The Most Trustworthy Handhold: Understanding Tawhid and its Significance in Islam

Tawhid: The Foundation of Islam

ALLĀH’S statement,

فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُوْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in ALLĀH, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And ALLĀH is All-Hearer, All-Knower. 

is in reference to, “Whoever shuns the rivals of ALLĀH, the idols, and those that Shaytan calls to be worshipped besides ALLĀH, whoever believes in ALLAH’S Oneness, worships HIM alone and testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except HIM,

فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ

then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold.

Therefore, this person will have acquired firmness (in the religion) and proceeded on the correct way and the straight path.

Abu Al-Qasim Al-Baghawi recorded that Umar said: “Jibt means magic, and Taghut means Shaytan. Verily, courage and cowardice are two instincts that appear in men, the courageous fights for those whom he does not know and the coward runs away from defending his own mother. Man’s honor resides with his religion and his status is based upon his character, even if he was Persian or Nabatian.”

Umar’s statement that Taghut is Shaytan is very sound, for this meaning includes every type of evil that the ignorant people of Jahiliyyah (pre Islamic era of ignorance) fell into, such as worshipping idols, referring to them for judgment, and invoking them for victory.

ALLAH’S statement,

فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا

then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break,

means, “He will have hold of the true religion with the strongest grasp.”

ALLĀH equated this adherence to the firm handhold that never breaks because it is built solid and because its handle is firmly connected. This is why ALLĀH said here,

فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا

then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.

Mujahid said: “The most trustworthy handhold is Iman (faith).”

As-Suddi said that; “it refers to Islam.”

Imam Ahmad recorded that Qays bin Abbad said,

“I was in the Masjid when a man whose face showed signs of humbleness came and prayed two Rakahs that were modest in length. The people said, This is a man from among the people of Paradise.’ When he left, I followed him until he entered his house, and I entered it after him and spoke with him. When he felt at ease, I said to him, When you entered the Masjid, the people said such and such things.’

He said, All praise is due to ALLĀH! No one should say what he has no knowledge of. I will tell you why they said that.

I saw a vision during the time of the Messenger of ALLĀH, and I narrated it to him. I saw that I was in a green garden, and he described the garden’s plants and spaciousness, and there was an iron pole in the middle of the garden affixed in the earth and its tip reached the sky. On its tip, there was a handle, and I was told to ascend the pole. I said, I cannot.’ Then a helper came and raised my robe from behind and said to me, Ascend.’ I ascended until I grasped the handle and he said to me, Hold on to the handle.’ I awoke from that dream with the handle in my hand.

I went to the Messenger of ALLĀH and told him about the vision and he ﷺ said,

As for the garden, it represents Islam; as for the pole, it represents the pillar of Islam; and the handle represents the most trustworthy handhold. You shall remain Muslim until you die.

This Companion was Abdullah bin Salam.”

This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs; and Al-Bukhari also recorded it with another chain of narration.

{Tafsi‌r Ibn Kathīr}

#ibnkathir #baqarah (2:256)