Ibn Bazz: Important questions and answers Classification of Tawhid into three categories

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Important questions and answers Classification of Tawhid into three categories 

Q: Is there any evidence on classifying Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) into three categories? 

A: Classifying Tawhid into three categories is based on induction after scholars studied the relevant texts in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Some scholars added a fourth category calling it Tawhid of Mutaba`ah (following). All these categories are based on induction. 

Certainly, a person who contemplates the Noble Qur'an finds that it contains Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) commanding dedicating one's acts of worship to Allah Alone, this is called Tawhid­ul­Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship). He also comes across Ayahs proving that Allah is the Creator, the Provider and the Disposer of all affairs this is called Tawhid­ul­Rububiyyah (Oneness of Allah's Lordship) that the early Mushriks (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) confirmed but it did not make them Muslims. Other Ayahs indicate that All the Beautiful Names and Attributes belong to Allah and that there is nothing like or equal unto Him, this is Tawhid­ul­Asma' wal­Sifat (Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes), which the Mubtadi`ah (ones who introduce innovations in religion) from among Jahmiyyah (a deviant Islamic sect denying some Attributes of Allah, claiming they are ascribed to people and cannot be ascribed to Allah), Mu`tazilah (a deviant Islamic sect claiming that those who commit major sins are in a state between belief and disbelief), Al­Mushabbihah (those who liken Allah to His creation) and those who followed their ways, denied. 

A person who deeply studies the Qur'an finds some Ayahs stating the obligation to follow the Messenger and reject all that which contradicts it, this is called Tawhid Al­Mutaba`ah. Scholars created this classification through studying and investigating the Ayahs and Sunnah. For instance, Allah (may He be Praised) says: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al­Muttaqûn (the pious See V.2:2). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God Allâh), Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Allâh bears witness that Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in Justice. Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All­Mighty, the All­Wise. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures). Verily, Allâh is the All­Provider,OwnerofPower,theMostStrong. Allah 

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(Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Indeed your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allâh, the Lord of the ‘ Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)! Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم): "Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?" They will say: "Allâh." Say: "Will younotthenbeafraidofAllâh’spunishment(forsettinguprivalsinworshipwithAllâh)?" Allah(GlorifiedandExaltedbeHe) 

says: There is nothing like Him; and He is the All­Hearer, the All­Seer. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم): "He is Allâh, (the) One. "Allâh­us­Samad (السيد الذي يصمد إليه في الحاجات) [Allâh the Self­ Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. "He begets not, nor was He begotten. "And there is صلى االله عليه وسلمnone co­equal or comparable unto Him." Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say: "Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allâh’s Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (themessage)inaclearway(i.e.topreachinaplainway)." TherearemanyAyahsthatsupportthisclassification. 

The Hadiths also support this division. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him)in a Hadith agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim: The right of Allah over His slaves is that they should worship Him and not associate anything with Him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever dies whilestillinvokingarival(inworship)toAllah,willenterHell(Fire).” RelatedbyAl­BukhariinhisSahih(authentic)Bookof Hadith.When the angel Jibril (Gabriel) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about Islam, he replied: To worship Allah and never associate anything with Him, perform the obligatory Prayer, and pay the prescribed Zakah... (Agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim)The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah..." (Agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: My entire Ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse, then it was said: O' Messenger of Allah , who will refuse?Hesaid,"WhoeverobeysmewillenterParadise,andwhoeverdisobeysmeistheonewhorefuses" RelatedbyAl­Bukhari 

in his Sahih Book of Hadith. 

There are many Hadiths to this effect. Shaykh­ul­Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful with him) said: "The word "Ilah (god)" is derived from an Arabic root that signifies the one worthy of worship and obedience. 

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He is worthy of worship due to His Attributes that necessitate that He is to be loved very much and fully submitted to". Ibn Taymiyyah added: "Ilah means that the beloved and worshipped One Whom hearts love very much, submit to, are humble to, fear [His punishment], hope for [His reward], turn back to in hard times, supplicate to in difficulties, rely on in their interests, resort to, become reassured with His remembrance and find peace in His love all these are dedicated to Allah Alone. Therefore, "La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah)" is the truest word; its people are the party of Allah and its deniers are His enemies, who deserve His anger and wrath. If a person says this phrase sincerely, all their affairs, states and senses become correct; otherwise, corruption dominates all their knowledge and deeds. 

We implore Allah to guide all Muslims, rulers and subjects, to understand Islam, be steadfast on it and advise people for His sake. We implore Allah to save them from committing what is against that. Indeed, Allah is the only One Capable of doing that. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!