This treatise, with a profound and contemplative gaze upon the verses of the Holy Quran, undertakes the examination of the fundamental concepts of Shirk (polytheism), Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Bismillah (In the Name of God), Allah As-Samad (The Eternal Refuge), and Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living). These concepts, akin to crystal-clear springs, channel monotheistic knowledge into the hearts of the believers and open a path towards divine proximity. The objective of this work is to elucidate these exalted meanings with eloquent and solemn language so that readers may, through deep insight, apprehend the reality of Tawhid in the divine verses. The present writing, drawing upon Quranic verses and traditions, endeavours to guide the reader towards a deeper understanding of these concepts as if beholding the truth of existence before a transparent mirror.
The polytheists, despite their claims of knowing Allah, possessed a superficial and auditory knowledge that was devoid of the depth of true faith and sincere belief. This knowledge was like a fleeting shadow; it amounted merely to hearing a name of Allah rather than a commitment or earnest concern for the truth of Tawhid. In their division of fields and livestock, they allocated portions to Allah and parts to their idols; yet in practice, what was for Allah ended up with the idols, and what was for the idols never reached Allah. This conduct revealed erroneous judgement and mockery in their worship.
وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ مِمَّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ الْحَرْثِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ نَصِيبًا فَقَالُوا هَذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَهَذَا لِشُرَكَائِنَا فَمَا كَانَ لِشُرَكَائِهِمْ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَى شُرَكَائِهِمْ سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَAnd from what Allah has produced of crops and livestock, they designated a share for Allah and said, This is for Allah, by their claim, and This is for our partners. But what was for their partners did not reach Allah, and what was for Allah reached their partners. Evil is that which they judge.
This verse unveils the incomplete knowledge of the polytheists. They ostensibly recognised Allah as the Creator, yet this recognition was by way of imitation of their forefathers or mockery. In the original text, this knowledge is likened to the superficial understanding of an individual who has heard a name but holds no real connection with the name bearer. This knowledge is like speech upon the tongue, yet it does not settle in the heart. The polytheists, in their distributions, attributed a share for Allah, yet in reality, this share was assigned to idols, reflecting a lack of genuine belief in Allah.
To clarify this incomplete knowledge, one may consider the relationship of some Sunnis with the Caliphate of the Commander of the Faithful (a). They ostensibly accept his caliphate as the fourth caliph, yet this acceptance is mere verbal repetition without heartfelt faith. This state is analogous to the polytheists knowledge of Allah, which was only superficial verbal expression without profound belief. Religious knowledge must elucidate this reality so that believers shun such superficial knowledge and advance towards steadfast faith.
The phrase La Ilaha Illa Allah is like a key that unlocks the locks of polytheism and directs the heart towards the truth of Tawhid. This phrase, proportional to the purity of the inner self, creates nearness to Allah. The seeker, by uttering La Ilaha, negates all false deities and by Illa Allah, affirms the truth. This phrase is like a ghazal (poetic ode) in which truth sings within the heart of the believer, not creation. Whoever negates false gods in their heart reaches affirmation of Allah, and this negation and affirmation is akin to a journey from the darkness of shirk to the light of monotheism.
The knowledge of the polytheists regarding Allah was like a shadow fading before the light of truth. This knowledge was not born of faith but rather imitation or mockery. Religious knowledge must clarify that Tawhid requires profound and heartfelt knowledge. The phrase La Ilaha Illa Allah is the key to this path, which by negating false gods, directs the heart towards affirmation of the truth.
Ar-Rahman is a general and independent name that holds a special manifestation in the Holy Quran. Unlike Ar-Rahim, which frequently accompanies other names, Ar-Rahman enjoys independence and singularity. It appears 199 times in the Quran, 57 of which are independently used, indicating its greatness and comprehensiveness. The polytheists recognised mercy but denied the command (amr) of Ar-Rahman, not out of unfamiliarity with the word but due to aversion to obedience.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اسْجُدُوا لِلرَّحْمَنِ قَالُوا وَمَا الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَسْجُدُ لِمَا تَأْمُرُنَا وَزَادَهُمْ نُفُورًاAnd when it is said to them, Prostrate to the Most Merciful, they say, And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to that which you command us? And it increases them in aversion.
This verse shows that the denial of the polytheists was not due to unfamiliarity with Ar-Rahman but was a refusal to accept its command. Ar-Rahman is like a divine command that calls disobedient hearts to prostration, but the polytheists, who prostrated to their idols, fled from this command. The claim that Ar-Rahman is a non-Arabic word, deriving from Hebrew, is false, for the polytheists recognised mercy and their denial was of the command of Ar-Rahman.
Ar-Rahman is a general and expansive attribute of outpouring, whereas Ar-Rahim is a particular attribute signifying the perfection granted to the believers. Ar-Rahim appears 114 times in the Quran, only thrice independently, and is usually accompanied by other names. This distinction is akin to the difference between the sun that shines on all (Ar-Rahman) and a breeze that blows only on the hearts of the believers (Ar-Rahim). Religious knowledge must clarify this distinction so that believers comprehend the grandeur of Ar-Rahman in supplication and prostration.
Ar-Rahman is like a light that shines upon the entire universe, and its independence in the Holy Quran signifies its greatness and comprehensiveness. The polytheists denied not the essence of Ar-Rahman but its command, stemming from their aversion to obedience. Religious knowledge must guide believers to recognise this exalted name and employ it in prayer and prostration.
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim is like a golden key that unlocks closed doors and directs hearts towards the truth. This phrase encompasses all divine names and attributes, actualising the manifestation of divinity. Ar-Rahman creates the sovereignty of the heart, and Ar-Rahim facilitates access to the truth. This invocation is healing for every difficulty, from anxiety and whisperings to spiritual and bodily ailments.
