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[9] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَتَّخِذُ وَلِيًّا فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ وَهُوَ يُطْعِمُ وَلا يُطْعَمُ قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَلا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Shall I take as a Wali (helper, protector, etc.) any other than Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? And it is He Who feeds but is not fed.” Say: “Verily, I am commanded to be the first of those who submit.” And be not you (O Muhammad) of the [polytheists]. [Al-An’am 14]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, commented:

“Say” to these people who ascribe partners to Allah:

أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَتَّخِذُ وَلِيًّا

“Shall I take as a Wali (helper, protector, etc.) other than Allah” –

from among these incapacitated created things to protect and help me?! I do not take a protector besides Him because He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth; meaning, He is their Creator and the (only) One in control and maintains (in perfect order) everything within them.

وَهُوَ يُطْعِمُ وَلَا يُطْعَمُ

“He Who feeds but is not fed”.

Meaning, He is the All-Provider for all the creation without having any need from them, thus, how can it be befitting (permissible) to take as a protector other than Al-Khaliq, Ar-Razzaaq, Al-Ghaniy, Al-Hamid? [Footnote a]

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ

Say: “Verily, I am commanded to be the first of those who submit”-

to Allah through pure Islamic monotheism, and submitting to Him wholeheartedly with obedience, for indeed, I am more obligated to fulfil  my Lord’s commands.

وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

And be not you (O Muhammad) of the polytheists.

Meaning: Also, I am forbidden to be from the polytheists – neither upon their creed, nor (to be) in their councils (of polytheism and sin), nor gather with them in their general gatherings (of polytheism and sin). This is the most obligatory of obligations upon me and the most incumbent of obligations.

An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased

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Footnote a: An Excerpt from an article titled “The Names and Attributes of Allah” by Shaikh Abu Talhah, may Allah have mercy upon him and his wife Amin.

Al-Khaliq: The Creator and Maker of everything. The One Who brought everything into existence after it had previously not existed. The One Who has always had the attribute of being The Creator even when there was no creation in existence. This is a fine point that Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (rahimahullaah) brought and made clear that Allah did not become The Creator when He created – when the creation came into existence – rather He has always been The Creator. This has always been His Attribute. So He did not gain this attribute upon the arrival of the creation, rather He has always had this attribute.

Ar-Razzaaq: The Great Provider. The One Who provides extensively for the whole of creation, whatever they need. And Who also provides the provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan for the hearts of His obedient servants, indicating a Rizq that is general that which is for the whole creation, that He provides whatever the whole creation needs as regards to provision and sustenance. And the particular that which He provides for His beloved servants – in addition to the general provision – the particular provision. The special provision of beneficial knowledge and Eemaan, providing sustenance for the hearts of His believing servants.

Al-Hamid: The One Who is deservedly praised. The One Who is praised and completely deserves to be praised for His Self, His Perfect Names and Attributes, and for His Perfect Actions.

Al-Ghaniy: The Independent One Who is free of all need. The One Who has no need whatsoever of the creation. The One Who is free from any poverty or need. The One in Whose Hand are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and of this world and the hereafter.

Glad Tidings at the Beginning of the Pursuit of Knowledge, But Must Be Extremely Cautious of Self-Deception

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When you embark on the path in pursuit of knowledge- seeking (sound) understanding and acting upon it, this indeed is one of the signs that Allah wishes good for you. Therefore, receive glad tidings, have good thoughts about Allah and be sincere to Allah, The Blessed and Most High, in your statements, deeds and knowledge. Neither be deceived – we seek Allah’s Refuge from self-deception – nor feel safe from Allah’s plan.

فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [Al-A’raf. 99]

A believer always fears that his situation will change. It has been reported from Aa’isha and Anas, may Allaah pleased with them, that the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, often (supplicated):

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِى عَلَى دِينِكَ

O turner of the hearts (Allah)! Keep my heart firm upon your religion”.

I [i.e. Aa’isha or Anas] asked: “O Allah’s Messenger! We believe in you and what has been revealed to you, so do you fear for us?” He said, “Yes, indeed the hearts are between two fingers among the fingers of Allaah and He turns them how He pleases”.

By Allah! This is (true) understanding – that a person does not feel safe about himself, for indeed Satan flows through the human being like blood. (a) Therefore, a person should guard his heart, intellect and deeds ardently more than the (manner in which) he guards his wealth and honour. Whoever is given authority to look after his own affairs, it is obligated on him to guard his heart before everything else.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower. [Aal Imraan’ Aayah 8] [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm’ pages 75-76. slightly paraphrased ]

The Shaikh, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

I warn my brothers against the Fitan and that they turn to Allah to keep them steadfast upon the religion. They should supplicate a lot:

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower]. [Aal Imraan 8]

They should make this tremendous supplication often and the supplication which Allah’s Messenger used to make often. Anas said that Allaah’s Messenger used to say a lot, “O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon your religion”. So the companions said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Do you fear for us?” He said, “Yes, indeed the hearts are between two fingers from the fingers of Allah, and He turns them however He wills”.

