What Does It Take To Accept Allah s.w.t. As Our Only God?

As previously highlighted, we would like to bring to the attention of the Malaysian readers specifically and the world generally on this issue that has been highlighted in Malaysia Today and the mass media for a number of months now.

The topic of the Oneness of Allah s.w.t. (At-Tauhid) can be broadly divided into 3 major approaches:

1. Tauhid Rubbubiyyah & Uluhiyyah (North America/Arab World)
2. Tauhid Al-Asma' Al-Husna (World)
3. Tauhid Based On The 20 Attributes Of Allah s.w.t. (Malay World)

We will focus on the first approach only while just listing down briefly the second and third approaches. The readers may do their own researches into the later approaches.


1. Tauhid Rubbubiyyah & Uluhiyyah (North America/Arab World)

INTRODUCTION

This approach to At-Tauhid is prevalent among the Muslims of North America and the Arab World. At-Tauhid is the essence of Islam itself. As a whole, the Holy Quran talks about At-Tauhid whether in the verses that contain stories, news regarding the existence of Allah s.w.t. and His Attributes or in verses that explain His creations, their doings and biddings. While in the verses which contain His Orders and Prohibitions is the manifestation of the testimony towards Allah s.w.t. and His Powers in governing His creations.

Rewards in all its form are given for those that obey Him and follow the Prophets that He has sent to deliver His Laws that are based on At-Tauhid. Also, the punishments of all sorts are for those who go against and protest His Laws. The stories of the life of the previous mankind that rebel and lied against religion are reminders to those that go out of At-Tauhid and did not want to be subservient to Allah s.w.t. Based on At-Tauhid, rose its branches that are the rules governing the relationships between humans and humans and the relationships between humans and their God. In all the forms of ‘ibadah’ (worship) and the rules of governing the society is the objective of strengthening and cultivating At-Tauhid in every one of the Believers.

KALIMAH TAUHID

Human confession and testimony are only meaningful if it is being done knowingly and in consonance with the belief in the heart. The Holy Quran recorded this fact with the meaning:


“When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.”

[Chapter Al-Munafiqun: Verse 1]

The testimony in the admission of the Kalimah Shahadah (‘I bear witness that there is no God except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’) is the distinction between a Muslim and a non-Muslim or a dweller of the Paradise with eternal bounties and a dweller of Hell with eternal pain and suffering. Of course, it is obvious how critical it is for us to really understand the meaning and implication of Kalimah Shahadah.

The Kalimah Shahadah or Kalimah Tauhid “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah” can be meant as “I know, affirm, witness and believe that the only one to serve is Allah, and then I translate it into my words, actions and deeds”.

TAUHID RUBBUBIYYAH

Believing in this Tauhid means that believing in Allah as the Governor of everything, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and their contents, there is no equal in His Governance, Sustainer for everything, no one can do harm or good except if He wishes so. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful": Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?”

[Chapter Al-A’raaf: Verse 172-173]

From these verses, it is clear to us that there is the All Powerful and Creator that is embedded in the instinct and innate nature of human beings. Human innate has already known that Allah is the God, i.e. Owner, Governor and Creator absolutely in the Universe. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“If thou ask them, who created them, they will certainly say, Allah: How then are they deluded away (from the Truth)? (Allah has knowledge) of the (Prophet's) cry, "O my Lord! Truly these are people who will not believe!”

[Chapter Az-Zukhruf: Verse 87-88]


“If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law), they will certainly reply, "Allah". How are they then deluded away (from the truth)?”

[Chapter Al-Ankabuut: Verse 61]

We witness that there are human beings who deny this fact either with their tongues or actions, who disbelieves in the existence of Allah. At first, we should not agree with every word said by the descendants of Adam. Suffice for us that what Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!”

