By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

V. The Qur’ân Guides Mankind to Believe and Worship the One and Only True God

The Qur’ân teaches mankind the sincere belief in Tawhîd [1] (Islâmic monotheism or absolute oneness of Allâh) ¾  the universal divine message for all mankind. Allâh says:

“Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning there from, and let them know that He is (no other than) One Allâh. Let men of understanding take heed.”   (14:52)

 “And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!  Verily, verily your God is One! Rabb of the heavens and of the earth and all between them and Rabb of every point at the rising of the sun!”   (37:4-5)

The Qur’ân repeatedly tells us that there is no god but Allâh. Allâh Alone claims for universal divinity.  He Alone commands all mankind to know that there is no god but He.  He tells us:

 “And your Allâh is one Allâh; there is no god but He Most Gracious Most Merciful.”   (2:163)

 “Allâh! There is no god but He! Rabb of the Throne Supreme!”   (27:26)

“O mankind!  Call to mind the grace of Allâh unto you! Is there a Creator other than Allâh to give you Sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but He. How then are you deluded away from the Truth?”  (35:3)

 The Qur’ân enlightens us to testify that there is no God but Allâh (47:19). Allâh is the Living, the Self-Subsisting, the Supporter of all (3:2). He is the Creator of all (2:29, 117; 6:73) ¾ the One Who gives life and death (3:156; 6:95; 15:23) and to Him is our Final Return (43:45-50). To Allâh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allâh is our return (24:42). Our goal in the end is towards Allâh (6:164). Therefore, if we want to succeed both in this world and in the life Hereafter, we must sincerely believe in Allâh and submit to His Will. This means to live and die in a state of Islâm.

Belief in Allâh requires that we refrain from assigning partners to Him (60:12; 13:36; 6:22) as well as saying things about Allâh of which we have no knowledge (7:33). No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle well aware (6:102,103). He is Allâh, the One, not one in a Trinity (5:72), nor one of two (16:51). He has no begotten son (2:116; 6:100; 10:68; 19:35) nor is He begotten (112:3). Nor does He have any neither consort nor daughters (6:100-101; 16:57; 37:149-157). Verily, Allâh has no partner (6:163). Allâh is the One, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him (112:1-4; 42: 11).

The belief in Tawhîd (the oneness of Allâh) in Islâm is the most logical idea that every rational individual could ever think. The reason: simply because, should there be two, three or more “gods” then, the entire universe would have been in chaos as a result of the competition of and struggle for power among “gods.” Allâh says:

 “If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allâh, there would have been ruin in both!   But glory to Allâh, the Rabb of the Throne:  (High is He) above what they attribute to Him.” (21: 22)

“No son did Allâh beget nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods) behold each god would have taken away what he had created and some would have overcome others! Glory to Allâh (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!”    (23:91)

Since there is only One Allâh, Who Alone deserves our worship, we mankind must worship Him. We must worship Allâh with utmost sincerity.  The Qur’ân teaches us to worship no one but Allâh:

 “…(This is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) ¾ further explained in detail from One Who is Wise and Well Acquainted (with all things). (It teaches) that you should worship none but Allâh. ” (11:1-2)

The following verses enlighten us to believe that no one is worthy to be worshipped but Allâh.  Contemplate on them and obey the divine commandment to worship Him alone:

 “That is Allâh, your Rabb! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things: so, worship Him (Alone) and He has power to dispose of all affairs.” (6:102, 103)

 “Whatever you worship apart from Him is nothing but name which you have named.  You and your fathers, for which Allâh has sent down no authority: the command is for none but Allâh.  He has commanded that you worship none but Him.  That is the right religion, but most men do not know.”  (12:40)

 “Those to whom We have given the Book rejoice at what has been revealed unto you but there are among the clans those who reject a part thereof. Say, ‘I am commanded to worship Allâh, and not to join partners with Him. Unto Him do I call, and unto Him is my return.’” (13:36)

 “Rabb of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them: so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any one who is worthy of the same Name as He?” (19:65)

 “Verily, I am Allâh: There is no god but I: so serve Me (only), and establish regular prayer for My remembrance.”   (20:14)

For our guidance and salvation, we have to worship Allâh alone. Our Creator makes it very clear that the very purpose why He has created us is to worship Him throughout our lives. Allâh commands us when He says:

 “I created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me.” (51:56)

 “And worship your Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death).” (15:99)

The Qur’ân contains many verses that guide us to pray to Allâh. To reiterate, it even starts with praises and prayer to our Creator as shown in its opening chapter, Al Fatiha. This particular Surah (chapter) teaches us the best and succinct prayer to Allâh ¾ to guide us to the right path and save us from those who go astray. The succeeding Surah Al Baqarah (The Heifer) immediately tells us the answer to our prayer. It enlightens us to believe that the Qur’ân is the Book; in it is guidance sure to those who fear Allâh (2:2). It teaches us to pray for a balanced way of life ¾ i.e., to be happy both here and in the Hereafter (2:201).