Therefore, the believer does not feel secure from Allaah’s plan.

فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers]. [Al-A’raf 99]

The believer always fears Allah – fears that Allah may not accept his deeds and he is not deceived by hope [i.e. hoping while not striving sincerely]. The spending carried out in the path of Allah and the strenuous effort made through acts of obedience to Allah is nothing in the eyes of the truthful believer, for they are not equal to the smallest blessing amongst the (uncountable) blessings of Allah. Allah’s Messenger said, “Glorified be You (O Allaah) and free are You from all imperfections! I cannot fully praise you, for you are as you have praised yourself”. [Sahih Muslim 486]

This was Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the one whose past and future sins were forgiven, but he feared Allah the most. He said: “I swear by Allah that I am the most fearful of Allaah and the most conscious of Him than you”. He used to stand for so long that his feet became swollen. Aiashah said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Why are you doing this when Allaah has forgiven your past and future sins?” He said, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm. Pages 204-205. Slightly paraphrased]

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a: Al-Bukhaari 2039

[8] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۖ يُكَوِّرُ ٱلَّيۡلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّہَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ‌ۖ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّى‌ۗ أَلَا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُ

He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving].

Allah, The Most High, informed (us) that He created the heavens and the earth due to a perfect Wisdom and for a (perfect and purposeful)  benefit- to command His servants (with acts of obedience) and forbid them (from acts of disobedience); reward them (for being obedient) and punish them (for being disobedient).

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ‌ۖ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّى‌ۗ أَلَا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُ

He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term; [أَلَا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفَّـٰرُ -Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving].

Then Allah, The Most High  said:

خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَزۡوَٲجٍ۬‌ۚ يَخۡلُقُكُمۡ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِڪُمۡ خَلۡقً۬ا مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَلۡقٍ۬ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ ثَلَـٰثٍ۬‌ۚ

He created you (all) from a single person (Adam); then made from him his wife [Hawwa’ (Eve)]. And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs (of the sheep, two, male and female; of the goats, two, male and female; of the oxen, two, male and female; and of the camels, two, male and female). He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness.

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ‌ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصۡرَفُون

Such is Allah your Lord. His is the kingdom, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?

Meaning: He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth, subjected the sun and the moon, created you and created the cattle for you, and created all the blessings you have; therefore, He alone is worthy of being deified and worshipped, for He alone is the One Who nurtured you [i.e. created you, created everything for you and showed you both the worldly benefits and the path to salvation in this life and the next], and placed all your affairs in order. And just as He alone created and nurtured everything and none is a partner to Him in all of that, likewise this establishes the fact that none has the right to be worshipped except Him. This is why He, The Most High, said:

ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ‌ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصۡرَفُونَ

Such is Allah your Lord. His is the kingdom, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He).

“How then are you turned away?” Meaning: How are you turned away after this manifest proof (which shows that) none has the right to worshipped except Him, yet you worship false deities that neither control anything nor have command over anything in the universe.

An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

Deviation from Upright Conduct and Deviation Related to Knowledge and Creed: Requires Prolonged, Constant, and Attentive Reflection

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات.

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات

Al-Ghay: [to deviate from upright conduct] and Ad-Dalal: [misguidance related to knowledge and creed] combine all evils

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah protect him] stated:

All Praise be to Allaah, Lord of the entire existence, and prayers and peace be upon the most honorable of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. To proceed:

Presented to all Muslims is this [الكلام الرائع – wonderful, remarkable, speech] of Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, in which he spoke about the danger of Hasad (envy), and the danger of Ghay and Dalal, and that they combine all evils. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all to [مراقبة الله – i.e. to recall the fact that Allah sees us, knows everything about us at all times, knows everything in our souls etc], strive to correct our beliefs and purify our hearts from envy, arrogance, transgression and all kinds of sins, especially major sins. Here is the speech of this Imam, who, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in his treatise (titled) at-Tawbah (repentance) pages 236-238:

Indeed, Allah commanded His believing servants to supplicate to Him in every prayer with His statement:

ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٲطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ
صِرَٲطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Guide us to the straight path (of beneficial knowledge coupled with righteous action); the path of those (Prophets and their truthful, righteous followers) upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who earn Your anger (by not acting upon what they know) and nor of the astray (who act without knowledge). [Al-Faatihah. 6-7] [Noblequran-Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

And for this reason, Allah freed His Prophet from these two (i.e. Ghay and Dalal), saying:

وَٱلنَّجۡمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡىٌ۬ يُوحَىٰ

By the (phenomenon) of the star when it descends (and vanishes with the appearance of dawn). Your companion-(O Pagans of Quraysh)—has not erred (in the knowledge he has been given) nor has he erred (in his sincerity of purpose). Nor does he speak out of the desire (of his own soul) (and forge revelation thereby). It is nothing but revelation revealed to him (containing guidance, rectitude and piety which he follows). [Surah An-Najm. Aayaat 1-4] [NobleQuran -Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

[الضال – The misguided one]:

He is the one that does not know the truth, but rather thinks that he is upon the truth while he is ignorant of it, as is the case regarding what the Christians are upon. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا أَهْوَاءَ قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّوا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّوا عَنْ سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ

And do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way. [Al-Ma’idah. 77]

And [الغاوي – the one who deviates from upright conduct] follows his whims and desires even though he knows that this is contrary to the truth, as is the case regarding what the Yahud are upon. Allah, The Most High, said:

سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَإِنْ يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الْغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ

I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Quran) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Signs, they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, and good deeds), they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Signs and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them. [Al-A’raf. 146]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ

And recite (O Muhammad) to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Signs, but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, and he became of those who went astray. nd had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. [Al-A’raf. 175-176]

And in a hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Indeed, what I fear most for you is the desires of the stomachs and privates parts that deviates a person from upright conduct, and the misleading trials”.

That is because indeed Ghay and Dalal combine all the evils of the children of Adam, because the human being is as Allah stated:

وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولً

But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results)] [Al-Ahzab. 72]

So, through his wrongdoing, he becomes one who deviates from upright conduct, and through his ignorance, he becomes a misguided one. And often he combines both these two, this, he is misguided in one thing, and deviated from upright conduct in another thing, because he is unjust and ignorant, and each of the two sins succeed one another, as Allah said:

فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا

In their hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), so Allāh increased their disease (by subjecting them to trials in which they preferred disbelief)]. [Al-Baqarah. 10] [NobleQuran-Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

And as Allah said:

فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ

So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path)]. [As-Saff. 5]

Just as a believer is rewarded for a good deed with another good deed; if he acts according to his knowledge, Allah grants him knowledge he did not know; and if does a good deed, it invites him to another good deed. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ

While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety.[Muhammad 17]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى

And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained). [Maryam. 76]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا

As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). [Al-Ankabut. 69]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا
وَإِذًا لَآتَيْنَاهُمْ مِنْ لَدُنَّا أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُسْتَقِيمًا

And if We had ordered them (saying), “Kill yourselves (i.e. the innocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes,” very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith); ad indeed We should then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves. And indeed We should have guided them to a Straight Way. [An-Nisaa. 66-68]

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
لِئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَأَنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

O you who believe [in Musa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)]! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad ), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. So that the people of the Scripture may know that they have no power whatsoever over the Grace of Allah, and that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty. [Al-Hadid. 28-29]

And he [i.e. the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] mentioned the desires of the stomachs and private parts that deviates a person from upright conduct as reported in the Sahih:

“Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Al-Bukhari 6474]

The common people know that this is a sin, but they commit it in pursuit of their desires. As for the misleading trials, if a servant of Allah is tempted, he will stray from the path ordained by Allah, while thinking that he is guided, as Allah stated:

وَمَنْ يَعْشُ عَنْ ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ

And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan – devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him. And verily, they (Satans / devils) hinder them from the Path (of Allah), but they think that they are guided aright! [Az-Zukhruf. 36-37]

Allah said:

أَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly guided)? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. [Fatir. 8]

Allah said:

وَكَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٍ

Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the (Right) Path, and the plot of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) led to nothing but loss and destruction (for him). [Ghafir. 37]

Allah said:

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالً
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا

Say (O Muhammad): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! [Al-Kahf. 103-104]

And due to this, the companions of the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, interpreted this verse (and applied it) to those devoted in worship based on other than Allah’s Shariah with which He sent His Messenger, such as the idolaters, the people of the Scripture like the monks and the people of desires from this Ummah (of Muhammad), such as the Kharijites whom the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded that they should be fought against, saying:

“One of you will belittle his prayer compared to their prayer, his fast compared to their fast, and his recitation compared with their recitation. They will recite the Qur’an but it does not go beyond their throats, they pass through Islam as an arrow goes through the game’s body. Kill them wherever you meet them (i.e. when they initiate bloodshed), for indeed in killing them there is a reward from Allaah – on the Day of Resurrection – for those who killed them”. [Footnote a]

This is because these people exited the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger and the Jamaa’ah of Muslims to the point that those who opposed them – such as Uthmaan, Ali and the rest of the believers who ruled over them – were declared disbelievers, and they declared it lawful to kill Muslims and confiscate their wealth, as the Prophet said about them:

“They will kill the adherents to Allah and leave the idol worshippers”. [Must read about Jihad in Footnote b]

