Knowing Allah T'ala

Knowing Allah

Knowing Allah

If you are asked: “Who is your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)?”

say: “My Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) is Allah. He has nourished me and all other creatures with his blessings. He is my Deity, and I have no other Deity but Him.”

The evidence is in His saying:

“Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;” (1:2)

Every thing other than Allah is of His Creation; and I am part of that Creation.

If you were asked: “How did you know your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)?”

say: “Through His signs and His creatures. Among his signs are the Night and Day, and the Sun and Moon. Among His creatures are the Heavens and the Earth, and all that is in and between them.”

The evidence is in His saying:

“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Prostrate not to the Sun and the Moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve.” (41:37)

And His saying:

“Your Guardian Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He settled Himself on the Throne: He draws the Night as a veil o’er the Day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: and the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, (all) are subservient by His Command. Verily, His are the Creation and the Command. Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds!” (7:54)

The “Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)” here is the worshipped Deity.

The evidence to this is in His saying:

“O you people! Worship your Guardian Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), who created you and those who came before you, that you may become righteous; Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when you know (the truth)”(2:21-22)

Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

“ It is only the Creator of all these things Who is worthy to be worshipped.”

Some of the forms of worship ordained by Allah are Islam (Submission), eman (faith), ehsan (charity), Duâa (prayer and supplications), khawf (fear), rajaa (hope), tawakkul (trust), raghbah (aspiration), rahbah (awe), khoshoâ (homage), khashiah (apprehension), enabah (remorse), estianah (supplication), estiadhah (appeal for refuge), estighathah (succor), dhabh (sacrifice) and nadhr (vowing).

These as well as other forms ordained by Allah are all to Him, taala. The evidence is in His saying:

“And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah.” (72:18)

Consequently, if anyone performs one of these rites not exclusively to Allah;

he is a polytheist and an unbeliever.

The evidence to this is His saying:

“If anyone invokes, besides Allah, any other god, he has no authority therefore; and his reckoning will be only with his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! And verily the Unbelievers shall not prosper!.”(23:117)

1.      Prayer:

It was narrated in the Hadith: “Prayer is the essence of worship” and the evidence is in His saying:

“And your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) says: ‘Call on Me; I will answer your (prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely enter Hell abased!’”  (40:60)

2.      Fear:

Evidence to fearing Allah alone is in His saying:

“Be you not afraid of them, but fear Me, if you have faith.” (3:175)

3. Hope:

Evidence of hope is in His saying:

“Whoever expects to meet his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), admit no one as partner.” (18:110)

4. Trust:

Evidence of trust is in His saying:

“But on Allah put your trust if you have faith.” (5:23)

and His saying:

“And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him.” (65:3)

“Whoever expects to meet his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), admit no one as partner.” (18:110)

5. Aspiration, Awe, and Humility:

Evidence of aspiration, awe, and humility is in His saying:

“They used to call on Us with yearning and awe, and humble themselves before Us.”  (21:90)

6.      Apprehension:

Evidence of apprehension is in His saying:

“So fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favors on you, and you may (consent to) be guided.” (2:150)

7.      Remorse:

Evidence of remorse is in His saying:

“Turn you to your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (in repentance) and submit to Him, before the chastisement comes on you: after that you shall not be helped.” (39:54)

8. Supplication:

Evidence of supplication is in His saying:

“You Alone do we worship, and  Your aid we seek.” (1:5)

and from the Hadith:

“If you need aid, supplication to Allah for aid.”

9. Appeal for Refuge:

Evidence of appeal for refuge is in His saying:

“Say: I seek refuge with the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) and Cherisher of Mankind, The King of Mankind,” (114:1-2)

10. Appeal for Succor:

Evidence of appeal for succor is in His saying:

“Remember you implored the assistance of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer), and He answered you: ‘I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks.’”  (8:9)

11. Sacrifice:

Evidence of sacrifice is in His saying:

“Say: ‘Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit to His will.’”    (6:162)

And from the  Hadîth :

“Allah’s curse is upon those who offer sacrifices to other then Him.”

12.  Vows:

Evidence of vows is in His saying:

“They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.” (76:7)

By Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab At-Tamimi