[Chapter Al-Naml: Verse 14]

That’s the facts. The word disbelief or ‘kafir’ itself means shielded, i.e. this belief in Allah s.w.t. is being suppressed from manifesting itself naturally by the continuous self-denial in oneself. This fact is evident when human beings come across critical moments where all hopes are gone except to rely on the Power of the One God. At this moment, human beings submit and sincerely obey Allah s.w.t. But sadly, this attitude seizes once this crisis is over. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“When a wave covers them like the canopy (of clouds), they call to Allah, offering Him sincere devotion. But when He has delivered them safely to land, there are among them those that halt between (right and wrong). But none reject Our Signs except only a perfidious ungrateful (wretch)!”

[Chapter Luqman: Verse 32]

The capability to understand that there is Allah s.w.t., the Creator, is already naturally embedded in the human instinct. So, this is not the discourse of the Holy Quran. The question is whether this natural instinct is nurtured, strayed or eradicated. If it is eradicated, then that human being has transgressed himself/herself, his/her heart is closed, his/her path is dark and the final outcome is catastrophic. If it is strayed, then that human being becomes haywire going through this life, he/she will be damned in Hell later. If this instinct is nurtured, trained and its awareness enhanced, then as a result will spring a firm belief that Allah s.w.t. only is the source of creations and Allah s.w.t only has the right to be worshiped. In short, it is the acknowledgment of Allah’s Uluhiyyah i.e. the absolute Godly Attribute of Allah s.w.t that encompasses all.

TAUHID ULUHIYYAH

Even though those idolaters and disbelievers know and maybe acknowledge the Rubbubiyyah of the Creator, this does not make them Muslim as long as they do not truly belief in their hearts the Uluhiyyah of Allah s.w.t. This true belief is summarized in the Kalimah Shahadah. A clear example in this fact is in the case of the Devil may Allah's curse be upon it. The Devil was then a slave in the highest form of worship to and knowledge of Allah s.w.t., its level is the leader of the Angels. The reality that Allah s.w.t. is the Absolute Creator & Governor is obvious to the Devil, but when Allah s.w.t. commanded it to bow down to Prophet Adam a.s., it became arrogant and rebellious. The Devil said what is described in the Holy Quran which means:


"(Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay."

[Chapter Al-A'raaf: Verse 12]

Maybe the realm of the Devil is the invisible realm, very hard for us to comprehend it but we are not short of examples in the children of Prophet Adam a.s. The Jews at the time of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., for example, knew that Allah s.w.t. is the only God and was sure of the prophethood of Muhammad s.a.w. like they knew their own son but they were more satisfied in worshiping their arrogance and pride than to submit to the Uluhiyyah of Allah s.w.t. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


"The people of the Book know this as they know their own sons; but some of them conceal the truth which they themselves know."

[Chapter Al-Baqarah: Verse 146]

In short, we can summarize here that by just knowing does not make a person a True Muslim. The Kalimah Shahadah (Ash hadu alla ilaha illallah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah - I bear witness that there is no God except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) warrants the total believe, conviction and submission to the will of Allah s.w.t. All this will not be complete without understanding the meaning of the Kalimah itself and the meaning of the Kalimah may be misunderstood if the word 'ilah' contained in it is not accurately comprehended.

The meaning of 'ilah' brings a number of comprehensions that are complimentary. For this course of our discussion, it can be divided into six major meanings:

1.1 God as the normal meaning
1.2 The focus or source of our worship
1.3 The Only Protector
1.4 Focus of our love
1.5 The Only Sustainer
1.6 Source of our Jurisprudence

InshaAllah, we will explain the meaning one by one as is used in the Holy Quran and its relation to the Kalimah Shahadah (meanings and implications).

1.1 God as the normal meaning

Here, the Kalimah Shahadah means that there is no God except Allah s.w.t., the reality that we all know. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


"There is no God but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise."

[Chapter Ali Imran: Verse 18]

Allah s.w.t is the only God in the Heaven and Earth, in short in the whole Universe.


“It is He Who is Allah in heaven and Allah on earth; and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.”

[Chapter Az-Zukhruf: Verse 84]

Being the only God, all the power and creations are His absolute rights only.