And if the desires that deviates a person from upright conduct combines with misleading trials, the affliction becomes severe and the one upon this path becomes one who earns Allah’s Anger – an astray person. This often occurs because of the love of leadership and self-exaltation in earth, as was the case of Pharaoh. Allah, The Most High. said:

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

Verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). [Al-Qasas. 4]

So, Allah described him as one who exalted himself in the earth and caused corruption. Allah stated in the end of Surah:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (pious). [Al-Qasas. 83]

This is why Allah stated about Fir’awn’s affair in particular:

وَكَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ

Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds. [Ghafir. 37]

And that is because love of the leadership is a hidden lust, as Shaddad Bin Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“O Arabs! What I fear for you the most is Riyaa and hidden lust”. It was said to Abu Dawud As-Sijistani: “What is hidden lust?” He said, “Love of the leadership”.

Your love for a thing blinds and deafens (i.e. one neither sees the truth nor listens to truth), thus, the love for that will beautify for him what he loves of self-exaltation and hatred against its opposite, until haughtiness and pride are combined in the affair, and envy, which is to harbour hatred against Allah’s blessing bestowed on His servants, especially those who oppose Him. Pride and envy are two diseases that destroyed the early and latter generations, and they are the greatest sins through which Allah was first disobeyed, because Iblees became arrogant towards Adam and envied him. Similarly, the son of Adam, who killed his brother, envied his brother, and that is why arrogance contradicts Islam just as polytheism contradict Islam, because Islam is submission to Allah alone. Whoever submits to Allah, and to others (in worship) is a polytheist, and whoever does not submit is an arrogant person, like the case of Pharaoh and the chiefs of his (kingdom). This is why Musa said:

وَأَنْ لَا تَعْلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنِّي آتِيكُمْ بِسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ

And exalt not (yourselves) against Allah. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority. [Ad-Dukhan. 19]

Allah stated about Fir’awn:

وَاسْتَكْبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنُودُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا يُرْجَعُونَ

And he and his hosts were arrogant in the land, without right, and they thought that they would never return to Us.(Surah Al-Qasas. Aayah 39)]

Allah said:

وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنْفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat) are from Allah, and Musa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers, liars.). [An-Naml. 14]

And whoever submits himself to Allah as a Hanif (i.e. one who worships Allaah alone), he is a Muslim who is adhering to the religion of Abrahim, about whom Allah said to him, “Submit”, he said, “I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds”. And this Islam is the religion of the first and the last of the prophets and their followers, as Allah described – in his book – Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Yusuf, Sulayman and others amongst the Prophets, such as the statement of Musa to his people:

إِنْ كُنْتُمْ آمَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُسْلِمِينَ

If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will). [Yunus. 84]

Allah said:

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا

Verily, We did send down the Taurat (Torah) [to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged the Jews. [Al-Ma’idah. 44]

Nuh said:

فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

But if you turn away [from accepting my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah], then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will). [Yunus. 72]

Yusuf said:

تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous. [Yusuf. 101]

Bilqees said:

وَأَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَيْمَانَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

And I submit (in Islam, together with Sulaiman (Solomon), to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [An-Naml. 44]

And deviating from upright conduct is not limited to the desires of the stomach and the private parts only, rather it related to desires of the stomach, the private parts, the desires of leadership, pride, self-exaltation and other than that. He (i.e. the person) is following his desires, even if he does not believe that it is a desire; (but) he is not like the misguided one, because he (i.e. the misguided one) thinks that he is doing well, and that is why Iblees was the first of those who deviated from upright conduct, as Allah said:

فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ

Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You). [Al-A’raf. 16-17]

رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

O my Lord! Because you misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all. Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them. [Al-Hijr. 39-40]

Allah said:

وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَائِيَ الَّذِينَ كُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ
قَالَ الَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَغْوَيْنَا أَغْوَيْنَاهُمْ كَمَا غَوَيْنَا تَبَرَّأْنَا إِلَيْكَ مَا كَانُوا إِيَّانَا يَعْبُدُونَ

And (remember) the Day when He will call to them, and say: “Where are My (so-called) partners whom you used to assert?” Those about whom the Word will have come true (to be punished) will say: “Our Lord! These are they whom we led astray. We led them astray, as we were astray ourselves. We declare our innocence (from them) before You. It was not us they worshipped.” [Al-Qasas. 62-63]

Allah said:

فَكُبْكِبُوا فِيهَا هُمْ وَالْغَاوُونَ
وَجُنُودُ إِبْلِيسَ أَجْمَعُونَ

Then they will be thrown on their faces into the (Fire), They and the Ghawun (devils, and those who were in error). And the whole hosts of Iblis (Satan) together. [Ash-Shu’araa 94-95]

