Can a Muslim be a sincere friend to a kaafir?

I have questions about Islam; can you explain them to me? Is it permissible for a Muslim to be a sincere friend to a person who is not Muslim?.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to make friends with a mushrik or to take him as a close friend, because Islam calls on us to forsake the kaafirs and to disavow them, because they worship someone other than Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Take not as friends the people who incurred the Wrath of Allaah (i.e. the Jews). Surely, they have despaired of (receiving any good in) the Hereafter, just as the disbelievers have despaired of those (buried) in graves (that they will not be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection)”

[al-Mumtahanah 60:13]

This was also the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

1 – It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, “Do not keep company with anyone but a believer and do not let anyone eat your food but one who is pious.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2395; Abu Dawood, 4832. Abu ‘Eesa al-Tirmidhi said: this hadeeth is hasan. It was also classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2519).

Abu ‘Eesa al-Khattaabi said: Rather he warned against keeping company with anyone who is not pious and against mixing with them or eating with them, because eating with a person instills friendship and love in the heart.

He said: do not make friends with anyone who is not pious; do not take him as a companion with whom you eat and chat.

(Ma’aalim al-Sunan, Haamish Mukhtasar Sunan Abi Dawood, 7/185, 186).

2 – It was narrated from Samurah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not live among the mushrikeen and do not mix with them, for whoever lives among them or mixes with them is not one of us.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 9/142; al-Haakim, 2/154. He said, it is saheeh according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari. The hadeeth was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 2/229 with its corroborating reports).

But it is permissible to deal with them in a kind manner in the hope that they might become Muslim.

It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: There was a Jewish boy who used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he fell sick. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to visit him. He sat by his head and said, “Become Muslim.” (The boy) looked at his father who was with him, and he (the father) said, “Obey Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” So he became Muslim, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out, saying, “Praise be to Allaah Who has saved him from the Fire” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1290).

And Allaah knows best.



Islam Q&A

What is the ruling on the crime of rape in Islam?.

What is the ruling on the crime of rape in Islam?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The Arabic word ightisaab refers to taking something wrongfully by force. It is now used exclusively to refer to transgression against the honour of women by force (rape).

This is an abhorrent crime that is forbidden in all religions and in the minds of all wise people and those who are possessed of sound human nature. All earthly systems and laws regard this action as abhorrent and impose the strictest penalties on it, except a few states which waive the punishment if the rapist marries his victim! This is indicative of a distorted mind let alone a lack of religious commitment on the part of those who challenge Allaah in making laws. We do not know of any love or compassion that could exist between the aggressor and his victim, especially since the pain of rape cannot be erased with the passage of time – as it is said. Hence many victims of rape have attempted to commit suicide and many of them have succeeded, The failure of these marriages is proven and they are accompanied by nothing but humiliation and suffering for the woman.

Islam has a clear stance which states that this repugnant action is haraam and imposes a deterrent punishment on the one who commits it.

Islam closes the door to the criminal who wants to commit this crime. Western studies have shown that most rapists are already criminals who commit their crimes under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and they take advantage of the fact that their victims are walking alone in isolated places, or staying in the house alone. These studies also show that what the criminals watch on the media and the semi-naked styles of dress in which women go out, also lead to the commission of this reprehensible crime.

The laws of Islam came to protect women's honour and modesty. Islam forbids women to wear clothes that are not modest and to travel without a mahram; it forbids a woman to shake hands with a non-mahram man. Islam encourages young men and women to marry early, and many other rulings which close the door to rape. Hence it comes as no surprise when we hear or read that most of these crimes occur in permissive societies which are looked up to by some Muslims as examples of civilization and refinement! In America – for example – International Amnesty stated in a 2004 report entitled “Stop Violence Against Women” that every 90 seconds a woman was raped during that year. What kind of life are these people living? What refinement and civilization do they want the Muslim women to take part in?

