In the name of Allāh, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
In a previous article, Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allāh have mercy upon him) explained how all of the Qur’ān is regarding Tawḥīd. Every āyah in the Qur’ān relates to an aspect of Tawḥīd. He categorised the āyāt of the Qur’ān into five categories, each one of them linked to Tawḥīd. The article can be read here: https://madeenah.com/every-ayah-in-the-quran-is-regarding-tawhid/
The author then mentioned how every āyah in Soorah al-Fātihah relates to Tawḥīd. In this article, with the help of Allāh, I will clarify this.
The general meaning of Tawhīd
It is a word we often hear being mentioned, however its meaning may not be understood. It can be summarised as:
The command to single out Allāh in ALL aspects of worship, and to single Him out in all qualities, characteristics, rights and attributes that are specific to Him.
The opposite of Tawḥīd is Shirk, which is to direct an act of worship to any other being, or attribute an exclusive right or characteristic of Allāh to another being.
Sūrah al-Fātihah and Tawhīd
{الحمد لله رب العالمين}
{All Praise is for Allāh, the Lord of creation}
This is affirming that only Allāh is the Rabb (Lord) of creation. It therefore contains Tawḥīd ar-Rubūbiyyah, which is the exclusive right of Allāh in Lordship. He alone creates, owns, provides and controls creation.
{الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَومِ الدِّينِ}
{The most Merciful, the Bestower of mercy. The Owner of the Day of Recompense}
This āyah affirms two qualities and attributes which are exclusive to Allāh. Firstly, He alone is entirely merciful, his attribute of mercy is more comprehensive than any other being. He is also the sole Mālik (Owner) of the Day of Recompense. It therefore contains Tawḥīd al-Asmā wa-Siffāt (the Tawḥīd of the names and attributes of Allāh). If any of these characteristics are affirmed for other than Allāh, it becomes Shirk.
{إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ}
{You alone do we Worship, and You alone do we seek help from}
This āyah shows us the obligation of directing all acts of worship to Allāh, and only seeking help and aid from Allāh. This is the core essence of Tawḥīd. Opposing this āyah results in a person contradicting the fundamental meaning of Islām and is therefore Shirk (Polytheism) and Kufr (disbelief).
{إهدنا الصراط المستقيم}
{Guide us to the Straight Path}
This āyah obligates upon us to supplicate to Allāh for guidance to the Straight Path. Supplication is an act of worship and therefore must only be asked from Allāh. It also proves how true guidance lies with Allāh and none other. Both meanings are Tawḥīd.
{صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ }
{The path of those who You have blessed}
The path that we want Allāh to guide us to is the path of the blessed people.They are the people of Tawḥīd from amongst the Prophets, Messengers, truthful, martyrs, scholars and righteous people.
{غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا الضَّالِّينَ}
{Not the path of those who You are angry upon, nor those who have gone astray}
A number of scholars have mentioned that the intent behind the ‘angered’ and the ‘astray’ is the Jews and Christians. This is because both groups of people oppose the command of Tawḥīd by refusing to Worship to Allāh, ascribing to Him partners and sons, and killing His Messengers. This āyah is therefore a lesson to us about the people who oppose Tawḥīd – the people of Shirk.
Conclusion
This great Soorah is the first Sūrah in the Qur’ān. It exemplifies how all of the Qur’ān is Tawḥīd , and how it is the most important message of the Qur’ān. Tawḥīd is the core and essence of Islām; a person cannot be a Muslim without affirming and implementing it.
We ask Allāh to make us from the people of Tawḥīd, and to save us and our children from Shirk.
Written by the one in need of Allāh:
Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz
Nelson, Lancashire, UK
19th Saffar, 1436h
10th December, 2014