That which is in the hadith, “What I fear for this Ummah of deviation from upright conduct”, is tantamount to deviation through desires of the stomach and private parts, but as for the deviation from upright conduct that is tantamount to arrogantly turning away from truth, this is the origin of unbelief, and the person upon this path is not from this Ummah, such as Iblees, Pharaoh and others. As for deviation from upright conduct through by desires of the stomachs and the private parts, this can happen to the people of faith, then they repent, as Allah said:

وَعَصَى آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَى
ثُمَّ اجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَى

Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance. [Taa Haa. 121-122]

And in the Sunan and Al-Musnad from the hadith of Laith bin Sa’d on the authority of Yazid bin Al-Haad on the authority of Amr on the authority of Abu Saeed Al-Khudri who said: I heard Allaah’s Messenger (saying):

Indeed, Iblis said to his Lord, The Mighty and Majestic, “By Your Might and Majesty, I will not cease to deceive the children of Adam as long as the souls are in them (i.e. as long as they are alive)”. His Lord, The Mighty and Sublime, said to him, “By my Might and Majesty, I will not cease to forgive them as long as they ask forgiveness from me”.

May Allah have mercy on Shaikh Al- Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and I ask Allah that this article will benefit all Muslims, especially students of knowledge. May Allah bless and bestow peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Written by
Rabee Bin Haadi Omair Al-Madkhali
On 28/8/1432 AH

Paraphrased:

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات.

——————————————————-

Footnote a:

[26] Notification to Ahlul Bidah and The Mumayyi’ah: These Clarifications Are Coming Back!

Footnote b:

Salafi Shaikh Fawzaan on Jihad in our times and the guidelines of Jihad according to Islam

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm

[7] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ
ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ خَـٰلِقُ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤۡفَكُونَ
كَذَٲلِكَ يُؤۡفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَصَوَّرَڪُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَڪُمۡ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِۚ ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّڪُمۡۖ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۗ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most of mankind give no thanks.

That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, Laa ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), where then you are turning away (from Allah, by worshipping others instead of Him)!

Thus were turned away those who used to deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah.

Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

He is the Ever Living, Laa ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only, and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship). All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [Ghafir. 61-65]

 

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ

Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see”.

Meaning: Allah, The Most High, reminds His creation [i.e. Mankind and Jinn] of His favours. He made the night for them, in which they take rest and cease from their activities so that they can return to seeking after their livelihood during the daytime. He [The Most High] made the daytime bright, so that they can travel and engage in their occupations.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاس لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most of mankind give no thanks]: Meaning: They are not thankful for the favours Allaah has bestowed on them.

ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ خَـٰلِقُ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ

That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, none has the right to be worshipped but He).

Meaning: Allah is the One Who did all these things- The One and Only, the Unique One, the one and only true deity, Who possesses all the Names and Attributes of perfection and free is He from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, similarities, co-equals; the One singled out in His actions [the Creator, Provider and in Whose control is all the affairs of the universe]- besides Whom there is no other true object of worship or Lord. [فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤۡفَكُونَ -How then are you turning away]: Meaning: How can you worship idols when it is the fact that they have not created anything [and cannot create anything]; rather are themselves made and carved by [people].

Then Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

كَذَٲلِكَ يُؤۡفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ

Thus were turned away those who used to deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah”.

Meaning: Just as these people [i.e. the pagans of the Arabian peninsula] are misguided by worshipping others besides Allaah, likewise those who were before them did turn away [from guidance], so they worshipped others besides Allaah with no proof or evidence; rather their worship of others was merely due to ignorance and desires. They wilfully denied Allaah’s proofs and His signs.

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارً۬ا

Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place.

Meaning: Allah made it firmly fixed and spread out, so that they [i.e. the creatures] can live on it and walk on its pathways (or roads). He [The Most High] strengthened the earth with the mountains, so that it does not tremble. [وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ – and the sky as a canopy]: Meaning: Allaah made it a roof covering for the world.

[وَصَوَّرَڪُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَڪُمۡ – and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking)].

Meaning: Allah created you in the most excellent shape and form.

[وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِۚ – and has provided you with good things]

Meaning: Allaah provided you with foods and drinks in this worldly life, just as He, The Most High, said in Surah Al-Baqarah that He created the earth as a dwelling, its inhabitants and provision. He, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Al-Baqarah 21-22]

Then after Allah, The Most High, stated (in the in Surah Ghaafir) that He alone created all these things [i.e. the night, the day, the earth, the sky etc], He said:

ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّڪُمۡۖ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”.

Meaning: He is The Pure and Perfect One- Exalted, and free is He from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, shortcomings, weaknesses- and He is the Lord of the Aalameen.

Then Allah said: [هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ – He is the Ever Living, None has the right to be worshipped but He].

فَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۗ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”.

Meaning: Affirm that He is One, the only one worthy of being worshipped and that all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).