The punishment for rape in Islam is same as the punishment for zina, which is stoning if the perpetrator is married, and one hundred lashes and banishment for one year if he is not married.

Some scholars also say that he is required to pay a mahr to the woman.

Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

In our view the man who rapes a woman, whether she is a virgin or not, if she is a free woman he must pay a “dowry” like that of her peers, and if she is a slave he must pay whatever has been detracted from her value. The punishment is to be carried out on the rapist and there is no punishment for the woman who has been raped, whatever the case. End quote.

Al-Muwatta’, 2/734

Shaykh Salmaan al-Baaji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

In the case of a woman who is forced (raped): if she is a free woman, the one who forced her must pay her a “dowry” like that of her peers, and the hadd punishment is to be carried out on him. This is the view of al-Shaafa’i, and it is the view of al-Layth, and it was also narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him).

Abu Haneefah and al-Thawri said: the hadd punishment is to be carried out on him but he is not obliged to pay the “dowry”.

The evidence for what we say is that the hadd punishment and the “dowry” are two rights, one of which is the right of Allaah and the other is the right of the other person. So they may be combined, as in the case of a thief whose hand is cut off and he is required to return the stolen goods. End quote.

Al-Muntaha Sharh al-Muwatta’, 5/268, 269

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The scholars are unanimously agreed that the rapist is to be subjected to the hadd punishment if there is clear evidence against him that he deserves the hadd punishment, or if he admits to that. Otherwise, he is to be punished (i.e., if there is no proof that the hadd punishment for zina may be carried out against him because he does not confess, and there are not four witnesses, then the judge may punish him and stipulate a punishment that will deter him and others like him). There is no punishment for the woman if it is true that he forced her and overpowered her, which may be proven by her screaming and shouting for help. End quote.

Al-Istidhkaar, 7/146

Secondly:

The rapist is subject to the hadd punishment for zina, even if the rape was not carried out at knife-point or gun-point. If the use of a weapon was threatened, then he is a muhaarib, and is to be subjected to the hadd punishment described in the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The recompense of those who wage war against Allaah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter”

[al-Maaidah 5:33]

So the judge has the choice of the four punishments mentioned in this verse, and may choose whichever he thinks is most suitable to attain the objective, which is to spread peace and security in society, and ward off evildoers and aggressors.

See also question no. 41682

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Who is Allaah?

