The most fundamental and the most important teaching of Prophet Muhammad
(blessings of Allah and peace be upon him) is faith in the unity of God. This is
expressed in the primary Kalimah of Islam as "There is no deity but Allah" (La illaha
illallah). This beautiful phrase is the bedrock of Islam, its foundation and its essence. It
is the expression of this belief, which differentiates a true Muslim from a kafir
(unbeliever), mushrik (one who associates others with God in His Divinity) or dahriyah
(an atheist).
The acceptance or denial of this phrase produces a world of difference between man
and man. The believers in it become one single community and those who do not
believe in it form an opposing group. For the believers there is unhampered progress
and success in this world and in the hereafter, while failure and ignominy are the
ultimate lot of those who refuse to believe in it.
But the difference between the believers and the unbelievers does not result from the
mere chanting of a few words. Obviously, the mere utterance of a phrase or two is not
in itself important. The real difference lies in the conscious acceptance of this doctrine
and complete adherence to it in practical life. Mere repetition of the word 'food' cannot
dull hunger; mere chanting of a medical prescription cannot heal the disease.
In the same way, if the Kalimah is repeated without any understanding, it cannot work
the revolution, which it is meant to bring about. This can occur only if a person grasps
the full meaning of the doctrine and accepts and follows it in letter and spirit. We avoid
fire because we know that it burns; we keep away from poison because we know that it
can kill. Similarly, if the real meanings of Tawhid are fully grasped, we avoid, in belief
as well as in action, every form of disbelief, atheism and polytheism. This is the natural
consequence of belief in the Unity of God.
(blessings of Allah and peace be upon him) is faith in the unity of God. This is
expressed in the primary Kalimah of Islam as "There is no deity but Allah" (La illaha
illallah). This beautiful phrase is the bedrock of Islam, its foundation and its essence. It
is the expression of this belief, which differentiates a true Muslim from a kafir
(unbeliever), mushrik (one who associates others with God in His Divinity) or dahriyah
(an atheist).
The acceptance or denial of this phrase produces a world of difference between man
and man. The believers in it become one single community and those who do not
believe in it form an opposing group. For the believers there is unhampered progress
and success in this world and in the hereafter, while failure and ignominy are the
ultimate lot of those who refuse to believe in it.
But the difference between the believers and the unbelievers does not result from the
mere chanting of a few words. Obviously, the mere utterance of a phrase or two is not
in itself important. The real difference lies in the conscious acceptance of this doctrine
and complete adherence to it in practical life. Mere repetition of the word 'food' cannot
dull hunger; mere chanting of a medical prescription cannot heal the disease.
In the same way, if the Kalimah is repeated without any understanding, it cannot work
the revolution, which it is meant to bring about. This can occur only if a person grasps
the full meaning of the doctrine and accepts and follows it in letter and spirit. We avoid
fire because we know that it burns; we keep away from poison because we know that it
can kill. Similarly, if the real meanings of Tawhid are fully grasped, we avoid, in belief
as well as in action, every form of disbelief, atheism and polytheism. This is the natural
consequence of belief in the Unity of God.