Excerpt from Misbah Al-Munir Fee Tahdhib Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir as-Sadi

[6] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allah, The Most High, said:
حمٓ
تَنزِيلُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡعَلِيمِ
غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوۡبِ شَدِيدِ ٱلۡعِقَابِ ذِى ٱلطَّوۡلِۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

Haa-Meem. The revelation of the Book (this Qur’an) is from Allah the All-Mighty, the All-Knower. The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours), Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return. [Surah Ghaafir 1-3]

Allah, The Most High, informs (us) about His Great Book – the Qur’an – that it was from Him and sent down by Him; and that He alone has the right to be deified and worshipped due to the fact that He alone is the Perfect One and the One singled out in His Actions.

[ٱلۡعَزِيزِ – The All-Mighty One], Who has absolute control over everything and He is never overcome].

[ٱلۡعَلِيمِ – The All-Knower]

[غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ – The Forgiver of sin]

[وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوۡبِ – the Acceptor of repentance]

[شَدِيدِ ٱلۡعِقَابِ- the Severe in punishment] on those who are unrepentant]

[ذِى ٱلطَّوۡلِۖ – the Bestower (of favours)]

After Allah, The Most High, established the fact that He alone is perfect, this absolutely necessitates that He alone has the right to be deified and that all acts of worship are to be sincerely devoted to Him.

لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

None has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return.

The appropriateness of mentioning – in these verses – that the Qur’an was revealed by Allah is because the Qur’an comprises of all these (things) mentioned in these verses. The Qur’an either informs (us) of the Perfect Names and Attributes of Allah and His Actions, or about the unseen events of the past, and what will take place in future – a lesson from Allah, The All-Knower.

It either informs (us) of Allah’s tremendous blessings and great favours bestowed on mankind, and this why Allah said: [ذِى ٱلطَّوۡلِۖ – the Bestower (of favours)]; about His severe punishment on those who commit sins, and this is why Allah said:[شَدِيدِ ٱلۡعِقَابِ- the Severe in punishment], or it informs (us) about the sinners being urged to repent, and this is why Allah said:

غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوۡبِ شَدِيدِ ٱلۡعِقَابِ

The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment.

It informs (us) about the fact that Allah alone has the right to be deified and worshipped, while citing the clear rational and divine proofs to establish this; commanding (mankind and jinn) to worship Allah alone and forbid them from worshipping others besides Him, while citing clear proofs to show the falsity of worshipping others besides Him, and warning them about the (destructive consequences of polytheism in this life and the next), and this is why Allah said: [لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ – none has the right to be worshipped but He (Allah)].

It also informs us of Allah’s just recompense – the reward that will be granted to doers of good and the punishment that will be inflicted on the sinners, and this is why Allah said: [ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ- to Him is the final return].

An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[5] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:
طه
مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ
إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَىٰ
تَنزِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ ٱلۡعُلَى
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ
لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا وَمَا تَحۡتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ
وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى هُوَ‌ۖ ل
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ

Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress; but only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah). A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you (O Muhammad) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah! Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names. [Taha. 1-8]

مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ

We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress.

Juwaybir reported from Ad-Dahhak, who said that when Allah revealed the Qur’an to His Messenger, he and his Companions acted upon it. Then the Quraish polytheists said, “This Qur’an was not revealed to Muhammad except to cause him distress”. Thus, Allah, The Most High, revealed:

طه
مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ
إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَىٰ

“Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress, but only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah)”.

Meaning: The matter is not what the falsifiers claim; rather the one to whom Allah grants knowledge, this is because (Allah) wants him to acquire abundant good as established in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Mu’aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion”.

إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَى

But only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah).

Meaning: Indeed Allah revealed His Book and sent His Messenger as a mercy through which He shows mercy to His slaves, so that the person who ponders might be reminded and benefits from what he hears of the Book of Allah, for it a reminder in which Allah revealed what He has made lawful and unlawful.

تَنزِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ ٱلۡعُلَى

A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens.

Meaning: O Muhammad! This Qur’an, given to you, is a revelation from your Lord- the Lord of everything, the Owner of everything and the One Who is Fully Able to do whatever He wills. He created the earth- both its regions that are easy to access and those that are difficult to access. He created the high heavens- elevated and having great distances between each other.

ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ

The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty).

لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا وَمَا تَحۡتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil.

Meaning: He is the owner of everything in the heavens and the earth. They are in His complete grasp, under His absolute control, will, intent and judgement. He is the Creator of all of them, their owner and God. Neither is there a true deity nor a true Lord besides Him.

And regarding the Ayah

وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى

And if you (O Muhammad) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.

