Aqeeda

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman: 4) Forgiveness of Sins In Surah Furqan, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says: إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُوْلَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا Translation: [Whoever] repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,” (Surah Furqan, verse 70)1

Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibrahim: أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ Translation: Have you not seen how Allah has given the parable of a beautiful kalimah, like a beautiful tree whose roots are firmly established, and whose branches tower in the sky? It gives its fruits at all times by the permission of it’s Lord, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.

Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibrahim: أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ Translation: Have you not seen how Allah has given the parable of a beautiful kalimah, like a beautiful tree whose roots are firmly established, and whose branches tower in the sky? … Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.

Scholars of ‘aqeeda divide tawhid into three aspects: tawhid ar-rububiyyah, tawhid al-uloohiyyah, and tawhid al-asmaa wal sifat. Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah is the tawhid of Lordship. It pertains to Allah’s right as the Lord, and all that entails–the Creator, the Sustainer. Tawhid Al-Uloohiyyah is the tawheed of worship. It pertains to Allah’s right to be worshipped, without any partners. Tawhid Al-Asmaa wal Sifat is the tawheed of Allah’s names and attributes–such as that he is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim.

‘Ibadah. We hear the word all the time. But what does it mean? Linguistically, ‘ibadah means to show subserviance, or to be subserviant to. From a shar’ee perspective, ‘ibadah has two meanings: The spiritual conscience of the worshipper–what constitutes worship spiritually. The actions–what consitutes worship in action. And Ibn Tamiyyah says: “‘Ibadah includes all hidden and shown actions, statements, and beliefs beloved to Allah.” Of actions, there are two types: natural and religious.

Allah blessed me with the opportunity to listen to Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, who specializes in Aqeeda, speak about shirk. Here’s what he said. Question: What happens if you’re Muslim and you’ve committed shirk? Answerer: Shaykh Yasir Qadhi In the Qur’an, in many places, Allah says shirk is unforgivable. إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا Translation: Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.