“Say: "Call upon other (gods) whom ye fancy, besides Allah: They have no power, - not the weight of an atom, - in the heavens or on earth: No (sort of) share have they therein, nor is any of them a helper to Allah.”

[Chapter As-Saba': Verse 22]

1.2 The Focus Or Source Of Our Worship

In other words, we testify in the Kalimah Shahadah that there is no God except Allah s.w.t alone to be worshiped. Allah s.w.t. is our focus of worship, not anyone or anything else. Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“And We sent to them a messenger from among themselves, (saying), "Worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”

[Chapter Al-Mu'minun: Verse 32]

And in fact human beings and genies are created for the purpose of to submit to Allah s.w.t. As what He said in the Holy Quran which means:


“I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me.”

[Chapter Az-Zaariyat: Verse 56]

This worship and submission are by performing 'ibadah' to Allah s.w.t. This word 'ibadah' needs explanation so that its meaning will not be misunderstood because in its general use, its coverage has been restricted to a narrow scope whereas the Kalimah Shahadah warrants that this 'ibadah' is done in every place encompassing all aspects of the human life as what Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allah; that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by Allah; - (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers.”

[Chapter At-Taubah: Verse 111]

In short, this is the implication from the Kalimah 'La ilaha illallah' i.e. the whole of this life must proceed in the submission to Allah s.w.t. There is no submission and service that stands alone, all services must emanate and dependent upon the absolute submission to Allah s.w.t only.

With the testimony that there is no 'ilah' except Allah s.w.t., we reject all services that contradicts with the conviction that only Allah s.w.t. is the source of our submission. This submission can only be undertaken by the knowledge from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The desire and will to search this knowledge will arise as a direct result of the embodiment of the Kalimah Tauhid. The Messenger of Allah s.w.t. said:


“Learning is a must for every Muslim and Muslimah.”

[Hadith: Ibn Hajar Al-'Asqalani]

And Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:”

[Chapter Al-An'am: Verse 162]

“Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).”

[At-Taubah: Verse 31]

1.3 The Only Protector

A sound mind is ready to believe in this fact that Allah s.w.t. alone is the absolute Protector. There is no one else that can protect us from His Power and Will. Any protection that is given by any human being is only temporary in nature and directly depends on His Will. He can at anytime recall His Will and leave the human being clinging on a frail branch. This is the most obvious reality but mankind always forget and easily careless towards this reality. Humans like to hope more on a frail branch clinging to the illusions the Devil created.

The meaning of 'ilah' as The Only Protector can be seen from the following verses as examples:


“Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King (or Ruler) of Mankind, The god (or Judge) of Mankind, -”

[Chapter An-Nas: Verse 1-3]

“(He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.”

[Chapter Al-Muzammil: Verse 9]

In accordance with this reality, emerges the belief that Allah s.w.t only is able to bring good and bad. When 'La ilaha illallah' has embodied the human heart and soul and guides every instance of them, only then it will implement as what Allah s.w.t. says which means:


“Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve;”

[Chapter Yunus: Verse 62]

As long as the hope still clings to other than Allah s.w.t., then the testimony of the Kalimah Shahadah is still deemed incomplete.

1.4 Focus Of Our Love

'Ilah' also means an Essence that is invisible to the senses, a secret that is out of the reach of the human mind. It is a source of love and longing for. Allah s.w.t is an Essence that is longed for and a destination for the human soul.

For those who truly testify 'La ilaha illallah', then Allah s.w.t is the only source of their love and there is no equivalent to this love (except for the love of the Messenger of Allah). Observe the meanings of the following verses:


“Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat.”

[Chapter At-Taubah: Verse 24]

“Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides Allah, as equal (with Allah): They love them as they should love Allah. But those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see, behold, they would see the penalty: that to Allah belongs all power, and Allah will strongly enforce the penalty.”

[Chapter Al-Baqarah: Verse 165]

All the love and compassion of the ones that truly believe are the result of the love of Allah s.w.t., there is nothing standing that corrupts this pure Shahadah that is very valuable to us. All other love must succumb to or be succumbed to and is directed towards the complete love to Allah s.w.t. absolutely. The Messenger of Allah said:

“Three things that if anyone has will taste the sweetness of Iman that is:

1. When Allah and His Messenger are loved more than anything else
2. When someone loves someone because of Allah
3. When one hates to return to disbelieve as if one hates to be thrown in the Hell Fire.”

