The Critical Importance of Tawheed and Sound Creed in Islamic Faith
My dear brothers,
I often ponder why the esteemed scholars of our Ummah continue to hold onto the book of Tawheed until their final moments. Whether it’s scholars like Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, Sheikh Rabe’e, Sheikh Barrak, Sheikh Abdul Muhsin Abbad and his virtuous son Sheikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Badar, or scholars such as Sheikh Suhaymee, Sheikh Uthaymeen, Sheikh Rajihi, Sheikh Sulaiman Ruhaili, Sheikh Wasiullah Abbas, Sheikh Hisham At-Tahiri, Sheikh Farhan Inzi, and Sheikh Saeed Raslan – they all emphasize studying, teaching, and commenting on essential texts like Kitab at-Tawheed, Al-Waasitiyyah, Al-Hamawiyyah, Al-Tadmuriyyah, Usul ath-Thalatha, Kashf ash-Shubuhat, and Al-Tahawiyyah.
The focus on these foundational texts underscores the immense significance of Tawheed (monotheism) and sound creed. It’s crucial to understand that errors in creed and Tawheed can impact every aspect of our worship and virtue. Misguided groups throughout history, such as the Mu’tazilites, Jahmiyyah, Qadariyyah, Ash’ariyyah, and Maturidiyyah, all exhibited deviations in their understanding of Tawheed and divine attributes.
Abdullah ibn Umar, even in his old age and blindness, would have Imam Nafi carry him to the mosque, where he observed innovations in worship and lamented the deviation from practices in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). This highlights how deviations in creed can lead to innovations in worship.
The wisdom in focusing on Tawheed and the creed of the pious predecessors is echoed in the words of Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, who observed the decline of the people of innovations and their inability to produce scholars of similar caliber to the early pious predecessors.
Imam Malik’s response to questions about the divine attributes illustrates the importance of acknowledging them without delving into speculative matters. As he said, “The rising (of Allah over the Throne) is acknowledged, its modality is unknown, and asking about it is an innovation.”
Similarly, Ibn Abdul Barr emphasized that the people of Sunnah agree on affirming the divine attributes as they are mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, without asking ‘how.’
Imam Abu Hanifah also cautioned against invoking Allah by anything other than His Names and attributes, stressing that it is detestable to do so by the right of others.
Shaikh Saleh Aal-Shaikh emphasized that valuing knowledge and striving for it reflects a healthy heart. Allah praises and elevates those who have knowledge, as seen in verses like:
Surat Al-Mujadilah [58:11]:
“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.”
Surat Az-Zumar [39:9]:
“Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember.”
May Allah grant us the wisdom to understand and uphold the true teachings of Tawheed and the sound creed, and protect us from innovations and deviations. Ameen.
Allah is the Source of Strength and Guidance.