anic verses: "Say: In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything ( i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allah saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allah punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know. They will say: '(All that belongs) to Allah.' Say: 'How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?' " (V.23:88-89)

Even if the polytheists are asked about an entity who exercises an absolute control over the whole universe and against whom no one can stand, they will definitely say it is Allah. When Allah is all-powerful, is not it an act of lunacy to associate partners with Allah? Thus it becomes known to us that Allah has not given anyone authority to dispose off universal matters and no one is either capable of supporting someone else. Furthermore, even the polytheists of the prophetic era did not consider the idols to be on a par with Allah in terms of status, but considered them as slaves and creatures of Allah. They also knew that these idols did not possess any of the Divine powers, but their Shirk was represented by calling upon them, making vows to them, presenting offerings to them and considering them as their intercessors with Allah. This means that whosoever accords someone a similar treatment, even though by reckoning him to be a slave and a creature, such a person is bound to be regarded as a counterpart of Abu Jahl in terms of polytheism.

The reality of Shirk (Polytheism):

Shirk does not only imply that an entity be equated with Allah or be reckoned as His counterpart, but it goes much further to include the things and manners which Allah has peculiarized to His Qualities and that represent the signs of worshipping and obeisance which He has specified for his slaves to observe for Him Alone. In case, someone observes those signs and exhibits them in front of any other entity whatsoever other than Allah, such a practice also lies within the definition of Shirk: this practice includes making prostration, sacrificing an animal in the Name of Allah, making vows, calling upon Him in distress, considering Allah to be Himself present everywhere, and maintaining that the others do have a role to play in the matters of one's fate and destiny.

All the above are different shapes and varieties of Shirk. Prostration is particularized to be performed for the sake of Allah only, animal sacrifice is done for Him Alone, vows are made to Him Alone, He is the One, Who, in times of distress (situations), is called upon. He is the Omnipotent and all-powerful and He is the Supreme Authority over everything. If any of these qualities are ascribed to any other entity other than Allah, it is known as Shirk, even if such an entity is regarded as inferior to Allah or is reckoned to be a creature or slave of Allah.

All such beings and entities like a Prophet, saint, jinn, Satan, ghost, apparition and fairy shall all be treated equally in this matter and whoever considers them as having Divine powers commits an act of Shirk and the doer of such a thing will become a Mushrik (the one who associates partners with Allah).

Hence Allah has brought down His wrath on the Jews and Christians too even though they did not practice idolatry, but treated their Prophets and saints in a similar manner (i.e. they attributed to them the qualities which are purely Divine in nature) as Allah has stated in the following Qur'anic verse:  "They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah)and (they also took as their lord) Messiah, son of Mary, while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded (in the Torah and the Gospel) to worship none but One (God--Allah). La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory is to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)." (V.9:31)

It means that even though they considered Allah as the Most Supreme Lord, but besides that, they also gave their recognition to other mini-lords, which are their priests and monks. These people were never instructed to commit such acts of Shirk. Allah is all Alone worthy of being worshipped. He has no partners. Everyone, whether big or small, are none but His helpless slaves.

Allah states in one of the verses of the Noble Qur'an: "There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender,)." (V.19:93-95)

It means that regardless whether a creature happens to be an angel or a human being, it carries a status of no more than being a slave before Allah. A slave lies under an absolute hegemony of Allah and therefore, is completely helpless and powerless. Everything lies under Allah's control. He gives nobody under anyone's control. Everyone shall have to appear in His Presence to account for his deeds. No one will advocate for anyone there nor one could lend his support to anyone else. There are hundreds of verses mentioned in this regard in the Noble Qur'an whereas only we, as a specimen, have made a mention of a few of them. Whosoever understands them clearly, shall have a clear understanding of the concept of Shirk and Tauhid. Insha' Allah.

Belief in Allah's Lordship, Oneness, and Attributes

We believe in Allah's Divinity that is He is the Lord, the Creator, the Sovereign, and the Manager of all affairs. We believe in Allah's Lordship; that is, He is the Only True God and every other deity is false. We believe in His Names and Attributes, that is He has the most magnificent Names and the sublime perfect Attributes. We believe in His Oneness in all this, that is, He has no associate in His Divinity, His Godship, His Names, or His Attributes.

Allah says in the Quran: "He is the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between them, so worship Him and be patient in His worship, do you know any equal to Him." [19:65] We believe that He is "Allah there is no God but He, the Living the Everlasting. Slumber does not seize Him, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the Heavens and the Earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not encompass anything of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne extends over the Heavens and the Earth; the preservation of them does not burden Him; He is the High, the Great." [2:255] •

We believe that "He is Allah, there is no god but He--the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible, He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He is Allah, there is no God but He, the King, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Almighty, the Subduer, the Sublime. Glory be to Allah above what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper, His are the most beautiful Names. All that is in the Heavens and the Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise." [59:22-24] We believe that to Him belongs the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth: "He creates what He pleases. He gives, to whom He wills, females, and He gives, to whom He wills, males, or He couples them, males and females; and He makes whom He wills barren. Surely, He is the Knowing, the Powerful." [42:49-50] •