[Hadith: Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In short, Kalimah Shahadah warrants us to love Allah s.w.t and His Messenger more than anyone or anything else, even our own self.

1.5 The Only Sustainer

Here, the Shahadah instills a reality that is obvious, Allah s.w.t alone is the Sustainer, the creatures are just the carriers and delivery agents, not the source and cannot increase or decrease the sustenance even for an atom. This is the reality, a reality that is easily lost from our rationale when we pass through the trials and tribulations in this life.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“O men! Call to mind the grace of Allah unto you! Is there a creator, other than Allah, to give you sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He: how then are ye deluded away from the Truth?”

[Chapter Al-Faathir: Verse 3]

What is meant by sustenance is all that we get in this life whether it is in the form of material things, time, health, or in short, all other goodies in life.

Allah s.w.t. says which means:


“Say: "Think ye, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who - a god other than Allah - could restore them to you?" See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); yet they turn aside.”

[Chapter Al-An'am: Verse 46]

From the actions point of view, accepting Allah s.w.t. alone as 'Ilah', as the Only Sustainer and the Only God, gives us the awareness that choosing a path that is not blessed by Allah s.w.t. does not increase our destined sustenance even for an atom and likewise obeying Allah s.w.t. will not decrease our destined sustenance even for an atom. So, how in vain are the efforts and initiatives to disobey Allah s.w.t., even how enticing the Satan made it look. Is there any other choice for us who believe other than to submit and obey His Laws?

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!”

[Chapter Hud: Verse 101]

1.6 Source Of Our Jurisprudence

'Ilah' also means that the Essence to whom we refer to get all that is right and wrong and to get our laws where we obey and acknowledge, the Essence that has the right to determine laws. This right directly stems out from the 'Ilah' Attribute of the All Powerful, having unequal absolute Power and Sovereignty. This is what we testify in the Kalimah Shahadah of the Attribute and Right of Allah s.w.t. Allah s.w.t. is our only place of jurisdiction. The Power of Allah s.w.t. is absolute and cannot be compartmentalized. The Islamic Scholars have unanimously agreed that a person is considered a disbeliever if he/she believes that there is a law that is better, more just, more practical or more complete than the laws of Allah s.w.t. or there is a system that is equal to the Islamic Jurisprudence.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.”

[Chapter Al-Maidah: Verse 44]

The definitions of 'halal' and 'haram', legitimate or not, good or bad, can or cannot are the sole right of Allah s.w.t. alone. Anything that is related to this issue must submit and obey what has been revealed by Allah s.w.t. The laws that we acknowledge are only the laws of Allah s.w.t. or that are not in contradiction with the laws of Allah s.w.t. or that are based on the laws of Allah s.w.t.

Our allegiance is only to Allah s.w.t., we are not bound to any man-made laws or acts that contradict the laws of Allah s.w.t. Our Shahadah will be nullified if we acknowledge and obey the laws of 'Thaghut' (Transgression).

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?”

[Chapter Al-Maidah: Verse 50]

The attribute of liking and being comfortable with the laws other than the laws of Allah s.w.t. is an attribute of hypocrisy that is condemned by Allah s.w.t.


“Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who declare that they believe in the revelations that have come to thee and to those before thee? Their (real) wish is to resort together for judgment (in their disputes) to the Evil One, though they were ordered to reject him. But Satan's wish is to lead them astray far away (from the right). When it is said to them: "Come to what Allah hath revealed, and to the Messenger": Thou seest the Hypocrites avert their faces from thee in disgust.”