Meaning: The One Who revealed this Qur’an [i.e. Allah] is also the One Who created the high heavens and the earth. He knows the secret and that which is even more hidden. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

Allah knows what the children of Adam hide in their souls and what is hidden from the children of Adam before they do what they do. Allah knows all of that and His knowledge encompasses what has already taken place and what will happen in future.

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ

Allah! Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.

Meaning: Allah is the One Who revealed this Qur’an to you (O Muhammad) and there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Allah is the possessor of the perfect Names and lofty Attributes. [1]

There is no deity worthy of being loved, feared and invoked besides Him. There is no deity to whom a person should humble himself, turn to in repentance, submission and obedience besides Him. [2]


[1]Al-Misbah Al-Munir Fee Tahdhib Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[2]Tafsir As-Sadi

[4] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمۡ

So know [O Muhammad] that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah [none has the right to be worshipped but Allah], and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for [the sin of] believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest [in your homes, graves etc]. [Surah Muhammad. verse 19]

It is Fard Ayn [i.e. an individual duty (or obligation)] to have knowledge of Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah [i.e. that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah], because it is knowledge a person cannot do without. This knowledge can be acquired through several ways and the greatest of them is to seek knowledge about the sound meanings of Allah’s Names and Attributes, because that teaches a person the Greatness of Allah, directs him to deify and worship Allah alone and makes him know that Allah alone is worthy of all praise.

To know that Allah [The Most High] alone is the Creator, the One in control of all affairs of the universe and this necessitates that He alone has the right to be deified and worshipped.

To know that Allaah [The Most High] alone bestowed the creation with all the apparent blessings they have [i.e. Islaam, the lawful pleasures of this world- including health, good looks, etc] and all the hidden blessings [i.e. Iman, knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc]. All this necessitates that the hearts should be attached to Allaah, love Him, deify Him alone and associate no partners to Him.

To pay attention to what one sees and hears regarding the reward Allah [The Most High] bestows on those who establish Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah- the help He gives them and the bliss He has kept for them in the afterlife; and the punishment He inflicts on the enemies of Tawhid- those who associate partners with Him in worship. All this shows that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped.

To know the characteristics of the idols and the other false deities that are worshipped besides Allah due to the fact that they are deficient in every way and dependent on others. Neither do they have the ability to harm nor benefit; neither do they have the ability to cause death nor give life, nor can they raise the dead. Neither can they aid those who worship them nor can they give them an atom’s weight of benefit, nor repel an atom’s weight of harm from them. The one who knows that these are some of the characteristics of the idols and false deities will know that none has the right worshipped except Allaah and that everything worshipped besides Allaah is false.

To know that the best of the creation-those people who possess the noblest and most perfect manners, the most sound intellects, views and the most perfect in knowledge- are the Messengers and Prophets of Allah and then the pious learned scholars, and they all testify to the fact that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped.

An Excerpt from “Taysir As-Sadi”

[4] The Shariah as the Sole Decisive Proof of Elevation and Nobility through Firm Adherence

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Many people humble themselves to one another more than they humble themselves to Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. It is neither permissible for a person to be a slave except to Allah, (i.e. not to be subservient to anyone in a manner that only Allah deserves) nor humble himself except to the Greatness of Allah. Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

He is Allah besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He; the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allaah! [High is He] above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Surah Al-Hashar’ Ayaat 23-24]

Examine those Ayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashar! The statement:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

He is Allah besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He)]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Uluhiyyah [The Oneness as the only one Who has the right to be worshipped].

The statement:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

He is Allah, besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Asmaa Was Sifaat [The Oneness of Allah in His Names and Attributes.

The statement:
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ

He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms]. This necessitates Tawheed Ar-Roboobiyyah [The Oneness of Allah in His Lordship].

These few Ayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashr necessitate all the categories of Tawheed [Pure Islamic Monotheism]. [1]

Imam Ash-Shawkaanee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

The love for high status and wealth often leads to the abandonment of fairness, which in turn distances individuals from the truth. This abandonment further results in the concealment of truth and the failure to clarify what Allah has obligated. The two aforementioned matters are a greater enemy to an individual than a pair of hunting wolves, [Footnote a] as stated by Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] because it was the reason that led the people of the scripture to distort Allah’s Books and hide the clear evidences and guidance that were revealed to them, such as what happened to the Jewish Rabbis (i.e. those who deviated after the advents of their Prophets). Allah, in His Mighty Book, and the Messenger, through authentic narrations, have both informed us about this.

The Imam also stated:

We often see a man who holds a belief that aligns with truth and correctness. However, when he speaks to someone who disagrees with him- one who is inclined towards something of the innovated matters in the religion, and especially if that person holds a position of leadership or worldly wealth, not to mention a king, he agrees with him, strengthens, supports and aids him against others.

