TaWhId - ThE fOuNdAtIoN oF IsLaM...

Tawhid is a unique concept which constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam. It means that there is only one supreme Lord of the Universe. He is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Sustainer of the worlds and humankind. We see the stars scattered throught the almost infinite space, the vast panorama of nature with its charm and beauty, the regular waxing and waning of the moon, and the astonishing harmony of the seasons which all point towards one fact; there is s God, the Creator, the Governer. We witness superb and flawless systems througout the universe. Could it be without a planner? We see great enchanting beauty and harmony in its working. Could they be without creator? We observe wonderful design in nature Could it be without a designer? We feel a lofty purpose in physical and human existance. Could it be without a will working behind it? We find that the universe is like a superbly written, fascinating novel. Could it be without an Author? Allah said in Surah al-Baqarah (2):21-2: "O Humankind: worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may ward off evil; He Who has appointed the earth a resting place for you, the sky a canopy, and Who causes water to pour down from the heavens, thereby producing fruits as food for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah, when you know better."

Islam with its concept of Tawhid presents a unified view of the world and offers the vision of an integrated universe. This is a might contrast to the piecemeal views of the scientists and the philosophers, and it unveils the truth before the human eye. After centuries of grouping in the dark, man is now coming to realize the truth of this concept of Twahid and modern scientific thought is moving in this direction.

But it is not merely a metaphysical concept. It is a dynamic belief which essentially means that all men are the creatures of one God, they are all equal. Discrimination based on colour, class, race or territory is unfounded and illussory. It is a remnant of he days of ignorance. Humanity is one single family of God and there can be no sanction for these barriers of dicrimination. Men are as one, not rich or poor, white or black, Arab or non-Arab, Westerner or Easterner. Islam gives a revolutionary concept of the unity of mankind. The Prophet s.a.w. came to unite humanity based on the word of God.

Tawhid also defines the true position of man in the universe. It states that God is the Creator and Sovereign, and that man is His servant on earth. This exalts humans to the noble and dignified position of being God's servant on earh and endows their lives with a lofty purpose, to fulfill the will of God on earth. This will solve all the confusing problems of human society and establish a new order wherein equity and justice and peace and prosperity will reign supreme. The Qur'an says in Surah al-Baqarah (2):30, "And (remember) when your Lord said to the angles: "Verity, Iam going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth."."

BaSiC pRiNcIpAl AnD cHaRaCtErIsTiCs…

       For the proper development of their lives humankind has two basic needs, namely: (a) resources to maintain life and fulfill the material and spiritual needs of the individual and society, and (b) knowledge of the principles of social behavior to enable human beings to achieve self-fulfillment and to maintain justice and tranquility in human life. The Lord of the Universe has fully provided for both of these necessities. To cater to the material need of human beings, He has provided in nature all kinds of resources and put them at humankind’s disposal. To provide for humankind’s spiritual, social, and culture needs, He raised prophets from among them and revealed a code of life containing a complete guide to righteousness. This code of life is known as Islam. The Qur’an states in Surah ash-Shura (42):13: “He has ordained for you (O Muhammad) that Faith which he commended to Noah, and that which We commended to Ibrahim, Moses, and Jesus, saying: “Established the faith, and be not divided therein”. ” All of the prophets called humanity to the way of the Lord, the way of submission to Allah. All of them gave the same message. All of them stood for the same cause, Islam.

       Islam is not a ‘religion’ in the common, distorted sense of the word, which confines its scope to people’s private lives. It is a complete way of life, catering to all the fields of human existence. Islam provides guidance for all walks of life-individual and society, material moral and spiritual, economic and political, legal and cultural, national and international. The Qur’an enjoins man to enter the fold of Islam without any reservation and to follow God’s guidance in all fields of life. (Qur’an, 2:208) in fact, no other factor has, perhaps, been more important in causing the decline of religion in the modern age than its retreat into the kingdom of the private life.

       Islam states that its objectives are purification of the soul and the reform and the reconstruction of the society. The Qur’an says in Surah Yusuf (12):40: “the command belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you obey none but Him. That is the right path,” and in Surah al-Hajj (22):41: “(muslim are) those who, if We give them power in the land, established Salah (prayers and worship) and Zakat (poor-due) and enjoin virtue and forbid vice and evil.” The Prophet (s.a.w) also said: "everyone of you is a keeper or a shepherd (guardian) and will be questioned about the well-being of his fold. So, the head of the state will be questioned about the well-being of the people of the state. Every man is shepherd member of it. Every woman is a shepherd (guardian) to the family of her husband and will be accountable for every member of it. And every servant is a shepherd (guardian) to his master and will be questioned about the propety of his master."

       Thus, even a superficial study of teachings of Islam clearly shows that iti is an all-embracing way o f life which does not leave any field of human existance to become a playground for satanic forces.

       Islam teaches the sanctity of human personality, confers equal rights on all without any distinction of colour, sex, or language, and subjects the highest and the humblest, the richest and the poorest, the king and the commoner to the sovereignty of Allah. At the same time Islam gives man the highest imaginable initiative to proceed in the path of self-realization, by perfecting his or her servitude to the Lord of the universe.

mEaNiNg Of IsLaM…

       Islam is an Arabic word meaning “the act of submission to Allah.” The word from which it is derived is slm, pronounced salm or silm, which means peace or reconciliation. Al-Islam or Islam is the religion which brings peace to mankind when man commits himself to God and submits himself to his will. Such a life of obedience brings peace of heart and established real peace in society at large. Allah said in Surah ar-ra’d (13):28-9: “those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah-indeed it is in the thought of Allah alone that the heart of man really find rest-those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return to.”

       According to the scripture revealed to Muhammad s.a.w., Islam is the only true religion professed by all prophets; from Adam to the last prophet, Muhammad s.a.w. the same basic message was preached by all the prophets of God, who guided humanity to the right path. But humanity not only veered away from the right path again and again, but also lost or distorted the code of guidance which the prophets had bequeathed. That was why other prophets were sent to restate the original message and guide man to the man to the right path.

       A Muslim is one who submits himself to God and professes the faith of Islam. Muslims believe that God has sent prophets to all corners of the earth to preach the same religion. They also believe that God’s message stopped coming after the last revelations received by the last prophet, Muhammad s.a.w., and that the last revelation was the final and most comprehensive form of God’s message to man.