The Greatest Fiqh

“I have created only jinn and man that they may serve me” (Translation of the Meaning of the Holy Quran, 51:56) 

Imam Abu Haneefa referred to aqeedah as al-Fiqh al-Akbar (The Greatest Fiqh).  Tawheed involves believing that Allah is one and unique in His Lordship (Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah), His Names and Attributes (Tawheed Asma-wa-Siffat), and His Right to be worshipped (Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah).  What is the importance of Tawheed?

1. Purpose of creation (Surat Dhariyat, 51:56)
2. Reason for sending prophets (Surat Nahl, 16:36) and revealing books (Surat Nahl, 16:2)
3. Differentiates between Muslims and Kaafirs (Surat Taghabun, 64:2)
4. Following Tawheed is a cause of peace and contentment in this life and hereafter (Surat Taha, 20:100)
5. First call that we have commanded to do (Surat Baqarah, 2:21)
6. Right of Allah over us (need citation)
7. Cause for entrance to Paradise (need citation)
8. Forgives all sins; prevents fire of hell (need citation)
9. Dangers of its opposites (Surat Nisa, 4:48)

The entire Quran is only a call to Tawheed telling us about Allah (His Names and Attributes), commanding us to worship Allah, telling us of commandments or prohibitions from Allah, narrating the rewards of the people of Tawheed (past or future), and narrating the puninshments of the people of deny Tawheed (past or future). 

What is Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah?  It entails understanding the Lordship of Allah (SWT).  Allah is our true and complete Owner, the One who is obeyed, the One who alone nourishes and takes care of everything.  Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah is the affirmation of Allah in His actions.  Proofs for Ruboobiyyah include creation (Surat Luqman, 31:11), the fitrah (Surat Hajj, 22:73), signs of the creation (Surat Baqarah, 2:164), the innate feeling of helplessness and turning to a creator (Surat Yunus, 10:12), and the sending of prophets and the revelation of books (Surat Ankaboot, 29:67).

The question becomes: is Ruboobiyyah alone sufficient?  The answer is NO!  This can be better understood by studying the religion of the Jahiliyyah Arabs.  The mushrikoon of the time of Rasoolullah (SAW) believed in Allah and His ownership!

1. The mushrikoon believed that Allah was All-Powerful (Surat Ankaboot, 29:61-63; Surat Zukhruf, 43:87; Surat Muminoon, 23:84-89)
2. They believed in Allah, yet committed shirk (Surat Yusuf, 12:106)
3. Their excuse in their worship (Surat Yunus, 10:18 & Surat Zumur, 39:3)
4. They would still turn to Allah in times of distress (Surat Ankaboot, 29:65 & Surat Luqman, 31:32)
5. They rejected the pure worship of Allah (Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah) and not the Lordship of Allah (Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah) (Surat Saffat, 37:35)

The Jahiliyyah Arabs used to believe that Allah would be too hard to please.  They would use idols to get to Allah.  Just as these people would go through idols to get to Allah, we now see many Muslims going through saints or imams to get to Allah.  However, this is not permissible!  Understanding the religion of the Jahiliyyah Arabs eradicates modern shirk!  Ruboobiyyah necessitates Uloohiyyah.  How can one admit that Allah is the true Lord and yet direct acts of worship to other than Allah?

Note that the posts in my aqeedah series will, insha’Allah come from my notes from Shaykh Yasir Qadhi’s classes.

Mukhtar Mai

Today, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend talk by Mukhtar Mai as she spoke here at Hopkins. The Foreign Affairs Symposium was responsible for bringing her. It was the first time this year I had attended an event sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Symposium as they usually bring in speakers who hold fairly liberal views, but alhamdulillah, I’m extremely glad I was able to attend Sister Mukhtar’s talk. So, today, I thought I’d write a little bit about Mukhtar’s story so that we can all become more familiar with what she has done for Pakistan.

Mukhtar Mai was gang raped on the order of village tribal council elders in a case of honor/revenge in 2002. Usually when cases like these go unnoticed, Mukhtar broke her silence and did the unthinkable and fought back using the legal system. She took the case to Pakistan’s highest court and won. With settlement money, Mukhtar was able to open up a school in her village. Originally, with only three students (two being her sister and herself), Mukhtar’s is now responsible for having opened three schools, which have more than 1000 students enrolled in them! Her dream is to continue opening schools and encouraging education in villages where no such institutions exist.

Mukhtar’s story was picked up by BBC. Later, Mukhtar Mai was named Glamous Magazine’s 2005 Women of the Year. Moreover, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah gold medal for bravery and courage by the Pakistani government. President Pervez Musharraf even mentions her in his blog (it’s so weird he has a blog!). Furthermore, Mukhtar was awared the 2006 North-South Prize of the Council of Europe. She has also recently released her new book entitled In the Name of Honor: A Memoir.

Masha’Allah, I found Sister Mukhtar to be a very humble and courageous person. She spoke in Urdu and her speech was translated here today. I feel we can all benefit from the amazing story of Mukhtar Mai for she has surely benefited so many people in Pakistan.