We believe that "There is nothing whatever like unto Him, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. To Him belong the keys of the Heavens and the Earth. He enlarges and restricts provisions to whom He wills. Surely He has knowledge of everything." [42:11-12] We believe that "There is no creature that moves in the Earth but its provision depends on Allah. He knows its dwelling and its resting-place. All is recorded in a clear Book." [11:6] We believe that "With Him are the keys of the Unseen; none knows them but He. He knows what is in land and sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. Not a grain in the deep darkness of the Earth, not a thing green or dry but it is in a clear Book." [6:59] We believe that "Allah alone has the knowledge of the Hour, sends down rain, and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it shall earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it shall die. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-aware." [31:34] •

We believe that Allah speaks whatever He pleases whenever He pleases "And Allah spoke to Mosses directly." [4:164] "And when Mosses came at our appointed place, and his Lord spoke to him." [7:143] "We called to him from the right side of the Mount (Sinai), and we brought him near in communion." [19:52] We believe that "If the ocean became ink for the words of my Lord, the ocean would be finished before the words of my Lord came to an end." [18:109] "And if all the trees that are in the earth were pens, and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans swelling it therefore, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise." [31:27].

We believe that Allah's words are the most truthful in conveying information, the most just in ruling, and the fairest in conversation. He said, "The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice." [6:115] "And who is more truthful in his word than Allah?" [4:74] We believe that the Quran is Allah's words. He literally spoke it to Gabriel who conveyed it to the Prophet, peace be upon him: "Say (O Muhammad) the Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord in truth." [16:102] "Truly it is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds brought down upon your heart by the Faithful Spirit so that you may be one of the warners, in a clear Arabic tongue." [26:192-195]

We believe that Allah is well above his creatures in His person and His Attributes, because He says, "He is the High, the Great." [2:255] "He is Supreme over His servants, and He is the Wise, the All-aware. " [6:18] We believe that He "created the Heavens and the Earth in six days, then He settled Himself on the Throne; He manages everything." [10:3] His 'settling on the Throne' means that He is sitting in persoll on His Throne in a way that is becoming to His Majesty and greatness. Nobody except He knows exactly how He is sitting. •

We believe that He is with His creatures while He is still on His Throne. He knows their conditions, hears their sayings, sees their deeds and manages their affairs. He provides for the poor and the broken. He gives sovereignty to whom He pleases and takes away sovereignty from whom He pleases; He exalts whom He wills and He abases whom He wills. In His hand is all good and He is powerful over everything. Whoever possesses these qualities is literally with His creatures even if He is literally above them on His Throne. "There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him; He is the All-hearing, the All-seeing." [42:11]

We do not say as the Incarnationists and others say, that is, Allah is living with His creatures on Earth. We consider whoever says this a non-believer or straying away because he attributed to Allah that does not become Him of defects. We believe in what His Messenger told us that He descends to the near sky before the last third of every night and says: "Who prays to Me and I will answer his prayers? Who asks me and I will give him? Who asks my forgiveness and I will forgive him?" [Bukhari and Muslim]. We believe that He will come at the Day of Judgment to judge among His people because He said, "No indeed! when the Earth is crushed to powder, and your Lord comes down with the angels in rows after rows, and Hell is brought out that day. On that day man will remember, but what will remembrance avail him?" [89:21-23] We believe that He is the Doer of what He wills.

Allah's Will: Universal and Legal

We believe that His will is of two kinds:

1.Universal will: through which His intention is carried out. It is not necessary that what is carried out is liked by Him. This type of will means permission, as Allah said, "Had Allah willed, they would not have fought one against the other, but Allah does whatever He desires," [2:253] and "If Allah desires to lead you astray, He is your Lord." [11:34]

2.Legal will: which does not necessarily entail that the execution of His desire. The will, in this case, cannot be but what He likes, as He said, "Allah wants to forgive you." [4:27]

We believe that His universal and legal wills are part of His wisdom. Every thing He performs in the universe or requires legally from His creatures is for a good reason and according to His wisdom, whether we grasp it or it escapes our reasons: "Is not Allah the best of Judges?" [95:9], "And who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who have firm faith." [5:50] We believe that Allah loves His select servants and they love Him: "Say if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you," [3:31] "Allah will bring a people whom He will love and who will love Him", [5:45] "Allah loves the steadfast," [3:146] "And act justly, surely, Allah loves the just," [49:9] and "Do good; Allah loves those who do good." [5:93] •

We believe that Allah likes what He prescribed of good deeds and He dislikes what He prohibited of bad deeds and sayings: "If you disbelieve, surely Allah does not need you, yet He does not like disbelief for His servants; if you are thankful, this pleases Him," [39:7], "But Allah disliked their marching forth. So He kept them back, and it was said to them: Stay with the weaklings." [9:46] We believe that Allah is pleased with those who believe in Him and do good deeds: "Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord." [98:8] We believe that Allah is angry with those who deserve His anger among the non-believers and others: "And those who think evil thoughts of Allah, against them shall be the evil turn of fortune. Allah is angry with them." [48:6] "But whoever opens his heart to disbelief, on them is Allah's wrath and they shall have a severe punishment." [16:106]