by Abu Iman Robert Squires
Some of the biggest misconceptions that many non-Muslims have about Islam have to do with the word "Allah". Somehow, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews. This is totally false, since "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for "God" - and there is only One God. Let there be no doubt - Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus - peace be upon them all. However, it is certainly true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have different concepts of Almighty God. For example, Muslims - like Jews - reject the Christian beliefs of the Trinity and the Divine Incarnation. This, however, doesn't mean that each of these three religions worships a different God - because, as we have already said, there is only One True God. Islam teaches, however, that other religions have, in one way or another, distorted and nullified a pure and proper belief in Almighty God by neglecting His true teachings and mixing them with man-made ideas.
It is important to note that "Allah" is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. If you pick up an Arabic Bible, you will see the word "Allah" being used where "God" is used in English. "Allah" is the only word in the Arabic language equivalent to the English word "God" with a capital "G". It should be noted, however, that in Arabic, "Allah" is a somewhat unique word grammatically, since it cannot be made plural or given gender (i.e. masculine or feminine), which goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God. The root word "god" in English, for instance, can be used in similiar forms, such as "gods", "God" or "goddess", all with different connotations and meanings. Because of this, and also because the Qur'an, which is the holy scripture of Muslims, was revealed in the Arabic language, some Muslims use the word "Allah" for "God", even when they are speaking other languages. In English, the only difference between "god", meaning a false god, and "God", meaning the One True God, is the capital "G". In Arabic alphabet, since it does not have capital letters, the word for God (i.e. Allah) is formed by adding the equivalent to the English word "the" (Al-) to the Arabic word for "god/God" (ilah). So the Arabic word "Allah" literally it means "The God" - the "Al-" in Arabic basically serving the same function as the capital "G" in English. Due to the above mentioned facts, a more accurate translation of the word "Allah" into English might be "The One -and-Only God" or "The One True God".
This brings us to a more important point: It should be clearly understood that what Islam is primarily concerned with is correcting mankind's concept of Almighty God. What we are ultimately going to be held accountable at the end of our life is not whether we prefer the word "Allah" over the word "God", but what our concept of God is. Language is only a side issue. A person can have an incorrect concept of God while using the word "Allah", and likewise a person can have a correct concept of God while using the word "God". This is because both of these words are equally capable of being misused and being improperly defined. As we've already mentioned, using the word "Allah" no more insinuates belief in the Unity of God than the use of the word "God" insinuates belief in the Trinity - or any other theological opinion. Naturally, when God sends a revelation to mankind through a prophet, He is going to send it in a language that the people who receive it can understand and relate to.
Almighty God makes this clear in the Qur'an, when He states:
"Never did We send a Messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people in order to make (things) clear to them". -
From the Holy Qur'an, Chapter 14 - "Abraham", Verse 4
As Muslims, we think that it is unfortunate that we have to go into details on such seemingly minor issues, but so many falsehoods have been heaped upon our religion, that we feel that it is our duty to try to break down the barriers of falsehood. This isn't always easy, since there is a lot of anti-Islamic literature in existence which tries to make Islam look like something strange and foreign to Westerners. There are some people out there, who are obviously not on the side of truth, that want to get people to believe that "Allah" is just some Arabian "god", and that Islam is completely "other" - meaning that it has no common roots with the other Abrahamic religions (i.e. Christianity and Judaism). To say that Muslims worship a different "God" because they say "Allah" is just as illogical as saying that French people worship another God because they use the word "Dieu", that Spanish-speaking people worship a different God because they say "Dios" or that the Hebrews worshipped a different God because they sometimes call Him "Yahweh". Certainly, reasoning like this is quite ridiculous! It should also be mentioned, that claiming that any one language uses the only the correct word for God is tantamount to denying the universality of God's message to mankind, which was to all nations, tribes and people through various prophets who spoke different languages.
It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word "El", which is the word for God in the language that Jesus spoke, is certainly more similar in sound to the word "Allah" than the English word "God"! Also, the various Hebrew words for God are "El" and "Elah", and its plural form is "Elohim". It should also be noted that in translating the Bible into English, the Hebrew word "El" is translated variously as "God", "god" and "angel"! This imprecise language allows different translators, based on their preconceived notions, to translate the word to fit their own views.
Even more interesting is the fact that some Christian missionary organisations print English literature intended to teach Christians about Islam in which say such things as: "Allah is the god of the Muslims" and that "Muhammad came to get people to believe in the god Allah" - implying that "Allah" is some sort of false "god". However, in their literature that they make in Arabic, hoping to lead Arabic speaking people "to Christ", they use the word "Allah" for God. It seems that if they were on the side of truth, they would not have to resort to such inconsistencies.
There are also missionary organisations that exceed this in ignorance by writing pamphlets that call on Muslims to give up their belief in "Allah", and instead worship the "Lord" Jesus, "the Son of God". Besides making it abundantly clear that they are outside the community of Pure Monotheism, the people who write such material don't even realise that if they wrote such a pamphlet in Arabic, it would be self-contradictory. This is because in an Arabic Bible Jesus is the "Son of Allah"! If an Arabic-speaking person gave up the worship of "Allah", they would have no God to worship, since "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for God!
Before we conclude, however, we would like to ask our readers to ask themselves what they think the reasons are behind all of these lies? If Islam was just some false religion that didn't make any sense, would so many people, from Western scholars to Christian missionaries, have to tell so many lies about it? The reason is that the Ultimate Truth of Islam stands on solid ground and its unshakeable belief in the Unity of God is above reproach. Due to this, Christians can't criticise its doctrines directly, but instead make up things about Islam that aren't true so that people lose the desire to learn more. If Muslims were able to present Islam in the proper way to people in the West, it surely might make many people reconsider and re-evaluate their own beliefs. It is quite likely that Christians, when they find out that there is a universal religion in the world that teaches people to worship and love God, while also practising Pure Monotheism, would at least feel that they should re-examine the basis for their own beliefs and doctrines.