[Chapter An-Nisaa': Verse 60-61]

THE RELATION BETWEEN TAUHID ULUHIYYAH AND TAUHID RUBBUBIYYAH

Tauhid Rubbubiyyah is the total believe in testimony that Allah s.w.t. is the Source of creations. From this firm believe results in Tauhid Uluhiyyah in testimony that we must only worship Allah s.w.t. alone. This is because in the Quranic verses that reminds the idolaters regarding Tauhid Uluhiyyah also includes Tauhid Rubbubiyyah and vice versa.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?”

[Chapter Al-A'raaf: Verse 191]

“Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition?”

[Chapter An-Nahl: Verse 17]

These verses clearly explains to the idolaters that what they worshipped other than Allah s.w.t. are weak and cannot create anything even a fly. Also, if a fly attacks what they are worshiping, they even cannot defend themselves. So, a sound and healthy mind cannot accept worship other than to Allah s.w.t. and cannot accept other than Allah s.w.t. be His equal. Allah s.w.t is the All Creator and all others are created and have shortcomings.


2. Tauhid Al-Asma' Al-Husna (World)

This approach to At-Tauhid is prevalent among the Muslims of the World and is widely known. When we have accepted that Allah s.w.t. alone is the absolute 'Rabb' (Creator) and 'Ilah', then it is mandatory for us to learn and know His names and attributes that qualifies His Greatness.

Abu Hurairah r.a. narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:


“Allah has 99 most beautiful names. Whosoever memorizes them will enter Paradise. Indeed Allah s.w.t is 'Witir' (One) and He likes what is 'witir' (in odd numbers).”

[Hadith: Al-Bukhari And Muslim]

Memorizing the beautiful names of Allah s.w.t. here means that they are being remembered, conscious of their meanings and impacts our souls. Let us live these most beautiful names and attributes of Allah s.w.t. in ourselves until they are being manifested in our daily lives i.e. we feel that we are just small beings in relation to His Greatness.

Among the attributes of Allah s.w.t is that Allah s.w.t is All Knowing, there is nothing shielded from His Knowledge. He is All Powerful and He can carry out anything that He wishes without anyone or any power to stop Him.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:


“With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read).”

[Chapter Al-An'am: Verse 59]

Pondering upon the most beautiful names of Allah s.w.t. will, InshaAllah, open our hearts to a deeper understanding on the Uluhiyyah and Rubbubiyyah of Allah s.w.t. in absolute, without any association or equal.

The following we list the 99 most beautiful names of Allah s.w.t.:

1. Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Compassionate)
2. Ar-Rahiim (The Most Merciful)
3. Al-Malik (The Absolute Ruler)
4. Al-Qudduus (The Most Pure)
5. As-Salaam (The All Source Of Peace)
6. Al-Mu'min (The Most Inspirer Of Faith)
7. Al-Muhamin (The All Guardian)
8. Al-'Aziiz (The Most Victorious)
9. Al-Jabbaar (The Most Compeller)
10. Al-Mutakabbir (The Most Proud)
11. Al-Khaaliq (The All Creator)
12. Al-Baari (The Most Maker Of Order)
13. Al-Musawwir (The Most Shaper Of Beauty)
14. Al-Ghaffaar (The Most Forgiving)
15. Al-Qahhaar (The Most Subduer)
16. Al-Wahhaab (The Most Giver Of All)
17. Ar-Razzaaq (The Most Sustainer)
18. Al-Fattaah (The Most Opener)
19. Al-'Aliim (The Most Knowledgeable)
20. Al-Qaabidh (The Most Constrictor)
21. Al-Baasit (The Most Reliever)
22. Al-Khaafidz (The Most Abaser)
23. Ar-Raafi' (The Most Exalter)
24. Al-Mu'izz (The Most Bestower Of Honors)
25. Al-Muzil (The Most Humiliator)
26. As-Samii' (The All Hearing)
27. Al-Basiir (The All Seeing)
28. Al-Hakam (The Judge)
29. Al-'Adl (The Most Just)
30. Al-Latiif (The Most Subtle)
31. Al-Khabiir (The Most Aware)
32. Al-Haliim (The Most Forebearing)
33. Al-'Adziim (The Most Magnificent)
34. Al-Ghafuur (The Most Forgiver And Hider Of Faults)
35. Ash-Shakuur (The Most Rewarder Of Thankfulness)
36. Al-'Alii (The Highest)
37. Al-Kabiir (The Greatest)
38. Al-Hafiidz (The Most Preserver)
39. Al-Muqiit (The Most Nourisher)
40. Al-Hasiib (The Most Accounter)
41. Al-Jaliil (The Mightiest)
42. Al-Kariim (The Most Generous)
43. Ar-Raqiib (The Most Watchful)
44. Al-Mujiib (The Most Responder To Prayer)
45. Al-Waasi' (The Most Comprehending)
46. Al-Hakiim (The Most Wise)
47. Al-Waduud (The Most Loving)
48. Al-Majiid (The Most Majestic)
49. Al-Baa'ith (The Most Resurrector)
50. Ash-Shahiid (The Most Witness)
51. Al-Haq (The Most Truth)
52. Al-Wakiil (The Most Trustee)
53. Al-Qawii (The Most Possessor Of All Strength)
54. Al-Matiin (The Most Forceful)
55. Al-Walii (The All Governor)
56. Al-Hamiid (The Most Praised)
57. Al-Muhsii (The Most Appraiser)
58. Al-Mubdiu (The Most Originator)
59. Al-Mu'iid (The Most Restorer)
60. Al-Muhyii (The Most Giver Of Life)
61. Al-Mumiit (The Most Taker Of Life)
62. Al-Hayy (The Most Ever Living)
63. Al-Qayyum (The Most Self-Existing)
64. Al-Waajid (The Most Finder)
65. Al-Maajid (The Most Glorious)
66. Al-Waahid (The Only One)
67. Al-Ahad (The One)
68. As-Samad (The Most Satisfier Of All Needs)
69. Al-Qaadir (The Most Powerful)
70. Al-Muqtadir (The Creator Of All Power)
71. Al-Muqaddim (The Most Expediter)
72. Al-Muakhkhir (The Most Delayer)
73. Al-Awwal (The First)
74. Al-Aakhir (The Last)
75. Al-Dzaahir (The Most Manifest)
76. Al-Baatin (The Most Hidden)
77. Al-Waalii (The Most Protecting)
78. Al-Muta'aalii (The Most Supreme)
79. Al-Barr (The Most Doer Of Good)
80. At-Tawwaab (The Most Guider To Repentance)
81. Al-Muntaqim (The Most Avenger)
82. Al-'Afuu (The Most Forgiver)
83. Ar-Rauuf (The Most Clement)
84. Al-Maalikul Mulk (The Owner Of All)
85. Dzuljalaali Wal Ikraam (The Lord Of Majesty And Bounty)
86. Al-Muqsit (The Most Equitable)
87. Al-Jaami' (The Most Gatherer)
88. Al-Ghanii (The Most Rich)
89. Al-Mughnii (The Most Enricher)
90. Al-Maani' (The Most Preventer Of Harm)
91. Adh-Dharr (The All Creator Of Harm)
92. An-Naafi' (The All Creator Of Good)
93. An-Nuur (The All Light)
94. Al-Haadi (The All Guide)
95. Al-Badii' (The Most Incomparable)
96. Al-Baaqii (The Most Everlasting)
97. Al-Waarith (The Most Inheritor)
98. Ar-Rashiid (The Most Righteous Teacher)
99. As-Sabuur (The Most Patient)


3. Tauhid Based On The 20 Attributes Of Allah s.w.t. (Malay World)

This approach to At-Tauhid is prevalent among the Muslims of the Malay World and it widely known throughout the Malay Archipelago. This At-Tauhid is divided into 3 parts. We list them down here:

3.1 Twenty ‘Must’ Attributes Of Allah s.w.t.
3.2 Twenty ‘Must Not’ Attributes Of Allah s.w.t.
3.3 One ‘May’ Attribute Of Allah s.w.t.