The least in such circumstances is that he would hide what he believes is the truth and show contempt – in the presence of a person from whom it is neither possible to receive harm nor benefit – towards what has become clear to him is the right thing, so, what about someone from whom harm and benefit are possible? This behavior is essentially prioritizing worldly things and the life of this world over the religion and the afterlife. If he observed and reflected upon what has happened to him, he would have realised that his inclination toward the (vain) desires of a man, two men, three or more individuals – among those he compliments within that gathering, conceals the truth to be in agreement with them and to gain affection, acquire their possessions, and avoid being isolated by them -is a deficiency in upholding the truth and tantamount to exalting falsehood. If it were not for the fact that these individuals hold a higher position in his eyes than the Lord, he would not have been inclined to their (vain) desires and abandoned what he knows to be what Allah wants and demands from His servants. [2]

Footnote a: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more harmful than a person’s craving after wealth and status is to his Religion”. [3]

Imam Muhamad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock -then what will remain from the flock?! Even when a single wolf stops eating because its stomach is full, it still kills the rest of the flock; then what about two hungry wolves let loose on a flock!! Not a single will remain. Likewise, a person who craves wealth or status will corrupt the religion and because of this, it is obligated to a person that his intention is far removed from this- far removed from craving wealth and status in the religion. We ask Allah to aid us to accomplish this”. [4]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَالْعَمَلَ الَّذِي يُبَلِّغُنِي حُبَّكَ

O Allah, I ask you for your love and the love of those who love you and the deeds that will bring me your love.


[1] An Excerpt from Majmu Wa Rasaail Wa Fataawa 1/22

[2] An Excerpt from Adabud Talab Wa Muntahaa Al-Adab. Pages 93-95. Slightly paraphrased]

[3] Reported by Tirmidhee no.2376. Declared Authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhee Vol 2 page 553

[4] At-taleeq Alaa Siyaasah Shar’iyyah. pages 454-455

[3] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

He is Allah, than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. He is Allah than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Al-Hashr. Aayaat 22-24]

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ – He is Allah, than Whom there is none that has the right to be worshipped but He)]: Meaning: Allah [The Most High] informed us that He alone has the right to be deified and worshipped, for there is no deity worthy of worship besides Him. And that is because He is Perfect [free is He from all imperfections, deficiencies, weaknesses, similarities, co-equals, faults, defects etc]. He alone bestowed everything to the creation out of His All-Encompassing Generosity and He alone controls all the affairs of the universe in perfect order. Every other thing taken as a deity besides Him is false and does not have an atom’s weight of right to be worshipped. Any other thing taken as a deity besides Him is deficient and dependent [or in need].

[عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ – The All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open)]; Meaning: Allah [The Most High] described Himself as having All Encompassing knowledge. His knowledge encompasses what is hidden from the creation and that which can be seen.

[هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ – (He is Ar-Rahmaan-The Most Merciful)]:

Meaning:

Allah described Himself that He has an All-Encompassing Mercy which reaches everything and every living thing [a]; “And He is Ar-Raheem-The Bestower of Mercy”. Meaning: He bestowed special mercy to the believers, just as He said in another verse:

[وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا -And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers (33:43)][b]

Then Allah [The Most High] reiterated that He alone is the true and only deity worthy of worship, saying:

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ – He is Allah than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)].

Then Allah [The Most High] stated that He is [ٱلۡمَلِكُ -The King]: Meaning: The owner of everything in the heavens and the earth. All the inhabitants and everything in the heavens and the earth belong to Him, completely in need of Him and under His dominion.

Then Allah [The Most High] said that He is: [ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ- The Pure and Perfect; The One Free from all defects];

[ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ –The True and Trustworthy, The Granter of Security]; [ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ -The Trustworthy and Ever Watchful Witness]; [ٱلۡعَزِيزُ – The All-Mighty or The Invincible]; [ٱلۡجَبَّارُ-The Exalted and All-Mighty Compeller]; [ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ – The One Supreme in Glory, The Justly and Rightfully Proud].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ – Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him].

This statement declares Allah free from all that is falsely ascribed to Him by those who associate partners with Him and those who wilfully turn away from Him.

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ – He is Allah, the Creator]: Meaning: The Creator of all the creation. [ ٱلۡبَارِئُ- The Originator]; [ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌-The Bestower of forms].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ – To Him belong the Best Names]: Meaning: He has many Names, which none can enumerate nor does anyone know all of them except Himself. All His Names and Attributes are perfect -[free from all deficiencies, defects etc].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ – All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him].

[وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ – And He is The All-Mighty or The Invincible; The All-Wise]: Meaning: Whatever He wants to occur will occur, and nothing occurs except due to a perfect wisdom and benefit. [1]


[1 & a:] Tafsir As-Sadi

[b] Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer

NB: Translation of the Names of Allah in this article was taken from the translation of the Noble Qur’an’ by Dr Muhsin Khan and Shaikh Taqi-yuddeen al-Hilaali, as well as from a poster by Salafipublications.