Family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

A woman came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find her
5-year old son waiting for her at the door.

SON: 'Mummy, may I ask you a question?'

MUM: 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the woman.

SON: 'Mummy, how much do you make an hour?'

MUM: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the woman said
angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

MUM: 'If you must know, I make $20 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: "Mummy, may I please borrow $5?"

The mother was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door..

The woman sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the woman had calmed down , and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $5 and he really didn't ask for money very often.The woman went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' She asked.

'No Mummy, I'm awake,' replied the boy

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the woman. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $5 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you Mummy!' he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The woman saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his mother.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the mother grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Mummy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow.
I would like to have dinner with you.'

The mother was crushed. She put his arms around her little son, and she begged for his
forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those
who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $20 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

ހަށިވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރީގެ ތެރެއަށް ގަދަކަމުން ވައްދާ އަޅުވެތިކޮށްފައިވާ ޅައުމުރުގެ 52 ކުއްޖަކު (52 ޖާރިއާއިން)އެމެރިކާގެ އެފް.ބީ.އައި އިން ސަލާމަތް ކޮ

ހަށިވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރީގެ ތެރެއަށް ގަދަކަމުން ވައްދާ އަޅުވެތިކޮށްފައިވާ ޅައުމުރުގެ 52 ކުއްޖަކު (52 ޖާރިއާއިން)އެމެރިކާގެ އެފް.ބީ.އައި އިން ސަލާމަތް ކޮށްފި

ދުނިޔޭގެ ހުރިހައި ގައުމުތަކަކަށް ނަމޫނާދައްކައި،ދުނިޔޭގެ އެންމެ މިނިވަން ގައުމުގެ ގޮތުގައި ލޭބަލް ވެފައިވާ އެމެރިކާގައި ހަށި ވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރީގެ ތެރެއަށް ގަދަކަމުން ވައްދާ އަޅުވެތިކޮށްފައިވާ ޅައުމުރުގެ 52 ކުއްޖަކު(52 ޖާރިއާއިން)އެމެރިކާގެ އެފްބީއައި އިން ސަލާމަތް ކޮށްފިއެވެ.އެފްބީއައި ގެ އޮފިޝަލުން ބުނާގޮތުގައި މިކުދިންގެ ތެރެއިން އުމުރުން އެންމެ ހަގު ކުއްޖާގެ އުމުރަކީ ހަމަ އެންމެ 10 އަހަރެވެ.އެމެރިކާގެ 36 ސިޓީއެއްގައި އެފްބީއައި އިން ހިންގި އޮޕަރޭޝަން ތަކުގައި ކުޑަކުދިން އަޅުވެތިކޮށްގެން ހަށިވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރި ކުރާ60 މީހަކު ހައްޔަރު ކުރިއެވެ.މިމީހުން މިކުދިން ގެންގުޅުނީ މަސްތުވާ ތަކެއްޗަށް އެޑިކްޓު ކުރުވައިގެން ކަމަށް އޮފިޝަލުން ބުނެއެވެ. އޮޕަރޭޝަން ކްރޮސް ކަންޓްރީގެ ނަމުގައި އެމެރިކާގައި ހިންގާ މި އޮޕަރޭޝަން ތަކުގައި ގާތްގަނޑަކަށް 1600 އެއްހާ ސިއްރު ފުލުހުންނާއި އޮފިޝަލުން ހަރަކާތްތެރިވާކަމަށް ޚަބަރު ލިބެއެވެ. މިއޮޕަރޭޝަން މިހިންގަނީ ކުޑަކުދިން ބޭނުންކޮށްގެން ހަށިވިއްކުމުގެ ވިޔަފާރިކުރާ ވިއުގަތައް ރޫޅާލުމަށްކަމަށް ޚަބަރުލިބެއެވެ

Verily, the Remembrance of Allah brings satisfaction to heart

1. ‘Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and reject not Me.’