The Qur’ânic verses on prayer also guide us how to ask Allâh for His forgiveness, help, and guidance. The following are some examples of the Ayât that pertain to supplication:

“…Our Rabb! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error. Our Rabb! Lay not on us a burden as You did lay on those before us. Our Rabb! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Protector. Grant us victory over the unbelievers.” (2:286)

 “…O Rabb! Let not our hearts deviate now after you have guided us, but grant us mercy from You: for You are the Grantor of bounties without measure…” (3:8)

“…Our Rabb! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire.” (3:16)

 “…Our Rabb! Forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty. Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith.” (3:147)

“…Our Rabb! Send us not to the company of the wrong doers.” (7:47)

 “…Our Rabb! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto You as Muslims (who bow to Your Will)!” (7:126)

“…O my Rabb! Increase me in knowledge.” (20:114)

“…O my Rabb! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous. Grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations). Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.” (26:83-84)

“…O my Rabb! Help me against people who do mischief!” (29:30)

 “O my Rabb! Grant me (the ability) that I may be grateful for Your favor, which You have bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents; and that I may work righteousness such as You may approve and be gracious to You; and truly do I submit (to You) in Islâm.” (46:15)

These and many other Qur’ânic verses[2] show Allâh’s guidance to us. For our own benefit, we have to recite the Qur’ân and remember Allâh always. We have to sincerely pray to our Creator. The following Ayât should motivate all mankind to perform Salât (Islâmic prayers):

“O mankind! Worship your Guardian Allâh, Who created you and those who came before you that you may become righteous.” (2:21)

“Successful indeed are the Believers. Those who humble themselves in their prayers and who (strictly) guard their prayers ¾ these will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein (forever).”  (23:1-2, 9-11)

“...Establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds; and remembrance of Allâh is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allâh knows the (deeds) that you do.” (29:45)

“But he will prosper who purifies himself and remembers the Name of his Guardian, Allâh, and prays (to Him).” (87:14-15)

All mankind must sincerely believe in Allâh and worship Him alone.  To Him belongs the True prayer (13:14) ¾ the Islâmic prayers which are based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. Worship in Islâm is a comprehensive term. Everything we do in accordance with Allâh’s Law is an act of Ibada (worship).  Such worship must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allâh.

If you are non-Muslim, time has come that you must believe in the absolute oneness of Allâh. Believe and worship Him with utmost sincerity and follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.  Otherwise, all your prayers, sacrifices, deeds will be in vain.  The Qur’ân tells us the following conditions by which good deeds are rewarded both in this world and in the life Hereafter:

1. Belief in Tawhîd (Oneness of Allâh):

 “This is the Guidance of Allâh with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.”  (6:88)

         “But it has already been revealed to you as it was to those before you: ‘If you were to join (gods with Allâh) truly fruitless will be thy work (in life) and you will surely be in the ranks of those who lose (all spiritual good).’”   (39:65)

2. Ikhlas (Sincerity) to Allâh which means to do good deeds purely for the pleasure of Allâh and not out of self-conceit to seek appreciation or praise from people:

 “Is it not to Allâh that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors others than Allâh (say): ‘We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allâh.’ Truly Allâh will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allâh guides not such as are false and ungrateful.”  (39:3)

“Say, ‘Verily, I am commanded to serve Allâh with sincere devotion.’”   (39:14)

 “Call then upon Allâh with sincere devotion to Him even though the Unbelievers may detest it.”  (40:14)

3. Deeds must be in accordance with the Qur’ân and the Sunnah (Tradition or Way of the Prophet Muhammad r):

 “O you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad r) and render not vain your deeds.”  (47:33)

Very clearly, the Qur’ân guides us to sincerely believe and worship Allâh alone.  It is the universal message for all humanity.  If you want to be successful both in this world and in the life Hereafter, you must sincerely believe and worship Allâh alone in accordance with the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.