3.1 Twenty ‘Must’ Attributes Of Allah s.w.t.:

3.1.1 Wujud (Existence)
3.1.2 Qidam (Eternal)
3.1.3 Baqa’ (Permanence)
3.1.4 Mukhaalafatuhu Lilhawaadith (Dissimilarity With The Created)
3.1.5 Qiyaamuhu Binafsih (Self-Subsistence)
3.1.6 Wahdaaniah (Oneness)
3.1.7 Qudrah (Power)
3.1.8 Iradah (Will)
3.1.9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
3.1.10 Hayaah (Life)
3.1.11 Sama’ (Hearing)
3.1.12 Basar (Vision)
3.1.13 Kalaam (Speech)
3.1.14 Kaunuhu Qaadiran (Always in a state of being Powerful)
3.1.15 Kaunuhu Muriidan (Always in a state of Willing)
3.1.16 Kaunuhu ‘Aaliman (Always in a state of Knowing)
3.1.17 Kaunuhu Hayyan (Always in a state of Alive)
3.1.18 Kaunuhu Samii’an (Always in a state of Hearing)
3.1.19 Kaunuhu Basiiran (Always in a state of Seeing)
3.1.20 Kaunuhu Mutakalliman (Always in a state of Speaking)

3.2 Twenty ‘Must Not’ Attributes Of Allah s.w.t.:

3.2.1 ‘Adam (Non-existence)
3.2.2 Huduuth (Recency)
3.2.3 Fanaa’ (Perishability)
3.2.4 Mumaathalatuhu Lilhawaadith (Similarity With The Created)
3.2.5 Muhtaajun Ilaa Ghairih (Non-self-sufficiency)
3.2.6 Ta’addud (Plurality)
3.2.7 ‘Ajzun (Weakness)
3.2.8 Karaahah (Unwillingness)
3.2.9 Jahl (Ignorance)
3.2.10 Maut (Dead)
3.2.11 Somam (Deafness)
3.2.12 ‘Umyun (Blindness)
3.2.13 Bukmun (Speechlessness)
3.2.14 Kaunuhu ‘Aajizan (Always in a state of weakness)
3.2.15 Kaunuhu Mukrahan (Always in a state of unwillingness)
3.2.16 Kaunuhu Jaahilan (Always in a state of ignorance)
3.2.17 Kaunuhu Mayyitan (Always in a state of deadness)
3.2.18 Kaunuhu Asamm (Always in a state of deafness)
3.2.19 Kaunuhu A’maa (Always in a state of blindness)
3.2.20 Kaunuhu Abkam (Always in a state of speechlessness)

3.3 One ‘May’ Attribute Of Allah s.w.t.

According to Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Bajuri in his book The Knowledge Of Faiths, he stated that ‘may' means that anything that may occur or may not occur like disbelieve, sins, create creations, give sustenance, etc. are the sole prerogative of Allah s.w.t. to do or not to do something. There is nothing new that exists or does not exist yet except that all are willed by Allah s.w.t. according to His Justice.

OUR HOPE

So, the readers can decide which of the 3 approaches of At-Tauhid that they wish to go into details. Actually, all the 3 approaches are considered complimentary. This 3-in-1 approach serves as a basis for understanding Allah s.w.t. The first approach is explained in more detail than the latter approaches in this article and is much easier to comprehend. The readers need to go into more details on the latter approaches if they want to learn more about them. They can do that by learning from any true Islamic scholar.

We hope that with this 3-in-1 basis of At-Tauhid, the Muslims of Malaysia can be united and thereafter in the Malay Archipelago and then the rest of the World. After this article we hope that the masses will have a better understanding and picture when they say Allah s.w.t is their only God and what are its implications.

References:

1. Basics Of Da’wah (1): Dr Abdul Karim Zaidan
2. Faith And Life: Dr Yusuf Al-Qardhawi
3. 20 Attributes – Attributes Of Allah & Submission To His Oneness: Muhammad Isa Selamat

Recommended further research:

1. Book Of Tauhid In Ihya’ Ulumiddin (Revival Of The Religious Sciences): Imam Al-Ghazzali r.a.