2. Remember thy Lord much, and praise Him in the early hours of night and morning.

3. (Talking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say, (after deliberation) “Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.”

4. When ye have performed the act of Salaat, remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining (We should remember him in all circumstances)

5. Send not away those who call their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His countenance (Pleasure)

6. And call upon Him, making your devotion purely for Him (only)

7. And do thou remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be thou not of the neglectful.

8. And guideth unto Himself all who turn to Him in penitence; who have believed and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts rest content!

9. Lo! I, even I, am Allah. There is no God save Me. So serve me and establish Salaat for My remembrance. Lo! The Hour is surely coming. But I will keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striven to achieve.

10. (While talking to the unbeliever on the Day of Judgement, they will be asked whether they remember). Lo! There was a party of My servants who said, “Our Lord! We believe therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art best of all who show mercy.”

11. But verily, remembrance of Allah is the most important.

12. (Those) who forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what joy is kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.Note: it is mentioned in a hadith that one who prays to Allah in the last portion of the night gains acceptance of Allah. If possible, you should remember Allah at this hour.

13. Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day and remembreth Allah much.


14. (while talking of the virtues of the believers) And men who remember Allah much and women who remember; Allah hath prepared for them His forgiveness and a vast reward.

15. O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening.

16. Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah. Such are clearly in error

17. Allah hath (now) revealed the most beautiful message of the Qu’ran, a Scripture consistent with itself, repeating (its teaching in various aspects). Whereat doth tremble the skins of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah’s remembrance. Such is Allah’s guidance, wherewith be guideth whom He will.

18. And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil who becometh his comrade.

19. O ye who believe! Let not your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. (These things will not last beyond the grave and Allah’s remembrance will prove useful in the Hereafter.)

The Sahaabah were unanimously agreed on the execution of homosexuals

al-Tirmidhi (1456), Abu Dawood (4462)and Ibn Maajah (2561) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Loot, execute the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.”. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Ahmad (2915) narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “M

ay Allaah curse the one who does the action of the people of Loot, may Allaah curse the one who does the action of the people of Loot,” three times. This was classed as hasan by Shu’ayb al-Arna’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad.

The Sahaabah were unanimously agreed on the execution of homosexuals, but they differed as to how they were to be executed. Some of them were of the view that they should be burned with fire, which was the view of ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) and also of Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him), as we shall see below. And some of them thought that they should be thrown down from a high place then have stones thrown at them. This was the view of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him).

Some of them thought that they should be stoned to death, which was narrated from both ‘Ali and Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them).

After the Sahaabah, the fuqaha’ differed concerning the matter. Some of them said that the homosexual should be executed no matter what his situation, whether he is married or not.

Some of them said that he should be punished in the same way as an adulterer, so he should be stoned if he is married and flogged if he is not married.

Some of them said that a severe punishment should be carried out on him, as the judge sees fit.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah be pleased with him) discussed this issue at length, and he mentioned the evidence and arguments of the fuqaha’, but he supported the first view. This is explained in his book al-Jawaab al-Kaafi’ li man sa’ala ‘an al-Dawa’ al-Shaafi, which he wrote to deal with this immoral action. We will quote some of what he said:

Because the evil consequences of homosexuality are among the worst of evil consequences, so its punishment is one of the most severe of punishments in this world and in the Hereafter.

The White Moon rose over us

O’ the White Moon rose over us

from the valley of Wada’

and we owe it to show gratefulness

where the call is to Allah.

