The True Understanding of Tawheed: A Lesson from Shaykhul Islam Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab

The Dangers of Ignorance: A Story of Shirk and Sin

Shaykhul Islam, Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab (rahimahullah) was with his students

After having completed the study of his book ‘Kitab at-Tawheed‘, he wished to start again the study of this book for the 3rd or 4th time.

His students said to him: “O sheikh, we wish to study another book, a book of Fiqh (jurisprudence) or Hadith”.

The shaikh asked his students: “Why (do you wish to study another book)?”.

His students said: “We have in fact understood Tawhid, we want to study another science”.

The sheikh: “Wait, I shall give some thought to this”.

A few days later, the sheikh came to the lesson with a troubled face.

His students asked him the reason for it.

The sheikh explained that he’d come across something which angered him.

His students asked what it was.

The sheikh: “It has been related to me that the inhabitants of a house have sacrificed a rooster (for a jinn) in front of their door. I have sent someone to confirm this affair”.

(Time passed)..

Some time later, his students (were reminded of the incident and) asked him about the affair that he had mentioned.

The Shaykh replied: “In fact, the inhabitants of this house did not sacrifice for anything other than Allah, but it was someone who fornicated with his mother”.

Shocked, his students exclaimed: “We seek refuge with Allah! He fornicated with his mother?! We seek refuge with Allāh! He fornicated with his mother…”.

👉After mentioning this story, Shaikh Saaleh explained that Shaykhul Islam told this story to his students to show them that the statement “We have understood Tawhid” is ignorance and is one of the greatest tricks of the shaytaan.

In fact, they have made a greater sin (fornicating with one’s mother) than shirk which exits one from Islam!

Indeed, their hearts were not angered when the shirk that exists from Islam was mentioned.

👉And this also happens today, when some ignorant people see great sins and are angered by them, but when they hear about Shirk al-Akbar, or see people commiting shirk like sacrificing for other than Allah, (and other things of that nature) this does not move their hearts!

This proves their ignorance.

It proves that they have not understood Tawheed.

[Shaykh Saalih Ibn ‘Abdul Aziz Aal ash-Sheikh (hafidhahullah) in Sharh Kashf ash-Shubuhaat of Shaikh al-Islaam Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul Wahhab at-Tamimi (rahimahullah)]

#TAWHEED