O you who were raised amongst us

coming with a work to be obeyed

You have brought to this city nobleness

Welcome, best caller to God’s way.

Introduction to Tawheed (Monotheism)

The greatest thing that Allah (SWT) has enjoined is Tawheed.

What is Tawheed?

· Literally Tawheed means "unification" (making something one) or "asserting oneness", and it comes from the Arabic verb wahhada which itself means to unite, unify or consolidate.
· Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) means declaring Allah (SWT) to be the only God who deserves to be worshipped in truth and confirming all attributes with which He has qualified Himself or that are attributed to Him by His Messenger (SAW).
· When the term Tawheed is used in reference to Allah (SWT) (i.e. Tawheedullah), it means the realizing and maintaining of Allah (SWT)’s unity in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him.
· It is the belief that Allah (SWT) is:
One, without partner in His dominion and actions (Ruboobeeyah)
One without rival in His divinity and worship (Ulooheeyah/’Ebaadah)
One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asma wa Sifaat)
The omission of any of the above mentioned aspects of Tawheed is referred to as "Shirk (lit. sharing); the association of partners with Allah (SWT), which, in Islamic terms, is in fact idolatry.
There are three aspects of Tawheed:
1. Tawheed-ar-Ruboobeeyah
2. Tawheed-al-Ulooheeyah/’Ebaadah
3. Tawheed-al-Asma-Sifaat

What is Tawheed-ar-Ruboobeeyah?

In Arabic the word used to describe this creator-sustainer quality is Ruboobeeyah which is derived from the root "Rabb" (Lord).
· Belief in the Oneness of the Lordship of Allah (SWT)
· Belief in Maintaining the Unity of Lordship
· To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer, and the Giver of security, etc., and that is Allah (SWT)
· It is declaring Allah (SWT) to be One and Unique in His work, like creation, sustenance, bringing to life and causing death, etc.
The basis for the Ruboobeeyah concept can be found in many Qu’ranic verses.
For example, Allah (SWT) says:
"Allah created all things and He is the agent on which all things depend."(Az-Zumar 39:62)
"And Allah created you all and whatever you do."(As-Safat 37:96)
"It was not you who threw, when you threw, but it was Allah who threw." (Al-Anfaal 8:17)
"And no calamity strikes except by Allah’s permission."(At-Taghabun 64:11)

What is Tawheed-al-Ulooheeyah/’Ebaadah?

This is the most important aspect of Tawheed.
· Belief in the Oneness of the Worship of Allah (SWT)
· Belief in Maintaining the Unity of Worship
· Total Obedience
· To believe that none has the right to be worshipped [i.e. praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving charity, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.], but Allah (SWT).
· It is declaring Allah (SWT) as the Only God to whom all acts of worship must be dedicated, such as Salat (prayers), Zakat, Saum (fasting), supplications, vowing, etc.
· It includes emotions like love, trust, and fear all of which have degrees which should only be directed to Allah (SWT).
In the Qu’ran, Allah (SWT) tells the Prophet (SAW) to say to the pagans:
"Say: ‘Who is it that gives you all sustenance from the sky and earth, governs sight and hearing, brings forth life from dead (matter) and death from the living, and plans the affairs of man?’ They will all say: ‘Allah’." (Yunus 10:31)
"If you asked them who created them, they would surely say, ‘Allah’." (Az-Zukhruf 43:87)
"If you asked them who brings down water from the sky and with it brings the earth to life after its death? They will most certainly say, ‘Allah’." (Al’Ankabut 29:63)
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) confirmed the concept of unity of worship saying:
"If you ask in prayer ask only Allah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allah." (Reported by Ibn ‘Abbaas and collected by at-Tirmidhee)

What is Tawheed-al-Asma was-Sifaat?

· It is belief in the Oneness of the Names and the Qualifications of Allah (SWT)
· It is an affirmation of all the Divine Names and Attributes of Allah (SWT) in a manner that suits His Majesty, as mentioned in the Qu’ran and the Sunnah.
· It is belief in five aspects of Tawheed-al-Asma was-Sifaat:
1. Allah (SWT) must be referred to according to how He (SWT) and His Prophet (SAW) have described Him without explaining away His names and attributes by giving them meanings other than their obvious meanings.
Allah (SWT) in the Qu’ran says:
"That He may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the pagans men and women, who have an evil opinion of Allah. A circle of evil is around them; Allah is angry with them, curses them and has prepared for them an evil end." (Al-Fat-h 48:6)
Anger is one of Allah (SWT)’s attributes. It is incorrect to say that His anger must mean His punishment, since anger is a sign of weakness in man and, as such, not befitting of Allah (SWT). What Allah (SWT) has stated should be accepted with the qualification that His anger is not like human anger, based on Allah (SWT)’s statement:
"There is nothing like him" (Ash-Shura 42:11)
2. Referring to Allah (SWT) as He has referred to Himself without giving Him any new names or attributes.
Allah (SWT) may not be given the name al-Ghaadib (the Angry one), inspite of the fact that He has said that He gets angry, because neither Allah (SWT) nor His Messenger (SAW) has used this name.
3. Allah (SWT) is referred to without giving Him the attributes of His creation.
It is claimed in the Bible and Torah that Allah (SWT) spent the first six days creating the universe then slept on the seventh:
"And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done." (Holy Bible, Genesis 2:2)
Such a claim assigns to Allah (SWT) the attributes of His creation. It is man who tires after heavy work and needs sleep to recuperate. In contrast Allah (SWT) says:
"No tiredness overcomes Him nor sleep…" (Al-Baqarah 2:255)
4. Man may not be given the attributes of Allah (SWT).
Most Shi’ite sects haven given their Imams divine attributes of absolute infallibility, knowledge of the past, the future and the unseen, the ability to change destiny and control over the atoms of creation. In doing so they set up rivals who share Allah (SWT)’s unique attributes and who, in fact, become gods besides Allah (SWT).
5. Allah (SWT)’s names in the definite form cannot be given to His creation unless preceded by the prefix ‘Abd meaning "slave of" or "servant of."
Many of the Divine names in their indefinite form like Ra’oof and Raheem are allowable names for men because Allah (SWT) has used some of them in their indefinite forms to refer to the Prophet (SAW):
"A messenger has come to you from among yourselves to whom anything which burdens you is grievous. He is full of concern for you and is full of pity (Ra’oof) and full of mercy (Raheem)." (At-Tawbah 9:128)
Names like ar-Ra’oof (the One Most Full of Pity) and ar’Raheem (the Most Merciful) can only be used to refer to men if they are preceded by ‘Abd as in ‘Abdur’Ra’oof or ‘Abdur -Raheem, since in the definite form they represent a level of perfection which only belongs to Allah (SWT).
· This is the faith of all true believers and was the Faith of all the Prophets of Allah from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus till the last of the Prophets, Muhammad (SAW). It is not like as some people think that Allah (SWT) is present everywhere, here, there, and even inside the breasts of men.
· Those who have not fulfilled the requirements of Tawheed are such as they have not worshipped Allah (SWT), and in this sense is the meaning of the verse:
"Nor will you worship that which I worship" (AL-Karirun 109:3)

Allah (SWT) Talks About Tawheed in the Following Ayats

"There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (Ash-Shura 42:11)
"When My servants ask you [O Muhammad (SAW)] about Me (tell them), ‘Verily I am close (to them), I listen to the prayer of every one who calls on Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me in order that they may be guided aright." (Al-Baqarah 2:186)
"Do not worship besides Allah that which can not help or harm you." (Al-Anbiya 21:66)
"If Allah allows harm to befall you none can remove it except Him." (Al-An’am 6:17)
"Put your trust in Allah if you are truly believers." (Al-Ma’idah 5:23)